Moriah Hagel, a 2016 graduate of Faulkner University, continues to live out her faith through her career, ministry and writing. She was recently honored at the 2026 Marketplace Faith Friday Forums as the Distinguished Alumna for the College of Arts and Sciences’ Social and Behavioral Science department.
Hagel earned a degree in social science with an emphasis in political science. She completed her coursework in December 2016 and participated in commencement ceremonies in May 2017, when the university held a single annual graduation.
Today, she serves as a paralegal at River Region Law Firm in Wetumpka, Alabama, where she assists clients with estate planning. Hagel said one of the most meaningful aspects of her work is the environment.
“My favorite part is the people I work with and being in a Christian environment where I can pray with others,” she said.
In addition to her professional role, Hagel is actively involved in ministry and outreach. She co-founded the Seasons Young Adult Conference, an annual event designed to encourage individuals in their 20s and 30s. This year’s conference is scheduled for Sept. 25-26.
Hagel is also an accomplished author. She published her first Bible study, “First and Forever: Singleness in Ephesians,” in 2017. Her second book, “Alignment: God’s Will or Mine,” was released in 2024. Her third book, “To Live: Finding the Mind of Christ,” is set to be released later this year.
Reflecting on her time at Faulkner, Hagel described her experience as transformative both academically and spiritually.
“I had a very good experience while I was at Faulkner University,” she said. “There were Bible studies that broke out my last full year there and we got to watch exciting things happen.”
She also credited the university’s emphasis on internships with helping prepare her for her career. Hagel completed an internship with the Foundation for Moral Law, where she gained firsthand experience in a legal setting.
Hagel pointed to several professors who played a key role in shaping her faith and work ethic.
“Grover Plunkett, Brenda Turner, and Jon Podine were probably the most influential professors I took at Faulkner when it came to my faith. It was based on what they said and how they lived,” Hagel said. “Dr. Ed Hicks and Grover Plunkett both expected the best out of me, which I wanted to give them. This encourages a good work ethic and to strive for excellence, which has helped me as a professional in the workplace. Dr. Hicks, would not let me settle for anything less than an ‘A’ because he said he knew I could do better on my forty-page paper. I rewrote it three times and afterwards he nominated me for the Social Science award.”
Hagel said those experiences instilled in her a commitment to hard work and excellence that continues to guide her today.