LET’S DO THIS

New partnerships energize communities New partnerships energize communities and expand learning opportunities

by Sarah Thomack

Plant genetics, toasted cheese sandwiches, contemporary music—the more GU looks, the more avenues emerge for music—the more GU looks, the more avenues emerge for partnerships that help students grow. Here’s a sampling partnerships that help students grow. Here’s a sampling of recent joint ventures that invite students to apply GU’s hallmark faith, character, and service beyond campus. hallmark faith, character, and service beyond campus.

The Contemporary Music Center

(Nashville, TN)

Benefits aspiring musicians, technicians, and professional studies majors • Study options: music performance, technology, music business • Full semester working with industry professionals • Hands-on experience that culminates in a road tour

Benefits GU ministry students, ordination candidates, seasoned pastors, and laypersons • In-person and virtual learning experiences • Global connections • Learn from leading Free Methodist and other

Wesleyan scholars and church leaders

The Center for Pastoral Formation

(Greenville, IL) Free Methodist Church USA (Indianapolis, IN)

St. John’s College of Nursing

(Springfield, IL)

Benefits future nurses and area hospitals • Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) in four years • Hands-on experience via simulation and computerized manikins • Wide range of clinical experience options

Grow Pro Genetics

(Hamel, IL)

Benefits students majoring in the sciences and/or agribusiness • Wheat breeding tests and product development on campus • Internship opportunities • Initiated by Grow Pro station manager, GU alum Eli

Gravert ’11

GU’s Toastiez Restaurant

(Greenville, IL)

Benefits students, local suppliers, and the community • Located near campus in the SMART Center incubator space for start-up restaurants • Local products: Marcoot Jersey Creamery, The Milk

House, Wayne’s Market • Students gain experience in management, customer service, and more

Bond County School District #2

(Greenville, IL)

The Kindergarten Readiness Program (KRP) benefits future teachers, local families, and preschool children • Top quality program in beautifully appointed facility • GU students work alongside skilled educators • Fills a need in the community

STARTING FROM SCRATCH

Four GU students can now include “launched start-up restaurants” on their resumes, a rarity for college students. Shubin Ma ‘22, Kyle

Sunderland ‘23, Lucas Hermo ‘23,

and Mathew Rodriguez ‘23 assisted piloting two eateries located on the street level of Greenville’s SMART Center. The first, Rocket Bowls, relocated to nearby Edwardsville. A grand opening for the second, Toastiez, took place in June. The start-up team developed expertise in restaurant design and efficiency, food prep, health codes, time management, customer service, event planning, point of sale monitoring, inventory management, cost of sales, profitability, and more. Lucas, Shubin, and Matthew all receive donor-funded international student scholarships.

Thank you for giving.

TRAILBLAZERS(ltor)Shubin, Kyle,Lucas, andMathew