FOREVER TRANSFORMED, FOREVER GRATEFUL

Is that your experience?

The freshman arrived at a moment of truth on a choir tour. She saw in her choir mates faith that plunged deeper than any faith she had known. What is Jesus to me? she thought. The thought gave way to desire: I want Him.

“I decided I wanted Jesus at the center of my life,” recalls Melissa Westover ’84. More than 40 years later, she still harbors gratitude for the events that led to her choice. She wants events like that for others.

An accounting major struggled until a professor noticed and breathed new life into his academic mess. The professor? Watson Tidball, a man with a history of going out of his way to help students succeed. “He stuck with me,” recalls Steve Ellsworth ’80, who still marvels over Tidball’s loyalty. Steve wishes turnarounds like that for strugglers today.

A young business student pursued success with laserlike focus. He crossed paths with a professor who took more interest in the tycoon-wannabe’s spiritual walk than in his ambitions.

to me about giving back,” recalls Jerry Hood ’82, “and about personal integrity and Christ-like values.” The conversations resonated. Jerry still expresses thanks. Oh, that driven young people today could hear those words.

Melissa, Steve, and Jerry head Greenville University’s Rise Up campaign that just turned the corner from quiet, behind-the-scenes conversations to broad public invitation: “Join us!” Why? Because legions of GU graduates claim “forever transformed, forever grateful” as their experiences, too—reason to ask everyone touched by GU to ensure the University’s good work into the future. What do these three want others to know?

gift makes space for students to strengthen bonds in small groups, teams, dorm floors, and other community groups for character andservice.