BEYOND EXPECTATIONS
PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2024
GOODNESS MULTIPLIED on campus and beyond
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Robert Bastian ’74
Holley Brown '01
Venessa Brown ’83
Tyler Campo ’06
Amelia Cleveland-Traylor
Howard Costley, Jr. ’74
EMERITI TRUSTEES
Sandra Boileau ’61
Patricia Burd ’61
David Colgan ’64
Michael Coling
Robert Cranston ’77
ALUMNI BOARD
Mack Bean ’94
Lisa Blake ’98
Margaret Boivin ’10
Thomas Clark ’63
Dave Dahlbeck ’97
Rebecca Decesaro ’74
Jeff Finley ’96
D. Keith Cowart
Dan Denbo ’76
Valerie Gin ’82
Jerry Hood ’82
Karen Longman
K. Kendall Mathews ’85
Lloyd Ganton ’60
Yoshio Gotoh ’63
Duane Hood ’56
Pearson Miller
Wayne Neeley
Alan Gaffner ’76
Dwight Gregory ’68
John Heater ’02
Nathan Hood ’15
Joel McCreary ’99
Nathan Potts ’18
Amber Reynolds ’13
Douglas Newton
Steve Olson ’03
Hugo Pérez
Dennis Spencer ’75
Kathleen Turpin ’91
Robert T. Wallstrom
Wesley Phillips ’58
Ernest Ross Jr. ’52
J. Richard Schien ’62
Marjorie Smith ’56
Rebecca Smith ’68
Merce Roach ’02
Carl Salz ’01
John Straeter ’01
Toye Watts ’01
Janet Wise ’83
John Young II ’94
Melissa Westover ’84
Mark Whitlock ’75
Kendell Stephens ’80
Barry Swanson ’77
Craig Tidball ’76
Donald Wolf ’65
ABOUT THE COVER: Members of GU's Outdoor Adventure Club discover the grandeur of God's creation at Yosemite National Park. Like the Colorado Semester and Walkabout in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the experience carried on GU's tradition of transformative wilderness learning.
Thank you for this incomparable gift.
THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT is published once a year for alumni and friends of Greenville University by the Office of Advancement, Greenville University, 315 E. College Ave., Greenville, IL 62246. Phone: 618-664-6500. www.greenville.edu
Send address corrections, correspondence, and alumni updates to the Office of Advancement, 315 E. College Ave., Greenville, IL 62246 or call 618-664-6500; or email alumni@greenville.edu.
Vice President of University Relations Brad Warren
Director of Grants and Donor Fund Development Evan Abla
Director of Philanthropy Operations Ashley Alm '06 Director of Alumni Relations Robyn Florian '88
Managing Editor & Writer Julia Roat-Abla
Writer & Photographer Dave Bell
Contributing Writer Liz Dowell
Graphic Designer Carol Pérez '23
Cover Photo Bryson Buehrer '17
Photographer Loryn O'Neal
Views and opinions expressed by individuals in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Greenville University.
Our mission: Greenville University empowers students for lives of character and service through a transforming Christ-centered education.
SEEN, KNOWN, AND INSPIRED STUDENTS THANK YOU FOR GOODNESS MULTIPLIED
“Beyond Expectations” captures the heart of Greenville University’s journey over the past year. In these pages you’ll read about students who dreamed big, aimed high, and trusted God to carry them beyond their imaginations. They flourished thanks to your faithfulness and generosity. Your support ensures that students are seen, known, and inspired; that faculty and staff walk alongside them as trusted guides; and that GU’s mission thrives. I’m pleased to report that in 2024, your generosity launched Greenville University to new heights:
• Enrollment growth: Year-over-year enrollment for comparable schools averaged 2.95% growth nationally, but GU achieved a remarkable 10% increase.
• Expanded learning opportunities: This last fall, in addition to our highest enrollment since 2008, we welcomed students to Christ-centered learning in the Dominican Republic. The launch of this new work expands GU’s reach and vision to nurture a worldwide learning community of Christ-followers.
• Rising to meet needs: GU’s Rise Up, There’s More comprehensive campaign ended in May. More than 4,300 donors invested $60M to advance GU’s
good work. They created new opportunities for students to access GU, overcome barriers, and thrive. Look for more reporting on campaign results via email along with news about GU’s forthcoming Rise Up, 2030 campaign.
Behind every number is a story—a student pursuing God’s call, a faculty member inspiring growth, alumni and friends fueling a vision they value.
Friend, your prayers, encouraging words, and gifts go far beyond financial support. They demonstrate faith and love that grows this university for God’s glory. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for multiplying God's goodness and blessing.
Blessings,
Suzanne Allison Davis President
INSPIRED TO SERVE
Students pursue Greenville University’s Equine Assisted Services minor for different reasons. Shared passions, a heart for serving others, and the opportunity to gain certification in equine therapy all factor into the mix.
THANK YOU DONORS (A.K.A. COMMUNITY BUILDERS)
UNIVERSITY HALL
HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR KARSYN AND 245 OTHERS
“You never go unseen or unheard here,” said Karsyn Sloan ’26, a resident assistant in University Hall, GU’s newly constructed four-story dormitory on East College Avenue. Students filled the 246bed, four-story building last fall and quickly began cultivating community.
Designers made community the project’s focus by creating a welcoming space that exceeds students’ expectations to live, learn, and fellowship near Greenville’s downtown square.
Agribusiness major Karsyn Sloan, a grateful beneficiary of GU community.
Donors to GU’s five-year Rise Up, There's More comprehensive campaign exceeded expectations, adding key elements:
• The Kaufmann Plaza and Atrium provide a vibrant welcome to University Hall residents and guests.
• The Jack Trager Athletics & Performance Training Center, located on the ground floor of University Hall, facilitates on-campus workouts for students from across campus.
• Gifts to The Greenville University Fund fueled scholarships that brought many of the University Hall's residents to campus.
“The GU community has had a big influence on me,” says Karsyn, an agribusiness major from Mt. Zion, Illinois. “I’ve been able to grow my faith while I’ve grown academically.” She and her fellow RAs are determined to extend this nurture to their peers.
GU’s residence life staff prayed over the building during each phase of its construction. “We asked God to release a fresh spirit in this place,” said Dana Smith ’19, area coordinator for University Hall. “My prayer is that our students will feel a special touch from the Lord here. We want this to be a shelter, a home away from home, and a place of refuge.”
Greenville University thanks general contractor GU alum Charles McPherson ’85 for his vision, expertise, and skills. GU’s community means the world to him.
Thank you for the gift of a Christ-centered community.
DONORS GIFT PANTHERS WITH “PLACE” TO LEARN, COMPETE, GROW, AND FELLOWSHIP
Donors in 2024 championed student-athletes by funding construction of the W. Richard Stephens Fieldhouse and Robert “Ish” Smith Museum. These, together with the installation of all-weather turf on GU’s baseball field courtesy of Ritchie ’91 and Lisa (Krober ’91) Ware, support Panther athletics. This community of coaches, student leaders, and competitors influences young athletes like runner Gianni Estrada '25, who grew in unexpected ways as a Panther.
For Lainee Loskot '26, a junior agribusiness major and Panther Scholar, the blend of horses and therapy has brought personal growth.
"The equine program aligns so well with GU’s mission of character and service," says Lainee. "It uses horses to help others, especially those with disabilities or who are overcoming trauma."
Lainee's gratitude shines through as she reflects on this unique opportunity made possible by generous donors: "God has worked through the generosity of so many people to change my life."
Thank you for inspired learning.
“I was angry at the world when I came here,” Gianni recalls of his strict upbringing in Big Bear, California, “but it didn’t take long to realize that people here were different. They really cared for me as a person. And they shared the love of Jesus with me. I’m so grateful to the donors whose generosity made it possible for me to come here and experience all that I have during the past four years.”
Thank you for giving.
THE BEST NURSE I CAN
BE
Inspiration. There’s nothing amorphous about it for aspiring nurse Norah Swinigen '25. It comes in all the living warmth, breath, and cheer embodied by her little brother, a seasoned navigator of health challenges.
“Seeing the care my baby brother received when he was born made a lasting impact on me,” she recalls. “I knew then that I wanted to be someone who could provide that same level of care and comfort to others.”
GU’s nursing partnership with Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing provides a pathway for Norah to build the skills and character that will serve her well in healthcare. She will complete two years of prerequisite coursework at GU, followed by two years of nursing studies at Goldfarb.
“What I love about GU is how much the professors care about us as individuals. They’re not just teaching us content, [but] they’re investing in us as future leaders,” she says. And, about her anticipated work at Goldfarb? “[It] will prepare me to be the best nurse I can be. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the field.”
Norah is the grateful recipient of a donorfunded scholarship through The Greenville University Fund.
Thank you for giving!
14.5% increase in ON CAMPUS enrollment between Fall 2021 and Fall 2024
24 Number of Countries Represented by GU Students 10.0% Average Year-Over-Year enrollment growth
21 Intercollegiate athletic teams compete in the NCAA, NCCAA, or UMAC conferences
GU IN THE NEWS
Intelligent.com ranked multiple GU programs on its “Best in U.S. for 2024” lists. Recognized offerings include elementary education, online master’s in coaching, and accelerated online programs for master’s degrees and psychology. Criteria included academic quality, graduation rates, cost and return on investment (ROI), and student resources.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society assessed 40 key metrics to place GU on its 2024 Transfer Honor Roll. Honorees demonstrate excellence in developing innovative pathways for community college transfer students.
Niche.com scores GU at A- for diversity and campus safety. Niche bases diversity scores on a student body’s ethnic composition, its proportion of international students and out-of-state students, and student surveys. It bases safety scores on campus crime rate, local crime rate, and student surveys.
Currently, Greenville University has 221 non-white students and 136 international students, contributing to a total on-campus undergraduate enrollment of 843 students. These groups comprise 42% of the student body, indicating GU's growing diversity.
2024GOODNESS MULTIPLIED
GU NAMED . . .
JAN – Among Illinois’ best online colleges (U.S. News)
JUN – Transfer-friendly university (Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll)
JUL – Innovative educator (in new book, Cool Stuff at Small Colleges)
DEC – A Seal of Excellence for 75 years serving international students (opendoorsdata.org)
DEC – A top performer in Social Mobility (U.S. News & World Report)
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
JAN – Powerlifting Club launched
FEB – Students serve homeless in Chicago and Greenville
FEB – GU secures $39K grant for institutional history study that employs students.
MAR – Choir tours Europe
APR – GU students participate in Asbury revival
JUL – Student scientists conduct research in GU’s Summer Research Experience
GROWING ENROLLMENT
MAR – Scholarship Day draws 128 prospective students
MAY – Climb Experience announced. This gap semester experience in the Dominican Republic draws new students
SEP – GU welcomes its largest incoming class since 2008
Thank you, alumni, friends, and financial champions!
MILESTONES
CAMPUS COMMUNITY
JAN – $3.9M IBHE capital project grant secured
AUG – Trager Athletics & Performance Training Center opens
SEP – University Hall opens
OCT – Legacy of Women in Sports display unveiled
NOV – Bells return to Whitlock Music Center
PARTNERSHIPS: GU AND . . .
JAN – Greenville Chamber of Commerce
APR – Fellowship of Christian Athletes
MAY – Score International Ministries
JUN – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois
JUN – Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
SEP – McAllaster Scholars Honors Program welcomes 30th class
SEP – GU hosts Jewish-Christian Relations Conference
OCT – NetVue-funded History of Women in Leadership presentations
OCT – W. Richard Stephens Field House opens
NOV – School of Education marks a decade of certifying teachers in character education
DEC – Students showcase academic growth on Common Day of Scholarship
CELEBRATING YOU
Engineering Board of Advisors
OUR SERVANT LEADERS, GUIDES, AND EXPERTS
Mike Aden, Roberta Aden, Mike Childerson, Marty Collier ’73, Jeff Croxell, Ron Gines ’86, Mark Gunggoll ’75, Phillip Jacobson ’91, Collin Kessinger ’20, Craig McIntyre ’72, Sally McQuaid, Scott Mohnkern ’76, Jeremy Pestle, David Probst, Roger Reeves ’71, Bob Rice, Hugh Siefken ’62, Steve Smith ’98, Julie Tolly, Robert Ward, Mark Whitlock ’75, David Young ’87
SMART Experience Institutes Board
Michael Bond ’92, Jerry Gaffner, Jerry Hood ’82, Tyler Campo ’06
Experience Institute Nashville Board
Lesley Burbridge ’89, Deb Kim, Hugo Pérez, Dennis Spencer ’75, Michelle Wright ’90
Experience Institute Dominican Republic Board
Dan Denbo ’76, David Gaither, Eddy Gil, Chuck Grooms, Jessica Ray ’01, Rick Robinson, Rob Wallstrom
Science Advisory Council
Michelle Beumer ’95, Maureen Bourner ’86, Daryl Cox ’76, Sarah Crawford ’99, James Foxworthy ’85, Tim Kratzer ’67, Matthew McCullough ’96, Ken Mudge ’56, Eric Nord, Scott Pattenaud, George Peters ’92, Mark Rose ’76, Lewis Whaley ’75
Factory Theatre Board
William Ahern, Rich Beans ’85, Chris Borwick ’94, Noel Harnetiaux ’00, Cecelia Ulmer
Alumni Ambassadors
Bill Brinson ’90, Kenzie Cabbage ’21, Jim Catanzaro ’00, Nicole Crites ’08, Mindi Cromwell ’97, Kara Edwards ’99, Tim Finley ’92, Michael Gonzalez ’20, LaChelle Gordon ’99, Natty Hepburn ’19, Ruth Kinnersley ’82, Amber Legner ’97, Kathryn Martin ’71, Jaime Quesada ’22, Vanilda Reyes de Noyes ’04, Amanda Shaw ’14, Alex Soto ’97, Jana Spencer ’74, Jen Starr-Reivitt ’94, Kathy Taylor ’89, Esther Tompkins ’77, Missie Wenrick ’97, Heather Wiebel ’96
Thank you for serving.
“I am super blessed to be at Greenville. I owe a big thanks to you.” - Criminal justice and psychology major Jasmine Sanchez
RISE UP 2030 GOD’S STILL ROLLING STONES
“. . . as [Jesus] arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. ‘Roll the stone aside,’ Jesus told them.”
- Lazarus raised from the dead, John 11: 38-39 (NLT)
Empower students to live lives of character and service through a transforming, Christ-centered education. Help extend the Rise Up Campaign from $60M to $100M by 2030.
Fueled by:
• innovative learning
• immersive experiences, and
• interconnected community, your life-changing investment in our students will ensure GU remains a transformative force in God's world
INSPIRE. INFLUENCE. IMPACT.
