THE RECORD Online

Summer/Fall 2003 Newsbriefs

From Law to Higher Education: One Man's Leap of Faith

Back in July 2000, when Alex Schmidt joined Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum Perlman & Nagelberg, his goal was to make his way up the corporate ladder and become a partner in the downtown Chicago law firm.
But God had something else in mind for the ’96 GC grad. Less than three years later, he left civil litigation to become GC’s director of alumni and church relations. It’s a leap Schmidt is happy to make.

“Greenville College has been a part of my life for 15 years, and I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of the school,” said Schmidt.
Some might wonder why he would leave the glamour and prestige of a law career for academia, but Schmidt doesn’t have any doubts.
“I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact that GC has on its students, and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Though he enjoyed his work as an attorney, this new position will bring greater meaning.

“I want my career to be about furthering God’s kingdom,” he said. “I thought if I’m going to work that hard, it should be about serving others.”

Being a part of GC runs in the family. His parents, Kenneth and Sandra, have taught at the college since 1987. Schmidt even brings prior experience, having worked in the alumni office during his high school and college days for John Strahl, Susan Chism, and Brian Ellis.

While at GC, Schmidt was student association president, sports editor of the Papyrus, and a member of the men’s soccer team and a cappella choir. After earning his B.A. in business management, Spanish, and English, he attended law school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, receiving his juris doctorate in ‘99. All those hours in the law library won’t go to waste; Schmidt will also serve as GC’s in house counsel.

He speaks of his college days with pride, from both the academic and spiritual perspectives.

“It’s a feeling I hope to instill in current students and rekindle in alumni.”

Last updated: September 24, 2003