Agora | Elpinice | Orange Beret | Papyrus | Vista | Choir
Band | Student Association | Debate | Drama | WGRN | Agape

In the past fifty years, well over a hundred clubs, organizations, and ministry groups have been active at Greenville College. Some lasted only one year, others a bit longer, but a strong core of extra-curricular activities has endured. Although all of the clubs and organizations have played a constructive role in the development of "the whole student," this chapter will focus on those that have demonstrated longevity and popularity. (Due to the sheer number of clubs, most had to be excluded from this chapter. For instance, those with membership from a specific academic group, such as Scriblerus or Phi Alpha Theta, have been omitted.)

In the first half of this century, President Leslie Marston voiced the college’s view of extra-curricular activities, a view that is still held today. He stated, "Held in proper relationship to other aims and functions of the college, [they become] the means of education to the end of Christian character and world citizenship."

It should be noted, however, that clubs got off to a somewhat rocky start at Greenville, ver soon becoming a disruptive influence. Two debate clubs active in the early 1920s, Las Cortes for men and Le Cercle for women, were the predecessors to Agora and Elpinice. Discord arose in the student body over entrance to Las Cortes and Le Cercle, because membership was limited and there were no objective standards for admission. The faculty eventually persuaded the two clubs to disband in 1923. The following school year, the men founded Agora. Elpinice began the next year.

Since then, clubs and organizations have been key ingredients in the Greenville College experience.

Agora
"The club has for its chief aim the advancement of debating in Greenville College." That was the stated focus of Agora in its early days. Over the years, debate diminished in importance. Today the Men of Agora describe themselves as a service organization. Among their activities are the all-night volleyball tournament and a lib sync contest to raise money for charities such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Lighthouse Free Methodist Church in St. Louis.

In 1942, debate was still popular. Together with Elpinice, Agora organized and annual campus-wide debate tournament. But the group was beginning to move in the direction of service-oriented activities. That year they helped with campus improvements and sponsored an entertainment program to raise money for the library expansion that was being planned.

At one time or another, Agora has sponsored such annual events as Twirp Week, the homecoming queen presentation, a "leg auction," a drive-in movie on Francis Field, submarine sandwich sales, and more. Two trademarks of the Men of Agora are their wacky, sometimes bizarre, always memorable chapel announcements and their Vienna Boys Choir finale at Parents Weekend talent shows.

Elpinice
Successor to Le Cercle, Elpinice for many years remained a debate club for women. Membership was based on debate tryouts. Founded in 1924, Elpinice was named for the first woman to engage in public debate in Agora.

Like its male counterpart, the Ladies of Elpinice has become a service organization. By the mid 1960s, its purpose had evolved: "to develop well-poised and cultured individuals who will strive to uphold Christian ideals, improve the cultural level of the campus, and be of service to the school."

Since the 1950s, Elpinice’s major activity for the year has been putting together the program "This Is Your Life." It is one of the most anticipated and talked-about events on campus. After being honored in 1982, Professor Frank Thompson reflected on its meaning to him: "It is a solemn experience to have persons from every part of one’s life assemble at on time to say world of love. I am the richer, and from time to time I find myself sharing with myself a secret grin of admiring appreciation."

Orange Beret
A service organization open to both men and women is the Orange Beret Corps. Relatively new on the scene, it began in 1972. Students chosen for this group act as host and hostesses for Greenville College, serving at receptions, the Tel-thon, Parents Weekend, homecoming, and commencement activities. At one time they also gave tours of the campus to prospective students.

Orange Beret members often provide visitors with their first expose to – and first impression of --Greenville College.

Papyrus
The college newspaper was first published in 1923, with Ira King serving as the first editor. The name came from the ancient writing paper first used by the Egyptians. The Papyrus began as a weekly, but the frequency of publication has varied over the years.

Like the Vista, working for the "Pap" is a grueling task. Editor Rob Smith equipped in 1977, "There are five basic problems with publishing a weekly college newspaper. Namely, these are news, sports, features, ads, and editorials." It is often a thankless job, open to public scrutiny, with few breaks in the publishing schedule throughout the year. But the campus would not be the same without it.

Vista
The yearbook is the oldest organization on campus. The first annual was published in 1915. A monthly edition, also under the name Vista, was printed as early as 1903. This monthly version was the forerunner of the Papyrus.

The 1965 edition was the first to include full-color photographs – four pages of them, to be exact. That yearbook, and the following year’s won All-American rating granted by the Associated Collegiate Press.

As any past editor knows, an enormous amount of work goes into the Vista each year. The 1954 Vista editors used an acrostic to describe the process:

Vim and Vigor – Two very necessary and important ingredients in producing a worthwhile and entertaining annual.

Inspiration –"I have a brainstorm." Welcome words. We must have many such storms along the way.

Sacrifice – We cut classes, neglect study, miss meals, and avoid dating. Why? It’s all part of the job to make you proud of your yearbook.

Teamwork – All pulling together. We get the copy, ads, and photographs assembled in time for that deadline.

Accomplishment – The sigh of relief and excitement after the last deadline is in and the trill of previewing the finished copy. Then watching the faces of other students as they skim through the pages.

Choir
The A Cappella Choir was founded in 1927 by Dr. Robert Woods. Its first performance was at the inauguration of President Leslie R. Marston in April 1928. Dr. Wood directed the choir for the next thirty years. He was succeeded by the current director, Dr. James Wilson.

In November 1976, more than one hundred alumni came to homecoming to officially open the choir’s jubilee year. Seven charter members were present from the 1927-28 choir.

For two years during World War II the choir was all-female because of the shortage of men.

Dr. Wilson stated recently, "From a director’s standpoint it is a thrill to continue this tradition of singing great choral music. From a student’s standpoint it becomes one of the most memorable experiences of college days – the combining of voices to sing God’s praises, the spiritual growth of sharing, and the fun of an extended [spring] tour."

Band
The Greenville College Band began in 1904 as the Student Volunteer Band. In addition to periodic concerts and chapel appearances, when basketball began in 1943, the band played at the games, helping to rouse school spirit. The band grew in size and prospered under Professor Clarke Brandt in the late 1940s. Smaller instrumental ensembles have also developed over the years, giving GC musicians wider exposure and more opportunities to perform.

In 1967, the college’s seventy-fifth year, the band embarked on a concert tour. It visited six states that year – Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota.

Student Association
Everyone enrolled in Greenville College is a member of the Student Association, whether he knows it or not. Its legislative arm is the Student Senate, with representatives elected by the students. Within the Senate is the Executive Cabinet, which consists of the Student Association president, vice president, and other officers.

As the group described itself in 1986, "Student Association strives to promote the spiritual, academic, physical, and social development of every student; to proclaim fundamental Christian values; and to assure the right to discuss all issues openly and responsibly." Those goals still apply today.

Debate
Although the art of debated has declined, any historical account should include forensics. Its early popularity gave rise to Agora and Elpinice, and almost everyone seemed to be involved when debate tournaments were held on campus. In 1942, it was the only intercollegiate competition available to Greenville students.

In the 1950s, the GC men’s debate team placed first in the state tournament three years in a row.

The 1967-68 squad traveled six thousand miles to compete in twelve tournaments, concluding the year by once again bringing the state championship back to Greenville.

Drama
For many years, drama was not allowed at Greenville College. This policy mirrored the official position of the Free Methodist Church. The Free Methodist Book of Discipline stated, "The rendering of class plays, dramas, and amateur theatricals is forbidden."

In 1954, the GC faculty decided on a slightly more liberal interpretation of the policy, agreeing to allow "the use of dialogue, monologue, and soliloquy both (a) in skits on informal programs given for student consumption, and (b) in more serious programs on formal occasions." But strict limitations remained. The revised policy stated, "acting shall be held to the minimum" and "the use of lighting, platform equipment, costuming, and decoration shall likewise be held to the minimum." In other words, theater was still a no-no.

In 1964, the play Christ in the Concrete City was presented on campus. The favorable response it drew inspired the college to further lessen restrictions on dramatic performances. A group of students interested in drama began meeting informally that fall.

Dr. Cecelia Keener, who came to Greenville College in 1970, is largely responsible for the development of drama in recent years. Under her guidance, two plays are produced annually and presented at the Factory Theatre, which opened in 1974.

J.C. Commonwealth is a student ministry group that travels around the country presenting a Christian message through drama.

WGRN
The campus radio station went on the air in 1951. The premiere broadcast of "WGC" was cut short because the signal was so powerful that it jammed some larger stations in certain areas of the campus. The following spring, "WGCI" resumed broadcasting.

In the fall of 1952, the call letters were again changed, to the present WGRN. Transmitting from its studio in Hogue Hall, WGRN’s signal didn’t always make it up to Burritt Hall until a booster was installed in the women’s dorm.

In 1974 the studio was moved to the Communication Arts Building. Today, powered by three hundred watts, the signal covers a radius of thirty miles. The format, meanwhile, has gone through several gyrations, everything from hymns to rock to contemporary Christian music. On Sundays, WGRN carries the services of area churches, including the college church.

Agapé
Since its debut in 1978, Agapé has become one of the most popular Christian music festivals in the midwest. Planned by students, the event attracts several thousand visitors to Greenville annually.

Hampered in attendance by forecasts of rain the 1991 edition of Agapé still attracted a crowd of about four thousand. Groups performing included Petra, Margaret Becker, Rich Mullins, Kim Boyce, Bryan Duncan, and several others.

Agapé has become one of the highlights of the school year. Following the 1983 festival, student Dan Shinkle wrote in the Papyrus, "We were reminded of the excitement of Christianity. People were standing up, clapping, and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Sharing communion is one of our most important celebrations. Sharing it with five thousand people is an ecstatic experience."