Greenville College Is Born
So when the Free Methodists of Central Illinois saw that Almira college was for sale in 1891, they purchased it. But no with their own money. The first major gift came from Non-Free Methodists, Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Grice, who believed in the educated mind and the spiritually warmed heart. Soon, Almia was rechartered as Greenville College, and in 1892, Wilson T. Hogue came to Greenville at the call of the college’s executive committee. Hogue had been recommended by Bishop Roberts.

Wilson T. Hogue, the first president of Greenville College, 1992 – 1904, was the third full-time chief executive in the institution’s history. Hogue served, in effect, as the college'’ second founding father. An intellectual and an educator, Hogue was committed to recapture the Wesleyan message, which focused on five main points: (1) improving the conditions – spiritual and economic – of the poor, (2) opposition to slavery, (3) holiness of heart and life, (4) non-conformity to worldly practices, and (5) evangelical interpretation of doctrine.

In addition, Hogue agreed with Roberts that the new Methodist movement, the Free Methodists, would make significant contributions to the world only if the people were well educated. "Like pastor, like people" is the way Hogue often phrased the relationship between an educated ministry and an intelligent and committed congregation. Hogue believed that education and religion were natural allies, hence, the new church must have a college where a leadership could be prepared for the church and the world.

Upon arrival in Greenville, Hogue found a campus in much need of repair. Hogue, the trustees, and ladies from the local church pitched in to clean and restore the buildings and grounds. Hogue’s next major tasks were to define the mission of Greenville College, appoint a faculty, enroll a student body, and raise funds for operations. From July to the opening of school and September 20, 1892, he was busy!

When convocation began at 10:00 a.m. on September 20, it was held in the courtroom of the county courthouse. Students and faculty were greeted by the mayor and by Almira graduates, and they were addressed by Illinois Lieutenant Governor Northcutt. Greenville College was under way, if barely, and much work remained to be done.

During his tenure from 1892 to 1904, Hogue spread the word widely of the mission of the college, which was similar to the mission promulgated by John Brown White. "The aim of this institution," said Hogue, "is to promote true and thorough Christian education. No means or effort will be spared in endeavoring to give every student the best advantages for securing a liberal culture . . .’Education for character’ will be our motto. Hence, the Bible will have a place in our all our courses of study." This compelling mission would guide the college throughout its first century of service, as it does to this day.

Money Woes Continue
But if there was continuity of mission with Almira College unfortunately the problem of money also continued during Hogue’s tenure. In Hogue’s first year a major donor died, and thereafter support from the church and community also became spotty and was nearly always inadequate.

By the spring of 1895, just three short years, Hogue was nearly broken in health. So the people of Greenville raised money to send him on a two-month rest trip to Europe. Hogue returned renewed, but economic pressures continued to weigh heavily on him.

In January 1896 he resigned over finances. A committee prevailed him to stay, and he said he would only if the trustees would promise to help raise the needed funds. By June 1896 they had done so. But four years later, Hogue again asked to withdraw. A group of faculty members and trustees formed a committee which operated the college for three years, with Hogue serving as chairman. IN 1903 he took the presidency again, but he resigned in 1904 after being elected bishop by the Free Methodist Church.

Hogue’s years saw the college reborn and nourished back to health. A strong and committed faculty had joined the institution, which hat that time was organized into schools – preparatory school, music school, business school, school of theology, normal (teacher education) school, and college of liberal arts. All these schools were showing good enrollment. Most of the two hundred students enrolled, however, were part-time, and they came primarily from the surrounding community. Music was one of the largest enrolled schools.

In fact, the first college graduate would not come until 1898, when Hogue conferred the A.B. degree on one student, W.W. Loomis. He had been John LaDue’s student, and inasmuch as Professor Ladue was largely self-educated and not a degreed college graduate, Greenville conferred the A.B. degree on the professor during the same commencement.

Transition Years
Finances, including meager salaries and no endowment, were constant problems during Hogue’s years. Some progress would be made in solving them during the brief tenure of A. L. Whitcomb, pastor of the Greenville Free Methodist Church, and Hogue’s replacement as president when Hogue was elected bishop.