Some important facts in the history of Greenville College:

1855 - Almira College, forerunner to Greenville College, welcomed it's first students under the guidance of President John White. White and his friends, Stephen and Almira Morse, were advocates of education for women. Building on their mutual interest, Almira College was established as a liberal arts school for women.

1892 -- The Central Illinois Conference of the Free Methodist Church purchases one building named Old Main and names the school Greenville College. Wilson T. Hogue is named as President. Opening convocation takes place at 10 a.m., September 20, in the courtroom of the Bond County courthouse.

1893 -- The church turns the ownership of the college over to the board of trustees and the relationship becomes one of affiliation.

1904 -- When Hogue is elected bishop of the FM denomination, A.L. Whitcomb is named the second president. He is also the pastor of the Greenville FM church. Whitcomb is successful at raising funds for a new chapel as well as helping the school enroll 300 students by 1907.

1908 -- Eldon G. Burritt is named the third president. Enrollment rises to 500 and the preparatory program is dropped in 1926. One of the first gymnasiums in southern Illinois is erected along with a women's residence hall named after President Burritt's wife Carrie. Burritt dies in office in 1927.

1927 -- Dr. Leslie R. Marston is named the fourth president. Marston leads the college into the modern academic age with a solid new educational philosophy and curriculum. The University of Illinois recognizes Greenville's education for transferable credits. Extensive work programs begin for students to remain in school during the depression. Marston is elected bishop of the FM denomination.

1936 -- Dr. Henry J. Long is named the fifth president. Under his leadership, intercollegiate sports and the campus radio station begin. Long builds the first library building, increases the number of faculty with doctorates and moves the college out of debt. Those three factors helped GC reach full accreditation status with the North Central Association in 1947. He also begins groundwork for four new buildings.

1962 -- Glen Richardson is named the sixth president of GC. Under his leadership, the projects begun by Long are completed. Greenville now enjoys a new gym, classroom building, student union and boys residence hall. The teacher education program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in 1963.

1970 -- Dr. Orley Herron becomes the seventh president. Enrollment reaches an all time high of 895 and the number of faculty with earned doctorates nearly doubles. A new Snyder Hall of Science becomes a reality under his leadership. He also moved GC from a rule oriented campus to a more "principle" environment. Herron is the first and only president not be a Free Methodist (Baptist).

1977 -- Dr. W. Richard Stephens is named the eighth president. Significant buildings and programs are added under his administration. Contemporary Christian Music and Environmental Science are added to the academic program along with football in the extracurricular area. New buildings include a dining commons, recreation center, and library.

1992 -- The college celebrates a wonderful 100 year legacy of sending Christian leaders into the world.

1993 -- Dr. Robert Smith becomes the ninth man to lead Greenville. Under his leadership, the college enhances the financial foundation and the mission of the school. A new vision to become servant leaders is embraced by the whole community. The pattern being the vision of Jesus washing the feet of Peter. A new very significant program in adult education is begun in 1996, named GOAL. The school's first master's program is started in 1998 in ministry.

1999 -- The board of trustees name the tenth president, Dr. V. James Mannoia, Jr.