Greenville College Begins 118th Academic Year
Published: April 13, 2021
Greenville College officially kicks off its 118thacademic year on Wednesday, August 26 and the campus is alive with new students, faculty and staff ready for the year ahead.
New Student Orientation (NSO)
Campus was buzzing with new students, family members and friends moving into dorm rooms, taking care of registration, purchasing text books and getting to know the Greenville College community on Friday, August 21. The GC Baggage Brigade, made up of students from the residence life staff and fall sports teams, assisted with the move in process. In the early evening, students gathered on the front campus lawn to make their way as a group, "crossing the threshold," into Claussen Plaza for the Ivy Planting ceremony. President Dr. Larry Linamen addressed students. In this traditional silent ceremony of beginnings, new students glimpse the fulfillment of hopes and opportunities available to them at Greenville College.
Ivy Planting was followed by a family barbecue picnic on Scott Field, and then it was time for students and parents to say goodbye during the Covenant/Communion Service. During this service, students, parents, faculty and staff joined together for a time of covenant, worship and prayer lead by Dean of Chapel, Brian Hartley, Chaplain Lori Gaffner and President Larry Linamen.
Students finished the night at the Freshmen Mugging where the Greenville College Student Association (GCSA) and Student Development Staff offered free ice cream and soda in Greenville College mugs.
NSO Service Event
For the past 11 years Greenville College New Student Orientation has performed a service trip on the Meramec River in the form of trash-clean-up and native tree planting. This year Student Development staff decided to bring our service to bear on local community projects instead. NSO partnered with Jerry Sauerwein, Kingsbury Park District Director of Parks and Recreation, to provide trail rehabilitation and maintenance at the upper Iron-Gate Park facility off Iron-Gate Road in Greenville, IL.
On Monday morning, August 24, students piled into shuttles to head to Iron-Gate where the park district team laid out 15 projects. A group of students and a leader were assigned to each project. Projects ranged from leveling gullies caused by erosion, to spreading gravel on new or restored trails.
After a morning and afternoon of hard labor, students went to Durley camp for sports, water fun, dinner, worship, and a word from President Dr. Larry Linamen. The day's events focused on building connections, "doing service", and learning about our mission and pilgrimage together as a community of believers.
GC Convocation
The academic year begins Wednesday, August 26, with Convocation Chapel at 9:30 a.m. in H.J. Long Gymnasium featuring guest speaker Dr. Jon R. Wallace.
Azusa Pacific University President Jon R. Wallace has a heart for college students and a vision for transformational scholarship. He works hard to continue advancing the mission to train disciples and scholars to advance the work of God in the world at Azusa Pacific University and hopes to challenge Greenville College and the community in the same way. Wallace will challenge GC students, staff, faculty and friends in his address as he speaks from verses in Matthew 5:1 - 12.
Wallace earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from Azusa Pacific University in California and doctorate in business administration from United States International University, San Diego, California. He pursued postgraduate study at Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management and is a published author and sought-after speaker.
Let the School Year Begin
Greenville College begins the 2009 - 2010 school year with great expectation and excitement for what lies ahead. Please join with the campus community in prayer for students, faculty, staff and the eternal transformation possible for the community at GC.
For more information contact: Annie Zeller, Assistant Director of Public Relations
