Alumni Association Awards Two Distinguished Alumnus Awards
Published: April 13, 2021
Greenville College Alumni Association awarded two Distinguished Alumnus Awards on Saturday, October 16. Provost Randy Bergen presented the awards to Joyce Elaine Ballard from the class of 1961, and Leslie Ledell Krober form the class of 1969.
Each year, Greenville College gives the Distinguished Alumnus Award to honor former students' continued love for learning, outstanding accomplishment in their profession or special interest, active involvement in Christian endeavors, and commitment to community and family. Preparing students for lives of service, such as Ballard and Krober's, remains an important goal of Greenville College.
Ballard was a collegiate varsity basketball player and member of the elite women's "G" club at Greenville. Her educational experiences started with earning a Bachelor of Science in Education from Greenville College in 1961. She later went on to earn a Master of Arts in Kinesiology from Kent State University, and a PhD in Exercise Physiology and Statistics from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1975. Ballard has been published in numerous scientific journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, and International Journal of Sports Medicine. Her pioneering research into bone density variables in minority women as compared to Caucasian women, and exploration of osteoporosis in men is unique in her field. Ballard continues to make advancements in her field, as well as inspire her students to become leaders and significant contributors to the field.
Krober graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Greenville College in 1969. Following his graduation from GC, he enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary, earning the Master of Divinity degree in 1972. Subsequently, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree from Greenville College. Krober's ministry has taken him to many mission fields including Canada, Philippines, and Chile twice. In 1994, Krober was appointed to serve as senior pastor at the Greenville Free Methodist Church where he remained until 1999 at which time he was elected a Bishop of the Free Methodist Church of North America. During his six years as Bishop, Krober wrote the Pastor's Handbook and assisted in the revision of The Book of Discipline. He also served on the Greenville College Board of Trustees. Krober currently serves as the Executive Pastor of the Wenatchee Free Methodist Church in Washington where he directs the Christian education program.
Both 2010 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipients exemplify Christ-like behavior and the mission of Greenville College within their lives.
