Planting, Watering & Alumni Growth
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.” – 1 Corinthians 3:6–8 NIV
As I shared in the February edition of “A View of GU,” we invite the extended GU community to “Rise Up” as an embodied, flourishing “net that works” of transplanted green ivy in every place that God positions our alumni throughout the world.
“Though from here our paths may sever and we distant roam,” each newly minted alum ventures out into the world with a freshly cut ivy sprig in hand looking for their next place to reroot and contribute to the thriving, life-transforming Greenville legacy.”
“Planted” by faculty and staff during those early years as a student at GU, many of our alumni experience an initial sense of calling and purpose as a young adult seeking to show up well in the world. I see our role in GU Alumni Relations as “watering,” overflowing our unique brand of nourishment to our extended GU community, fostering engagement, facilitating experiences and furthering the efficacy of our alumni network. Educated for character and service, God uniquely positions our alumni to to inspire, influence and impact Kingdom flourishing on earth.
But how do we propose this formational growth might happen? We continue to engage God’s Word as the soil story that informs our alumni of a “God for us” secure base, a safe place in which the roots of our identities continue to personally conform to God’s will in us and the outgrowth of our personalities continue to communally reform to God’s work among us, in such a way that transforms the fruit of our labors as we engage in God’s world.
And we seek do so in the context of GU’s “Rise Up” strategies: innovative, immersive and interconnected.
FIRST, we foster innovative engagement with our alumni, reconnecting our alumni in the nutrient-rich spiritual soil of God's Word as we continue to encourage our GU community through print and digital COMMUNICATION. You are seen as a vital member of the GU Alumni Association (GUAA).
- Print: The RECORD (Spring & Fall), Prayer Card, Event Invitations & GUAA & "Legacy League" Kids Gear (Coming Soon!)
- Email: Monthly “For The RECORD” Email Newsletter, Event Promotion & Professional Development Opportunities
- Social Media & Web: "A View of GU" Blog, Event Updates, Alumni Stories, Digital Publications & Alumni Resources (greenville.edu/alumni)
👟 YOUR NEXT STEP: "Like" our social media channels (Instagram: greenvilleuniversityalumni; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gualumniassociation). Check out greenville.edu/alumni for new alumni resources. If you are receiving print and digital communications from us, you're good! 🎉 If you're not receiving either print or digital communications, please provide updated contact information to us at: https://www.greenville.edu/alumni/alumni-resources/submit-alumni-updates (and check your spam folder to mark any GU communication as "Not Spam/Junk").
SECOND, we facilitate immersive experiences—in person, on campus and online—designed to equip our “orange souls,” emotionally and relationally, in your personal COMMITMENT to God’s will for your life and in your contribution to God's work among our COMMUNITY. You are known as a GU alum with a unique personal calling and valued as collaborators in GU's work to strengthen and support of God's Church.
In Person
- Free Methodist Family Camp Ice Cream Socials & Coffee Crawls (Gateway/Durley, North Central/Sky Lodge, Wabash & New South/Wabash, Southern MI/Someset, Gateway/Cowden)
- Regional Alumni Gatherings (Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, Colorado Springs, Nashville, Orlando, Washington D.C., Spring Arbor, Chicago; 3/year on a rotating basis)
- Athletic “Tailgating” Events (unique opportunities and championship outside of the SLIAC/UMAC athletic conference schedules)
- Alumni Travel (working on 4–5-day USA trips and 10–14-day International trips)
On Campus
- Homecoming & Family Weekend (Save the Date for October 23–26, 2005!)
- "Fill the Ville" Weekends (Homecoming, Messiah, Commencement & July 4th) Town-Gown Collaborations with the City of Greenville
- "Almost Alumni" Quarterly Events for Graduating Seniors
- "Legacy League" Next-Gen Student Volunteer Opportunities and Gatherings
- Alumni Board & Alumni Ambassadors Meetings
Online
- Vocational Webinars Featuring GU Alumni
- GU Speaker Series Livestreams
- GU Chapel "The Wednesday Experience" (TWE) Broadcasts (https://www.youtube.com/@GreenvilleUniversity)
- Monthly Prayer Calls (Coming Fall 2025!)
👟 YOUR NEXT STEP: Come home for Homecoming & other "Fill the Ville" weekends! Register for events and trips! Join the Alumni Board or Alumni Ambassadors! Download athletic schedules! View livestreams and TWE on Youtube! Participate in GU on Zoom gatherings!
THIRD, we further the efficacy of our interconnected network of “ivy league” alumni and friends; revitalizing and empowering alumni vocationally in our COMMISSION to serve the God's world. You inspire, influence and impact all those with whom God positions you in His world through meaningful investments.
Professional Networking
- LinkedIn Groups (Coming Fall 2025!)
- Regional Social Hour Professional Gatherings (in person and virtual)
- Coaching and Mentoring Services for GU alumni (Under Construction 🧰)
Alumni Mobilization
- Volunteer Opportunities (GU campus events and regional gatherings)
- Prospective Student Referrals (traditional, graduate and experiential institutes in Dominican Republic (Climb Experience) and Nashville (Contemporary Music Center)
- Giving to GU ("The Big Give" annual giving day, April 24, 2025, major gifts, planned giving)
Church Relations
- Bond County Ministerial Alliance (support CORE Community and other outreach activities)
- Regional Church Events (outreach and events connecting with churches in 150-mile radius)
- Free Methodist Church Annual Conference (Gateway, Wabash & New South)
👟 YOUR NEXT STEP: Participate in vocational development activities! Attend in person and virtual professional networking opportunities! Facilitate church connection to GU! Refer a prospective student! Give to GU giving days, campus development projects and the "Rise Up 2030" campaign!
In April, we’ll highlight Homecoming & Family Weekend 2025, October 23–26. In May, the Spring RECORD will lay out the final phase of the Rise Up campaign with “Rise Up 2030” goals and objectives, and I’ll focus in on how these university priorities inform alumni priorities.
Keep praying. Keep watching. And keep thanking God with us for the good work He continues to do on campus in the lives of GU students, faculty and staff and in you, our GU alumni and friends. 🧡🐾🌿
