RENEWAL AT GU & 2026 HOMECOMING HONORS
A View of GU – SEPTEMBER 2026
“Be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 23–24
In the Summer issue of “A View of GU,” we considered the inspiration, influence and impact of our shared stories, stories for which many were formed and fortified in the soil story of a Christ-centered GU education.
“Stories shape us, the revelation of the story of God in scripture as well as the way our stories reveal God to others in the world.”
I love seeing and hearing the campus a-buzz with renewed activity each fall. And this is the word God keeps bringing to mind for this year—renewal—so I’m leaning into this word with expectation of Him showing up on our campus and in your lives in renewing ways … in innumerable ways by which God’s story will renew our stories.
My hope in God’s renewing work in our lives this year, individually and corporately, roots itself not necessarily in God doing a “new” thing (Isaiah 43:19) but a “re-newed” thing (Ephesians 4:23) as God continues to shape student and alumni lives for over 130 years with our transforming education for character and service.
Just as God renewed our lives as students—with a new place, new people, new purpose and new promise—I can attest to His continued renewing of lives in this lovely group of 350+ new students, a 1100+ student body and 20,000+ alumni. We all bring a rich mix of strengths and weakness, successes and struggles, joys and sorrow into this “classroom” we call Greenville University. And here this classroom—rich with all these stories—shapes “calling,” calling guides “careers” and careers live out in “contributions.”
It all matters. It all has value. Every setting. Every character. Every scene. And here God surrounds us with what we need to make better sense of our stories through His story, and we go from here with a better understanding of how He’s created us to show up in meaningful ways for others in this world.
This is renewal. This is how “faith and learning” becomes “faith and leading.” This is where being transformed paves the way for being transformational. As we anticipate the transformation of students this year on campus, as they are seen, known and inspired, I equally anticipate the transformational impact of our alumni. We love to hear your stories and we love to share them with our students and other alumni.
2026 HOMECOMING HONORS: ALUMNI AWARDS & HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Each year, Greenville University recognizes outstanding alumni who embody Christlike character and service, and who have demonstrated leadership in their careers or other endeavors since graduating. This year’s Homecoming Honors Banquet will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Wilson Recital Hall of the Whitlock Music & Media Center. For Homecoming Honors Banquet tickets, register at greenville.edu/homecoming.
At this year’s event, GU will recognize five alumni award recipients, four individuals and three teams as Hall of Fame inductees, and the 50-Year Reunion Class of 1976.
Alumni Awards
The 2026 Alumni Award recipients include Mark Rose ’76 (Distinguished Alumnus Award), Elle Shaw ’16 (Outstanding Young Alumnus Award), Chaz Corzine ’81 (Robert A. Briner Salt & Light Award), Jesse Moore ’51 (Dr. Gene A. Kamp Loyalty Award) and Jessica (Ford) Ray ’01 (Ruth (Smith) Winslow Leadership Award).
Athletic Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame entries include Danny Donaldson ’04 (Athlete - Men's Track & Field and Football), Jamie (Schollenbruch) Bilinski ’16 (Athlete - Women's Volleyball, Women's Basketball, and Women's Soccer), Doug Faulkner ’86 (Meritorious Achievement - GU Athletics), and the 1971-1973 Men's Cross Country Teams. In addition, Norah (Swinigan) Atkins ’26 (Women's Cross Country and Women's Track & Field) will receive the Order of the Orange and Black.
We invite you to join us Saturday, October 17, as we celebrate “faith and leading” in the lives this year’s GU alumni honorees.
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🌿 REMINDER: Mark your calendars for Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026, October 15–18, 2026! Like our “GU Alumni Association” Facebook page and join your class reunion group! Reserve your hotel rooms! Follow "Greenville University Alumni on Instagram! Get your plane tickets! Share Homecoming social posts with classmates! (You get the picture. 😇)
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Until we meet again … 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. 🧡🐾🌿
