David Bell

Hi, I’m Dave Bell, and I serve as a writer and photographer on the Greenville University Marketing team. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Drake University in 1977, where I wrote for The Times-Delphic and eventually became editor-in-chief. I also competed on the track and cross-country teams, serving as captain of both during my senior year.

After college, I spent four years writing and photographing for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the national office in Kansas City. From there, I spent 40 years in the newspaper world as a writer, photographer, editor, and publisher for several newspapers in Virginia and Illinois—including 26 years as publisher of The Leader-Union in Vandalia. During that time, I also served 20 years on the Illinois Press Association board and two years as president of the 500-member organization. Alongside my newspaper work, I freelanced for WORLD Magazine, a Christian publication based in North Carolina.

Before joining GU in 2021, I spent six years as a writer and photographer for The Greenville Advocate here in town. Storytelling—especially stories that speak to faith, hope, and truth—has been at the center of my calling for more than four decades.

A verse that continues to guide my writing is Habakkuk 2:2:

“Write the revelation and make it plain, so that he who reads it may run.”

My goal has always been to write clearly, truthfully, and in a way that helps others live with deeper understanding and confidence in God’s heart.