1855
Christ-followers envision and build a Christian liberal arts college for women—Almira College.
1892
Free Methodists buy Almira, rename it Greenville College, and welcome women and men to learn and grow in Christ-like character and service.
1910
Students envision a campus gym, gain buy-in from decision-makers, raise funds, and build. Fitness activities flourish.
1918
Spanish influenza threatens the community. Students convert a dormitory into a hospital and nurse the sick.
1933
Depression-era students make household products in chemistry labs and sell them broadly; Collegiate Industries thrives.
1969
Professor Hugh Siefken arrives on campus and soon begins building an ion accelerator. Physics scholars on campus and statewide benefit.
1983
Students start The Simple Room, an after-school program for local kids. 35 years later, Simple Room programs serve 90 youth monthly.
1999
Students on GU’s campus are the first nationwide to enjoy wireless internet.
2009
Students take seriously Jesus’ call to visit prisoners. They regularly visit inmates to play chess, discuss books, and take classes together.
2016
Students help design and develop a cloud-based app to aid emergency responders during an Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
2017
Greenville College becomes Greenville University to better reflect the school’s program variety and academic rigor.
2019
Student researchers serve homeowners throughout Southern Illinois by testing water for contaminants. The ongoing service fills a regional void.
2020
GU’s Experience First embarks on its fifth year partnering students with businesses and nonprofits to solve real marketplace problems.
