Dr. Ed Blue Retires from GC; Faculty & Staff Recognized for Years of Service

Published: April 13, 2021

Dr. Ed Blue, interim president of Greenville College, and 26 GC faculty and staff were honored at a May 27 Service Awards & Retirement reception at Armington Center.

Dr. Ed Blue announced his retirement from Greenville College after 15 years of service. Dr. Blue served Greenville College for over 14 years as head of the Education Department and dean of the School of Education and this past year as interim president.

In 2006, the Illinois State Board of Education recognized Greenville College and Dr. Blue for their outstanding accreditation review and for training a group of 30 new state education team members. The college passed the state certification with the highest recommendations. Dr. Blue was commended for providing other schools with assistance in meeting the accreditation and state proficiency education standards. This was the first time the ISBE had recognized a college for their proficiency at addressing state and national requirements.

Prior to his tenure at GC, Dr. Blue served as president of Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Administration from Indiana University, a masters degree in Education from Indiana University and a bachelors degree in History from Grace College.

Having served as a public school teacher, principal, central office administrator, college professor and college president, Dr. Blue has been honored in three states, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, for his commitment to education. Dr. Blue stepped into his role as interim president with vision and excitement for the year ahead, keeping Greenville College moving forward through a year of transition.

Greenville College Board of Trustees Chair Rebecca Smith expressed the colleges appreciation for the leadership of Dr. Edwin Blue, During this interim period, Dr. Blue has kept us focused on our mission and has interacted faithfully with faculty, staff and administration, students, trustees and donors across the country.

With so many experiences and places on his resume one might ask why stick with Greenville? Dr. Blue has always replied to this with energy in his voice stating, I came here because of the people. The staying power of the place is the people. The faculty, the staff, the people that clean my office they are all great people! Im proud of the grounds crew, Im proud of the people that clean my office, Im proud of the faculty, Im proud of the staff.

Dr. Blue touts working with his colleagues as a highlight of his career and is always quick to use the word together when talking about the great Teacher Education program and the Greenville College community.

Greenville College recognized the following individuals for five years of service to Greenville College: Tom Ackerman, Kim Fitch, Richard Kurtz, Jenn McMahon, Steve Ross, Barb Sands, Ginny Smith and Natasha Nunag.

Ten year awards honored Dr. George Barber, Debbie Blankenship, Jo Branscome, Deloy Cole, Linda Miller, Roy Mulholland, Rick Murphy and Ron Widger.

Fifteen year awards were presented to Dr. Ed Blue, Dave Disch, Grace Hoenig, Dr. Richard Huston, Dr. Rick McPeak and Dr. Chris Woods.

Steve Heilmer was honored for twenty years of service at Greenville College.

Twenty-five years awards honored Tamie Heichelbeck, Jane Hopkins and Dennis Widger.

Dr. Cecelia Ulmer was recognized for 35 years of service.