GREENVILLE UNIVERSITY TO HONOR ALUMNI AT HOMECOMING

Published: October 02, 2024

Greenville University is pleased to announce its 2024 alumni awardees and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. Distinguished Alumnus Dale Benson ’63 and Outstanding Young Alumnus Alex Dowley ’15 will be honored at GU’s upcoming Homecoming celebration, along with Hall of Fame inductees Val Gin ’82, Max Bowman, Mia Bonacorsi ’23, and the 2016-17 Women’s Basketball Team.

Presentation of GU’s 2024 Alumni Awards will take place Saturday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m. in Whitlock Music Center. A dessert reception will follow.

DALE BENSON: A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

Dr. Dale Benson’s pursuits run deep and wide. An expert in ambulatory care and leader in community health, the good doctor has authored books, coached bible quiz teams, served on the board of his local church, taught digital photography, and even played first base on a softball team.

Through it all, Dale exercised a unique blend of servant leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.

• He founded HealthNet Community Health Centers in Indianapolis and served as director for 30 years.
• He developed AmbuQual, a program for managing quality in ambulatory settings. Over 200 hospitals and clinics use the program.
• He organized community advisory boards to address homelessness, drug abuse, child abuse prevention, and prenatal care.

Not surprisingly, Dale received numerous awards along the way.

• The American College of Physician Executives named him Distinguished Fellow.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services presented him with its Regional Health Administrators Award.
• The City of Indianapolis proclaimed September 18 Dr. Dale Benson Day.
• The State of Indiana awarded him its highest honor, the Sagamore of the Wabash.

Dale and his wife Barb share four children and fourteen grandchildren. Several are Greenville University alumni.

Related: “When I Was President” – Dale Benson recalls leadership lessons learned at GU

ALEX DOWLEY: A GIFT FOR SEEING NEEDS AND FILLING THEM

“I saw a need,” Alex said simply.

The subject? A pickleball class that he initiated at Albion College. Interest in the sport inspired him to help Albion College get onboard with the pickleball craze. Some universities field competitive pickleball teams.

Pickleball aside, Alex could easily have said “I saw a need” in response to many opportunities he seized since graduating from GU.

• Church plants needed financial help. Alex created a business that bought semi-truckloads of overstock goods for resale. Churches benefited from the profits.
• The Albion College tennis team needed a boost. Alex stepped in as assistant coach and helped the team achieve its best season in 15 years. He coaches tennis and teaches wellness classes there today.
• Community tennis needed someone to champion the sport. Alex directed leagues and match play events. Participation grew exponentially.
• His high school alma mater needed tennis help, too. Alex’s experience and expertise helped grow the program. The team become regional and divisional champions.

The list of met needs goes on—leadership positions assumed, youth mentored, disc golf introduced locally and regionally, fundraising events organized, community game nights orchestrated.

Folks who know Alex note his positivity, his genuine interest in others, and his presence in others’ lives. He faithfully shows up at his players’ plays, concerts, recitals, musicals, parties, esport games, weddings, and fundraisers.

Alex’s demonstration of Christian faith, patience, kindness, and active listening echo GU’s mission to empower students for lives of Christ-like character and service.

PANTHER PRIDE

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees embody GU athletics’ mission to foster Christian character, athletic development, and academic achievement in a Christ-centered community.

Valerie Gin – All sports, all in

Valerie's face appears often on the athletic pages of GU yearbooks. She participated in volleyball, basketball, softball, and track and field. Her passion, skills, and knowledge led to a successful career as a coach and educator. At Gordon College, she served as head volleyball and softball coach, earning multiple Coach of the Year honors and conference championships. She created the Sport Studies program at Gordon, presented academic papers at numerous colleges, and published three books. Valerie has instituted athletic camps and lectured in dozens of countries. Today, she heads Wired4sport as its executive director and serves on the boards of various organizations, including GU’s Board of Trustees.

Max Bowman – Trailblazer, teambuilder

Max established GU’s football program in 1987 and coached the Panthers for seven seasons. He recorded 49 wins and collected multiple Coach of the Year honors and conference championship titles along the way. Max led the Panthers to the 1990 NAIA playoffs in the program’s fourth season of existence. As head coach, he directed an effective offense and defense that topped all other NAIA teams in numerous categories. Max went on to coach in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills. His coaching career brought him to Houston, Texas, where he now serves as executive director of Northwest Houston’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Mia Bonacorsi – Integrity, excellence, leadership

GU’s Order of the Orange and Black goes to athletes who model Christian integrity, athletic and academic excellence, and leadership. Mia fit the bill on all counts as she led the women’s volleyball team to three SLIAC league championships and five tournament championships. Her many conference honors included the 2023 Player of the Year award. Off the court, Mia’s spiritual leadership and volunteer work stood out. In the classroom, she excelled, earning the SLIAC All-Academic award four years in a row. Mia is the ultimate paradigm for GU Panther volleyball, showing that culture wins.

2016-17 Women’s Basketball Team – A GU first

This team carved their name into the record books after being the first GU basketball team to win the NCCAA National Championship. They had an impressive year, going 23-9 on the season and 12-4 in conference play. They then fought their way to the SLIAC tournament championship game. The team also appears in the SLIAC record book for multiple statistical categories. Members displayed excellence in the classroom as well, earning the WBCA Top 25 Team Academic award.

Go here for updates about Greenville University’s 2024 Homecoming celebration, including honors for these awardees.