GREENVILLE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI GATHER FOR BUSY HOMECOMING
Published: October 28, 2024
Author: D. Bell
GREENVILLE, IL – Perfect fall weather and a jam-packed lineup of activities produced a memorable Homecoming for Greenville University alumni and friends last weekend. Throughout the celebration, alums both young and old were recognized for exemplifying the university’s mission of living lives of character and service.
The festivities, which began Thursday evening and ran through Saturday night, featured several musical concerts, dedication ceremonies, a program on significant women GU’s history, the traditional Homecoming parade, and numerous varsity and alumni athletic events – including a last-minute victory by the Panther football team.
One of the headlining events was a Friday morning program titled “Women in Leadership at GU,” which profiled several women who played key roles in the establishment of Almira College and the early years of Greenville College. Funded by a NetVUE grant, the program detailed the lives and contributions of Almira Morse, Elizabeth White, Dr. Mary Tenney, Ruby E. Dare, Mary LaDue, June Strahl, Phyllis Holmes, Dr. Elva McAllaster, and Harriette Warner Whitman. Brian Hartley, former professor and administrator, coordinated the historical research about the women and served as emcee for the event.
As always, music was a big part of Homecoming activities at the University. Launching the weekend were Thursday evening concerts by the GU jazz band, concert band, and choir.
On Friday evening, a musical program entitled “Rise Up: A GU Night of Worship” celebrated God’s provision for the University in recent years and set a course for ongoing renewal throughout the GU community. Lloyd Nicks, a 2014 GU graduate and Dove Award-nominated gospel songwriter, was the worship artist for the event.
Friday’s events also featured the traditional Homecoming parade, which traveled the streets near campus and through downtown Greenville.
Serving as parade marshal was Lynn Adams, a fixture in the GU athletic department from 1972 to 1992. She coached the women’s volleyball team for 21 seasons and amassed a career record of 440 wins and 257 losses. She also coached Greenville’s softball team for 19 seasons, finishing with a career record of 312 wins and 204 losses.
The weekend also featured ribbon-cutting and dedication services at several recently completed projects on campus, including University Hall (a 246-bed residence hall on College Avenue), Jack Trager Athletics Performance & Training Center (on the first floor of University Hall), Dr. Kenneth and Stella Kaufmann Plaza (just outside University Hall), Dr. Ken and Stella Kaufmann Student Health Center, and a “GU Legacy of Women in Sport” display near the entrance to H.J. Long Gymnasium. Other dedications were held at the John Strahl Athletic Complex for the W. Richard Stephens Fieldhouse, Robert “Ish” Smith Museum, Jay & Shay Way access road, and the new all-weather turf at the Panther baseball field.
Saturday’s events began with a Kids Fun Run and the traditional Panther 5K Run/Walk. At the GU football game, this year’s GU Homecoming royalty were introduced, led by queen Makenna Hintz and king Joseph Goodenow. Several alumni athletic contests were held throughout the day, classmates gathered at reunions, and academic departments held events for returning alumni.
At the Homecoming football game, the Panthers defeated Martin Luther College 42-35 with some last-minute heroics. Quarterback Max Lynch connected with Dominic Esparza on a 17-yard touchdown pass with just 28 seconds remaining in the contest. Lynch amassed 223 passing yards in the win, which improved the Panthers’ record to 4-2.
The weekend concluded Saturday night with the Homecoming Honors Awards Ceremony to honor outstanding alumni and induct new Athletic Hall of Fame members. Alexander Dowley ’15 received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award and Dale S. Benson ’63 was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Additionally, the 50-year reunion Class of 1994 were inducted as members of the Wilson T. Hogue Society. Hall of Fame inductees included Valerie Gin ’82, a multi-sport athlete and academic leader; the 2016-17 women’s basketball team, which won a National Christian College Athletic Association national title; and Max Bowman, the school’s first football coach who led the program from 1987 to 1993. Mia Bonacorsi ’23 received the Order of the Orange and Black Award, which is presented to an athlete from the prior year who achieves athletic and academic excellence, models good leadership, and reflects the institution’s standards of Christian integrity.
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Greenville University is an accredited Christian liberal arts university with more than 1,000 students, including traditional undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree completion students. Founded in 1892 and affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, the University is located in Greenville, Ill., 45 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri. For more information, visit www.greenville.edu.