The dream continues for GU transfer student

Published: November 11, 2024

Author: Dave Bell

Three years ago, when Jalen Franz learned that the college he was attending was closing its doors, he thought it was the end of his dream to be the first in his family to get a college education.

But far from the end, that difficult time turned out to be the beginning of a new dream – this one at Greenville University.

“It’s been a story of overcoming what looked like a very negative situation and turning it into something very positive,” said Franz, a native of Lincoln, Illinois. “It wasn’t always an easy transition, but I’ve learned to trust God’s plan. Now, there’s no place I’d rather be than GU.”

Though he had to start “from ground zero” at his new school, Franz feels good about how he was received.

“The people here have been great,” said Franz, a sports management major with a business management minor. “They have welcomed me as a transfer and made it easy to get involved in a wide variety of activities.

“When I first visited Greenville, I was drawn to the track and cross country program because it has a tradition of being very competitive. But equally important to me is that it’s known as a place where the focus is on spiritual things and becoming the best person you can be. I wanted to be around people like that.”

In addition to being a standout runner on the track and cross country teams (he placed third in the recent SLIAC Conference cross country meet), he’s been involved in the Grenville Student Government Association and was a member of a Pursuit musical team.

After GU, Franz wants to coach, initially at the high school level but eventually at the collegiate level.

“I want to be a coach who makes people better athletically, but also better as people,” he said. “I want to make a difference in their lives. That’s what I’ve experienced here, and I want to pass that along to younger athletes.”