A Life of Service: Dr. Paul Wengert’s Legacy of Giving Back to Greenville University
Published: March 16, 2025
Author: Liz Dowell
For Dr. Paul A. Wengert, a longtime donor to Greenville University, generosity isn't just about financial contributions but a lifetime dedicated to service. His deep commitment to helping others has marked his journey from an uncertain high school graduate to an esteemed surgeon.
Today, that commitment extends to Greenville University, where he supports students and hopes to inspire the next generation to serve.
HIS EDUCATIONAL CAREER
As a Future Farmers of America (FFA) student, he never pursued farming. He joined a two-year international volunteer program in the 1950s, where he was initially assigned to post-war reconstruction in Germany but found himself transferred to Greece, working on agricultural initiatives. Surrounded by highly educated international colleagues, he felt the push to further his education.
It was in Greece that Dr. Wengert discovered his passion for medicine. Observing the lack of healthcare in rural mountain villages, he realized he wanted to make a difference. Upon returning to the U.S., he attended Messiah College before transferring to Greenville College (now Greenville University) to complete his pre-med studies. He later went to Temple University, graduating in 1976 before embarking on a distinguished career in surgery.
SUPPORT THE STUDENT, NOT THE INSTITUTION
Dr. Wengert’s generosity stems from his belief in supporting people rather than institutions. While many donations go toward infrastructure, his contributions focus on assisting students—especially international students—who strive to achieve their dreams through education. His dedication to philanthropy has taken him worldwide, helping families and young people in need.
One such instance was during his time working in Haiti. A Haitian doctor sought additional surgical training in the U.S., but despite Dr. Wengert’s efforts, no program was available. However, Dr. Wengert stepped in when that same doctor's daughter needed financial assistance to attend college in America.
With his support, she graduated from a four-year college in North Carolina. He received letters of gratitude from the school and the students each year.
“Unfortunately, I have no further information about how she used that education when returning to Haiti. I was quite amazed that she arrived in America with minimal English training, but with great effort, learned to speak and write [in] English to get her degree,” said Dr. Wengert.
Though he lost touch with her after graduation, her determination deeply moved him.
RAISED IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
His Christian faith and the Biblical principle of tithing have also guided his giving. Raised in a faith-centered community, Dr. Wengert learned the importance of giving ten percent of his earnings to meaningful causes.
Over the years, he prioritized supporting organizations providing food, education, and healthcare locally and internationally. To him, giving is not just an act of charity but a vital Christian principle that uplifts both the giver and the recipient.
Dr. Wengert’s connection to Greenville University is deeply personal. As a transfer student, he was kindly welcomed, particularly by fellow students like Dale and Karl Benson, who helped him navigate his new environment.
Dr. Wengert faced significant challenges in his pre-med studies, but the faculty and student body supported him. He was determined to succeed without a backup plan, and thanks to Greenville's nurturing environment, he did.
"When you train up a child, the habits do not just quit—they linger for life," he reflects. This belief fuels his support of Greenville University, where he hopes to encourage students to pursue lives of purpose, service, and faith.
GENEROSITY CONTINUES IN RETIREMENT
Now in retirement, Dr. Wengert finds joy in his family—his daughter Karin, who lives nearby, and his grandchildren, a senior nursing student and a microbiologist pursuing a Ph.D. Though his wife Elaine passed three years ago, his heart remains full, knowing that the legacy of service continues.
Through his generosity, Dr. Wengert ensures that Greenville University students can explore their callings—just as he once did. His story serves as a testament to the impact one life can have when it is dedicated to serving others.
