Celebrating a Legacy of Generosity: Greenville University Honors Exceptional Philanthropy
Published: May 18, 2025
Greenville University shone a spotlight on extraordinary commitment and generosity at its recent President's Society Dinner on May 8, presenting the inaugural Greenville University Medal for Distinguished Philanthropy and the Outstanding Family Legacy Award. These new honors recognize individuals and families whose deep, sustained generosity and service have helped shape the university’s mission and future.
THE GANTONS: DISTINGUISHED PHILANTHROPY AND DECADES OF SERVICE
Lloyd and Judi Ganton with President Suzanne Davis.
Greenville University presented its highest philanthropic honor, the Greenville University Medal for Distinguished Philanthropy, to Lloyd and Judi Ganton, whose visionary leadership and enduring generosity have shaped the university for nearly four decades.
After graduating from Greenville College in 1960, Lloyd Ganton began a long career in education before founding what would become a network of senior living communities in Michigan. Through this work, he has provided care and comfort to thousands—many of them fellow Greenville alumni and their families.
Lloyd’s heart, however, has always remained with Greenville. He served on the University’s Board of Trustees for 34 years, chairing the Advancement Committee for ten and leading the University’s first capital campaign (1985–1988), which raised $4 million. He later chaired a second campaign, helping secure $18 million for institutional growth. Together with Judi, the Gantons funded Ganton Circle, the Presidential Conference Room, and multiple scholarships—including the Ganton Honor Scholarship and Mary Helen Almira Circle Scholarship.
Judi also played a vital leadership role, organizing and underwriting five strategic board retreats in the early 2000s and hosting countless alumni gatherings, including a large event during the Free Methodist General Conference.
Their commitment was previously honored when Lloyd was named Alumnus of the Year in 1995, and when both were presented with the Minshall Servant Leadership Award in 2014.
Today, Lloyd continues his service on the boards of Hope Africa University and the Free Methodist Foundation, embodying a lifetime of Christ-centered leadership. The Greenville University Medal for Distinguished Philanthropy honors the Gantons’ transformational impact—measured not only in dollars, but in vision, stewardship, and servant leadership that will inspire generations to come.
THE WIEGAND FAMILY: A LIVING LEGACY OF GENEROSITY
Elliott and Cynthia Wiegand and family with President Suzanne Davis.
The first-ever Outstanding Family Legacy Award was also presented, honoring Elliott and Cynthia Wiegand, whose story with Greenville began in 1951 when Elliott’s father joined the college to manage its printing press, Tower Press. That move planted the roots for what would become a multi-generational legacy of love and commitment to Greenville University.
Elliott ('60) and Cynthia ('61) are part of an elite group of alumni who took seriously former President H.J. Long’s view that students, alumni, and donors made up the college’s “Living Endowment.” Remarkably, they began giving to Greenville as students—and have given faithfully every year since.
Their commitment to Greenville has inspired the next generation. Both of their children, Gloria (“Glo”) and Michael, are alumni, as are their spouses. Michael’s wife Amy served on the Greenville Alumni Board, including as president. The legacy continues with the Wiegand grandchildren: Michael and Amy Wiegand’s three sons—Marshal ('25), Shepherd (current student), and Archer (high school student, prospective future student)—represent a third generation of Wiegands engaging with Greenville.
In addition to their financial generosity, the Wiegands have consistently given their time and energy in service to Greenville and beyond. Each member of the family actively volunteers in their churches and communities, modeling the values Greenville seeks to instill in every graduate.
The Outstanding Family Legacy Award recognizes the Wiegands not just for their extraordinary generosity, but for the spirit in which they have given—consistently, joyfully, and with deep purpose.
