Greenville University to Relaunch Alumni Travel with the Tidballs
Published: August 21, 2025
Author: Liz Dowell
Todd and Sue Tidball have traveled extensively during their lives. Now, as they enter retirement, they want to share those experiences with other Greenville University alumni and friends.
To make this possible, the Tidballs (both GU Class of ’85) are reviving a long-standing tradition of international travel for Greenville University alumni, an activity formerly led by Todd’s parents, Watson and Bonnie Tidball, in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Watson was an accounting professor who later in his career also served in alumni relations and development.
“We have been fortunate to travel to many parts of the world,” said Todd, who retired last year from Edward Jones. “And we want to introduce others to some of our favorite places. Our first trip, scheduled for late May and early June 2026, will be to Greece. It is probably a ‘bucket list’ destination for many GU people, not only because it is a beautiful country, but also because it’s where the Apostle Paul lived and preached extensively.”
The 11-day trip, titled “The Best of Greece and the Greek Isles,” runs May 26–June 5, 2026. The price of $5,249 per person covers round-trip airfare from Chicago, first-class accommodations, meals, a three-day Greek island cruise in the Aegean Sea, and admission fees to several key sites.
“Please join us on this trip of a lifetime,” the Tidballs said in promotional materials. “Greece and the Greek Isles are the cradle of Western civilization and are among the most popular and wonderful destinations on the planet.”
The main stops on the trip include Athens, Corinth, Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Santorini, Delphi, Kalambaka, and Thessaloniki. Each location will have local tour guides offering educational insights about the site. Nawas International Travel – the same travel company used by Watson and Bonnie Tidball – will organize the trip.
“We want these trips to engage the spirit, soul (mind) and body,” said Robyn Florian, GU’s director for Alumni Relations. “I’m excited to share this opportunity with our GU alumni and friends, and look forward to hosting an information session on Wednesday, September 3, at 12 noon CDT.”
Todd adds, “We need at least 32 people to make the trip happen. We’re targeting graduates from the 1970s and 1980s, who would now be 55 to 75 years old, but alumni of any age are welcome.”
For more information, visit GU in Greece 2026 on the Greenville University website or contact the Todd by telephone at (360) 509-2890 or by email at toddtidball@comcast.net.
