Liz Goodnight Finds Faith and Community at Greenville University

Published: October 27, 2025

Author: Luis Palmer

A Divine Path to Greenville

Liz Goodnight is a student at Greenville University majoring in Christian education and theology. Although she is in her fourth year at the university, she is classified as a junior based on credit hours. Her path to GU wasn’t one she initially planned, but it was one she quickly recognized as divine intervention.

From a very young age, Goodnight knew attending a Christian college was her goal. During her senior year of high school, she applied to several Christian colleges, though she admits she doesn’t really remember applying to Greenville.

Surprisingly, Greenville was “the first and only college that got a hold of me.” Her first encounter on campus during Scholarship Night was a profound moment. “I just knew, like, this was the place for me,” she recalls, saying she “felt God’s presence.”

That initial feeling was reinforced later when she learned that one of her family members—her great-great-grandmother—was born in Greenville. “Yet a powerful

woman of God that I don't know; knew Christ had faith and had some form of roots here

in Greenville,” she said. “This is definitely from God.”

Goodnight says this helped her make the choice to pursue a faith-based education was especially meaningful given her background. While her family would have considered themselves spiritual, she says, “You can tell by their fruits that they were not Christians.”

Goodnight was the only one in her family actively attending church. Her early understanding of faith was rooted in a simple mindset: if you believed God sent His Son to die for you, “then you would be saved.”

Breaking Generational Cycles

As Goodnight grew older and endured a childhood marked by abuse and trauma, that simple framework proved insufficient. Because she was not “being raised properly,” she felt she lacked a true relationship with God. Her family was caught in their own pain and trauma, and she felt God was calling her to break those generational cycles.

Goodnight struggled deeply with loneliness and her mental health, particularly during her first year at GU. The environment was initially a “culture shock” because, back home, she had little community and often felt out of place. She found the genuine care from people on campus deeply overwhelming.

At this crucial point, she was also “wrestling with the idea” of not having a physical home to return to. Though she acknowledged God’s presence, “the internal desire is, ‘I want that tangible home.’”

There was even a moment when she thought she might take a gap year because she believed God wanted her to do something completely different. Looking back, she now sees that God allowed that season of isolation during her first year to bring her to a place where she could finally address the root of her mental-health challenges.

Transformation Through Community

The university’s support system—its resources and community—helped her find counseling and medical specialists to uncover the source of her struggles. Goodnight’s turning point came when she received a medical diagnosis for a chemical imbalance and began medication in 2023. She describes the change as instantaneous: “It was just like a switch.”

She recalls a complete shift in her inner life: “I had joy—and it was weird.” She identifies that joy as the only kind “the Lord can give,” and suddenly, her eyes were “able to see” the world differently.

That transformation was not just internal; it was strengthened by the genuine care shown by GU faculty and staff. Professor Bob Munshaw points to Goodnight’s defining quality: “In addition to her growing faith, the thing I most appreciate about Liz is her perseverance.” He notes that rather than giving up after facing real challenges, “she keeps showing up and working hard.”

Goodnight credits Professor Munshaw and others, including Dana Smith, assistant director for community standards, and Paul Alvord, for seeing what she was going through. She says their genuine belief that “we want to see you succeed and we care for you” gave her the sense of community and belonging she desperately needed.

Smith adds that Goodnight stands out because “she is intentional about owning her growth and reaching out to those who can help her become a more well-rounded woman.” Smith sees a visible change: “She has shown true transformation and a willingness to be molded.”

Faculty recognized the deep work she was doing, noting her ability to bounce back each time she faced a setback. Goodnight found that she could open up about her struggles at GU and discovered others who were going through—or had gone through—similar experiences.

Discovering a Masterpiece

Today, Goodnight is proud of where she is—especially as the first person in her family to attend a Christian college and stay committed. She acknowledges the “lot of growth and… a lot of transformation” she has experienced during her time at GU. She is now focused on graduating in 2027 after navigating a few transitions.

Her journey has given her a passion for the future: she wants to work with children who have endured similar experiences, using her testimony to encourage them. That passion also led to a book project God placed on her heart.

The title is Uniquely Broken, inspired by Ephesians 2:10 (NLT): “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”

The book explores her story of abuse and shame, emphasizing that “we’re all uniquely broken, but we’re still His masterpiece.” Though writing is challenging—she admits it’s the hardest part—her goal is to finish and release the book after graduation.

Goodnight’s story is a powerful reminder to Greenville supporters, prospective students, and families that GU is a place where students are not simply perceived but inspired to discover their full potential. When asked what she would say to the donor who provided her Panther Preferred Scholarship, she emphasized that her experience at GU has “transformed my life,” adding that without their support, she “probably would not be here.”