McAllaster Honors Program thirty year reunion

Published: June 27, 2026

Author: Lydia Cahill

Beginning in 1995, the McAllaster Honors Program has served as a marker of academic excellence at Greenville University. Last fall, it celebrated its 30th year with a Homecoming Weekend reunion.

Honors Director Kollin Fields expressed his hope to draw on alumni memories to establish a tradition for the program.

"When meeting the alumni, I try to explore the program's social dynamics – what can we hang our hat on? I want us to start thinking about what we aspire to. The alumni's knowledge can deepen our understanding of the program's past.”

Two alumni, Sarah Crawford ('99) and Jannette (nee Marshall) Isaacson ('00), offered valuable insight into the program’s origins.

Change, Progress, and Cornerstones

Crawford said, "One of the things that the Honors Program really taught me about was understanding other cultural groups. To get to know the people, you must be willing to ask and learn; I use it today even when speaking to patients."

Crawford was also able to shed light on the goals of the program during her time:

"The goal was to give us extra opportunities to expand our humanities and cultural understanding,” she said. “The program challenged students’ thinking and motivated them to take academics to the next level."

Isaacson added, "The professors taught in a way that was a lot of fun, and they loved what they were doing.”

Even after 30 years, Fields' own mission for the program matches what Crawford and Isaacson described as the goals when they were in school.

"We have program objectives about rigorous academic experience and spiritual formation, and those are what we aspire to,” he said. “I hope that our collective vision for the honors program is a formative part of students' academic and spiritual experience. The program can serve as a conduit for students who already consider themselves academically ambitious to recognize the responsibility and obligation that Christ has placed upon us. "

Alumni Connection with Current Students—Continuing a Tradition of Excellence

As early members of the program, Crawford and Isaacson serve as role models and mentors for future students.

"There's camaraderie that happens because you went through the same program," said Crawford. "For some students, seeing alumni embrace the program makes them feel that there is an application for the program in their life.'"

“Find people who can help you," Isaacson advised. “Reach out to people in your major who can help you get through. Also, be that person; don't just ask for help but be there for someone else who needs it."

The Next 30 Years and Beyond

Professor Fields articulated the ever-shifting nuances of the program, coupled with its solid base.

"We want a sense of stability where students know what to expect from the program, each other, and me,” he said. “But we also want them to incorporate innovation that might make things better. Each year, I reflect on how we can improve the program, but I also want to preserve the core of it."

As the McAllaster program enters its next 30 years, there will certainly be challenges and triumphs. The program, grounded in Christian learning and a strong academic tradition, will continue to be shaped by current and future faculty and students.