The VISTA - Fall 2013

Long past are the years of Wilson T. Hogue, he has passed and gone and in his wake left a truly Christian College. The legacies of LaDue and Marston, of Long, Burritt though largely forgotten linger on in name and unspoken institutions. Stephens and Mannoia are off to the next chapters in their lives, though still fondly tied to the college. And so as each of these characters went on to their new chapters, the pages turn in the story of Greenville College. It is too soon to speak about what will most certainly happen in this next chapter. We have had chapters of building, we have had chapters of curricula writing, and we have had chapters of digitizing, in a continually changing world to predict what is going to happen next will be a challenge, but the constant themes throughout the Inauguration of President Ivan Filby seem fitting to bear in mind. We are entering into a chapter of change, growth, and challenge.

Anyone who has so much as poked his head out of his dorm this semester knows by now that Greenville College’s 12th President is deeply and dearly loved. He is an outgoing and affable man who seeks to know his students so he might better address needs that are best seen from a student’s point of view (I think he may like us a little). There is little doubt that the welcome and greetings extended to the president were all very sincere as the courage, humor, vigor, and passion of our president were praised time and time again. Those more privy to the reality of the situation of Greenville College were candid enough to express their concern for the future, but they coupled this with a confidence in our leader.

When Dr. Ataide stepped up to address and charge President Filby, after receiving a gentle word of encouragement from the president, he spoke about the shifting world that small liberal arts Christian Colleges are a part of. He warned about the challenges ahead as ideas shifted, and practices changed, and long avoidable issues begin to surface. We are an oddity, Greenville College.

President Filby’s response was full of hope, understanding, but hope and faith. With a will to surrender to and press into the embrace of Christ’s perseverance is possible. Coupled with his usual youthful joviality, as seen when he waved to his daughter through the internet and lived up to the popular #iheartivan understanding to him, he showcased his wisdom and insight as he accepted the burden placed upon him and acknowledged his desire to always seek the insight of those beyond him.