Missional Highlights
Eastern University is a diverse, Christ-centered community preparing graduates to impact the world through Faith, Reason, and Justice. We are excited to share the following developments from the past year that have supported and expanded our mission.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Community Service Learning:
In the Fall 2022 semester, EU first-year students contributed approximately 7,950 hours of volunteer work, which translates to $240,000 worth of service to our community in just one semester.
Spiritual Leadership:
This past academic year, we celebrated 30 years of Chaplain Joseph B. Modica’s intentional spiritual care within our community. Joe’s welcoming disposition, deep and humble faith in Christ, and passion for the spiritual formation of our students has left a defining impact on our community and Eastern’s legacy.
Student Chaplain Program:
This year marked 35 years of our Student Chaplain program. We currently have over 20 student chaplains serving our traditional undergraduate student body by leading weekly Grow Group sessions and facilitating faith formation within our residence halls and athletic teams.
Chamberlain Interfaith Fellowship: The Fellowship welcomed its 8th cohort to experience interfaith learning and connection between Eastern University and Temple Beth Shalom of Needham, MA. A generous, anonymous donor has agreed to match any gifts to the Chamberlain Interfaith Fellowship program up to $50,000.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND BELONGING
Over the past year, Diversity, Equity and Belonging (DEB) initiatives at Eastern University have been focused on a number of strategic priorities to foster inclusive excellence in our community and to effectively live out our mission as followers of Christ.
This year, DEB has partnered with departments across the university on the following initiatives:
Completed a University-wide Diversity and Cultural Audit conducted by an outside consulting firm.
Created the Students of Color Support Collaborative to launch a mentorship program for students of color and strengthen academic, social, and emotional support with the goal of bolstering retention.
Facilitated diverse curriculum development and culturally-responsive teaching.
FINE ARTS HIGHLIGHTS
Dance
The dynamic and ground-breaking choreography of the Winter performance of “DIMENSIONS” featured many captivating styles of dance including modern, jazz, and African dance.
The Spring dance performance, “Found Wandering,” included the original works of students and faculty, and featured a senior thesis depicting “the redemptive power of Christ’s love that can be found while wandering.”
Theatre
A commedia dell’arte production of “The Illusion” stunned audiences with period costumes and swordplay.
The student-run musical “Working” received two Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival awards.
A new annual showcase displayed the depth and breadth of student work in design, acting, and directing.
Music
Our Winter Festival debuted our new chamber ensemble director, jazz band director, and the return of Gospel music from the Angels of Harmony.
The 2023 Spring Music Festival consisted of incredible performances by Eastern’s instrumental and vocal ensembles featuring seasonal, sacred, classical, and original repertoire.
Donor Honor Roll
Eastern University values its loyal benefactors who have made significant gifts to the university this year. This list celebrates donors who have given more than $5,000 in the 2023 fiscal year, covering the dates of July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and partnership, which enables us to make a powerful difference in the lives of students.
View our full Donor Honor Roll at eastern.edu/donors.
Honoring donors who have made gifts this year totaling...
$100,000 or more
Anonymous (1)
Estate of Frederick Boehlke ’52 †
Estate of Mary VanBrookhoven Foehl †
Susana Rohrer and Daniel Rohrer
J. Howard Supplee Memorial Fund Trust
$50,000 - $99,999
Anonymous (1)
Catherine Cope Clemens ’92 and Steven Clemens ’91
Fidelity Charitable
Estate of Wilbert Gough ’50, H’73 †
eTeamsponsor Inc.
Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Katherine McNabb and F. William McNabb, III
Constance McNamara and J. Michael McNamara
The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust
Bryan Stevenson ’81, H’99
$25,000 - $49,999
Irene Campbell and Kenneth Campbell
Comloquoy Charitable Foundation Trust
Daryl Drummond
Lucille Huff and Joel Huff, H’03
The McLean Contributionship
Schwab Charitable Fund
$10,000 - $24,999
Anonymous (1)
Harriett Bailey
Bessemer Giving Fund
Chloe Brown Bass ’06 and Jared Bass, Esq. ’07
Alexandra Cardone and Michael Cardone, III
Wayne Dietrich ’66
FieldTurf USA Inc.
Flaherty Family Foundation
JoAnn Gambone and Joseph Gambone, Jr.
The Glenmede Trust Company, NA
Stewart Huston Charitable Trust
Edwin M. Lavino Foundation Trust
Lockheed Martin
Pamela Matthews and Ronald Matthews (F/S)
Sarah S. McLeod Trust
Robert Moffitt ’65, MDiv ’71
Karen Moore and Mark Moore ’77, MDiv ’80
Meg Morrison and Jeffrey Morrison
Stephanie Olson and Charles “Chip” Olson, III ’90
Doris Rowlands and David Rowlands, Jr. ‘63
Benjamin Ruegsegger ’01
Colleen McClure Shute ’02 and Adam Shute ’01
Amber Huddell Skinner ’20 and Micah Skinner ’19
Sodexo, Inc.
Sovereign Insurance Group
Stephanie Maier Summers, MS ’08 and Jason Summers
Estate of Lois Swenson ’64, ’66 †
Elizabeth Webb Swingle ’59 and David Swingle ’59 †
Vanguard Charitable
Margaret Vardy and Peter Vardy, H’09
Sandra Velarde and Rodney Velarde
Frances S. Wiggen Trust
$5,000 - $9,999
LaVonne Althouse, DMin ’81
American Baptist Churches USA
Aramark Global Business Services
Anthony Barr ’19
Wayne Brown, Jr. ’18
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
CapinCrouse LLP
Althea J. Carnell Residuary Trust
Compass Ion Advisors, LLC
CSI International, Inc.
Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid-South, Inc.
Benjamin Davis ’05
Dayspring Foundation
Gretchen Ekeland, MS ’14
Melissa Esterhai and Greg Esterhai
Follett Higher Education Group
Kurt Geisheimer
Lesley Hamer and Jim Hamer
Ronald Hartman ’71
Melissa Helton and T. Michael Helton
Margaret Hill and Arthur Hill, Jr.
Alvin Jepson, H’03
Johnson & Johnson Matching Gifts
Deepa Kurian-Joy and Aljit Joy ’94
Jean Bartholomew Kim ’61
Gaye Matherly
Mennonite Central Committee
Pamela Merriman and Richardson Merriman
Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia
Leah Welding Mulhearn ’03 and James Mulhearn ’03
Constance Parramore
Barbara Russell
Ann Spooner and Donald Spooner
Tracorp
Peggy Parker Thomas ’63 and F. Ardell Thomas ’63
Leah Kim and Robert Tomilson
Linda Wagner and Mark Wagner
Ellyn Waller and Alyn Waller, DMin ’98
Rebecca Barnett Walter, MBA ’93
Meredith Williams
Wohlsen Construction
F/S = Faculty/Staff
† = Deceased
H = Honorary Degree
Every
Office of the President, Fowler Hall
1300 Eagle Road, St. Davids, PA 19087
president@eastern.edu
UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP TEAM
Ronald A. Matthews, DMA President and CEO
Jeanne W. Bundens, PhD Faculty Senate Moderator
Kelly Goddard, MA
Associate Vice President for Marketing, Enrollment, and Communications
Jackie Irving, EdD Associate Vice President for Student Development
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mr. Steven Clemens, Esq., Chair
Dr. Ronald A. Matthews
Mr. Jared C. Bass, Esq.
Dr. Jacob Chatman
Rev. Danny Cortés
Pastor Albert G. Davis, Jr
Rev. Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr
Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr
Mr. Matthew D. Kane
Trevor S. Jackson, MBA Vice President for Finance and Operations
Christine P. Mahan, PhD Chief of Staff and Vice President for Planning and Effectiveness
Eric McCloy, MDiv, MBA Chief Information Officer
Eric McNelley Director of Athletics
Kenton L. Sparks, PhD Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Randolph W. Walters, PsyD Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging
Luisa Wilsman, MPA Vice President for Advancement
Dr. Jean B. Kim
Dr. Kara R. King
Dr. Michael J. Mandarino
Mr. Mario R. Martinez
Ms. Katherine Hoyt McNabb
Mr. J. Michael McNamara
Mr. Jeffrey A. Morrison
Mrs. Leah W. Mulhearn
Mr. Chip A. Olson III
Mr. Adam K. Shute
Dr. Stacey R. Sauchuk
Mr. Mark Seymour
Dr. F. Ardell Thomas
Mr. Robert Tomilson, Esq.
Mr. Mark Wagner
Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller
Ms. Rebecca Walter
