EASTERN UNIVERSITY
PRESIDENT'S REPORT 19 25
2022-2023
A Y EA R O F FLO URI SHIN G A ND E X PA NSI O N 1
Your prayers and financial partnership have greatly impacted our community, and have provided a launchpad for positive difference-makers to transform our world through Faith, Reason, and Justice. ”
Dear Friends, It is a joy to close out the 2022-23 academic and fiscal year with deep gratitude for all that God has done for and through Eastern University. This year was marked by flourishing and expansion. Highlights include immense growth in overall enrollment, expansion of athletic initiatives, celebration of the impressive work of our community, and the launch of our new five-year strategic plan: Inspire. Innovate. Impact. It has been a year to be proud of at Eastern University. We are profoundly grateful for the generous support of all our partners who have made this year such a joyous one. Your prayers and financial partnership have greatly impacted our community and have provided a launchpad for positive difference-makers to transform our world through Faith, Reason, and Justice. We invite you into this meaningful work and would welcome the opportunity to talk with you about the many ways you can make or increase an investment of time, talent, or treasure. May God bless you generously and abundantly in this holy and powerful endeavor of equipping generations of students who will listen, love, learn, and lead for the glory of God and the flourishing of communities throughout our nation and our world. With enthusiasm and appreciation,
Ronald A. Matthews President, Eastern University
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E NRO L L M EN T U PDATE | FA L L 2022
Eastern University Enrollment
We are pleased to report that Eastern University’s total enrollment grew 86% during the three-year span from Fall 2019 to Fall 2022, expanding from 3,100 students to 5,769 students. We are incredibly grateful for the Spirit-inspired innovation and enthusiastic collaboration across the entire university that has resulted in this astonishing increase. 6,000
ENROLLMENT HIGHLIGHTS Eastern University enrollment is the highest it has ever been since our founding in 1925. Approximately 4,400 students have enrolled in our innovative LifeFlex programs since the first program launched in Fall 2020 until Summer 2023. Our Fall 2022 incoming class of traditional undergraduate, on-campus students was the largest entering cohort in nine years.
5,000 4,000 3,000 2 ,000 1,000 0
FALL 2 01 9
FA LL 2 02 2
PRESIDENT’S REPORT / ENROLLMENT
Over 550 student-athletes participated in our athletic programs. Student-athletes comprised 60% of incoming traditional undergraduate students in Fall 2022.
5,769
Total Students 3,921 Graduate Students
1,120 Traditional Undergraduate Students
728 Online/Accelerated Undergraduate Students
4 5
We are thrilled to provide such excellent and accessible degree programs that eliminate common barriers preventing individuals from pursuing higher education.” KENTON L. SPARKS, MBA, PHD PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
LifeFlex Expansion In Fall 2020, Eastern launched an innovative new online modality called LifeFlex, featuring 100% online, flexibly-paced, incredibly affordable degrees. Since then, our three LifeFlex graduate programs have flourished, bringing in over 4,400 new students. Building on the success of these graduate programs, this year Eastern ushered in a series of online undergraduate degrees using the innovative model. Currently, students can choose from seven different undergraduate LifeFlex programs, paying as little as $9,900 and no more than $29,900 out of pocket for a full, 4-year bachelor’s degree.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT / ACADEMICS
The LifeFlex model is a beautiful expression of Eastern’s mission. Students who may never have considered the possibility that they could earn a degree from a private Christian university can now benefit from astonishing affordability, academic excellence, and delightful flexibility that allows them to balance their work, family, and personal responsibilities. LEARN MORE About eastern’s Lifeflex Programs at eastern.edu/lifeflex
Academic Accomplishments Eastern was ranked as one of the Best Regional Universities in the North for 2022-2023 by U.S. News & World Report. Eastern’s accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) was reaffirmed through the academic year 2030-2031. Eastern was ranked among the 10 Most Affordable Online MBA Programs by U.S. News & World Report.
Eastern was ranked among Fortune’s Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs of 2023. Eastern’s MS and CAGS in School Psychology program received full accreditation from the National Association of School Psychology (NASP). The College of Education was awarded over $6 million in grant money through three large-scale grants.
F E AT U R E D FAC U LT Y P U B L I CAT I O N S
Curveball: When Your Faith Takes Turns You Never Saw Coming Authored by Dr. Pete Enns
Transformative Autoethnography for Practitioners Coauthored by Dr. Kathy Hernandez, Dr. Heewon Chang, and PhD alumna, Dr. Wendy Bilgen A 2023 SPE Outstanding Book Award Winner
Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive Couthored by Dr. Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard
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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.
S P I R I T UA L F O R M AT I O N 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.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT / MISSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
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.
D I V E R S I T Y, E Q U I T Y, A N D B E L O N G I N G 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.
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Community Highlights
AT H L E T I C S HIGHLIGHTS Women’s Volleyball Championship: This fall, the Women’s Volleyball team earned their second-straight MAC Commonwealth title and the league’s bid to the NCAA Tournament. Football Launch: Football officially launched in the 2022-2023 academic year, bringing in 96 new student-athletes to compete for the Eastern Eagles. Spiritual and Academic Resources: Both spiritual and academic support for our growing student-athlete population have increased this past year, providing student-athletes with transformative resources to succeed holistically. “Friday Night Lights” chapel services are held each semester alongside monthly Bible studies with athletic student chaplains. Academic Honor Roll Achievements: Of Eastern’s approximately 550 student-athletes, 238 were recognized for their academic achievements and earned a place on the MAC Sports Academic Honor Roll in the 2022-2023 academic year. Facility Renovations: The Valley Forge Military Fieldhouse was completely renovated, including updates to coaches’ offices, the locker room, and equipment room, as well as a complete overhaul of the facility weight room. This increased the availability of Eastern’s on-campus fitness center for smaller-roster teams and Eastern’s non student-athlete population.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT / COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
FINE ARTS HIGHLIGHTS Dance
Theatre
Music
The dynamic and ground-breaking choreography of the Winter performance of “DIMENSIONS” featured many captivating styles of dance including modern, jazz, and African dance.
A commedia dell’arte production of “The Illusion” stunned audiences with period costumes and swordplay.
Our Winter Festival debuted our new chamber ensemble director, jazz band director, and the return of Gospel music from the Angels of Harmony.
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.”
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.
The 2023 Spring Music Festival consisted of incredible performances by Eastern’s instrumental and vocal ensembles featuring seasonal, sacred, classical, and original repertoire.
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Year in Review:
Total Giving Total Giving
TotalTOTAL Student Enrollment TotalSTUDENT Student Enrollment ENROLLMENT
3,000
1,000
1,000
0
0 20 ll
Fa
Fa l Fa l 20 ll 19 20 18
2,000
18
2,000
4,000,000
3,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
0 22
3,000
4,000,000
FY-19
0
FY-20 FY-19
FY-21 FY-20
REVENUE SOURCES
Contributions
Investment Income
Fundraising 3%
Auxiliary Enterprises 13%
Other sou Grant
Institutional Support 17%
3% 4%
Instructional 34%
Auxiliary Enterprises 12%
4%
Student Services 28%
$77, 501,622
PRESIDENT’S REPORT / BY THE NUMBERS
Contributions
Investment Income
Tuition and Fees, Net 75%
Total Revenue:
FY-23
Budget & Expenses
1%
1%
FY-22 FY-23
OPERATING EXPENSES Miscellaneous
Other sources Grants
FY-22 FY-21
20
4,000
5,000,000
ll
4,000
5,000,000
Fa
5,000
Fa l Fa l 20 ll 22 20 21
5,000
Fa l Fa l 20 ll 21 20 20
6,000
Fa l Fa l 20 ll 20 20 19
6,000
TOTAL GIVING
Total Operating Expenses:
Academic Support 8%
$66,122,997
JOIN US IN MAKING AN IMPACT Eastern University is making a meaningful difference in the world through innovation, creativity, and full reliance on God. We invite you to join us as we prepare our students for lives of powerful impact in our local and global communities. We would love to talk with you about the many ways you can make an investment of time, talent, or treasure. MAKE A GIFT
eastern.edu/give | advancement@eastern.edu | 610-341-5932 12
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 †
Donor Honor Roll
eTeamsponsor Inc. Independence Blue Cross Foundation Katherine McNabb
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.
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
View our full Donor Honor Roll at eastern.edu/donors.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT / D S EOCNTOI R O NH O N O R R O L L
Schwab Charitable Fund
$10,000 - $24,999
Stephanie Maier Summers, MS ’08 and Jason Summers
Deepa Kurian-Joy and Aljit Joy ’94
Anonymous (1)
Estate of Lois Swenson ’64, ’66 †
Jean Bartholomew Kim ’61
Harriett Bailey
Elizabeth Webb Swingle ’59
Gaye Matherly
and David Swingle ’59 †
Bessemer Giving Fund Chloe Brown Bass ’06 and Jared Bass, Esq. ’07 Alexandra Cardone and Michael Cardone, III
Vanguard Charitable
and Richardson Merriman
Sandra Velarde and Rodney Velarde
Metropolitan Christian Council
Frances S. Wiggen Trust
$5,000 - $9,999
Flaherty Family Foundation
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
of Philadelphia Leah Welding Mulhearn ’03
FieldTurf USA Inc.
and Joseph Gambone, Jr.
Pamela Merriman
Margaret Vardy and Peter Vardy, H’09
Wayne Dietrich ’66
JoAnn Gambone
Mennonite Central Committee
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
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
Memphis and the Mid-South, Inc. Benjamin Davis ’05
F/S = Faculty/Staff
Dayspring Foundation
† = Deceased
Gretchen Ekeland, MS ’14
H = Honorary Degree
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
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the donor list. If a name has been misspelled, a gift reported incorrectly, or you have any questions about your giving history, please email advservices@eastern.edu.
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #117 SOUTHEASTERN PA 19399
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
Trevor S. Jackson, MBA Vice President for Finance and Operations
Jeanne W. Bundens, PhD Faculty Senate Moderator
Christine P. Mahan, PhD Chief of Staff and Vice President for Planning and Effectiveness
Kelly Goddard, MA Associate Vice President for Marketing, Enrollment, and Communications Jackie Irving, EdD Associate Vice President for Student Development
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
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
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