A Year of Achievement & Gratitude
Inspire. Innovate. Impact.
EXPLORE EXCITING PROGRESS TOWARD THE 5 IMPERATIVES OF EASTERN UNIVERSITY’S 2022-2027 STRATEGIC PLAN:
Dear Friends,
The 2023-24 academic year has been marked by significant achievements and multifaceted growth. As I reflect on the grace and blessings God has given us over the past year, I am deeply grateful for our entire Eastern University community.
This year has been filled with an abundance of accomplishments that have propelled our mission forward. Key highlights include our faith initiatives for our students, faculty, and staff, thriving enrollment numbers which have doubled over the last four years, the expansion of our athletics programs, the introduction of nine new academic programs, and the launch of our A Time to Rise campaign to sustain our growth trajectory.
The enthusiasm, dedication, and passion of our community have been instrumental in driving this success. We are immensely thankful for the steadfast support of our partners, whose contributions have enabled us to extend our vision and mission to the world in many ways. Your prayers and financial support have profoundly impacted the lives of our students and provided a robust foundation for us to continue serving our local and global community through Faith, Reason, and Justice.
We would love the opportunity to talk to you about the various ways you can continue to contribute to a flourishing future at Eastern, particularly during our upcoming Centennial Celebration year and as part of our exciting comprehensive campaign: A Time to Rise .
May God bless you abundantly as you partner with us in this transformative mission of empowering generations of students to make a difference in our world.
With prayer, praise, and gratitude,
Ronald A. Matthews President, Eastern University
ENROLLMENT UPDATE | FALL 2023
Advancing Our Mission
Eastern University Doubles Enrollment in
4 Years
We are delighted to celebrate that total Eastern University enrollment has more than doubled over the last four years. From Fall 2019 to Fall 2023, our University grew from 3,100 students to 6,981 students.
This remarkable achievement is a testament to the collective passion and enthusiastic commitment to living our mission that defines our community.
ENROLLMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Traditional Undergraduate: Our incoming cohort of undergraduate students at our main campus was the largest in 12 years.
• 546 student-athletes participated in Eastern athletic programs this year. Studentathletes made up 44% of traditional undergraduate students.
Non-Traditional Undergraduate: This population, which includes students in our innovative online LifeFlex programs, grew 28% over the previous year.
Graduate Enrollment: Graduate enrollment grew 25% over the previous year, totaling 4,913 students. Our online LifeFlex programs have been extremely popular at the graduate level as well.
6,981 Total Students
4,913 Graduate Students (includes Palmer Seminary)
1,231 St. Davids Campus Undergraduate Students
497 Online/Accelerated Undergraduate Students
220 Esperanza College Students (including Dual Enrollment)
120 Eastern School of Christian Ministry
90+ Undergraduate Areas of Study
50+ Graduate Areas of Study
9 New Programs Added During the 23-24 Academic Year
47% of Undergraduates are Students of Color
98% of recent traditional undergraduates were working, in postgraduate education, in the military, or serving as full-time volunteers within 6-9 months of graduation
Innovating with Excellence
NATIONAL RANKINGS & GRANTS SHOWCASE EASTERN’S INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS
Eastern University was once again ranked one of the Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report for 20232024.
Our MS in Data Science program was ranked #1 on a list of the Best Online Data Science Master’s Degree Programs in 2024 by Best Value Schools.
Our PhD in Organizational Leadership was ranked #3 on the Forbes Best Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Programs for 2024.
Our MBA in Organizational Management was ranked among the Top 5 Best Value Online MBA Programs, compiled by Discover Business.
Eastern University was ranked among the Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania for 2024 by Intelligent.com.
Our MBA was ranked #2 on Philadelphia Business Journal’s annual ranking of the region’s Top MBA programs. Its previous ranking was #9 on the list.
Our MEd in Special Education was ranked among the top 10 out of 188 on the Best Master’s in Special Education Online programs of 2023 by Forbes Advisor.
Significant Grants Received:
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lilly Endowment Compelling Preaching Initiative Award
The Presser Foundation Capital Support Grant for Music
PA Hunger-Free Campus Grant
Cultivating Community
SPIRITUAL FORMATION INITIATIVES
The Office of Faith and Practice is committed to the work of cultivating spiritual community at Eastern and has much to celebrate from this past year. Eastern’s foundation in Christcentered values enables us to forge deeper connections within our community and empower our students as they grow into influential individuals and stewards of faith.
Weekly Chapel Program
Each week, students, faculty, and staff gather together on our St. Davids campus for worship, prayer, teaching, and fellowship.
Campus Ministries
We currently have 6 robust campus ministries actively serving our students and providing opportunities to grow in, express, and deepen their faith.
Student Chaplains
Student Chaplain Program
The Student Chaplain and Team Chaplain program, in conjunction with our Athletic department, has commissioned over 60 student chaplains to encourage and uplift their peers.
Chamberlain Interfaith Fellowship
This year we sent our 9th cohort of students to participate in the Chamberlain Interfaith Fellowship, an interfaith exchange program aimed at fostering learning and connection between our students and the community of Temple Beth Shalom in Needham, MA.
Morning Prayer Time
Every weekday during the spring and fall semesters, a group of committed faculty and staff meet on Zoom in the morning to pray for our community and God’s favor on our university.
Service Learning
Service Learning opportunities through first-year courses continue to provide students with experiences that encourage them to engage directly with Eastern’s mission of Faith, Reason, and Justice.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND BELONGING
Over the past year, the Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB) initiative at Eastern University has taken many steps focused on fostering inclusive excellence in our community and to effectively live out our mission as followers of Christ, including:
Held interactive dialogue and training during Planning & Development Week, exploring how we might better understand and work together in order to foster Eastern’s Developmental Orientation Mindset.
Implemented an action plan for students that involves programming, education, and support to encourage understanding, deeper engagement, and intercultural competence.
Created and participated in DEB training opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS
Women’s Softball MAC Champs
Eastern University Softball won 5-1 over the York College Spartans and clinched the program’s first-ever MAC conference title, as well as its first-ever All-American.
Men’s Basketball MAC Champs
Eastern University Men’s Basketball won 98-69 over top-seeded and 13th-ranked Widener University Pride. The win is the first conference championship in the NCAA era for the program. The team went on to win the first-round game in the NCAA Tournament.
Women’s Volleyball
Women’s Volleyball put together an amazing 28-4 season and had four players named AVCA Honorable Mention All-America. The Eagles won a third-straight MAC Commonwealth Championship and won the opening round game in the NCAA Tournament.
Football & Pep Band
In the first year of varsity competition, Eastern Football came out strong and won two MAC games. With the Pep Band, Drum Line, Cheer, and Dance squads sparking the energy, the Eagles beat Alvernia during the program’s first home game at Franklin Field as well as Albright to win the homecoming game.
Student-Athletes
Men’s & Women’s Athletics Teams
Being involved with Wednesday Night Worship, Theatre productions, Dance classes, and Music ensembles enabled me to establish who I want to be as a performer and what it means to be a Christian artist. I will forever be grateful for
FINE & PERFORMING ARTS HIGHLIGHTS
Dance
Dance Department highlights included a vibrant Homecoming Arts Showcase, multiple master classes in diverse dance styles such as tap, hip-hop, jazz, and bollywood, and significant performances such as the Ascensions Dance Concert and multiple senior thesis programs.
Participation in the American College Dance Association Conference and the 20th anniversary of Precious Movements further enriched the students’ experiences this year, and regular performances at Chapel by the Eastern Dance Ministry continued to enhance campus life.
Music
The Music Department experienced a dynamic year with the creation of new athletic bands, which boosted enrollment and expanded ensembles. Collaborative recruitment efforts and faculty performances added to the department’s vibrancy.
The revival of The Angels of Harmony and the busy schedule of the University vocal ensemble Turning Point marked major highlights for the year. Fall and spring music festivals showcased the diverse talents within the department and provided an exciting experience for all.
Theatre
Theatre Department highlights included an original musical “Fight,” which was created and presented by students. The spring production “Working” and the fall production “Hamlet” earned notable awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
The department partnered with community organizations, bringing theatre to middle school students, as well as incarcerated individuals through performances and workshops.
Flourishing Employees
NURTURING EMPLOYEE SUCCESS AND DEVELOPMENT
Planning and Development Week
This past May, our faculty and staff community experienced a week full of fellowship and training during our annual Planning and Development Week. This university-wide initiative is rooted in our commitment to institutional planning and professional development for our faculty and staff. The community was encouraged to reflect and evaluate the accomplishments from this past year, while refining our plans and strategies for the upcoming year.
The dedicated week included many opportunities for personal and professional development, including an Employee Chapel service, Years of Service Awards, and a variety of voluntary training sessions on topics such as leadership, self-care, grant writing, inclusive excellence, student learning assessment training, and CPR/First Aid training.
Compensation Progress & Updates
Eastern is engaging in a multi-year strategy toward ensuring and maintaining a competitive salary and benefits structure for all University employees.
“As part of Eastern’s Strategic Plan priorities, I am happy that we have been able to provide an annual salary increase for our faculty and staff for the third straight year as part of our budget planning and development process,” shares Trevor Jackson, Vice President for Finance & Operations.
“We also enhanced our current benefits at no additional cost to our employees. In addition to the annual salary increase, we have analyzed and benchmarked all salaries and made adjustments in areas determined to be below competitive market wages. Our goal was to increase the retention of our excellent employees and maintain a healthy work environment.”
Staff Council & Faculty Senate
The Staff Council & Faculty Senate serve as essential representative bodies that enhance the experience of all faculty and staff through encouragement, community building, and shared support.
The Staff Council represents staff members and advocates for their concerns, professional development, and overall well-being.
The Faculty Senate represents faculty members and ensures their thoughtful contributions to the university curriculum, educational process, and policies.
Both groups contributed to vibrant initiatives and events throughout this year, ensuring that diverse perspectives and opinions are heard and enhancing the collaborative work environment at Eastern.
The professional development sessions during Planning & Development Week were extremely impactful. My horizons were broadened with information I had not heard before, which will support me in serving my students more effectively. The fact that the University offers these sessions is a testament to the investment in the people who work here to serve our community. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and manifest the teachings from the sessions I participated in during this prolific week.”
-LISA AMOS, RESIDENCE DIRECTOR
FEATURED FACULTY & STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
Chris Mahan Honored Among Top 100 Trailblazers
Dr. Chris Mahan, Eastern University’s Chief of Staff and Vice President for Planning and Effectiveness, has been honored as one of the most powerful leaders in Pennsylvania’s higher education industry, being included in the Top 100 Trailblazers in the higher education sector in the inaugural 2024 rankings.
Pete Enns Featured on Netflix Documentary
Dr. Pete Enns, Professor of Biblical Studies, was featured in the new Netflix documentary mini-series, Testament: The Story of Moses. The mini-series depicts the powerful biblical redemption story of Moses, showing the journey of his life and eventual recognition as a prophet.
Wynand De Kock Releases New Theology Book
Dr. De Kock’s new book, On Being in the Middle: Doing Theology in the Face of Uncertainty, offers a different approach to theology by considering sacred questions and analyzing them from the inside out. The book encourages readers not to expect to arrive at final answers, but in the process, to expect to meet God in the middle of it all.
Funding Strategically
“A TIME TO RISE” CAMPAIGN
As Eastern University enters its 100th year, our community is excited to launch A Time to Rise, a $30M comprehensive fundraising initiative that will serve as a consequential piece of the overall five-year strategic plan that was put into place in 2022.
To date, A Time to Rise has raised about 50% of its goal of $30M in gifts from donors, alumni,
friends, outside foundations, and more. We invite you to join us in building on the vision of a world where Faith, Reason, and Justice can bring us together and move us forward.
To learn more about how your gift, of any size, can help transform Eastern University, please visit eastern.edu/rise or contact the Office of Advancement at advancement@eastern.edu.
This campaign is a pivotal milestone within our strategic plan to bolster and support our growth, setting the stage for a flourishing future for Eastern and inaugurating our Centennial Year.” -
PRESIDENT RON MATTHEWS
A Time To Rise
STRATEGIC AREAS OF IMPACT
Funds from this $30M initiative will support the lives and futures of our students directly in four key areas:
Facilities & Environment: Enhancing our facilities and environment, through strategic renovations and expansions of athletics facilities, academic buildings, and, notably, Templeton Hall, a project currently underway to create a collaborative learning experience for all Eastern students, particularly those in the Templeton Honors College and Fine & Performing Arts.
Opportunities & Experiences: Offering distinctive opportunities and experiences, ranging from study abroad programs and multiple modes of educational delivery to increased scholarships and endowment reflect our commitment to accessibility and affordability.
Teaching & Learning: Enriching the teaching and learning experience through funds to support faculty and staff recruitment and retention as enrollment numbers continue to grow.
Competition & Achievement:
Supporting competition and achievement through clubs and student activities in addition to supporting student-athletes through our 26 athletic offerings.
TOTAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT
REVENUE SOURCES
TOTAL GIVING
OPERATING EXPENSES
$87,939,284
Total Operating Expenses:
Total Revenue: $77,250,529
Note: Percentages are rounded up to the nearest whole number in the charts; hence, percentage totals may not add up to exactly 100.
Categories less than 1% are not marked numerically due to space limitations.
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 2024 fiscal year, covering the dates of July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024. 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)
LaVonne Althouse, DMin ’81 †
American Baptist Foundation
Catherine Cope Clemens ’92 and Steven Clemens ’91
Doll Family Foundation
Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Constance McNamara and J. Michael McNamara
The Presser Foundation
$50,000 - $99,999
Comloquoy Charitable Foundation Trust
eTeamsponsor, Inc.
Katherine McNabb and F. William McNabb, III
The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust
$25,000 - $49,999
Anonymous (2)
Irene Campbell and Kenneth Campbell
Daryl Drummond
Lucille Huff and Joel Huff H ’03
Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Jean Bartholomew Kim ’61
Schwab Charitable Fund
$10,000 - $24,999
Anonymous (1)
Aramark Global Business Services
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
The Chatlos Foundation, Inc.
Chloe Brown Bass ’06 and Jared Bass, Esq. ’07
Angela Littlefield Benz ’13 and Aaron Benz ’13
Alexandra Cardone and Michael Cardone, III
Nancy Davis
Wayne Dietrich ’66
Edwin M. Lavino Foundation Trust
Estate of Trena Ansell ‘67 and Fred Ansell †
Estate of Richard Powell ’84 †
Fidelity Charitable
Flaherty Family Foundation
Frances S. Wiggen Trust
The Glenmede Trust Company, NA
Johnson & Johnson Matching Gifts
Leo & Peggy Pierce Family Foundation
Lockheed Martin
Lucinda Long and Norman Long
Maguire Foundation
Gaye Matherly
Pamela Matthews and Ronald Matthews (F/S)
Karen Moore and Mark Moore ’77, MDiv ’80
Leah Welding Mulhearn ’03 and Jim Mulhearn, Jr. ’03
Stephanie Olson and Charles Olson, III ’90
Suzanne Baird Perot
Doris Rowlands and David Rowlands, Jr. ’63
Sarah S. McLeod Trust
Marge Schlosser and Dennis Schlosser
Amber Huddell Skinner ’20 and Micah Skinner ’19
Sodexo, Inc.
Sovereign Insurance Group
Andrew Street
Lorie Thomas (F/S) and Brian Thomas
Vanguard Charitable
$5,000 - $9,999
Anonymous (2)
Althea J. Carnell Residuary Trust
American Baptist Churches USA
Bessemer Giving Fund
David Brunk
Barbara Burger ’71 and Paul Munch †
Burkey Corporation
CSI International, Inc.
Susan Dahlstrom, MEd ’99 and Thomas Dahlstrom (F/S)
Dayspring Foundation
Diana Drew Harbison
Melissa Esterhai and Greg Esterhai
Follett Higher Education Group
Walter French
Sally Hartman and Ronald Hartman ’71
Melissa Helton and T. Michael Helton
Earlene Hope and William Hope ’66
Independence Blue Cross
Mary E. Jepson and Alvin S. Jepson H ’03
Johnson & Johnson
Deepa Kurian-Joy and Aljit Joy ’94
Gigi Latta and Alexander Latta MTS ’03
Nicole Martinez and Mario Martinez ’15
Meg Morrison and Jeffrey Morrison
Mount Carmel Baptist Church
Tanya Quann and Charles Quann ’79
Barbara Russell
Stewart Huston Charitable Trust
Elizabeth Swingle ’59
Swipe Out Hunger
Peggy Parker Thomas ’63 and F. Ardell Thomas ’63
Leah Kim and Robert Tomilson
Tracorp
Sandra and Rodney Velarde
Linda Wagner and Mark Wagner
Rebecca Barnett Walter MBA ’93 and Robert Walter
Wisdom Capital LLC
F/S = Faculty/Staff
† = Deceased
H = Honorary Degree
Office of the President,
UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP TEAM
Ronald A. Matthews, DMA President and CEO
Jeanne W. Bundens, PhD Faculty Senate Moderator
Anne Filippone, PhD
Interim Vice President for Student Development
Kelly Goddard, MA
Associate Vice President for Marketing, Enrollment, & Communications
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mr. Steven Clemens, Esq.
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 & Vice President for Planning and Effectiveness
Eric McCloy, MDiv, MBA Chief Information Officer
Eric McNelley Athletic Director
Kenton L. Sparks, PhD Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Randolph W. Walters, PhD 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
Dr. Stacey R. Sauchuk
Mr. Mark Seymour
Mr. Adam K. Shute
Dr. F. Ardell Thomas
Mr. Robert Tomilson, Esq.
Mr. Mark Wagner
Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller
Ms. Rebecca Walter