Georgetown College Retrospective Insights Edition on the Bill Crouch Era

President HONORING GEORGETOWN’S 23RD

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r. Bill Crouch’s accomplishments on behalf of Georgetown College over the past twenty-two years are visible and dramatic. The college is measurably better because of his efforts. However, “He’d be the first to admit he achieved none of these improvements alone, but we can all agree it took the inspirational drive of a visionary leader to bring these dreams to fruition,” says Daniel Froggett ’02.

Georgetown is not the same institution it was when its longest-serving president arrived in 1991. A host of innovative academic and extracurricular programs have been added. New and renovated buildings supplement the campus landscape.

The regional and national profiles of the college have Celebration of been elevated. Alumni Diversity: have been re-engaged President Crouch and overall diversity and Trustees has been increased. Dr. Dr. Sheila Bailey and Crouch toiled tirelessly Dr. Major L. Jemison recognize Dr. John D. toward these goals as Mangram with president, but admits this an Honorary level of success “took Doctorate degree. longer than I anticipated.”

Though a seasoned

Dr. Crouch becomes president of GC

1991

New brick entrance installed at Main St. and on Giddings Lawn

Football team wins national championship

fundraiser, he was skeptical when recruited for the position, noting the college’s alumni giving percentage of just six percent. Under his administration, this number has risen to an all-time-high of sixteen percent due to his focus on the reengagement of alumni. In 1993 Dr. Crouch formed the Foundation Board, made up of a small group of successful alumni not eligible for membership on the board of trustees. Each member pledged to donate or raise one million dollars for the college, and their fingerprints on the campus are indelible.

Additionally, Dr. Crouch forged strong relationships with corporate partners such as Toyota. “We greatly

President’s Ambassadors Program formed

1992

Inauguration of Dr. Crouch

Founder’s Day revived

1993

8 Guiding Principles developed and implemented Parents Advisory Council formed

Hall of Fame formed to honor college alumni and friends

appreciate the legacy of Dr. Crouch, and feel that his legacy at the college has impacted our own,” says Helen Carroll, Manager of Community Relations for Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing, North America. These and other efforts would ultimately result in the raising of an impressive $101 million from various sources during his tenure.

A former Baptist minister, Dr. Crouch is a man who takes his faith seriously and actively looks for ways to share it with others. He led tough negotiations with the Kentucky Baptist Convention in 2005 which resulted in the Dr. Crouch helps out annually at Move-In Day, a GC tradition. college’s amicable separation from the convention and its denominational control over the institution. “For the first time in its Though his statistical successes are many, perhaps Dr. history, we achieved a self-perpetuating board of trustees, Crouch’s most valuable legacy is the relationships he which has been instrumental in the college’s growth cultivated with students and alumni and the time and energy and will continue to play a key role in its future,” Crouch he invested in their lives. “Dr. Crouch’s accessibility and says. Though the separation was not popular with some, personal involvement in my life, not only while I was a others tout its benefits. “The fact that we were able to student but thereafter, has had a tremendous impact on accomplish the separation without strife or lingering my development,” relates Jesse Hodgson ’04. According animosity bears witness to to longtime assistant Judy Rush, Dr. Crouch’s leadership and

My fondest memory of “Students were Bill’s first and Christ’s blessing on this foremost priority. He opened

Dr. Crouch was his early decision,” states trustee doors for them that would not

morning visits to the hospital have been possible without his Guthrie True ‘82.

Broadening the racial and

to check on my sister, Anna, concern for their future.” geographic diversity of the As for his own future, Dr. and our family, after her horrific car student body and faculty Crouch says he’ll spend it accident. He didn’t come for ‘show and became a priority. Dr. Crouch investing in the lives of young underwent extensive cultural tell,’ he came because he cared.” people. “My life’s calling is not training and even co-authored changing, I’ll just be doing it in Nancy Fraley Boatman ‘02 a book with Joel Gregory in a different place.” Though God 2010 entitled What We Love hasn’t yet revealed the forum, he trusts it will be made about the Black Church. The growth in the percentage of known. “Jan and I leave excited about Georgetown ethnically diverse students, from five percent in 1991 to College’s future and the impact for good she will seventeen percent in 2012, is a testament to his efforts. continue to provide for her students.”

When asked about his motivation, he says it was threeSays trustee Reza Hashampour, “Dr. Crouch led fold: a diverse campus better prepares students for the Georgetown College through some of its most challenging world; it differentiates the college from other regional times with grace and dignity. He never wavered in his institutions with uniform communities; and because of resolve to transform it into an academic institution well Proverbs 3:27, which reads: “Do not withhold good from equipped for the 21st century. I will personally miss Dr. those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”

Crouch, but Georgetown College will miss him more.”

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Baptist Scholars Program Formed

1994

Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching named GC Baccalaureate College I institution College receives largest gift ever ($1M) from Hughes Foundation of NY

Brown Foundation of Louisville awards GC $750K

1995

$12M Ensor Learning Resource Center project announced/ begun (most comprehensive building project in the century)

T. Vaughan Walker is first African American named to Board of Trustees

GC instrumental in formation of Mid-South Conference (Tom Dowling ‘62 as commissioner)

Harper Gatton Center for Leadership Development opens

GC named one of America’s Best Colleges (US News & World Report)

Appreciation words of

Earl A. Goode

Chair, Georgetown College Board of Trustees

for president william h. crouch, jr.

I am delighted to speak on behalf of the Georgetown College Board of Trustees in expressing our deep appreciation and sincere gratitude to Bill and Jan Crouch for their exemplary leadership during their years at Georgetown College.

Elected to serve as Georgetown’s twenty-third president in 1991, Bill Crouch came to the campus with contagious enthusiasm and optimism, inspiring vision, and unwavering commitment to lead the college through some of its most innovative, rewarding, and challenging chapters in its long and rich history.

From the outset, Bill was determined to settle for nothing less than the best for the school. His dedication to academic excellence resulted in a doubling of the number of PhDs serving on the faculty. Such programs as President’s Ambassadors and Equine and Global Scholars have greatly enhanced the life of Georgetown College.

Under Bill Crouch’s leadership, Georgetown has built upon its impressive academic honors in other ways.

Georgetown has been consistently ranked nationally among Tier I institutions by U.S. News & World Report.

The number of Fulbright Scholars from Georgetown has grown steadily in recent years. The unique relationship between Georgetown College and Regents Park College at Oxford University has provided meaningful opportunities for a number of Georgetonians to study abroad. Additionally, as a result of Bill’s leadership in academics, Georgetown was invited to become a member of the prestigious 58-member Southern University Conference of quality educational institutions in 2010.

Success in the athletic arena has been no less impressive during the Bill Crouch presidency. During his tenure, athletics were seen as a vitally important part of the Georgetown Experience. The Tigers won national football championships in 1991, 2000, and 2001. The men’s basketball team won national titles in 1998 and 2013. In 2012, the women’s basketball team played in the NAIA Final Four for the first time in the history of the program.

Scott County Presidential Mentorship Program started

1996

Technology infrastructure installed campus-wide

Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Gallery opens (first new academic facility since 1960s)

Deborah Lecture Series begins, endowed by Crouches in honor of Dr. Crouch’s sister

Presidential candidate Bob Dole visits campus

Bill has worked diligently to ensure that the spiritual life of Georgetown College is a strong one. The changing relationship with the Kentucky Baptist Convention has helped the college focus once again on its rich Christian heritage and its commitment to remaining a Christian college. His dedication to diversity has added a new and valuable dimension to the fabric of Georgetown College.

While appreciating the college’s cherished traditions, Bill understood the need for improved campus facilities.

The construction of the Anna Ashcraft Ensor Learning Resource Center, Rucker and Hambrick Villages, Barlow Park, the Anne Wright Wilson Art Building, as well as renovations in the Lee Cralle Student Center, Ruth Pearce Wilson Laboratory Theater, and improvements in the housing facilities of Mills Residence Park have created a renewed sense of Tiger Pride while significantly enriching the college experience of students, faculty, staff, alumni and other friends of the school. The design and utilization of the lovely and functional East Campus Complex were envisioned by Bill Crouch.

Indeed, all of these successes and accomplishments are impressive. However, as Georgetown trustees, we also are grateful for the friendship we enjoy with Bill and Jan Crouch. The board has been inspired by Bill and Jan’s exceptional devotion to each other and to the college we all love so much. We know that Georgetown College is a better place because of Bill and Jan Crouch.

The entire board joins me in saying thank you to Bill and Jan Crouch for what you mean to Georgetown College and to offer our very best wishes for much happiness in the future.

Sincerely,

Earl Goode

Marshall Center for Christian Ministry formed

1997

New athletic complex at East Campus opens

Bill Crouch named Scott County Citizen of the Year

Bill Crouch named NAIA Council of Presidents Chair

Student Investment Project begins

Bengals Training Camp begins at GC

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I really appreciate the way that Dr. Crouch led Georgetown through the renegotiation of our relationship with the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Because of his leadership, Georgetown continues to be a place where both male and female students can discern their callings and be equipped for gospel ministry. “ Mary Alice Birdwhistell ‘09

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Dr. Crouch has been more than just a president to me. He has filled the role of mentor, teacher, and leader. Because of his influence in my life, I am a better student, Christian, and person. I am so grateful to President Crouch for all he has done for me! His influence will carry me past my four years at Georgetown and into the rest of my life.”

Kelsey Ach Class of ‘13, President’s Ambassador

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From his very first days in office and throughout his tenure, Bill Crouch has personified Georgetown better than any president since the College’s founding. His understanding of our culture, history and traditions, his unwavering devotion to our highest ideals, his passion and persistence in seeing to the College’s well-being, are the makings of a true legend.”

Carroll Stevens ‘71 Foundation Board member 1999-2004, Trustee 2006-2012

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Dr. Bill Crouch has been a good friend to me and my family over my eight years as a trustee. Within days of losing both my parents in a tragic car accident, Bill was at my home in northern Kentucky asking what he could do to help. That is the kind of person he is and Georgetown College was lucky to have him. Thank you Bill for all you did to help Georgetown College become the great school it is today.

You will be missed.”

John Ward ‘88 Trustee

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There is an old adage that God puts the right people in your life at the right time. I believe that this is true of Bill Crouch entering the ‘life’ of Georgetown College. If there was anyone who was better suited to become the president of Georgetown College at the time that Bill took over I cannot imagine who that could have been.”

Reza Hashampour Trustee

Jake Bell hired as GC’s first full-time Athletic Director

1998

New heraldic crest developed and put into use Athletic Hall of Fame formed

Governor Collins joins GC as Executive Scholarin-Residence

Men’s basketball wins national championship

Ensor Learning Resource Center opens

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What tireless workers! Bill and Jan have sacrificially served Georgetown College for over two decades. It has been an honor to work alongside them for the benefit of current and future students. I will miss their energy, insight, and passion for the Georgetown College community.”

Granetta Blevins ‘80 Trustee

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Each of us is blessed along life’s way with associations that light the way for the rest of us. Bill Crouch is one of these.

Bill and Jan, may the rest of your journey be as fruitful.”

Sue & Jim Barlow Trustee Fellow

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The KBF is honored to have been a fiduciary of endowment funds for the benefit of the Marshall Center of Christian Ministry since its inception. We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with Dr. Crouch, whose vision brought the Center into existence in 1997, and with Bill and Alice Marshall, whose effective leadership developed the Center in the fulfillment of its mission to help laypersons and clergy better understand their mission as Christ’s disciples and to translate that understanding into tangible Christian ministry.”

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Barry G. Allen President & CEO, Kentucky Baptist Foundation

Bill Crouch can juggle more balls in the air than any other college president I’ve known.”

John D. Stempel Trustee

Dr. Crouch has set the perfect example for any college president on how to become personally involved with the college’s most important asset: its students.”

Jesse Hodgson ‘04 Alumni Board Member

Partnership formed with Regent’s Park College of Oxford University

1999

McCandless Lecture Series begins

Football team wins national championship

2000

Academics a quality tradition

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ssuming the presidency of an already strong academic institution, Dr. Crouch worked diligently to enhance the academic environment. Part of this initiative was to raise faculty salaries, increase the number of faculty with terminal degrees- from 69% in 1990 to 96% in 2013- and to boost the number of full-time faculty by 64% in that same period. “The most important thing for student success is the appropriate faculty resources,” says Provost and Academic Dean Dr. Rosemary Allen.

Evidence of this commitment to attracting and retaining excellent faculty exists in the impressive six-year graduation rate, which has soared as high as 68% in recent years, up from 47% in 1990. National evaluators of higher education institutions agree.

Georgetown College has been listed as a best liberal arts college for the eighteenth consecutive year in U.S. News & World Report; featured in America’s 100 Best

Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford, England.

College Buys® for the fourteenth consecutive year; one of America’s Best Christian Colleges for the sixteenth consecutive year, and was the only private college in Kentucky to be listed in the latter two publications for 2012. The college was profiled by Forbes.com in 2012 as one of America’s Best Colleges for the fourth year in a row.

Georgetown College received the highest score awarded among Kentucky’s nationallyranked liberal arts colleges by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni in 2012, being recognized for requiring completion in core subjects and assuring students learn LEFT: Dr. Rosemary Allen has championed academics at Georgetown what they need to know to succeed after since she has been Provost. Not only has she helped develop a world-class graduation. “Creating top academics at faculty, she has been instrumental in many students’ selection as Fulbright Georgetown College was easy; we’d always Scholars. RIGHT: Georgetown College’s 2012 Fulbright Scholars: Sarah been there. All we had to do was tell people Carey, Portia Watson, and Thomas Owens. about it,” says Dr. Crouch.

College received Lilly grant for $2M for Graves Center for Calling and Career

2001

First Tee Scholars Program instituted

Underground Railroad Research Institute begun

Football team wins national championship

Fitness Center (REC) opens

Madeleine Albright, Former Secretary of State, is a guest speaker at GC

Equine Scholars Program launched

Bishop Scholars Program & Oxford Scholars Program launched

2002 2003 2004 2005

Assistant Professor Darrell Kincer teaching an art student.

Perhaps the defining quality academic program of Dr. Crouch’s tenure is the Oxford Scholars Program. In 1999, Dr. Crouch negotiated a unique partnership with Regent’s Park College, the Baptist college within Oxford University, and the program was launched in 2005 with a generous gift by O.Carlysle ‘38 and June McCandless ‘37. Each semester, twelve students are selected for the opportunity to study abroad at Regent’s Park.

“I was as prepared as I could be for the Oxford term, thanks to brilliant GC faculty support, and am indescribably grateful to GC for enabling me to experience this lifechanging time abroad. The relationship with Regent’s Park College is a genuine treasure,” says Adrienne Bartlett ’11, one of 124 students to complete the program. According to Provost Allen, this program not only serves those who attend Oxford, but validates the quality of the overall academic program of the college. “If we can produce students capable of succeeding there, and we are, we are producing good students.”

One of the drivers behind the improvement in academic standards was Dr. Crouch’s vision of achieving a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for the college. Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest honor society, with only 280 chapters in the country. While the college has not earned this distinction yet, “Looking at the institution through that lens changed us for the better,” Provost Allen states.

In April of 2010 the Southern University Conference added the college, by invitation, to its conference. The SUC is a seventy-five-year-old organization with fifty-eight members that recognizes prestigious liberal arts colleges and universities. Georgetown is one of only four colleges in Kentucky to be included in the SUC’s membership.

Extremely notable is the fact that the college has produced twenty-six Fulbright Scholars since the beginning

of Dr. Crouch’s presidency. The college has produced a total of forty-one such scholars in its entire history. Georgetown College was recognized both in 2007 and 2009 by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a top national producer of Fulbright recipients and was the only Kentucky college or university so honored.

“Today, due to the strong efforts of Dr. Crouch and Provost Allen, students at Georgetown College are receiving a top notch and innovative liberal arts academic experience that is the envy of many schools,” says Brooke Barnett ’93, Associate Provost and Professor of Elon University in North Carolina.

ABOVE: Lucas Gravitt ‘07, German teacher at Scott County High, received the 2009 Teacher of Excellence Award sponsored by the German Embassy and German Information Center USA. FROM LEFT: Jan Crouch, Dr. Gwen Curry, Dr. Bill Crouch, Dr. Paul Fiddes, former Principal of Regents Park, and the late Dr. Ralph Curry, in England.

Grant of $1M received from Dept. of Education for culturally relevant pedagogy GC redefines relationship with KBC; adopts self-perpetuating Board of Trustees

2006

2007

Howard Hughes Medical Foundation awarded $1.3M grant to GC

2008

Softball team wins MSC Tournament & becomes first MSC team to advance to national tournament

2009

George H.W. Bush Fitness Center named for former president

Athletics a winning tradition

Coach Bill Cronin with the football team.

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ookended by national athletics championships, Dr. Crouch’s tenure began with the college’s first national title in 1991 with a win by the football team and concludes with the exciting victory by the men’s basketball team in 2013. “Stories abound about great coaches, exceptional athletes, and championship wins. Part of my job was to ensure those stories continued,” Dr. Crouch says.

Dr. Crouch and Georgetown College were instrumental in the 1996 formation of the Mid-South Conference, an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA which merged the athletic pursuits of sixteen similar institutions. The college became its fiscal agent, and Tom Dowling ’62 was selected its commissioner and served in that position for seven years.

A milestone event occurred in 1997 when Dr. Crouch negotiated a contract with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals for Georgetown to become the location of their training camp. Upon initial inspection, the existing facilities were deemed inadequate and the owner of the team panned the idea. Then Dr. Crouch showed them fifty-two undeveloped acres east of campus. After the college pledged to build a new football stadium and athletic complex to accommodate the team, the Bengals committed and Georgetown hosted their camp for fourteen years, leading to unparalleled national attention for the college and an additional source of revenue.

“Dr. Crouch’s vision for expansion in the form of the East Campus Athletic Complex had a great impact on my decision to attend Georgetown,” says Eddie Eviston ’02.

Quarterback and three-time NAIA Player of the Year, Eviston holds multiple school records. He was inducted into the GC Hall of Fame in 2007, the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2012, and returned to serve as Offensive Coordinator at his alma mater in 2013.

In 1997 Dr. Crouch hired the college’s first full-time athletic director, Dr. Jake Bell ‘65, and also hired Bill Cronin as head coach of the football team. Cronin spurred the team into a four-year reign of dominance that began in 1999 and culminated in unprecedented back-to-back Men’s Tiger Basketball brought home the title for the 2013 NAIA Division I National national title wins in 2000 and 2001.

Championship.

The team returned to the national 2013 champs photo, credit Brian Beard, Creative Images Photography

Global Scholars Program launched

2010

Women’s soccer team advances to MSC finals Baptist Seminary of Kentucky relocates to GC

Men’s basketball team advances to Fab Four

2011

Football team returns to national tournament semi-finals Rucker Village completed

Brian Evans hired as Athletic Director; first African American AD in KY

Hambrick Village completed

2012

Women’s basketball team advances to Fab Four (first time in GC history) Men’s basketball team advances to Elite Eight

semifinals in 2011 and regained its number one ranking, scoring its 150th win during Cronin’s era in 2012 with alumni coaches Steve Hill ’94, Craig Mullins ‘91, Bruce Owens ’86 and Marty Park ‘99 all participating in those wins.

Cronin holds the most wins of any coach in Georgetown College history, and was honored seven times as the Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year, twice as the NAIA Coach of the Year, and as 2011 and 2012 AFCA NAIA Region I Coach of the Year.

Dr. Crouch also hired two standout basketball coaches who continued a long legacy of success.

Robert “Happy” Osborne began in 1996 and served fifteen years. Under his direction the team won an NAIA national title in 1998, was in the finals twice and the Fab Four four times, won twelve Mid-South Conference regular season titles and nine conference tournament crowns.

Chris Briggs was hired as head coach in 2011, and the team clinched the national title again in 2013. The team has made an appearance in the national tournament during every year of Dr. Crouch’s presidency.

The fruits of these labors are evidenced by the victories, as well as the statistics. In 1990, the six-year graduation rate for students receiving athletic scholarships was only 36%, while the 2011 rate was 61%. Thanks to Dr. Crouch’s influence, Georgetown College is more committed than ever to synthesizing academics and athletics.

“

Dr. Crouch has a

great understanding of how

athletics fits into an educational

setting. He not only shows his support to the coaches and athletes by his presence, but also in making sure they have the resources available to compete at a national level.”

Brian Evans

GC Athletic Director, VP of Diversity and Inclusion

Howard Hughes Medical Foundation awarded $1.1M grant to GC Football team reclaims #1 ranking for first time since 2004

New turf installed on football field Alumni Board formed

Women’s lacrosse begins

FROM TOP LEFT: Basketball’s Allan Thomas taking a shot. | Softball’s Mallory Johnson defends a base. | Josue Romero controls the ball in front of a St. Catharine defender. | Chris Gohman pulls in a pass from Neal Pawsat against University of the Cumberlands. | Caraline Maher takes a swing and kills the ball for a Tiger point. | Men’s Basketball Head Coach Chris Briggs counsels players courtside.

Brown Foundation of Louisville awards $500K for residence hall renovation

2013

Hall of Fame Room renamed Jones-Hall-Nelson Suite Alumni Association formed

Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs will take place on campus

Fait h

a tradition of christian fellowship

With Dr. Crouch at the 2005 formal signing of partnerships, (l-r) Dr. William Shaw, National Baptist Convention USA; Dr. Major Jemison, Progressive National Baptist Convention; Dr. Joel Gregory, Professor of Preaching, Truitt Seminary, Baylor University; Dr. Melvin Von Wade, National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; Dr. Sheila M. Bailey, Trustee; Mrs. Shenikwa Bailey Cager (Dr. Bailey’s daughter).

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he journey through time As students have come leading pastors and churches is exciting for humans across the commonwealth, as

to Georgetown from Colegio well as with many lay leaders and institutions alike because of those encountered

Bautista to study, Dr. Crouch who shared a passion for along the way. Through her

has shown a personal interest providing a quality education. over two hundred years of In his twenty-two years as in them. The partnership has involved existence, Georgetown College President, Dr. Crouch has has enjoyed connecting with more than 300 students, and its success continued the practice of numerous special individuals shaping Georgetown College is because of Dr. Crouch’s concern.” and organizations. through relationships and With educational roots Grundy Janes ‘57 partnerships to benefit students. dating to 1787, Georgetown His efforts have cultivated and Former Director of the Academy, Colegio Bautista started the journey as a Baptist nurtured associations with college chartered by the Kentucky Baptist Educational churches which are so very important to the college Society in 1829. The Society was comprised of Baptists because they send her some of the very best students from the area with a desire for educating young people. from their local congregations. Out of those associations They banded together to produce a Christian college in with churches, pastors and committed laity, Dr. Crouch the Baptist tradition. This quickly led to working closely with has established partnerships with state and national organizations to broaden the influence of Georgetown College.

The Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) has had the longest association with the college dating back to early 1942. Georgetown was the first KBC four-year college educating and graduating many Baptist leaders, missionaries, and ministers whose leadership impacted the Baptist world. Individuals like Jim Henry ‘59, former National President of the Southern Baptist Convention; missionaries like Grundy ‘57 and Jean Janes ‘56, Bill ‘57 and Alice 2005: Georgetown College and Kentucky Baptist Convention announce new Marshall ‘57, and more recently, ministry partnership agreement. FROM LEFT: Bill Crouch, Hershael York, Janice Ken and Beth Perkins; not to Shelton, Charles Barnes, Dr. Bill Mackey. mention countless thousands of

LEFT: Eugene ‘44 and Bettye Enlow enjoy a day back on campus. RIGHT: Dr. Bill ‘57 and Alice Marshall ‘57 with Dr. Crouch at their Hall of Fame induction.

presented to a faculty member, staff member and a ministers who have led congregations all over the globe. student each year at our baccalaureate service, hosts In 2005, the Kentucky Baptist Convention and the annual Gene Enlow Preaching Workshop, and helps Georgetown College redefined their formal relationship coordinate a long-standing relationship with Colegio into a ministry partnership. Georgetown remains a ChrisBautista in Temuco,Chile. The Marshall Center for tian college in the Baptist tradition as determined by her Christian Ministry is self-funding and provides resources board of trustees. This amicable decision by the college so students and ministers can engage with Georgetown and the KBC established a partnership.

College to grow in their faith and in their professional Under Dr. Crouch’s leadership in 2005, as part of the endeavors. initiative to maintain its Baptist identity and achieve BSK is a Baptist greater diversity in seminary established its student body, the in 2000. Through college established its formative years, partnerships with four some of the faculty at African-American Georgetown College Baptist conventions taught for the seminary which continue to this as adjunct faculty. In day: National Baptist 2010, as the seminary Convention of looked for a more America; National permanent home, Baptist Convention, Dr. Crouch was USA; National instrumental in Missionary Baptist creating space to Convention of Amerhouse it in ica; and Progressive Dr. Bill Crouch welcomes Dr. Greg Earwood and Baptist Seminary of Georgetown’s Ensor National Baptist ConKentucky to the campus of Georgetown College.

Learning Resource vention, Inc. Center. Reacting Two other importquickly that summer, administrative and faculty offices ant programs which greatly impact the college are the and student classrooms were carved out of space in the Marshall Center for Christian Ministry and the Baptist Ensor LRC, enabling BSK to begin operations by fall.

Seminary of Kentucky (BSK).

Whether it is through churches, conventions, Named for the former Executive Director of the fellowships, or seminaries, President Crouch has Kentucky Baptist Convention, Bill Marshall and his wife positioned the college in ways that will benefit future Alice ‘57, the Marshall Center for Christian Ministry strives Georgetonians and provide them opportunities to learn, to assist the college in fulfilling her Christian mission. The grow, and serve for years to come. center provides Bibles to our graduating seniors at commencement, sponsors Christian service awards

Facilities a tradition of expansion

Ensor Learning Resource Center

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nitiating the most comprehensive building campaign in the college’s history was not an easy task, but proved essential for the college’s forward progress. Prior to Dr. Crouch’s term as president, the most recently constructed building on campus was a residence hall in the 1970s.

One of Dr. Crouch’s first efforts involved the placement of new brick signage at the college’s entrance on Memorial Drive and on the lawn of Giddings in 1992. Next was the 1997 renovation of the Ruth Pearce Wilson Lab Theatre, followed by construction of the Horace ‘49 and Maribeth Hambrick ‘49 at the opening of the Hambrick Village first new academic building on campus since dormitory. the 1960s, the Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Building. 1997 also saw the development coffee shop, classrooms, and a replica of the Yale Law of the East Campus Athletic Complex and Conference Library study room with a fourteen-foot-high fireplace.

Center, home to the new Toyota Stadium, Thomas & King The LRC boasted a physical patron count of over 319,000 Leadership & Conference Center, Robert N. Wilson people from 2011-2012, and serves as a vital resource to Baseball Field, Lackey Tennis Center, Challenge Course, both the college and the community. and apartment-style residence units.

The George H. W. Bush Center for Fitness opened in 2008, The impressive 55,000-square-foot Anna Ashcraft and is one of only three college campus buildings in the Ensor Learning Resource Center (LRC) was completed in country named for the former president. Two additional 1998 and houses over 300 seats between tables, casual groups of apartment-style housing units were completed furniture, individual study carrels, and study rooms. Under as Rucker Village in 2011 and Hambrick Village in 2012 its roof are the library collections, archives, a gourmet and were built by trustee fellow Jim Barlow’s company, Barlow Homes. The units have been called some of the finest college housing in the nation. “I’m pleased we’ve been able to maintain the architectural integrity of the institution throughout the building process,” Dr. Crouch says.

Countless renovations, including many sections of the student center, the chapel, multiple residence halls, as well as key purchases of surrounding properties have expanded the campus exponentially. The fundraising efforts of Dr. Crouch and the drive to bolster the college’s physical Wally ‘58 and Gerry Montgomery ‘59 at the 2011 opening of the newlyplant positively altered the landscape of renovated Montgomery Caf. Georgetown College forever.

The late Clyde Ensor and Mrs. Jennie Ensor speak with former president George H.W. Bush at the naming of the Bush Center for Fitness

Giddings Lawn before and after renovation

Athletic Complex on East Campus includes a new football stadium and conference center

Newly completed Rucker Village dormitory

Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Building

Programs a tradition of distinction

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education opportunities to outstanding participants of The r. Crouch has long championed extracurricular First Tee.” According to Christopher Hawkins ’07, “Due to programs to aid in the development of leadership Dr. Crouch partnering with the PGA of America, I was able and to prepare students for life after college. His to get on the fast track to gaining PGA membership. I am dedication to providing students with a multi-faceted now a PGA member working in The First Tee program.” education led to the creation of distinctive special programs.

Capitalizing on the college’s location in Kentucky’s In 1992 Dr. Crouch conceived a one-of-a-kind program “Horse Capital of the World,” Dr. Crouch envisioned the he named The President’s Ambassadors, consisting of Equine Scholars Program in 2004. Becoming the official twenty-two elite junior and senior students. These educational partner of the nearby Kentucky Horse Park specially selected students serve the college at campus was a win for both organizations. The program works to and community functions as role models of professionalism, “engage students in activities to hospitality and character and enhance their appreciation and undergo personal leadership Having access to the of the equine training by the president.

president of your college is not understanding industry while giving them Ambassadors accompany

common. While maintaining a valuable individualized Dr. Crouch to speaking experiences that directly relate engagements and donor

strong sense of leadership, he to their equine interests and visits, and are afforded the would always make himself available for career goals.” opportunity to travel as a students who sought to get to know him.”

In 2005, Georgetown group with him, alternating “adopted” over 7,000 alumni between an international Porter Houston O’Brien ’02 of Bishop College of Dallas, destination and domestic President’s Ambassador Alumna Texas, a historically black college destination every other year. forced to close its doors in 1988 for financial reasons, and Another program founded on the principle of nurturing formed the Bishop Scholars Program. The legacy program young leaders was the Scott County Presidential Mentorship allows children or grandchildren of Bishop alumni the Program, formed in 1996. This group consists of fourteen opportunity to receive a minimum $10,000 annual upperclassmen from Scott County High School and allows scholarship, “keeping the tradition of Bishop College them to spend time learning from Dr. Crouch as well as alive while obtaining a first-class liberal arts education.” being encouraged to attend Georgetown College. “I Dr. Crouch was honored by the Congressional Black vividly remember sessions about leadership, networking, Caucus (CBC) in 2008 for pioneering the diversity professional dress and etiquette training. It was through initiative. “I commend Georgetown College and the the mentorship program that I really wanted to attend Bishop College alumni for forming this historic Georgetown College,” says Nancy Fraley Boatman ’02, partnership to promote academic excellence,” said who also became a President’s Ambassador.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, First Vice Chair of Dr. Crouch’s love of golf led him to develop an the CBC. innovative program in 2001. Tim Finchem, PGA Tour “Dr. Crouch’s greatest gift to Georgetown College was Commissioner, says, “Dr. Crouch showed incredible opening our eyes to what our true potential could be. He vision and leadership when he helped start The First was never satisfied with ‘good’ when he knew ‘great’ was Tee Scholars program. What began as a spontaneous an option,” says Scott Fitzpatrick ’87. These distinctive extension of a scholarship to Georgetown College to a programs demonstrate the depth of possibilities very deserving young man paved the way for over thirty available to GC students. colleges and universities to follow suit and offer higher

“

Lady first

F

rom running their family’s household and raising their two children to her active involvement in both campus life and the community of Scott County, Jan Crouch played a vital role in the college’s development over the years. Though her contributions were largely behind the scenes, her influence was obvious. She was always in attendance at major campus events, and readily remembered the faces of alumni who returned to the college at homecoming, an occasion she always enjoyed.

Jan also took responsibility for hosting etiquette meals for various groups over the years, including the President’s Ambassadors, men’s basketball team, multiple sororities, the Scott County High School Mentorship Program students, and the Girl Scouts of America. “It was so much fun to teach these groups proper dining etiquette. Many of them sent me thank you notes to tell me how valuable the experience was for them,” she says.

The demanding role of a college president meant Dr. Crouch needed heavy support at home, and Jan happily offered it. “We fulfilled our responsibilities well together, as a team,” she says. She is thankful for the opportunities the college presented to the Crouch family over the years.

“It was wonderful to raise the children in such a culturally rich environment and with great life experiences.”

Still, managing the household and attending as many college-sanctioned events as possible didn’t leave Jan much free time. The extra minutes she did have were invested in the community with memberships in such

The Crouch family at daughter Jourdan’s wedding

honoring jan crouch

organizations as the Scott County Woman’s Club, Georgetown Book Club, the American Heart Association, the American Association of University Women, and Hospice of Lexington, and by serving as president of each of them at least once.

Living on campus in the president’s home, built in 1859, was an adventure. Homes of that vintage come with many challenges, and Jan became quite familiar with the facilities and maintenance staff due to their many trips to maintain the house. “If something broke, they always arrived quickly. They always showed us such special attention.”

Jan realized soon after taking up residence in the home that the staff automatically pushed her maintenance requests to the top of the list. She gets tearyeyed as she describes her reaction. “I knew Crouch grandchildren there were probably other things on campus that became lower priority when something would happen at our house. When I figured it out, I tried to become Mrs. Fix It, because I didn’t want our needs to supersede those of a dormitory that had a leaky faucet. I learned how to use a screwdriver, and tried my best not to call them for minor problems.” She laughs when she recounts a time when the house suffered a bat infestation and the family had to temporarily relocate to a hotel. Dr. and Mrs. Crouch also lived in the east campus apartments for four months in 2002 when the home underwent a much-needed renovation.

Always a curious, observant person, Jan looks forward to the next chapter in the Crouch family story. She cherishes her memories of the past twenty-two years in Georgetown, and has a deep love for the college, its community, alumni and friends. “When I was interviewed for the position of president,” Dr. Crouch recounts, “trustee Bill Barnett told me, ‘Even if we don’t hire you, we want Jan as first lady.’”

They made an excellent choice indeed.

Thanks Our

Expressing sincere appreciation for the efforts of

Melanie Thomas Ladd ‘94

without whose labor of love this retrospective would not have been possible AND Laura Hatton ‘01 Jim Allison H.K. Kingkade ‘83 Jenny Elder Robin Oldham ‘69 Jim Wiseman