M E Grove City College
SSAGE
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DEFINING MOMENTS AND ENDURING VALUES
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his issue of the GēDUNK presents two historic and defining moments in the life of Grove City College. One concerns the impact of the ongoing global pandemic on campus life, and the other is about a major transition in leadership. Both moments are appropriately characterized as “defining” because they reveal and reinforce the College’s core values. First, the pandemic. Last March began on a high note. We were still celebrating February conference championships in women’s and men’s swimming and basketball (a first!), freshman applications were up, and Brenda and I were off on a bucket list trip to Israel with a group of our alumni. By the middle of the month, it was a remarkably different situation. The drama of that memorable time is skillfully retold by Nick Hildebrand in the pages ahead. What cannot be overstated are the many ways God has blessed GCC in this experience. The amazing support of the College’s alumni and friends, the strong leadership of the Board, the talent and dedication of employees, especially the faculty, and the distinctive grit of our students all came together to turn this unprecedented challenge into a major success. By June 30, financial support and freshman deposits were up significantly, approximately 1,000 students were enrolled in summer online classes, the all-campus GPA for the spring semester was higher than the year before, and planning for this fall was well underway. In sum, this first defining moment revealed that Grove City College is indeed an exceptionally strong institution. Our values of faithfulness, excellence, community, stewardship, and independence are more than just words. Second, the transition. Our new Board chair Ed Breen ’78 is only the fifth person to serve in this position since 1930. He follows David R. Rathburn ’79, who dedicated 17 years of outstanding service to the College. We acknowledge his generous contributions and extend our sincere gratitude for his unwavering wisdom. This continuity of Board leadership is an extraordinary story. As an alumnus, the husband and father of three alumnae, and a trustee for 10 years, I thought I was well-versed on all things GCC when I became president in 2014. However, my appreciation of this incredible legacy of leadership was lacking. As the large majority of liberal arts colleges have gradually abandoned traditional values, Grove City College has chosen a different path. Across three centuries, we have remained true to our principles and faithful to our mission because of the unshakable character of our leaders. These leaders have stayed the course in their own lives and in service to the College. In Ed Breen, a corporate executive highly regarded for his commitment to ethical leadership, we will perpetuate, not pivot, from our three-fold distinctiveness as an institution – one that is academically excellent, Christcentered, and affordable for all. I cannot recall a time in my life when greater uncertainty existed in the world. Tremendous volatility is present in our politics, public health, race relations, city streets, and international affairs. Isn’t it a blessing to know that Grove City College is a safe harbor in a raging storm? May by God’s grace this continue to be so.
EDITORIAL BOARD Jeffrey Prokovich ’89 Vice President for Advancement Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations Jacki Muller Senior Director of Marketing and Communications EDITORIAL STAFF Nick Hildebrand Managing Editor Janice (Zinsner ’87) Inman Associate Editor, Class Notes, In Memory, Babies Brad Isles Associate Editor Joanie L. Baumgartner Director of Advancement Communications Amy Evans Associate Director of Advancement Communications OFFICE OF ALUMNI & COLLEGE RELATIONS Tricia Corey Carrie Sankey Charlene (Griffin ’83) Shaw COLLEGE ARCHIVES Hilary (Lewis ’09) Walczak OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT Brian Powell ’03 Kelly Conger Karen (Irwin ’85) Daum Elizabeth (Smith ’81) Hanley Zach Jew ’11 Adam Nowland ’07 Paul Pendergast ’68 DESIGN Justin Harbaugh Art Director/Graphic Designer ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Jana Volante Walshak ’07 President Carol (MacGamwell ’79) Yannuzzi Vice President Cover photograph by Andrew Stein ’18 Interior photography by Alan Adams, Tiffany Wolfe, Jason Jones, Andrew Stein ’18, Mac Hancock ’23, Wesley Kinney ’21, Ed Doyle ’20, Liney Parker ’20, Ivy Nowakowski ’20, Josh Wanek ’21, Justin Harbaugh, Nick Hildebrand, Brad Isles CORRECTION: The breathtaking Campus View shot of the Cassegrain telescope at the College’s observatory in the March 2020 issue was taken by Steven Smiley ’21. The GēDUNK regrets not giving this talented student proper credit.
Paul J. McNulty ’80 President Grove City College 100 Campus Drive Grove City, PA 16127 724.458.2300 888.GCC.GRAD alumni.gcc.edu
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