Greenville University: A Legacy of Christian Higher Education in Southern Illinois

Greenville University, nestled in the heart of southern Illinois, stands as a testament to 150 years of Christian higher education. From its humble beginnings as a women's college to its current status as a co-educational institution with over 50 academic majors, Greenville University has remained committed to its founding principles and its relationship with the Free Methodist Church.

A History Rooted in Faith and Education

The story of Greenville University begins in the mid-19th century with Stephen Morse, who, along with his wife Almira Blanchard, established Almira College in 1855. Supported in part by Almira's inheritance, the college was affiliated with the Baptist church and dedicated to educating young women under the leadership of John B. White, a classmate of Morse at Brown University.

In 1892, a pivotal moment arrived when ministerial and lay leaders of the Central Illinois Conference of the Free Methodist Church acquired the property of Almira College. This purchase, which included "Old Main" and several acres of land, was driven by a desire to provide higher education for both men and women under distinctly Christian influences. The university and the Free Methodist Church share a commitment to a Wesleyan theological tradition and have maintained the rich legacy of mutual support in a voluntary relationship since reincorporating in 1893. Wilson T. Hogue, a New York pastor and scholar, was called to be the College's first president. During his administration, he not only taught and directed the College, but also earned his Ph.D. degree.

Since its first graduate in 1898, Greenville University has granted degrees to more than 16,000 students. Alumni serve with distinction in major professions in government, business, the church, Christian missions, and as faculty of major universities and colleges. The quality of our graduates is made clear in their accomplishments. An unusually high proportion have gone on to earn doctorates.

Academics: A Foundation for Success

Greenville University offers undergraduate degrees in over 50 academic majors as well as eleven 3-year degree-granting programs. The university depends heavily on full-time faculty as the foundation for its educational program, particularly in the four-year traditional undergraduate programs. According to the Faculty Handbook, full-time faculty are reviewed regularly in their second, fourth, and sixth years of employment. For those faculty on the tenure track, the sixth year review is usually a tenure review. Post-tenure reviews occur every seven years. In each review, teaching and professional growth are evaluated. Faculty are also evaluated in at least one other area: scholarship, service, and/or governance.

Greenville University provides a variety of learning options, including:

Online Classes
Online Undergrad Degrees
Summer Sessions
Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
Some Programs Require Co-Op/Internship
Study Abroad
Honors Program
Teacher Certification Offered

Campus Life: A Welcoming and Supportive Community

Greenville University is located near Interstate Highway 70 and Illinois Highway 127, about 50 miles east of St. Louis. The town is an attractive residential community of approximately 7,500 people. The eight-acre central academic campus is within two blocks of Greenville's town square and shopping area. Three lakes are located within a few miles of the campus, including Carlyle Lake, the largest recreational lake in Illinois. Though rural, the town enjoys the urban advantages of metropolitan St. Louis with its concerts, sporting events, cultural attractions, and large international airport.

The university fosters a welcoming and friendly atmosphere where students can grow academically and spiritually. Reviews from students highlight the strong sense of community and the genuine care displayed by faculty and staff. The university emphasizes building community between faculty and students as well as between students. Greenville College is an institution that has become a welcoming harbor to students, both freshman and veteran.

Housing

Eleven residence halls on the Greenville University campus become "home" for approximately 850 residential students during the academic year. Carrie T. Burritt Hall is the site of the first residence hall for women built in 1922. Adjoining Burritt Hall are two additions, Dallas Annex, 1946, and Burritt Annex, 1958. Adjacent to this residential complex is Armington Center. Completed in 1982, this is the location of the dining commons. The lower level of this building contains Greenville Central a one-stop-shop containing the Business, Financial Aid, and Records Offices. Additional living space is provided in Enoch A. Holtwick Hall, 1968. Holtwick Hall is a two-story structure that houses 25 residents on each floor. Walter A. Joy Hall, 1963, is a four-floor building which offers a traditional residence hall living environment. Janssen Hall was renovated during the summer of 2007 and offers a similar living environment to Joy Hall but on a smaller scale. Two other residence halls include Elva E. Kinney Hall built in 1966 and renovated in 1998 and Mary A. Tenney Hall, 1967. The Nancy Blankenship Apartments, 2000, offer 60 students apartment-style living complete with full kitchens, while the Ellen J. Mannoia Residence Hall, 2001, offers 78 students apartment-style living as well. The most recent addition is Duane E. Hood Residence Hall which houses 100 students in a traditional dorm setting; construction was completed during the summer of 2007. One of the unique aspects of the Residence Life program is the opportunity for upper-class students to live in one of several houses the University owns. These houses are located on or next to the main campus and provide upper class students with an alternative to living in the residence halls, yet remain a part of the residential campus. Living in the residence halls at Greenville University will be a memorable experience. The residence halls are more than just a place to sleep and study. Here students make lasting friendships and learn personal responsibility.

On-campus living is required of freshman. Disability housing is available.

Read also: Your Career at NGU

Lifestyle Statement

Students attending Greenville University are expected to adhere to a lifestyle that is codified and asks that the student agree to certain principles that the school calls "Christ-honoring", outlined in a document known as the Lifestyle Statement. Violations of the lifestyle statement are handled through a grace-based system which seeks to help students recover from any negative effects (e.g. The Lifestyle Statement exists to keep the GU community accountable for having a healthy lifestyle that keeps the individual in line with God's redemptive plan. It includes instructions for all students to avoid: "backbiting, cheating, dishonesty, drunkenness, gossip, immodesty of dress, lying, occult practices, profanity, sexual promiscuity (including adultery, homosexual behavior, pre-marital sex), theft, and vulgarity (including crude language)." Other actions that students must agree to refrain from, both while on and away from campus, include: "the use of tobacco in any form, alcoholic beverages, hallucinogenic drugs and substances (including marijuana), or narcotics not authorized by a physician", gambling, and using or possessing pornography. And, in keeping with the institution's focus on Christian principles, the document states: "Members of the community are to observe the Lord's Day (Sunday) as a day set apart primarily for worship, fellowship, ministry, and rest." These principles are set in place to hold students accountable for creating a learning environment that intends to stands out from other universities and offer unique benefits to the health and well-being of the student. Undergraduate students are not required to sign a statement of faith; however, they must fulfill at least 10 chapel credits each semester.

Campus Resources and Facilities

The campus itself is a blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Most of the University buildings are conveniently grouped around Scott Field. Once an orchard, this plat of land became an athletic field and now forms the campus "quad.â It is still the scene of pick-up games of touch football, ultimate Frisbee, and soccerâbringing a bit of backyard informality to the center of the campus.

Key facilities include:

LaDue Auditorium: The historic LaDue Auditorium, built in 1906, is used as a classroom and is used for special events. LaDueâs lower and upper levels were completely renovated and is the home of the School of Education.
Ruby E. Dare Library: The Ruby E. Dare Library was constructed in 1950, enlarged in 1970, and more than doubled in size in 1991 with the addition of the Irvin L. Young Library Tower. More than 128,000 books, 5,000 electronic books, and 300 print periodicals are held, in addition to more than 5,000 audiovisual items, including videocassettes, DVDs, compact disks, and other formats. The Library provides online access to many databases, including indexes to periodicals, full-text articles in over 12,000 journals, and online reference works. The Library belongs to the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI). This group maintains I-Share, an online library catalog that allows patrons to search the Greenville University Library collection and the collections of over 75 other academic libraries in the organization. The Library has a computer classroom and computer lab with approximately 35 workstations. A staff of professional librarians, a paraprofessional, and student assistants are available to help patrons.
H. J. Long Gymnasium and Glen and Maxine Crum Recreation Center: Recreation, fitness, and athletic buildings are located on the north edge of Scott Field and at the athletic fields south of campus. They include the H. J. Long Gymnasium in which most of the indoor athletic events are held, the Glen and Maxine Crum Recreation Center, which is dedicated to recreational and intramural sport activities, and the Greenville University Fitness Center which is a full service health club. Tennis courts are located adjacent to the gymnasium and are lighted for evening play.
John M. Strahl Complex: Separate intercollegiate playing fields for baseball, football, soccer, softball, and track are located at the John M. Strahl Complex, an approximate 50-acre area just one mile south of the main campus.
Delbert E. Sims University Union: The Delbert E. Sims University Union, built in 1960 underwent a main floor remodel and the second floor was remodeled to better serve the variety of student needs.
Dietzman Center: The Dietzman Center, completed in 2001, houses a wonderful coffee shop, Joâs Java.
Kelsey Building: The Kelsey Building, located eight blocks south of the main campus, is the working area for two departments. The University maintenance crew headquarters and workshops and the Factory Theatre share this unmatched space.
Maves Art Center: Maves Art Center, located three blocks west of the main campus, was renovated. The upper floor contains the Rowland Art Gallery, a drawing and painting studio, a fine arts classroom, a computer graphics center, and a student lounge.
Bock Museum: The Bock Museum, the historic Almira College House constructed in 1855 and restored, serves as the museum facility for the Richard W. Bock Sculpture Collection. The collection consists of over 300 plaster and bronze sculptures of varying development of Bock's ideas and early conceptions for projects and commissions. A number of the renderings were made in the 1880s in Europe. The collection also contains several architectural drawings by Frank Lloyd Wright. Bock served as Wright's sculptor for many years, during which time they became close personal friends and collaborated on numerous projects.
Snyder Hall of Science and John and Martha Ayers Science Field Station: The Snyder Hall of Science, completed in 1976, contains 30,000 square feet of space on two floors. Well-equipped laboratories provide students and faculty opportunities for both regular class instruction and individual research projects. The John and Martha Ayers Science Field Station is located on 140 acres provides a fitting facility to allow for ongoing class, laboratory, and research projects by departments within the sciences. Located at the field station is the Leon Winslow Observatory. The three part observatory is a facility that promotes the direct observation of stars and galaxies. In addition to the observatory, construction is complete on the Glenn and Ruth White Environmental Education Center also located at the Ayers Science Field Station.
Whitlock Music Center: Acquired in 2005, the old Greenville Free Methodist Church building became Greenville Universityâs Whitlock Music Center. The University converted the 38,000 sq. ft. of space for the Music Department that includes classrooms, practice rooms, recording studios, and space for lab bands.
Watson and Bonnie Tidball Alumni House and Welcome Center: The Watson and Bonnie Tidball Alumni House and Welcome Center, dedicated, serves as a symbolic as well as physical connection between GU and its alumni, linking alumni more effectively to the institution and to each other.
Joy House: Joy House serves as the home of Greenville's Admissionâs Office. A house with a long and distinguished history, it has been restored and furnished in the elegant taste of former years. Symbolic of the friendly relations between faculty and students, Joy House is located across the street from the University Union.
The Gullies: In the spring of 2011, Greenville University nearly doubled the size of its main campus with the donation of 44 acres of undeveloped contiguous property. The property, known as the Gullies, is located directly north of campus between Beaumont Avenue and Highway 140 and borders the Hoiles Gardens. Short term opportunities range from recreational space for students to academic use for programs like environmental biology.
Congregational House: In the summer of 2012, Greenville University remodeled the property on First Street popularly known as the âCongregational Houseâ into a high-tech collaborate classroom space for digital media, and music business majors.
JKL Academic Hall: The JKL Academic Hall, on the corner of Main and Locust, was dedicated in 2014. The building which houses the Bastian School of Theology, Philosophy, and Ministry contains office space for faculty, a classroom, and a common space.

Greenville University was the first college or university in the country to have a wireless network accessible from any dorm room, classroom, or space on the main campus. Information Technology (IT) has a HelpDesk, staffed by highly knowledgeable individuals, which can assist students with problems they may have with their personal computers or laptops. Students are able to check their grades, turn in work, and evaluate courses via Internet based programs.

Athletics

Greenville University teams, nicknamed the Panthers, participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III. The Panthers are a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC). The Panthers also compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball, while women's sports include basketball, cross country, gymnastics, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Club programs include bass fishing, cheer, dance, and esports. The football team participates in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and gymnastics teams participate in the Eastern College Athletic Conference. Greenville's football team won the Victory Bowl, the NCCAA national championship game, and have been the National Runner-up. The men's indoor track and field team has won four NCCAA national championships, while the men's outdoor track and field team has won six NCCAA national championships.

Read also: Student Success in Greenville, NC

Affordability and Aid

The average net price of attending Greenville University is $21,366. The university offers various forms of financial aid to students, including grants and loans.

In-State Tuition: $32,200
Out-of-State Tuition: $32,200
Room and Board: $11,598
Books and Supplies: $1116
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants: $15,294,636
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants: $3,666,602
Average Federal Loans Per Year: $5,982
Average Other Loans Per Year: $11,752

Notable People

Greenville University has produced a number of notable alumni and faculty, including:

Ernest L. Boyer: Sports management professional and namesake of the university's Robert A.
Enoch A. Holtwick: 1956 Prohibition Party candidate for President of the United States, was a professor of history and government at Greenville College and is honored at GU through the Enoch A. Holtwick Literary Award and Enoch A.
Richard Huston: GU professor Richard Huston became a Fulbright scholar for the third time in July 2007.

Hogue Hall: A Symbol of the Past

The previous oldest building on campus, Wilson T. Hogue Hall, originally housed Almira College. Bricks for the building were made on the front campus in 1855, and the building was erected between 1856 and 1864 and given the name "Old Main". Hogue Hall contained the data processing center and administrative offices of the college on the lower two floors. The upper two floors, originally dormitory rooms, provided offices for the faculty and a few small classrooms. Informal conversation between faculty and students frequently took place in these offices. An open "bridge" at the third-floor level led to the third floor of LaDue Auditorium and Marston Hall, which serves as the main classroom building.

However, in 2008, Hogue Hall was torn down due to structural concerns. The site of Hogue Hall now contains Hogue Tower Memorial, a tower recreated in the shape of a tower that used to stand center of Hogue Hall.

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