PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2021-2022
A YEAR OF GROWTH AND INNOVATION
Your support has made a powerful impact in the lives of students , equipping them to bring significant change to their spheres of influence in our world at large. ”
Dear Friends,
The 2021-22 academic and fiscal year was an extraordinary one for Eastern University.
This year was filled with growth and innovation. Highlights included a 52% increase in overall enrollment, renewed Vision, Mission, and Values statements, and the launch of our new football team! It has been an exciting, record-breaking year for Eastern.
Through it all, my favorite part has been seeing the beneficial effect our caring, faith-filled community has on the lives of students. Eastern truly offers something unique and wonderful.
We are deeply grateful for all of the partners who have made this incredible year possible. Your support has made a powerful impact in the lives of students, equipping them to bring significant change to their spheres of influence in our world at large. If you would like to join us in this meaningful work, we would love to talk with you about the many ways you can make an investment of time, talent, or treasure.
May God generously bless you for your partnership in this transformative endeavor of equipping students for lives of Faith, Reason, and Justice.
With enthusiasm and appreciation,
Gratefully yours,
Ronald A. Matthews President, Eastern University
Community Highlights
Celebrating exciting moments in academics, athletics, and the arts
LAUNCHING FOOTBALL, CHEER, AND DANCE
This year, Eastern University formally announced the addition of Football to its athletic offerings starting in the fall of 2022. In addition to Football, Eastern saw the launch of its new Cheer and Dance teams, and anticipates a Pep Band. A new Football and Track complex was built through a partnership with the nearby Valley Forge Military Academy. A full coaching staff was also hired, and 94 students were recruited for the football team’s inaugural season in 2022. The team is set to begin competition in the NCAA Middle Atlantic Conference in the fall of 2023.
FIRST ANNUAL SCIENCE & RELIGION SYMPOSIUM
This exciting inaugural two-day symposium, hosted by Palmer Theological Seminary, highlighted the work of professors in the fields of astronomy, medicine, and ecotheology. The event was held on Eastern University’s St. Davids Campus in the McInnis Auditorium and via livestream. The symposium came as part of Palmer’s selection to participate in the Science for Seminaries project, sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science through their Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion program, in partnership with the Association of Theological Schools.
Extra-curricular activities are a key part of a vibrant collegiate experience. This year brought exciting new programs as well as rich opportunities for students to engage in long-standing, beloved activities. The future ahead is bright! ”
KENTON L. SPARKS, MBA, PHD PROVOST, EASTERN UNIVERSITY
FINE ARTS PERFORMANCES
DANCE: The highly original, thought-provoking Winter Dance Concert, entitled “Musings,” reflected the choreographic talents of our students and faculty. The Spring dance performance, “Spring Forward,” featured the original works of students and faculty with styles including modern, jazz, tap, ballet, and pointe.
THEATRE: This year’s creative performances included a delightful production of “Almost Maine”; a dynamic original musical theatre production titled “Still Here”; the beloved annual Performing Arts Living Room; and the innovative “24-Hour New Play Workshop.”
MUSIC: Eastern’s Spring Music Festival was a fantastic night featuring Eastern’s instrumental and vocal ensembles including seasonal, sacred, classical, and original repertoire. Our renowned vocal touring ensemble, Turning Point, also recorded two songs at a professional recording studio, with one song dedicated to the people of Ukraine.
E xcellence A uthenticity s tewardship
t houghtfulness
We strive to achieve the highest standards in serving our community through distinctive academic experiences, student services, and community life.
We live with integrity and honesty, upholding the highest ethical standards as we seek to honor God with our lives, relationships, and work.
We treat our resources as gifts God has entrusted to us, including our earth, environment, facilities, and finances.
Inspired by our commitment to truth, we think deeply, holistically, and critically about the world God has given us, benefiting from the insights offered by each individual in our rich learning community.
e nthusiasm
r elationships
i n novation
Anchored by our hope and joy in Christ, we approach each situation with optimism, working toward favorable outcomes, and celebrating our successes.
With an attitude of humility and kindness, we honor and respect the dignity of each individual, promoting community, working to bring reconciliation to broken relationships, and championing diversity, equity, and belonging.
Promoting accessibility and affordability, we seek new and more effective approaches to education, exercising creativity to chart inventive paths forward into the future.
Inspire. Innovate. Impact.
The 2022-27 Strategic Plan of Eastern University
Beginning July 1, 2022, Eastern launched a new five-year strategic plan. The title of this plan reflects our collective hope for what we will accomplish together: Inspire. Innovate. Impact.
Our strategic plan outlines five imperatives that we have identified as key action steps
for Eastern over the next five years. We look forward to this exciting next chapter of preparing Eastern graduates to impact the world through Faith, Reason, and Justice.
READ THE Full Details of the plan at eastern.edu/impact.
Advancing Our Mission
IMPERATIVES
We will continue to promote our Christian Mission and Values within and beyond the University community.
Innovating with Excellence
We will provide innovative, high-quality curricular, cocurricular, and extra-curricular experiences for all students.
Cultivating Community
We will intentionally and systemically create a united, diverse, and equitable Christian community of belonging.
Flourishing Employees
We will continue to invest in our employees’ well-being with a focus on compensation, quality of life, recruitment, and retention.
Funding Strategically
We will elevate the Eastern experience through increased income and philanthropic support of University strategic initiatives.
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 fiscal year 2022, covering the dates of July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and partnership, which enables us to make a powerful difference in the lives of students.
Honoring donors who have made gifts this year totaling...
$100,000 or more
Anonymous (2)
Pamela Merriman and Richardson Merriman
$50,000 - $99,999
Catherine Cope Clemens ’92 and Steve Clemens ’91
Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation
Lansdowne Baptist Church
Sherry Lauter and Robert Lauter
PA Department of Education
The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust
$25,000 - $49,999
Anonymous (2)
Aramark Global Business Services
Comloquoy Charitable Foundation Trust
Diana Drew Harbison
Lucille Huff and Joel Huff H ’03
Dick Jones
Katherine McNabb and F. William McNabb, III
Constance McNamara and Mike McNamara
Stephanie Olson and Charles Olson, III ’90
Margaret Vardy and Peter Vardy H ’09 View our full Donor Honor Roll at eastern.edu/donors.
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.
$10,000 - $24,999
Anonymous (2)
Colby Madden and Bill Bosch
Compass Ion Advisors, LLC
Nancy Davis
Daryl Drummond
Gretchen Ekeland, MS ’14
FieldTurf USA Inc
Flaherty Family Foundation
D’Aun Goble and Roy Goble
Margaret Hill and Arthur Hill, Jr.
Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Johnson & Johnson Matching Gifts
Deepa Kurian-Joy and Aljit Joy
Kimberly Kane and Matthew Kane ’93
Jean Bartholomew Kim ’61 and Roy Kim †
Edwin M. Lavino Foundation Trust Gaye
Matherly
Pamela Matthews and Ronald Matthews (F/S)
Erik Meader, PhD ’16
Karen Moore and Mark Moore ’77, MDiv ’80
Meg Morrison and Jeffrey Morrison
Leah Welding Mulhearn ’03 and Jim Mulhearn, Jr. ’03
Northwestern Mutual Matching Gifts
Patricia Kind Family Foundation
Susana Rohrer and Daniel Rohrer
Doris Rowlands and David Rowlands, Jr. ’63
Sarah S. McLeod Trust
Jennifer Sarteau and Herve Sarteau
Jon Seltenheim
Colleen McClure Shute ’02 and Adam Shute ’01
Sodexo, Inc.
Stewart Huston Charitable Trust
Andrew Street
Stephanie Maier Summers, MS ’08 and Jason Summers
J. Howard Supplee Memorial Fund Trust
Elizabeth Webb Swingle ’59 and David Swingle ’59
Peggy Parker Thomas ’63 and F. Ardell Thomas, II ’63
Sandra Velarde and Rodney Velarde
Frances S. Wiggen Trust
$5,000 - $9,999
Anonymous
ABC World Mission Support
AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc.
-Matching
LaVonne Althouse, DMin ’81
American Baptist Churches USA
American Baptist Foundation
Chloe Brown Bass ’06 and Jared Bass, Esq. ’07
Fran Brown
Burkey Corporation
Irene Campbell and Ken Campbell
CapinCrouse LLP
Alexandra Cardone and Michael Cardone, III
Althea J. Carnell Residuary Trust
The Chatlos Foundation, Inc.
CSI International, Inc.
Dayspring Foundation
Mary Dietrich and Wayne Dietrich, Esq. ’66
Lucia Englander
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
Estate of C. Frederick Fetterolf †
JoAnn Gambone and Joe Gambone, Jr.
Carol Gangewer
Sharon Gibbs
Carol Mudie Gilliford ’71 and Jay Gilliford ’71
Sally Hartman and Ronald Hartman ’71
Melissa Helton and T. Michael Helton
Earlene Hope and William Hope ’66
Anthony Horvath
Lara Hoyem
Jenny Iott and Andrew Iott
IT Landes
Gigi Latta and Alexander Latta, MTS ’03
Lisa Lynch and Gary Lynch
Marilyn Marles and Blake Marles
Robert E. Matherly Family Trust
Ruth McKeaney and Robert McKeaney
Jessica McNelley and Eric McNelley (F/S)
Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia
Dorothy Moffitt and Robert Moffitt ’61 ’65, MDiv ’71
Pattison Sports Group, LLC
Pfizer Matching Gifts
Barbara Russell
Leah Kim and Robert Tomilson
Tracorp
Ellyn Waller and Alyn Waller, DMin ’98
Wohlsen Construction
Estate of Catherine Parker Wrisley ’63 †
Linda Young and Gary Young ’75
F/S = Faculty/Staff
† = Deceased
H = Honorary Degree
