Issuu

WINTER 2025

CELEBRATE 150 A legacy of Faith and Freedom • A Landmark Reborn • Back to School

• Alumni Awards

Wolverine wide receiver Derrick Lambert ’26 does a backflip in front of cheerleader Katie Hillebrand ’27 as they get fired up for the Homecoming game against Waynesburg University. Grove City won the contest 24-14.

M ESSAGE Grove City College

F ROM

THE

PRES ID EN T

ENTERING A HISTORIC SEASON

s winter settles over campus, I’m reminded every day what a privilege it is to be back at Grove City College. Six months into this role, it feels like I never left. But I still can’t bring myself to walk on the grass. Like so many of you, I was profoundly shaped by my four years as a student. I’m thankful for the friendships, the faculty who invested in me, and the academic rigor grounded in faith that prepared me to serve and lead. Now, together, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to strengthen the College for the benefit of the next generation. There’s never been a better time to do just that. The year 2026 will be extraordinary. We’ll celebrate the College’s 150th anniversary alongside our nation’s 250th birthday. These two milestones, one for the College and one for the country, invite us to reflect on the enduring ideas that have shaped both our College and our nation: faith, freedom, truth, and the hope that future generations will carry those ideas forward. As we look ahead, our mission is more vital than ever. It’s the magnet that will draw students, scholars, donors, and friends who share our vision for the school and country that we love. Our core remains Christ-centered. We take academics seriously and hold ourselves and our students to high standards. We cherish our independence, protected by our decision to remain free from federal funding. And we are committed to affordability so that we can make disciples formed by truth rather than burdened by debt. That vision echoes the words of the College’s great benefactor, J. Howard Pew. It is said that he’d give the same short speech at the College every single year. He’d say, “This school should encourage and inculcate in the minds and hearts of the students an abiding faith in God and country, a love for freedom, a respect for truth, an acceptance of personal responsibility, and a desire to contribute to the betterment of the human race.” The Grove City he described is the same Grove City we know and love today. When Mr. Pew spoke those words, he knew how much a school like ours was needed in this country. But he could not have foreseen how much it would be needed today. As we enter this year of celebration, reflection, and gratitude, there’s never been a more important time for a school like ours. Yvonne and I are excited to meet and celebrate with you throughout this milestone year. Your lives and your work in our communities, classrooms, churches, small businesses, laboratories, and countless other settings testify to the enduring impact of the College. I’m honored to partner with you to build on the legacy entrusted to us, excited to celebrate the college’s 150th anniversary, and ready to lead us into the next 150 years. As we enter a historic season, I invite you to stay engaged with all that God is doing at and through Grove City College. So, let’s celebrate. But let’s also work to ensure this College remains a beacon of light and bastion of hope for generations to come.

EDITORIAL BOARD Jeffrey Prokovich ’89 Vice President for Advancement Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations EDITOR Nick Hildebrand Director of College Communications ASSOCIATE EDITOR Joanie Baumgartner Director of Advancement Communications DESIGN Justin Harbaugh Art Director/Graphic Designer CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Janice (Zinsner ’87) Inman Advancement Communications Coordinator Brad Isles Website Manager/Content Coordinator Amy Evans Associate Director of Advancement Communications OFFICE OF ALUMNI & COLLEGE RELATIONS Tricia Corey Karen Grassell Mandy Sposato ’00 Michelle (Jeffries ’19) Vogt COLLEGE ARCHIVES AND GALLERIES Hilary (Lewis ’09) Walczak OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT Brian Powell ’03 Doug Angle ’20 Jason Burtt ’00 Elizabeth (Smith ’81) Hanley Zach Jew ’11 Randall LaBrie ’20 Megan Snitchler ’19

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Steve DeCaspers ’97 President Amy (Martin ’06) Simon Vice President Cover photo by Kiley (Hajek ’19) Miranda Interior photography by Jason Jones, Justin Harbaugh, Nick Hildebrand, Brad Isles, Kiley (Hajek ’19) Miranda, Amanda Mittleman ’20, Derek Isles, Tiffany Wolfe, Matt Durisko, Mara Brak ’26, John Hake ’26, Luke Morton ’27, Luke Paglia ’27, Cairistiona Tarullo ’29

Brad J. Lingo ’00 President Grove City College 100 Campus Drive Grove City, PA 16127 724.458.2300 888.GCC.GRAD alumni.gcc.edu

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Winter 2025

’mid the pages

32| A LS O 6

CELEBRATE 150 This midwinter, we stand on the cusp of a very important year in the history of Grove City College. In 2026, the College will mark the 150th anniversary of its founding in 1876 and celebrate the legacy of faith and freedom that is the hallmark of our educational mission. Find out what’s being planned for this once-in-a-lifetime moment and learn about the distinctive history that defines Grove City College.

I NS I D E

| A Landmark Reborn Smith Hall of Science and Technology opens

26 | Alumni Awards Four honored for achievement, service 38 | Back to School Bradley J. Lingo ’00 feels like he never left 42 | 150 for 150 Highlighting great Grovers 47 | Class Notes Find out what fellow alumni are doing 54 | In Memory Friends we’ve lost and remember 58 | Li’l Wolverines Introducing our newest Grovers

Connect with us: The GēDUNK, an award-winning magazine published for alumni and friends of Grove City College, highlights College news and alumni achievements. Named after the on-campus gathering place / snack bar for students since the early 1950s, the word “Gedunk” made its way into the Grove City College vernacular when Navy veterans returned to campus and brought the term with them. For decades, the Grove City College Gedunk has been the place to come together to share news and ideas, live and learn, and this magazine strives to connect our family in similar style. College and University Public Relations and Associated Professionals (CUPRAP) has recognized the GēDUNK with awards for excellence in design and writing for five consecutive years.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER

Lead donors William W. Smith Jr. ’69, Dieva Smith, and College President Bradley J. Lingo ’00 display a painting of the Smith Hall of Technology and Science created by artist and alumna Morgan (Broome ’19) Lees at the building’s dedication in September.

A Landmark Reborn:

College Unveils the Smith Hall of Science and Technology

n Sept. 12, Grove City College rechristened the campus’ oldest – and newest – academic building at a dedication ceremony for the Smith Hall of Science and Technology.

College officials, along with lead donors and the new building’s namesakes, William W. Smith Jr. ’69 and his wife Dieva Smith, were on hand to celebrate a new era in science and technology education at the Grove and the completion of the biggest capital project in College history. The two-year renovation and expansion of the former Rockwell Hall of Science, which was built 94 years ago, cost nearly $50 million, all of it raised from private donors as part of Impact 150: The Anniversary Campaign for Grove City College, a multi-year effort to raise $185 million for scholarships and campus improvements. The work included a full renovation of all four floors of Rockwell Hall, a complete redesign of just about everything except the building’s iconic tower, and the construction of a connector linking it to STEM Hall. The result is 100,000 square feet of space dedicated to discovery and serving some of Grove City College’s fastestgrowing majors and strongest programs.

We can scarcely imagine the future that those who study in this building will help to create.

College President Bradley J. Lingo ’00 reflected on the history of Smith Hall, which was first dedicated in 1931 – on the same day as Harbison Chapel – as the Hall of Science. It was the first academic building on upper campus and marked an important commitment to scientific study at the College. In 1966, it was renamed Rockwell Hall of Science in recognition of Rockwell International CEO Willard F. Rockwell Jr., a College Trustee who donated $150,000 to its renovation. “Today, a new group of distinguished guests, generous benefactors, and College leaders gather on these

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same steps to rededicate this very same building, the Hall of Science, and we look both to the past and to this building’s promise for the future,” Lingo said. “We can scarcely imagine the future that those who study in this building will help to create.” Smith, a technology entrepreneur and College Trustee, spoke about the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs and said he hopes Smith Hall will benefit students. “I can’t think of four fields of study that can have more impact on the modern world,” he said.

“This is something for the future – something that hopefully will incentivize students going forward to great heights … Over 47% of the student body are in the STEM school so this is a big deal,” he said. “It means the future. Smith Hall features state-of-the-art research and teaching labs for Exercise Science, Biology, Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics; innovative new spaces for collaboration, study, and discovery that provide students with facilities that match the College’s commitment to excellence; and an array of new equipment and classroom technology that will expand the scope of teaching and student-faculty research.

The Department of Exercise Science will have more than enough space for research into performance and physiology, which generates multiple publications each year, and expanded study of human subjects with an environmental physiology chamber that can alter pressure, temperature, and humidity to simulate climates from sea level and 16,000 feet. Electrical and Mechanical Engineering programs will benefit from a new teaching lab, a mechatronics lab to support robotics research, a biofluids dynamics lab with a laser velocimetry system, a workshop on the ground floor,

and a projects commons area on the first floor that features a garage door to accommodate SAE Baja cars and includes the original Foucault pendulum from Rockwell Hall.

anti-cancer drugs. An instrument studio connected to the analytical chemistry lab provides students with access to the tools they need to learn and discover in a professional environment.

Smith’s second floor offers teaching labs designed for Biology, Pre-Health, and Nursing majors to study anatomy, physiology, and microbiology and with microscopes, computers, models, and specialized instruments equipped for the handling, culturing, and identifying microorganisms. The new building also features virtual anatomy tables that give students the opportunity to virtually dissect the human body without the need for human cadavers and a microscopy dark room to study biological samples.

The Physics Department gains a pair of teaching labs on the third floor along with specialized spaces for radiation studies utilizing the College’s neutron howitzer, a lab housing a high-resolution electron microscope and an X-ray energy analyzer, and a metrology lab featuring a range of instrumentation, including a laser fluorescence spectrometer, atomic force microscope, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, and several optical tables for custom student-built systems.

Analytical and inorganic Chemistry teaching labs in the renovated building feature specialized equipment to aid students as they learn about the elements of creation, inorganic compounds, and the synthesis of compounds that have potential for

The creation of Smith Hall of Science and Technology marks a continued commitment by Grove City College to the study of the natural world and to provide students with excellent facilities to learn and discover.

This is something for the future – something that hopefully will incentivize students going forward to great heights.

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The Impact 150: The Anniversary Campaign for Grove City College is in its third year and has seen great success to date with several Phase 1 goals. The renovation of the former Rockwell Hall (now Smith Hall of Science and Technology) is complete, on time and on budget. The Phase 1 goals for Financial Aid and Scholarships have been met and exceeded. Work continues during Phase 1 on several Athletic facility projects. Soon we will prepare to shift into the priorities of Phase 2 which will include updates to residence halls, the Crawford Hall Auditorium, and additional support for Financial Aid. Our shared vision of strength for the next 150 years will become a reality with the help of the individual donors, organizations, corporations, and foundations that have aligned with our mission through their generous support. Thank you for being a partner in our success thus far. We are pleased to present our current progress toward these campaign priorities as of November 26, 2025.

PHASE 1 (2023-2026) PRIORITIES - $90M OF $185M CAMPAIGN TOTAL

ROCKWELL RENOVATION

LOWER CAMPUS FIELDHOUSE

FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS

$45,518,930

$3,505,028

$82,319,012

Amount raised, to-date | Goal-$48M

Amount raised, to-date | Goal-$20M

Amount raised, to-date | Goal-$16M

ANNUAL FUND

CAMPAIGN UNRESTRICTED

TOTAL CAMPAIGN AMOUNT

$9,682,397

$16,508,006

$186,969,292

Amount raised, to-date

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Amount raised, to-date

Amount raised, to-date | Goal-$185M

(Including other special projects and restricted gifts.) Numbers current as of November 26, 2025.

At Grove City College, every person matters. That fact is never more evident than during the annual day of giving, the Wolverine Challenge. For the 11th straight year, alumni, donors, friends, parents, and employees came together to accomplish something meaningful for students. And they had the loudest, most enthusiastic cheering squad, the College’s Advancement team, which not only processed and receipted donations all day and into the night, but also celebrated gifts that came in with cowbells and kazoos! Over 600 more donors than last year participated by giving to their favorite programs, sports teams, the Annual Fund, scholarships, and building projects. A grand total of $2,850,687.73 was given by 2,428 people, with a record $87,000 being offered by several generous donors and the Benedum Foundation as matching gifts to incentivize others’ participation. Four new winners’ categories were added this year in the Greek Challenge, the component of the Wolverine Challenge that pits the College’s 18 fraternities and sororities against each other in friendly competition. For the first time ever, separate fraternity and sorority winners were named for “Highest Percentage of Participation” and for “Most Dollars Raised.” The success of this annual event is led by our Greek alumni, but as the theme of this year’s Wolverine Challenge stated, “One gift. One person choosing to make a difference. That’s the power of the Wolverine Challenge.” Thank you to all who participated!

College President Bradley J. Lingo ’00 joined the Advancement team for this year’s Wolverine Challenge, a one-day fundraiser that brought in more than $2.8 million from alumni and friends.

SORORITY WINNERS PARTICIPATION

TOTAL RAISED

18.71%

159,706

FRATERNITY WINNERS PARTICIPATION

TOTAL RAISED

14.92%

See the 2025 Wolverine Challenge Results at gcc.edu/wolverinechallenge.

331,662

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Grove City College

upfront

News about the College, alumni, students, campus, faculty, and sports

We’re number one!

rove City College has the most religious students in the nation, according to The Princeton Review’s annual student survey rankings. That number one ranking isn’t a surprise so much as a validation of the College’s Christian mission and its efforts to integrate faith into all aspects of campus life. “Grove City College deserves national recognition, and it feels good to be at the top of one of The Princeton Review lists,” Rev. Donald Opitz, director of Christian Formation, said. “Of course, we recognize that ‘religious’ is a murky notion, as is the preferred word of many college-age students, ‘spiritual.’ Some students might be proud to be described as religious or as spiritual, but faithfulness is the higher aspiration that we are striving to embody,” he said.

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The College also ranks number two on the list of friendliest students and number three for most politically conservative students. Rankings are based on student responses to a range of questions about the culture on campus and quality of services at their institutions, according to the college preparatory and testing company. The Princeton Review’s annual guide The Best 391 Colleges covers the top 15% of colleges and universities based on a variety of student-centered metrics, including cost, value, academics, and quality of life. In addition to earning Best College status, The Princeton Review identifies Grove City College as a Best Value college and one of the Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region. “Our commitments to faith and freedom lead to thriving, happy students. These

accolades affirm that we are who we hope to be: Christian, conservative, friendly, supportive, and a great value,” College President Bradley J. Lingo ’00 said. The College also secured top spots in this year’s U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings based on overall quality and value. The College holds the number two spot for Best Value in the North and is ranked fifth overall in the region by U.S. News. The College’s undergraduate Engineering and Computer Science programs are also highlighted in the influential rankings. U.S. News also noted the College’s average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 88%.

Winter 2025

Freshman survey: Academic programs, institutional values attract students

rove City College’s freshman class includes 562 students, most of them drawn by strong academic programs and institutional values. A survey of freshmen indicated that 97% chose to attend Grove City College because of its academic programs, which include more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Forty percent of the class is majoring in STEM disciplines, 37% in liberal arts, 20 percent in business, and 3% in nursing. The College’s Christian character influenced 95% of freshmen in their decision-making process. Faith and learning are the foundation of Grove City College’s classically rooted curriculum, which empowers students to pursue truth freely. Career outcomes, a strong campus community, and conservative values rounded out the top five reasons students chose Grove City College, according to the survey conducted by the Admissions Office. Half of the Class of 2029 hails from Pennsylvania, with the rest coming from more than 40 other states and countries. They come from a variety of school backgrounds. Fifty-four percent attended public schools, 25% came from Christian school settings, 16% were homeschooled, and the rest attended classical, private, online, and charter schools. The freshman class is 51% male. The College’s total enrollment, including upperclassmen and graduate students, is 2,244.

President Lingo establishes new merit-based scholarship

T How we rank...

# 1 Most Religious Students

2 Friendliest Students

# 3 Most Politically Conservative Students

2 Best Student Support and Counseling Services #

6 Best Career Services

8 Their Students Love These Colleges #

his summer, Grove City College launched a new merit-based scholarship and mentoring program designed to attract top students from around the country. The exclusive President’s Scholarship Program, an initiative of new College President Bradley J. Lingo ’00, provides students who demonstrate academic excellence with high scores on standardized tests and a strong high-school GPA with an annual, renewable grant of $7,500, which represents a third of the College’s annual tuition. “We want the nation’s most promising students to join our vibrant community, receive a rigorous education, and launch into positions of service and influence around the country. Grove City College is unabashedly committed to academic excellence.” Lingo said. “By investing in these exceptional students, we are investing in the future of our nation. This scholarship will allow recipients to graduate with less debt and more freedom to lead and serve.” President’s Scholars will have exclusive opportunities to engage with Lingo, network with distinguished alumni, and participate in enrichment programs tailored to help them realize their God-given potential. The scholarship will be available to incoming freshmen beginning in the fall of 2026 and will renew annually if they maintain a cumulative 3.3 GPA. In addition to a 3.5 high school GPA, eligibility is based on achieving an SAT score of 1400, an ACT score of 31, or a Classical Learning Test (CLT) score of 100. The President’s Scholarship is one of the most significant merit-based scholarship programs that the College has ever offered. It is part of an array of institutional financial aid available thanks to the generosity of the College’s donors. Because the College does not accept any federal funding, all need- and merit-based scholarships are funded by donations and proceeds from its endowment. To learn more about the President’s Scholarship Program, visit gcc.edu/presidentsscholarship.

# 10 Most Engaged in Community Service

13 Best Quality of Life and Happiest Students #

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Grove City College

New professors join Grove City College faculty

rove City College welcomed new faculty members for the 202526 academic year, including four

alumni.

Dr. Andrew C. Baker ’07, associate professor of History. Baker is teaching U.S. history and history methods. His scholarly work focuses on American cities, suburbs, and the countryside. Dr. David B. Beevers ’08, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering. Beevers is teaching kinematics and dynamics of machines, machine design, and senior design. His specialties also include thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and MATLAB programming. Dr. Jonathan D. Dabbs ’18, assistant professor of Chemistry. Dabbs is teaching organic chemistry. His postdoctoral research focused on developing and conducting preclinical tests on novel radiotracers designed to detect early-stage neuroinflammation.

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Dr. Tegan L. Truitt ’21, assistant professor of Finance and Economics. Truitt is teaching corporate finance, investments, and portfolio management. His research focuses on legal origins and political consequences of financial markets and institutions. Dr. Jeffrey M. Hubbard, assistant professor of Biblical and Theological Studies. Hubbard specializes in New Testament studies and analyzes the literature of the earliest Christians in light of Greco-Roman book culture and ancient education. Dr. Tammi Martin, assistant professor of Education. Martin brings 32 years of service in public education, where she served in a variety of roles, including emotional support teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, and principal.

Christopher D. Pacione, associate professor of Design. Pacione is teaching courses in design and innovation, bringing over 35 years of experience as a designer, educator, and entrepreneur. Margaret P. Smith, assistant professor of Music. Smith is teaching Civilization and the Arts, music history, and serve as assistant director of the marching band. Dr. Patricia A. Annear, officially joining the faculty this fall, is director of the Johnson School of Nursing and professor of Nursing.

Winter 2025

Hunger busters

he College community came together on Nov. 8 to pack 70,000 meals for distribution to needy families in Allegheny and Mercer counties. The 200-plus volunteers – students, faculty, family, and community members – prepared ingredients for a fortified bean and rice casserole supplied by Meals of Hope, an organization committed to combatting hunger, for distribution by Amen to Action, an outreach of the Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation. “As a Christ-centered institution, we are called to love our neighbor, and the work is valuable because of that calling. We hope that

volunteers gain a greater understanding of the needs of our neighbors off campus, and that our service will continue beyond this event as we look to increase Grove City College’s community engagement,” said Thomas Biro, director of Campus Discipleship and Community Engagement. Ingredients were purchased with the support of donors, including Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service, The Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern Ohio, Grove City College alumni, and community members.

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Grove City College

Report: College has huge economic impact in state, region

rove City College contributes more than $176 million to economic activity in Pennsylvania and Mercer County, according to an Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania study. The study looked at the College’s direct, indirect, and induced impact as measured by spending by the College on operations, student and visitor spending, the increase in demand for goods and services in industries that supply the College, and household spending by employees and others whose livelihoods are tied to the College. All that results in an annual infusion of $176,255,822 into the economy tied to Grove City College. The study found that the College “supports and sustains” 808 jobs in the state, which includes direct employment by the College as well as indirect and induced jobs created by suppliers, vendors, and contractors, as well as service, retail, and medical sectors, resulting in $13.6 million in tax revenues annually local and state governments. “Grove City College is a prime example of how higher education plays an integral role in the economy and future of rural communities,” said Jake Rickert, associate executive director of Penn-Northwest Development Corp., Mercer County’s lead economic development agency. Grove City College supports hundreds of local jobs, drives business for area vendors, and generates millions in tax revenue that benefits schools and municipalities. The College also attracts students from across the country, which brings fresh talent and new perspectives to the region. “Grove City College is an economic driver and a pipeline for the next generation of leaders,” Rickert said.

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Center for Rural Ministry study provides clearer view of clergy

one-of-a-kind study sponsored by Grove City College’s Center for Rural Ministry (CRM) and its research partners provides a deeper understanding of pastors who serve rural and small town churches. The nationwide survey of more than 1,000 clergy revealed pastors’ motivations, aspirations, and frustrations, as well as providing data about their ministries and churches that those who serve and study rural ministry can use in their work. While other surveys include these pastors, this is the first that focuses on them and, as a result, provides better and more accurate information about what is going on to those committed to helping, according to CRM Assistant Director Dr. Adam Loretto ’05. “We can speak more clearly to common beliefs about the rural church—dispelling some myths, giving nuance, and suggesting areas of need,” Loretto said. CRM Executive Director Dr. Charles Cotherman ’06 called the study “pioneering research into the ministry and felt experiences of rural pastors who can easily be overlooked or underrepresented in national research projects.” The survey was conducted by Lifeway Research, the research division of Lifeway Christian Publishing; sponsored by Grove City College, the Rural Church Institute in Wheaton College’s Billy Graham Center, and the Rural Home Missionary Association; and funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. The survey’s results varied but answers to the top line question about what inspires pastors to serve rural and small town churches, speaks to a near-unanimity. While 80% of respondents said “enjoying the pace of rural life” was a part of the reason, the vast majority – 95% – identified “seeing someone take a step toward Jesus,” followed closely by “seeing the potential to make a difference” and “getting to preach God’s word,” which both polled at 92%. “The future outlook of most rural pastors for their churches is more positive than past statistics might support. Clearly, pastors in rural areas are putting their confidence in God’s capabilities rather than widespread trends,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research.

College breaks fundraising record

rove City College raised a staggering $52.63 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year, shattering a fundraising record set just last year and indicating strong support for the College’s independent approach to higher education. The tally marks a 44% increase over the previous year’s gift total and is the most the College has ever raised in a year. The money supports need- and merit-based financial aid awards that go to more than 70% of the student body, campus building and improvement projects, and to enhance academic programs and student life initiatives. “These gifts benefit students, from increasing scholarship opportunities to ensuring they have access to the latest technology and state-of-the-art facilities to supporting programs that help them grow in wisdom and faith. And while figures like these may seem like they are beyond comprehension, we hope to build on our momentum so that we can provide even more opportunities and scholarships for our students,” Vice President for Advancement Jeff Prokovich ’89 said. The College has seen consistent, year-over-year increases in fundraising, a signal of growing support and validation of its commitment to academic freedom and institutional autonomy in an era of uncertainty and chaos in the higher education space. “The support of our donor community, which includes more than 5,000 alumni and friends, is critical to the operation of the College now and essential to fulfilling our mission in the future. We are blessed by their generosity,” Prokovich said. The $52,631,092 total will boost the College’s endowment. Ninety-one percent of the revenue generated by the endowment goes to need- and merit-based aid to students. The College is currently conducting Impact 150: The Anniversary Campaign for Grove City College, a $185 million effort to fund student scholarships; capital improvements across campus; and enhanced student services. To contribute, visit giving.gcc.edu/impact150.

Winter 2025

The arts are alive and well ‘mid the pines. This fall, the Theatre Program’s musical The Wind in the Willows, above, took audiences on a wild ride and Orchesis went through some changes for their show Meta Mor Phosis, below.

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Grove City College

GCC sweeps PAC soccer championships

his fall, the Grove City College men’s soccer team earned its first Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship in 20 years and made its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1980. The PAC title was just the third in program history and head coach Mike Dreves ’97 has played a role each time. When the team took its first conference title in 1996, he was team co-captain, and he was assistant coach for its second in 2005. “I have been blessed to win a conference title as a player, assistant coach and now as a head coach, and that means a lot,” he said soon after the team secured the title with a resounding 1-0 victory over the Franciscan Barons. Dreves, who earned PAC Coach of the Year honors, said the title was important for his players, especially the seniors. “This group of seniors has been to the finals three years in a row, and to see them celebrate and enjoy this is awesome. They have worked hard.” The College’s nearly 90-year-old soccer program has deep roots in the alumni community, and they rallied with the victory. “This championship means so much to them,” Dreves said. “I think for many who came so close during their years this win has lifted a lot of weight off their shoulders as well.” While the team lost to Calvin in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Dreves said his players are sticking with their vision. “We are trying to build our team into something that glorifies God in everything we do … to seek excellence within that vision. We have tried to not make the championship an idol, tried to not have our identity in winning, all while preparing well and competing hard.”

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The Grove City College women’s soccer team earned its third straight PAC title this fall with a 1-0 win over Waynesburg. The victory, the 11th straight whitewash for the Wolverine defense, brought the program’s all-time title tally to 10 and sent the team to the NCAA tournament for the eighth time. They were bested by Illinois Tech in the first round. The women’s soccer team swept the Presidents’ Athletic Conference’s individual awards and placed eight players on the All-PAC Teams. Head coach Melissa Lamie, the PAC’s all-time wins leader with 384 victories, received her 13th Coach of the Year honor from the league’s head coaches.

The men’s and women’s soccer teams hoist their PAC Championship trophies after both teams secured victories. The men’s program, mentored by head coach Mike Dreves ’97, wont its first conference title in 20 years.

Winter 2025

athletics Quintet of Wolverine stars join Hall of Fame

rove City College inducted five new members into the Athletic Hall of Fame this fall. The Class of 2025 includes: SRINIVASAN BALAJI ’94 Regarded as “the best tennis player ever to come to Grove City College” by longtime head coach Joe Walters, Balaji helped lead the Grove City men’s tennis team to its winningest four-year Balaji run in program history while anchoring the lineup at first singles from 1991 to 1994. Balaji became the first Presidents’ Athletic Conference men’s tennis player to earn the conference’s Most Valuable Performer award four times. He won eight total conference titles and set a program record by earning 43 singles victories. His performances at the top of the lineup helped Grove City accumulate a 45-7 overall record during his career. The Wolverines went undefeated in conference play in each of Balaji’s seasons. JULIE (CLINEFELTER ’93) MOELLER Moeller helped lead Grove City College’s women’s cross country and women’s track and field programs to unprecedented heights during her dual sport career from 1989 to 1993 and earned Moeller Sportswoman of the Year honors in her senior year. Moeller earned Presidents’ Athletic Conference Most Valuable Performer honors at the 1992 conference championships and capped her cross country career by earning All-Region recognition at the NCAA Mideast

Championships. She also excelled as a middle distance performer for the women’s track and field team. Moeller won three conference titles in the 800 meters and won the 400 meters as a senior in 1993. She returned to the College in 2005 as professor of Biblical and Theological Studies. TANNER PROSSER ’04 An all-around performer on the basketball court for Grove City College from 1999 to 2004, versatile forward Prosser earned All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference honors in each of his four seasons. Prosser Prosser concluded his career as the program’s all-time leader with 367 assists and he owns the program record with 106 career games started. A three-time team co-captain, Prosser helped lead Grove City to the 2003 conference title by leading the team in rebounds, assists and steals. Grove City’s 18 wins that year marked the most for the program in 14 seasons. As a senior, Prosser became the 20th player in program history to score 1,000 career points. CHRIS SMITH ’72 Smith excelled as a defensive back and punt returner in four seasons as a member of the Grove City College football program from 1968 to 1971. A four-year starter at Smith safety during an era in runoriented offenses dominated the college football landscape, Smith intercepted a Grove City-record 22 passes during his career. He also set a program record in 1970 by returning a punt 81 yards for a touchdown.

Smith returned to Grove City College in 1979 as assistant football and assistant track and field coach. During his 36 years in the College’s athletic department, he served as head football coach, athletic director and head men’s and women’s golf coach. The Grove City football program won its first two Presidents’ Athletic Conference titles under his guidance. TIM YOHO ’78 Yoho excelled in football, baseball and wrestling from 1974 to 1978. A standout in the defensive backfield, Yoho helped the Wolverines to four consecutive winning seasons. He earned the team’s Yoho Defensive Player of the Year award and Co-Most Valuable Player honor following his senior year in 1977. That season he returned a Geneva fumble 87 yards for a touchdown, the longest fumble return in program history upon induction. He started in each of his final three years as an outfielder for the Grove City baseball team. As a senior, he led the team with a .353 batting average while also pacing the Wolverines in hits, home runs, triples and total bases. Yoho’s six triples in 1978 set a single-season program record that stood for 45 years and his 11 career triples ranked first in program history. After injuries decimated the Grove City wrestling team’s lineup in 1976, Yoho joined the team late in the season. Two years later, he qualified for the 1978 NCAA Division III Championships in the 190-pound weight class.

Women’s volleyball team takes PAC crown

o capture their first Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championship title in 24 years, the women’s volleyball team had to win three matches in a row, all on the road. The final victory – and the title – came with an upset win over top-seeded Hiram in early November. It is the program’s 10th all-time Presidents’ Athletic Conference title in women’s volleyball, the most in conference history. The Wolverines also made their first trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament since 1986 – and sixth overall – this season, where they fell to Juniata. Grove City finished the regular season as the fourth-place team in the PAC’s North Division.

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Grove City College M ESSAGE

F ROM

A LU MN I

A N D

C O LLEG E

R ELATIO N S

Dear Alumni and Friends,

or nearly 25 years I have either worked at the College or been a student and throughout those years, the thing that matters most to me and sets us apart, is our community – our people. Community is so important to our lives. I see community on a Homecoming Saturday – students, alumni, hugs, and smiles. It’s in student events and life on campus every weekend. Students AND alumni are grateful to be together making or sharing priceless memories. I see community each time our alumni send us photos of their special gatherings at beaches, golf courses, homes, and on getaways together. It’s in our students performing in the fall musical, using their talents for others to enjoy. Community is in a sporting event, where we cheer on our Wolverines… together. And even in the difficulty of a funeral where alumni gather in memory of a deceased friend where a lifetime of camaraderie is remembered. For nearly 150 years, we have been a place where people and our shared experiences on campus matter. It’s a place we care for and steward because it has blessed us with memories and an education for our lifetimes. As we begin 2026 and look forward to a year of celebrations, it will not be complete without our whole community, including YOU. I hope you’ll find time this year to join us, either for Homecoming 2026 with its special schedule including the NIGHT GAME AND FIREWORKS, an event in your town, or perhaps you’ll join us for the big week in March where we’ll revel in our milestone Celebrate 150 event in Pittsburgh on March 20. See page 37 for more information. Help us remember and celebrate! In this issue we’ve also provided a closer look at the person, President Brad Lingo ’00. The College is blessed by his leadership, wisdom, and faith. I’m confident he will steward this College in a way that positions us well for the next 150 years. He has enjoyed meeting our community and is certainly excited for the opportunities our anniversary year will bring. I also want to thank each and every person who supported us in our 2025 Wolverine Challenge. Showing your support on our Day of Giving demonstrates how much you care about this special community and our students. There are so many ways to give back to our College. Don’t forget to share Grove City with prospective students, your friends and family, schools, and churches. Your influence truly does make a difference. And, remember to wear your Grove City swag! Speaking of which… check out the bookstore in the new year. We’ll have a special line, The 150 Collection. I’m excited to see how you like it! It’s winter! Grab that cup of coffee, cuddle up, and enjoy this issue of the GēDUNK. I can’t wait to see you in the year ahead!

Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod Senior Director of Alumni and College Relations

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Winter 2025

alumni Alumni Council Update

he Grove City College Alumni Council has new officers as of July 1, 2025. President Steve DeCaspers ’97 and Vice President Amy (Martin ’06) Simon will serve two-year terms in their respective roles.

Steve DeCaspers ’97

Amy (Martin ’06) Simon

The Alumni Council also welcomed these new members in July:

Learn more about your Alumni Council representatives and how you can connect with them at alumni.gcc.edu/alumnicouncil.

RJ Fryan ’08

Nancy (Dysert ’89) Marshall

Amy (Fehrenbach ’05) Krahe

Phillip Tan ’13

Austen Krause ’20

Travis Royer ’16

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t President Brad Lingo ‘00’s first Homecoming at the helm of Grove City College, he and his family jumped right in to celebrate with over 3,000 alumni, students, and friends who gathered on campus October 10-12. In addition to riding in the parade, greeting alumni at their reunion tents, taking in the football game, and celebrating his own 25th class reunion, Watch as President Lingo helped uncover the “lingo” of Grove City College in this year’s Homecoming video. This year’s parade brought the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss to life, with Gamma Sigma Phi and Omicron Xi claiming first place with their Horton Hears a Who float, among other fan favorites like The Lorax (2nd place – Theta Alpha Pi and Sigma Alpha Sigma), The Grinch (3rd place – Gamma Chi and Delta Iota Kappa), and The Cat in the Hat. Other notable parade marchers included the Class of 1975 that celebrated its 50th anniversary with a homemade sign that read, “We couldn’t imagine a 50th Class Reunion either!” It’s safe to say that everyone’s heart grew three sizes at the Homecoming parade. The Wolverines defeated Waynesburg University, 24-14, in a hard-fought football match-up, while the crowds enjoyed the hype of the Wolverine Marching Band, accompanied by alumni band members who came back for a reunion. Also celebrating milestone anniversaries were two Greek organizations, Sigma Delta Phi (105th) and Sigma Theta Chi (80th), and for the second year in a row, several housing groups also hosted gatherings for their 50th anniversaries: Delta Rho Sigma, Sigma Phi Omicron, and Zeta Xi Omega. Homecoming 2025 was spectacular, as always, but next year promises even more fun, friends, festivities, food trucks, and fireworks! In our 150th Anniversary year, the Homecoming schedule will be altered to allow for a Night Game with fireworks for the first time ever! More information about next year’s exciting Homecoming plans will be shared soon, but mark your calendars now for October 2-4, 2026!

See more Homecoming 2025 event and reunion photos here! alumni.gcc.edu/homecoming

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The Alumni Association honored, from left, Mae M. (Parham ’82) Pouget, Jake Reid ’05, and Dr. Ted Schaeffer ’75 with Jack Kennedy Alumni Achievement Awards. Roland Sennholz ’08, right, accepted the David R. Rathburn Distinguished Service Award, which was awarded posthumously to his grandfather Dr. Hans Sennholz.

Outstanding alums, legendary professor recognized

rove City College honored three alumni with Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Awards and posthumously recognized legendary Economics professor Dr. Hans Sennholz with a David Rathburn Distinguished Service Award at this fall’s Homecoming 2025 celebration. Award winners made significant contributions to their fields, from the military to sports to medicine, and brought honor to the College,

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according to the Grove City College Alumni Association, which presents the awards. “Our Alumni Association is pleased to honor these individuals who have made notable impacts in their chosen fields. They join countless others who have brought honor to our College and provided faithful service over the last century-and-a-half,” said Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod, senior director of Alumni and College Relations.

Winter 2025

JACK KENNEDY MEMORIAL ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS Mae M. (Parham ’82) Pouget, (Capt., MC, USN, Ret.) Pouget retired from naval service in 2021 with 26 years of active duty as a medical doctor and head of divisions, hospitals, and medical staff, managing health care activities for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. She was Deputy Chief of the Medical Corps from 2014 to 2017. She is a family medicine physician, a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. She holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine and completed her Family Medicine residency at Polyclinic Medical Center in Harrisburg, Pa. Pouget Her naval service included posts as Senior Medical Officer of the USS Emory S. Land; Senior Medical Officer of the USS Kearsarge; Director of Health Services at the Naval Health Clinic in Corpus Christi, Texas; and Director of Medical Services at Naval Hospital Beaufort, S.C. She led several programs for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) and was Deputy Chief of Navy Medical overseeing 4,000 doctors. She also served as officer in charge of Troop Medical Clinic #8 at Camp Virginia in Kuwait, and as general medical officer, policy and plans officer at BUMED. She began her career as a physician at Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. She has been awarded two Legion of Merit Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, and three Navy Commendation Medals, among other honors. At Grove City College, she was a letterwinner on the women’s basketball team. She is married to Lane Thurmond and the couple lives in Alexandria, Va.

Jake Reid ’05 Reid is president and CEO of the Major League Soccer team Sporting Kansas City, a position he has held since 2018. At the time he was named president at the age of 33, he was the youngest president in all Major League Soccer (MLS). Reid received MLS’s highest honor for business leadership in 2024 when he was named Executive of the Year. Under Reid’s leadership, Sporting Kansas City transformed from an organization that ranked last in nearly every financial measure in 2010 to one that is now among league leaders for season ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, and merchandise and concession revenue. He has worked for the organization since 2010. Also in the soccer realm, since 2023 Reid has been board vice president of KC2026, the organization Reid working as a host city to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal next July, predicted to be the biggest sporting event the city has ever seen. For the last decade, Reid has worked to become an industry leader in technology solutions for sales and revenue generation, including mobile ticketing/ordering and data capturing to tailor the fan experience at Children’s Mercy Park stadium. Reid started his career in the National Basketball Association with the New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets. He then moved to England to work for Derby County Football Club, helping the Club achieve the highest average attendance in the 2008-09 English Football Championship while also outdrawing nine Premier League teams at the gate. Reid is active in his community and is a board member for the Kansas City Sports Commission and The Victory Project. He is also a member of the Young Presidents Organization of Kansas City. He and his wife, Danielle, have two sons.

Dr. Ted Schaffer ’75 Schaffer, chairman of Medical Education at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital, has helped recruit and train more than 500 family medicine residents and served as an award-winning family physician for more than four decades. Dr. Schaffer earned his medical degree from what is now Virginia Commonwealth University. After a threeyear residency with the St. Margaret Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, during which he was named a Mead Johnson National Achievement Award winner in Family Practice, he joined the teaching faculty at St. Margaret and has, over the last 43 years, Schaffer served in multiple leadership positions at what is now known as UPMC St. Margaret. He served in many roles connected to medical education and health care in the Pittsburgh region, including 22 years as the hospital’s family medicine residency director, has guided 564 residents in family practice, and advocated for family medicine within the UPMC Health System. Dr. Schaffer also took the lead in organizing seven family physician groups into one organization, Renaissance Family Practice, which is the largest primary care physician group in northeast Allegheny County, and maintains an active practice in Glenshaw, Pa., serving as team physician for the Shaler Area School District. He is a multi-year recipient of Pittsburgh Magazine’s Top Family Physicians award. A native of Annville, Pa., Dr. Schaffer was president of his junior and senior class at the College and selected Senior Man of the Year. He and his wife Nancy (Cotton ‘78) reside in Allison Park, Pa., and have four children who have all become family physicians as well.

DAVID RATHBURN DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Dr. Hans Sennholz A renowned economist and classroom presence, Sennholz led the College’s Economics Department from 1956 to 1992. He impacted thousands of Grove City College students over five decades, not only as a proponent of the Austrian School but also as an inspiring and challenging teacher and mentor. He was “one of our nation’s most articulate, intellectual voices for ordered liberty, limited government, and free markets,” former College President Richard G. Jewell ’67 said upon Sennholz’s passing in 2007. Born in Germany in 1922, Sennholz experienced the deprivations of the Great Depression and the rise of Nazism. After the war he earned his first doctorate from the University of Cologne. He then studied at New York University under the great Austrian economist Ludwig Von Mises and earned his Ph.D. in 1955. A year later, at the behest of then-Board President J. Howard Pew Sennholz ’00, he joined the faculty at Grove City College where he served as professor of Economics and chairman of the Department of Economics for the next 36 years. After retirement in 1992, he continued writing and working with think tanks, including leading New York’s Foundation for Economic Education, and remained an integral part of Grove City College. On his 81st birthday, he delivered the first lecture in Sticht Lecture Hall, which had just opened. Two years later, he gave the closing lecture at the first conference held by The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College. Now known as The Institute for Faith & Freedom, the campus think tank is a part of Sennholz’s legacy. His wife, Mary, was also a scholar and author. They built a legacy that includes their son, Robert ’75, his wife Lyn, and grandsons Roland ’08 and Emil. t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 27

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alumni & friends events

Alumni and friends gathered for a November afternoon of clay shooting fun to support the GCC Shooting Club at this event co-hosted by Alumni Council member Austen Krause ’20 and Jay DiNucci ’87.

The Night Game Tailgate prior to the faceoff against rival W&J was a hit as alumni and friends enjoyed great food, performances by the GCC cheerleaders and Wolverine Marching Band, and the presentation of the 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees.

Over 100 alumni recruiters engaged with current students at the annual Career Fair in October.

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Winter 2025

Several alumni and friends partnered with Hosanna Industries in July to help build a house in Johnstown, Pa., for Alumni Service Days.

Fifteen alumni and friends journeyed through Austria in August on an Alumni and Friends Travel tour, taking in sights in Graz and Salzburg, including several locations from the beloved Sound of Music film.

President Bradley Lingo ’00 met the Grove City College community in Washington, D.C., at the Young America’s Foundation Capitol Hill Townhouse earlier this fall. The event was hosted in partnership with Alumni Council VP Amy (Martin ’06) Simon, and our D.C. Regional Leaders Kelleigh (Huber ’17) Clarke, Andrew Patterson ’12, and Susannah (Barnes ’21) Pettit.

Alumnae Mary Eve Kearns ’82 and Jennifer (Ellison ’82) Yost hosted a Freshman Women’s gathering in July at Chartiers Country Club, Pittsburgh, to connect incoming freshman and alumni in the Pittsburgh area.

Alum owners of Sweet Frog, Matt ’98 and Heidi (Brown ’99) Lee, pulled off a sweet summer kickoff event, co-hosted by NE Ohio Regional Leaders Christy (Ricchetti ’93) Vago and Spenser Vago ’92.

Alumni and friends enjoyed creating floral arrangements in September at a Grover Gathering hosted by Jessica Thomas ’18 at her business, Thomas Flower Co. in Pittsburgh, Pa.

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Alumni families hosted regional picnics in August to welcome incoming freshmen to the Grove City College community and introduce them to alums in the area. Pam (Cranford ’89) and Evan Homan ’89 opened up their home in Boyds, Md., left, and Claire (Faragalla ’96) Hanna and husband Mohab Hanna did the same for the new Grovers in Wyckoff, N.J., right.

ALUMNI & FRIENDS DATES TO REMEMBER January 29

February 2

Broadway Series Pittsburgh Wicked Benedum Center Pittsburgh, Pa. Broadway Series Pittsburgh Beauty and the Beast Benedum Center Pittsburgh, Pa.

March 19

Presidential Inauguration, 11 a.m. Harbison Chapel Grove City College

April 11

Scholarship Reception SHAL Atrium and Sticht Lecture Hall Grove City College

April 11

Showcase Series Turtle Island String Quartet Arnold Recital Hall Grove City College

April 18

Children’s Theater Breakfast and Performance Hicks Dining Hall and Pew Fine Arts Center Grove City College

April 23

PMEA Alumni Reception Kalahari Resort Poconos, Pa.

April 24-26

Family Weekend Grove City College

May 8

Baccalaureate, 7 p.m. Grove City College

May 9

Commencement, 10 a.m. Grove City College

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Touring Choir Spring Tour February 28

Immanuel Bible Church Springfield, Va.

March 1

Christ Covenant Church Matthews, N.C.

March 2

Conyers Presbyterian Church Conyers, Ga.

March 3

Parish Presbyterian Church Franklin, Tenn.

March 5

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Fort Mitchell, Ky.

March 6

Christ Presbyterian Church Canton, Oh.

March 7

Christ Fellowship Church Washington, Pa.

Get all the details at: alumni.gcc.edu/events

Winter 2025

! S R A D N E L A C R U O MARK Y OCTOBER 2 – 4, 2026 Join us as we celebrate 150 years of Grove City College and the 100th anniversary of the first homecoming in 1926 with what promises to be the biggest and best weekend in College history! • Noon parade kicks off the day • Afternoon filled with campus activities and family fun • All-alumni tailgate prior to kickoff • 6 p.m. football game • Fireworks to conclude the celebration

ALUMNI.GCC.EDU/HOMECOMING

ALUMNI TRAVEL ANTARCTICA DISCOVERY

January 9 - 20 Embark on an unforgettable odyssey, where discovery and adventure converge on the vast canvas of the Last Continent.

CROATIA & CRUISING THE DALMATIAN COAST

April 17 - 28 This sensational 10-night journey reveals Croatia’s incredible bounty, including a 7-night cruise. Join us and let Croatia steal your heart!

RICHES OF THE EMERALD ISLE

May 24 - June 3 Savor exquisite views along the Wild Atlantic Way, the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, and the striking Burren, and enjoy ferry rides to the Dingle Peninsula and the Aran Islands.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 2026

NATIONAL PARKS AND LODGES OF THE OLD WEST

June 19 - 27 Join us on an immersive adventure through the heart of America’s most captivating landscapes.

SWISS ALPS & ITALIAN LAKES

July 15 - 24 Embrace the beauty and culture of Switzerland and Italy on an epic 8-night journey! Stay in chic St. Moritz and lakeside Stresa, immersing yourself in the natural beauty and heritage of these celebrated destinations.

AROUND THE WORLD BY PRIVATE JET

September 13 - October 3 Step aboard a private Boeing 767 jet for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to some of the world’s greatest icons: Stonehenge, the Great Pyramids, and the Taj Mahal, to name a few.

A ROYAL ENGLISH CHRISTMAS

November 28 - December 6 Spend 7 nights immersed in the holiday magic of England with included excursions every day and first-class hotel accommodation in Bath and London.

FULL DETAILS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: A L UM NI.G CC.ED U/T RAV E L

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CELEBRATING A L

Faith Freed AND

By Nick Hildebrand

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Winter 2025

LEGACY OF

dom

Grove City College will mark its 150th anniversary in 2026 with a year-long celebration of the College’s rich history of faith and freedom. The College traces its founding to April 11, 1876, when the Select School at Pine Grove, Pa., began its spring term under a new principal, 23-year-old Isaac C. Ketler. A red-headed farm boy from nearby Blacktown, Ketler was a gifted teacher, devout Presbyterian, staunch patriot, and entrepreneurial administrator whose vision encompassed something more for the school that had just 13 students and met in a rented schoolhouse. “Ketler embodied the relentless quest for higher knowledge” that was fueling a revolution in higher education in the latter 19th century, Dr. Paul Kemeny, dean of the Calderwood School of Arts and Letters, wrote in Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge: Grove City College and the Quest for ChristCentered Learning. The founder’s vision for Grove City College encompassed both the professionalization and specialization then reforming American higher education, an unbending faith in Biblical truth, and what Kemeny called, “egalitarian aspirations” that a college education was not just for the

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growing nation’s elites. “Ketler’s vision was to establish a Christian college that promoted the common good of the region,” according to Kemeny. Less than a decade after Ketler arrived, the rechristened Pine Grove Normal Academy had more than 500 students enrolled in ever-expanding academic programs and, on Nov. 21, 1884, Grove City College was formally established with a name change registered in the county courthouse and a new charter establishing “an undenominational but evangelical Christian” institution of higher learning.

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And, as they say, the rest is history. More than two years ago, Professor Emeritus of History Dr. Gary Scott Smith ’72 began digging into that history after the College commissioned him to research and write a new and definitive history of Grove City College. Smith poured over archival records, letters, oral histories, old Collegians, legal documents, news clips, web pages, and social media posts to produce Standing Strong: Grove City College’s 150-Year Journey in Faith, Freedom, and the Pursuit of Excellence, which will be published in March.

The work has given Smith, who spent decades on campus as a student and professor, a greater appreciation and understanding of the College’s story and significance. “From its Reformed theological foundation, focus on Western civilization and the humanities, teaching of Austrian economics, low tuition cost, refusal to provide tuition discounts, commitment to biblical orthodoxy and traditional moral values, to its lengthy battle with the federal government over financial aid culminating in a 1984 Supreme Court case, Grove City College has often cut against the grain,” Smith

Winter 2025

“If this College stands for anything it stands for the integrity of the Bible and for the Gospel of the Son of God.” – Isaac Ketler, 1910

said. “Moreover, it is one of the few schools in history to start down the road toward secularization and reverse course and reclaim its historic Christian mission. This heritage makes Grove City College unique in the annals of American higher education.” The College has faced and overcome a number of challenges over its history, from the impact of two world wars, a depression, and a global pandemic to cultural headwinds, enrollment declines, fundraising, the battle with the U.S. government, and more recent controversies, Smith notes. But the College has remained “a vibrant, highly respected,

Christ-centered institution of higher education,” Smith said. Acknowledging its “flaws and failures,” he said Grove City College’s “overall record of educating students and serving as light and salt in the United States and beyond is very impressive.” Working on the book reinforced Smith’s understanding of how the College’s leaders “used their talents, treasure, and time to faithfully serve the College and help make it the vibrant institution it is today.” “Even a 450-page book barely begins to highlight the tremendous contributions that Grove City trustees, administrators, faculty,

and graduates have made to the world and the kingdom of God. It is an inspiring story, which was delightful to research and tell,” Smith said. The College will be holding a series of special anniversary events on- and off-campus to celebrate that story throughout 2026. Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod, senior director of Alumni and College Relations, is coordinating the College’s observances. “The anniversary theme will be a part of everything we do in 2026, from Family Weekend and Commencement to Homecoming to the inauguration of Bradley J. Lingo ’00 as the College’s 10th president.”

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CELEBRATE 150 EVENTS

Lingo, who began his presidency this summer, will be officially installed in office during a ceremony on March 19 on campus, making a bit of history in a year devoted to celebrating it. The next day, the College will host Celebrate 150, a formal anniversary reception at Carnegie Music Hall of Oakland that will feature a musical tribute by the Touring Choir, GCC Singers, Wind Ensemble, and the Symphony Orchestra in the historic hall. “We’re looking forward to a spectacular evening centered on our legacy, community, and shared values that characterize this remarkable place,” MacLeod said. The College will be holding a massive birthday party for students and the campus community on Friday, April 10. Plans are still coming together for that event, but it’s likely to include a huge cake on the Quad and 150 candles. Other anniversary efforts include a new, self-guided campus tour and corresponding website exploring the places, people, and milestones that made history at Grove City College, and a gallery show featuring images, information, and artifacts from the College Archive that can be taken on the road to alumni and friends events. “Celebrating 150 years of faith and freedom is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our College and we want to make it unforgettable,” MacLeod said. ■

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February 19

Celebrate 150 Charlotte Roosters South Park Charlotte, NC

February 22

Celebrate 150 Florida Dinner at Home of Ed ’78 and Lynn (Branstner ’78) Breen Bonita Springs, FL

March 3

Celebrate 150 Nashville Reception at Steinway Piano Gallery Nashville Nashville, TN

April 10

Campus 150th Celebration Happy Birthday Grove City College! Grove City College

April 11

Celebrate 150: Our Past and Future Scholarship Reception SHAL Atrium and Sticht Lecture Hall, Grove City College

May 15

Celebrate 150 Cleveland The Union Club Cleveland, OH

May 16

Celebrate 150 Akron Firestone Country Club Akron, OH

June 11

Celebrate 150 Lancaster Lancaster Country Club Lancaster, PA

June 12

Celebrate 150 Northern VA Location TBD Northern VA

October 2-4

Celebrate 150 - Grove City Homecoming Our 100th Homecoming! Grove City College

More to come in 2026! Stay tuned and visit alumni.gcc.edu/events for the full schedule of events and programs to experience in the year ahead.

Winter 2025

150TH ANNIVERSARY Signature Events

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES INVITES YOU TO

The Grove City College Board of Trustees announces the Inauguration of

Bradley J. Lingo ’00 J.D. as tenth President of Grove City College on Thursday, the nineteenth of March two thousand and twenty siz Harbison Chapel, Grove City College at eleven o’clock in the morning. gcc.edu/inaugur ation

A LEGACY WORTH CELEBRATING MARCH

FRIDAY

5:00 PM

2026

FORMAL RECEPTION

4 4 0 0 F O R B E S AV E , P I T T S B U RG H , PA 1 5 2 1 3

MUSICAL TRIBUTE T O F O L L OW AT 8 : 0 0 P M

alumni.gcc.edu/celebrate150

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Winter 2025

Bradley J. Lingo ’00 returns to Grove City College as its 10th president with a renewed sense of purpose shaped by the mentors, challenges, and faith that defined his student years.

Bradley J. Lingo ’00’s first year as Grove City’s new President is off to a faster start than his freshman year as a student in 1996. Then, he was having trouble adjusting. He was homesick. He missed his girlfriend, Yvonne. “I was slow to jump into all that the College had to offer.” “I’d love to tell you that I came to Grove City because I wanted to deepen my relationship with the Lord or read the great books. But the truth is, I came because my parents strongly encouraged me to choose Grove City for its outstanding value. Now I look back and see that God had a plan for my life.” Lingo said he saw the RA of his freshman hall at a recent event, “I think he was as surprised as anyone to read that I was going to be Grove City’s next President.” Near the end of that first year, he reflected on what he had – and hadn’t – done. “I resolved to jump into the community and take advantage of everything the school had to offer.” And he did. He signed up for an ICO mission trip to Chicago in his sophomore year. He ran for student government, where he served for the next three years. He began leading Bible studies at George Junior Republic, developed an interest in Austrian economics, and switched his major to pursue it. “I’ve always loved learning, and I engaged deeply with everything I was learning and reading here.” Lingo attracted the interest of Dr. Charles W. Dunn, then the dean of the Calderwood School of Arts and Letters. “I got a letter from a professor I’d never met. It said something like ‘I’m Dr. Dunn and you don’t know me, but I’ve heard great things about you. I would love to mentor you. That letter from Dr. Dunn changed the trajectory of my life,” Lingo recounted. Dunn suggested a Rhodes Scholarship, but Lingo told him he was more interested in going to law school. When the professor heard where Lingo was thinking of applying, Dunn told him to cross all those schools off his list. “You need to apply to Harvard and Yale, and Stanford and Chicago, and you need to go to the best school that you get into, and I’m going to help you do that,” Dunn told Lingo. Dunn was as good as his word and after Lingo graduated in 2000 – and married Yvonne – he headed to Harvard Law School, where he encountered a culture and ideas that contrasted with his conservative, Christian worldview. “All that cement that was poured into me at Grove City cured quickly in Cambridge.” But, Lingo said, one piece of advice he received from a Harvard professor stuck with him. “He said, ‘You’re here at Harvard and you think you’re going to be the next CEO t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 39

Grove City College

The Lingo family – Brad, Yvonne, Camille, Elsie, and Anna Grace – pose for a first day on campus photo with their dog, Scout.

or United States Senator. I have bad news for you, most of you are going to be lawyers. But each of you has an opportunity to do something even more significant than being a senator or CEO. You’re going to be given one of the best educations in the world. You’re going to be given great jobs, where you are going to get even better training, form even more connections, and be given access to all sorts of resources. You’re going to be given the best the world has to offer.’ The professor said, ‘Don’t be sheepish about taking advantage of all of that. But do that only for the first half of your life. Spend the second half giving to others whatever you’ve accumulated, whether that be knowledge, or relationships, or resources,” Lingo recalled. “Even though that advice was not coming from a Christian perspective, it resonated with me as a Christian and was something I thought about in the years after I graduated.”

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Lingo went on to clerk for a federal judge, be elected partner at a prestigious international law firm, handle billion-dollar cases for the Big Four accounting firms, and do headline-making pro bono work for Christian and conservative causes. As he approached 40, Lingo realized that the first half of his life had gone the way the professor had predicted, and he could now give something back. After much prayer and thought, he resigned from the law firm to join the faculty at Regent University School of Law, where he founded and led its Constitutional Law Center and later became the dean. “I did that in the hope that I might be able to impact the lives of my students in the same way my teachers and professors made a difference in my life. There’s only one job in the world that I would have ever left Regent Law to do, and that is to be president of Grove City College. The opportunity to come

home and lead the school where my own life was transformed is incredibly special,” he said. “I’m tempted to say it’s a once-in-alifetime opportunity, but the truth is that an opportunity like this is much rarer than that.” The College’s 10th president started work in July, and what some are calling his “second freshman year” is off to a much faster start than his first. The campus he once struggled to see as home feels very much like it now and the President’s House is a way better housing assignment than Memorial. He and First Lady Yvonne are raising their three daughters Camille, 15, Elsie, 13, and Anna Grace, 10, on campus. He said being back feels “surprisingly” natural. “In many ways, it’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed. I have to remind myself that others still view me as new. Because to me, it feels like I never left.” Things are different this time around, and it’s not limited to being able to walk on the grass and no more Saturday classes. The College’s Christian character, now the centerpiece of student life, did not have the same daily impact that rigorous academics, conservative thought, and rules-based discipline did in Lingo’s undergraduate era. The work done over the last 20 years to center faith, along with improved facilities like the Staley Hall of Arts and Letters, Breen Student Union, and the newly renovated Smith Hall of Science and Technology, have made Grove City College a better place for its students to call home. “Students are flourishing here beyond what I even anticipated,” he said. “The quality of student life and our sense of community is so strong. The core of who we are, the best of who we are, hasn’t changed at all. We’re still committed to being Christian, conservative, academically excellent, and affordable. And I hope we’ll become even more of those things during the period I’m called to steward this College we love.” Lingo said. ■

Winter 2025

’Mid the Pines is Grove City College’s official podcast, inviting listeners to step into the heart of our community. Through engaging interviews and thought-provoking conversations, we share stories shaped by faith and freedom, emphasizing the timeless values that inspire us to pursue truth, deepen our faith, and serve with purpose. Join alumni, faculty, students, and friends as we explore what it means to learn, live, and lead with faith at the center, all amid the pines of our cherished campus.

Listen Now

EPISODE 27: VISION, VENTURE, AND VOCATION with Evan Addams ’10 “Faith, creativity, and courage shape meaningful work.”

EPISODE 28: 18TH ANNUAL RONALD REAGAN LECTURE, featuring Paul Ryan, former Speaker of the House of Representatives “Morning in America, illuminated by faith and freedom.”

EPISODE 29: FINDING HOME AT GROVE CITY COLLEGE, with First Lady Yvonne Lingo “Building relationships, called to disciple.”

Discover these conversations and many more at alumni.gcc.edu/podcast t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 41

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THE COLLEGE’S IMPACT IS DEMONSTRATED IN THE CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENT OF THOSE WHO EMBODY ITS VISION AND VALUES. Impact 150: The Anniversary Campaign for Grove City College is more than a historic fundraising and strategic building campaign to position the College for the future, it is a celebration of the history and legacy of Grove City College as it nears its sesquicentennial in 2026. The College has had a significant impact over the last century and a half – not only on the tens of thousands of students whose lives have been transformed by the lessons learned, relationships formed, and faith fostered on campus – but on a world that has changed dramatically in that time. As we approach our milestone anniversary, we are going to be highlighting 150 for 150, a selection of people who embody 150 years of Grove City College history, and the excellence and faithfulness that are our hallmarks. They are people who have made an impact on the College and the world beyond campus during the last century and half. Some are key figures in Grove City College’s history, while others are accomplished alumni, legendary faculty, or simply beloved members of the College community. They shaped, and were shaped by, the distinctive character of this special place and they are exemplars of Grove City College’s mission, vision, and values. We’ll be rolling the 150 for 150 out in the pages of The GēDUNK until 2026 when we reach the College’s 150th anniversary. To best represent the scope of the College’s impact, each installment will include a cross section of “great Grovers” without regard to any ranking or chronology.

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Winter 2025

WEIR C. KETLER, CLASS OF 1908 Great men often cast a long shadow over their children, especially when they follow them into the family business. That could have been the case for Weir C. Ketler, who in 1916 became the third president of Grove City College, which his father Isaac C. Ketler founded in 1876 when he was just 23 years old. Weir Ketler joined the faculty shortly after he graduated from the College in 1908. He taught a variety of classes before taking a brief sojourn to Yale University, where he earned a second bachelor of arts degree in 1910. He then returned to his alma mater, teaching subjects as diverse as algebra and politics and coaching the basketball team. He intended to stay “just a few years” to help his father. In 1913, Isaac Ketler died. Over the course of 37 years, he had turned a tiny school with 13 students in a rented classroom to

a four-year college with more than 500 students and a 50-acre campus. Weir became assistant to his father’s successor, Alexander Ormond, in 1914, and when Ormond died a year later, Ketler became acting president. The board of trustees made it official in 1916 to the delight of students, who dedicated the 1917 yearbook to the “crowned prince who from the founder sprung.” Ketler would hold the office for the next 40 years, surpassing his father to become the longest serving president in College history. His tenure spanned two world wars, the Great Depression, the beginning of the Cold War, and an economic boom that transformed American society and higher education. Those decades also saw incredible change at Grove City College. The senior Isaac Ketler had always dreamed of a new campus on the hill above Wolf

Creek. Under his son’s leadership, a plan for upper campus was developed by the famed Olmsted Brothers landscape architectural firm and in 1931, work began ‘mid the upper pines. Over the next 25 years more than 10 new buildings rose on upper campus by the time Weir Ketler retired in 1956. Under his stewardship, the College’s enrollment grew to more than 1,300 students and the size of campus and number of facilities had doubled. The Collegian paid tribute: “He has served the College faithfully and completely … Under his leadership the record of the College has been one of sure, steady, constant progress.” Isaac Ketler may have founded Grove City College, but his son Weir built it.

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Grove City College

DR. RICHARD G. JEWELL ’67

DIANE GRUNDY ’65

When speaking about his alma mater, the College’s eighth president Dr. Richard G. Jewell ’67 would often cite Daniel Webster’s ode to Dartmouth College: “It is, sir, as I have said, a small college. And yet there are those who love it!”

For 44 years, Diane Grundy ’65 – or Ms. Grundy as she was known – was a constant presence in Henry Buhl Library.

Jewell, who served from 2003 to 2014, devoted decades of service to the College. A standout on the diving team, he went on to earn a juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School. He became the youngest Trustee in College history when he joined the Board in 1974. A lawyer and businessman, Jewell was director of Navigant Consulting Inc., the nation’s largest forensic accounting firm, when he was tapped to be College president. Under his leadership, the College reached new heights of fundraising and “friend-raising” success. He started and ended his term of office in the midst of massive capital campaigns that generated more than $150 million and fueled the construction of several new buildings and the renovation of others.

Grundy helped countless students – and some faculty – become library and research literate over her decades of service at Grove City College. That tenure took Buhl from the days of card catalogs and the Dewey Decimal System to online resource guides and Library of Congress Classifications. In addition to her library duties, Grundy taught children’s and young adult literature to elementary education majors for more than 20 years and she and her late husband, history professor Dr. David McKillop, began the College’s pre-law advising program. The Mercer native earned a master’s degree in library science from Case Western Reserve University before returning to her alma mater in 1969 to join the library staff. She retired in 2013 as Director of Library Services. A plaque on the front of Buhl Library’s checkout desk recognizes her service.

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Winter 2025

ALBERT A. HOPEMAN JR.

JAKE LOOSARARIAN ’13

Albert A. Hopeman Jr. served on the Grove City College Board of Trustees for 44 years and helped lead the College during some of the most significant years in its history. He left a deep imprint on the history and the future of the College and is remembered for his loving attention to the College and its mission.

Jake Loosararian ’13 is the co-founder and CEO of Gecko Robotics, a $1 billion company combining advanced robotics and AI-powered software to help ensure the availability, reliability, and sustainability of the critical infrastructure.

Hopeman was tapped to lead the board in 1972 after the death of J. Howard Pew, the College’s great benefactor and longtime chairman, and held the post until his death in 1998. He was deeply involved in the Supreme Court case and covered many of the College’s legal bills out of his own pocket.

Gecko got its start in Hoyt Hall as a class engineering project, and The Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation’s Venture Lab provided guidance as Loosararian refined the idea for a wallcrawling robot that can inspect and troubleshoot problems in pipelines, boilers, tanks, ship hulls, missile silos and other critical industrial assets.

But Hopeman wasn’t just focused on the big picture. The MIT graduate and chairman of his family’s maritime outfitting business was a detail-oriented leader who closely tracked campus building projects and efforts to reinvigorate the College’s Christian character and raise the level of academic excellence from the 1970s through the 1990s. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the College in 1961.

Loosararian has credited the College, faculty, and the E+I program for his company’s initial success: “Grove City College honed a foundation centered on values, work ethic and purpose … Team GCC (in which he bicycled cross-country with four classmates to raise funds for a scholarship) lit a fire of entrepreneurship for me and gave me the confidence to start my own company.”

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Grove City College Todd Gibson ’02 – The College’s first vice president for athletics, Gibson’s efforts to improve Wolverine sports have resulted in a record number of student-athletes on campus and reinvigorated programs.

Joseph D. Monteleone – The civic-minded Grove City-area businessman was a great supporter of the College and the community, driving and funding many projects, including the picnic area along Wolf Creek.

Dr. Gary Scott Smith ’72 – An alumnus and longtime professor of History, Smith was among the first faculty members to be granted emeritus status. A noted author, his work covers religion and politics.

Karen (Semler ’92) Hanlon* – An Accounting major, Hanlon serves as president and chief operating officer of Highmark Health and has been widely recognized for her leadership and strategic vision in a critical area of the regional economy.

Harry Crawford – The College Trustee (192239) made his fortune in the oil business and led Quaker State Oil. An advocate of the church and education, Crawford Hall is named in his honor.

Milton W. Shlapak ’59* – The mechanical engineering major and former Trustee heads an international development company and was a chief project engineer for NASA’s Saturn V/Apollo program and an airline pilot.

Hilary (Lewis ’09) Walczak – Walczak established the College Archives in 2012 and professionalized the preservation and promotion of the institution’s history, including digitizing the papers of economist Ludwig von Mises. Joe Walters – Athletic Hall of Famer Walters served coached women’s and women’s tennis for more than 40 years before retiring in 2012. The College’s tennis courts are named for him and fellow coach Patti Zbell. Scott Bullock ’88*– An attorney, Bullock serves as president and general counsel of the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit public interest law firm focused on individual liberty. He successfully litigated cases challenging eminent domain and civil forfeiture. Melissa Lamie – In more than three decades as head women’s soccer coach, Lamie has led the program to nine PAC championships and mentored hundreds of young women. She also serves as associate athletic director for leadership development. Robert W. Smith ’59** – Smith joined the College as in 1970 to serve as director of publicity and later served as director of public relations, sports information director, director of Career Services, and registrar. Oscar Cooper – A professor of music for 39 years, Cooper founded the Touring Choir in the 1950s and also directed the Chapel Choir. He chaired the department before retiring in 1981. Dr. Lorraine Duvall ’60 – The Mathematics major went on to a career as a software engineer and research director before retiring to the Adirondacks, where she is an environmental activist and author.

Maj. Gen. Kenneth D. Merchant ’80 * – A product of the College’s AFROTC program, Merchant’s distinguished career culminated in his role as director of global reach programs responsible for airlift, air refueling, training, and special operations. Bill Deasy ’88 – A singer-songwriter, recording artist, and author, Deasy is known for his solo work and years with The Gathering Field. In addition to headlining, Deasy has opened for Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Rosanne Cash, and others. Margaret Williams – The College’s sole art teacher from 1920-54, Williams was a talented European-trained artist whose paintings of campus scenes and landmarks are displayed across campus. William C. Stewart ’61* – A stalwart of the team that brought baseball back to the Grove in 1959, Trustee Stewart was a faithful supporter of the College and, before he died earlier this year, provided the lead gift for the new baseball stadium that will bear his name. Andrew Carnegie – The Gilded Age industrialist was a tireless philanthropist who created hundreds of free libraries, including the Carnegie building on campus. His example inspired many of the College’s earliest supporters. Mary Sennholz – The wife of legendary professor Dr. Hans F. Sennholz was a scholar and author in her own right who worked for both FDR and the Foundation for Economic Education. Her biography of J. Howard Pew, Faith and Freedom, is required GCC reading. Barbara (Montgomery ’60) Arnold** – The Theta Alpha Pi, Pi Gamma Mu, and Scroll and Key member served on the Board of Trustees (200111) and was also president of the Alumni Council.

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* denotes Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award winners. ** denotes David Rathburn Distinguished Service Award winners. 4 6 | w w w. g c c.e d u t h e G ēD UNK

Winter 2025

class notes KEEP IN TOUCH! We want to keep in touch with you electronically! If you have an email address, or have recently changed your address or work information, make changes through

alumni.gcc.edu/update.

Have exciting news? Submit a class note for the magazine and for viewing online at

alumni.gcc.edu/classnote.

Remember to let the alumni office know that you are having a “Grover Gathering!” We’d love to send you some fun “stuff” for your event. Email alumni@gcc.edu for more information.

1968

Dr. David Hoch published his 10th book, Management – The Misunderstood and Unappreciated Process and Skill Sets, in October. It includes concepts and best practices for high school athletic administrators.

1969

Dr. William Paquette, retired professor of history, published a new book, Mayflower Fullers in Nunda, New York 18331932, a genealogical history of his great-great-great-greatgrandfather’s migration from Massachusetts to western New York in search of farmland. Paquette was appointed in 2025 to a three-year term on the board of the Allegany County Historical Society and Museum, Andover, N.Y. Joe Ulrich recently had his third book published. Saboteurs Five is a WW2 historical novel about Nazis landing in the U.S. in 1942.

1972

Joseph Romano was recognized earlier this year with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the ZDHC Foundation for contributions in starting their chemical management system manual, vendor sharing platform, and their training academy. Based in the Netherlands, the Foundation works to remove hazardous chemicals from the textile supply chain.

1979

Chuck Hildbold retired as a Global Methodist pastor in October 2024 and recently published “Listen to the Music,” a devotional pertaining to the music that he and his late wife, Cheryl (Abrams ’80) Hildbold, listened to, sang to, and played at various banquets. Each writing has a QR code that plays a song associated with the devotion. There is also a special three-page section in which Cheryl sings.

1982

James George retired after a 29-year career with The Hershey Company. He then started the consulting firm All About Hershey, serving as its president. He also was director of community relations at Penn State Health M.S. Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine for 12 years, retiring from that position in March 2025. George is now a community relations advisor to Penn State Health while still running his consulting firm. He is a private, instrument, and commercial rated pilot, flying for fun and for Angel Flight East.

1983

Dr. Stephen T. Radack III received the 2025 American Dental Association (ADA) and American Association of Dental Editors & Journalists Distinguished Dental Editor

Award, which recognizes editors who have brought exceptional credit to their society, dental journalism, the dental profession, and the ADA through high-quality publications and superior leadership and example. Dr. Radack has edited the Pennsylvania Dental Journal since 2016. Dr. Scott Spencer is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Kent State University’s College of Podiatric Medicine and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in August 2025. He is past president of the American College of Podiatric Medicine and serves on the certification committee for the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.

1984

Rev. David Demarest is the new pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Martins Ferry, Ohio, where the Rev. Dr. Stanley Harker ’25 served before becoming the fourth president of Grove City College.

1987

Bill Garvey was appointed president and chief executive officer of Pittsburgh’s Brentwood Bank. He is a banking executive with more than 38 years of experience in the region.

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Grove City College 1988

The Rev. Lea Guiney retired from the United Methodist ministry after serving as an ordained elder in the Western PA Annual Conference for 32 years. She was then an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church through June 2025. Since being ordained in 1991, she also served Falls Creek UMC, Littles Corners UM Charge, Polk & East Grove UMCs, and Union City First UMC congregations.

Handbook to the Greek Text of Matthew, dedicated to GCC Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies and Philosophy Dr. James Bibza. Nancy (Long) Sansom joined Quantum Health as its chief marketing and communications officer. She has a decade of experience as a CMO and CCO at highgrowth companies and 20 years of experience in HR, benefits, and insurance technology.

1989

1997

Bruce Hezlep was elected to his third six-year term as a township supervisor in Cranberry Township. He is chairman of the Board of Supervisors and is completing his 12th year of service in this role. In addition, he is the appointed assistant chief of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, and director of public safety for the Township of Pine in Allegheny County.

1992

Karen (Semler) Hanlon was named president of Pittsburgh-based Highmark Health, the corporate parent of a hospital system, Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plans, and other subsidiaries. She retained her title of chief operating officer as she continues to oversee operations of Highmark Health as well as Highmark Inc., enGen, and Allegheny Health Network.

1994

M. Melissa (Rider) Shores began serving as superintendent of the Cumberland County (Va.) Public Schools on July 1. Previously, she was principal of Cumberland High School.

1996

Dr. Daniel Gurtner published a new book, An Expositor’s

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Dr. Robert Webster defended his Ph.D. dissertation at Bellevue University in April 2025 in the field of Human Capital. His dissertation was titled “Predicting Non-Frontier Technology Adoption.”

1998

Wade Rickard was appointed president and CEO of Fives DyAG Corp. He joined the firm in 2018, initially managing Detroit operations, then took on responsibility for all U.S. offices in 2020 as director of operations. He now oversees all North American operations.

2000

Dr. Kate (Weber) Paylo opened Revitalize Orthobiologics and Wellness in Canfield, Ohio, earlier this year. She has been a medical director at Care Medical Center in Valdosta, Ga., since 2019. Kate and husband Dr. Matt Paylo, who works at Concordia University, have five children.

2001

Craig Howard was named senior credit officer and real estate chief credit officer of First Commonwealth Bank in Indiana’s Investment Real

Estate Group. He has more than 24 years of commercial banking experience and is based in Pittsburgh, Pa.

2002

Dr. Stephen Fix edited and introduced John Thomson’s A Explication of the Shorter Catechism, published by Westminster Seminary Press in summer 2025. During 2025, he was moderator of Potomac Presbytery of the PCA. He has been a pastor for 18 years and an Old Testament professor for eight years. Jeff Kent, CPA, was named CEO of central Pennsylvania regional accounting firm Maher Duessel. He focuses on strategic direction, ensuring alignment across leadership and functional areas. He has been with Maher Duessel since 2002.

2003

Col. Nicholas Ondrasik was inducted into the Brookville, Pa., High School Hall of Fame in October. He is a colonel and physician in charge of the Rhode Island Army National Guard, with expertise in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He is a veteran of the Iraqi and Afghanistan conflicts, and is a state committee chairman of Young Life. Kathryn (Grafinger) and Kyle Vuchak welcomed son Vaughn on March 17, 2021. He joined siblings Xavier, 13, and Georgia, 9.

2004

Brian Edwards began his new work as vice president of marketing and communications

at Furman University in August. He is part of the university’s senior administrative team. Alaina (Hill) Oelschlager and husband Robert welcomed son Nathaniel Konrad on Sept. 26, 2024. Brandon Rockwell was appointed president of PAI Pharma, a U.S.based pharmaceutical company specializing in generic oral liquid and injectable medications, with locations in New Jersey (where he lives) and South Carolina. He previously was the company’s COO.

2006

Dr. Trent Emerick was named to Castle Connolly’s 2025 “Top Doctors” list in the specialty of pain medicine, his fourth consecutive year on the list. He practices with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. Elizabeth (Dunn) McLeod and husband Jonathan are the parents of son John Wagner, born June 29, 2023, joining brother James.

2007

Andrew Kloes and wife Eilish announce the birth of son Theodore Arthur on Aug. 3, 2024.

2008

Angela (Buckler) Becker and husband Jim welcomed son Caleb Ronald on Sept. 18, 2024. He joins Hannah, 4, and Matthew, 2. Peter Buckingham completed his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Concordia University Irvine (Calif). Irene (Rogan) and Ryan Shaffer welcomed daughter Vivian Irene on May 14, 2022.

Winter 2025

FACETIME | Longtime GCC friends have gathered on a weekly FaceTime call since 2020. Bottom row, from left: Beth (Padden ’86) Cooney, Cheryl (Scott ’79) Gerber, Kim (Lesser ’79) Williams, and Barb (Schultz ’79) Hedegore. Top row: Nancy (Kelly ’78) McKnight, Julie (Ostrander ’79) Auble, Kathy (Cupps ’77) Voltz, and Grace McGhee ’79.

COUNTRY CATCH-UP | These Midwestern alumni met up in Iowa City in April for some country music and a catch-up. From left: Diana Greene ’97, Sonia (Ervin ’98) Slevinski, Steve Slevinski ’94, and Julie (Greene ’94) Gibson.

BLUFFTON BUNCH | This Class of 1981 get together last winter in Bluffton, S.C., included 4 KAPs, 2 Sig Thets, a Gamma Chi, and a Phi Sig, and resulted in lots of laughs and memories. From left, Dave Thomas, Deb (Morrison) Hassan, Kevin Hassan, Wendy Marshall, Jim Girman, Debbie (Baierl) Hudson, Ann (Brody) Waltz, and Tim Black.

D’PHI CRUISE | D’Phi sisters from the ’90s enjoyed catching up on a Caribbean cruise in April. Row 1, from left: Maria (Matalik ’96) Fletcher, Maureen (Dugan ’95) Evans, Angela (Thompson ’98) Foltz, and Marcy (McKee ’95) Emanuelli. Row 2: Amy (Boardley) Watson ‘96 and Christy (Brogley) Hollar ‘94. Row 3: Wendy (Parkany ’95) VanOrder and Kristin (Roeschenthaler ’92) Wolfe.

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Grove City College

NORTH ALLEGHENY | While celebrating their 50th high school reunion from North Allegheny (Pittsburgh, Pa.), this group of attendees also celebrated that they were all Grove City freshmen in September 1975! From left: Kurt Reuter, Pam (Smith) Maxson, Barb (Peters) Caszatt, Judy (Stone) Jordan, Noonie (Stoltz) Fugler, Nancy (Havecotte) Draude, and Bill Jones. SISTERS’ WEEKEND | Phi Sigma Chi sisters gathered for a Sisters’ Weekend in July at Seven Springs (Pa.) resort. Row 1, from left: Erin (Mullaney ’99) Shiffer and Sally Lindsay-Parenti ’98. Row 2: Cara (Harman ’02) Snyder, Heather (Harris ’98) Mlecko, Jennifer Francis ’96, Jennifer George ’98, and Diana Greene ’97. Row 3: Adriane (Lashinsky ’99) Hassler, Beth Matthews-Ruth ’95, Gretchen (Hamel ’00) Landis, and Beth (Sweger ’99) Butala Flores. Not pictured: Jody (Tagg ’00) Kohser and Gretchen Wolfe-Anselmo ’00.

PLEDGE REUNION | These Nu Lambda Phi brothers celebrated the 50th reunion of their fraternity pledging on a September trip to Kiawah Island, S.C. Row 1, from left: Mark Huston ’80, Lou Wright ’80, Bob Beckett ’79, and Eric Johnson ’79. Row 2: John Hall ’79, Chris Hogan ’80, Jeff Thompson ’79, Bob Woodward ’79, and George Wilcox ’79. Wives and a girlfriend joined as well. Huston made a wooden keepsake (pictured) for each brother on the trip.

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CHARITY RUN | KAP fraternity brothers Austin Schafer ’08, left, and Adam Byrne ’08, along with Kate (Bonaquist ’08) Byrne, completed a 10K race in August in Nottingham, Pa., to raise money for a local charity. Adam and Kate’s four children joined in the children’s run, too.

Winter 2025 Caitlin Williams and David Escobar were married Nov. 18, 2023, in Washington, D.C. They welcomed son David “DJ” Ernesto on Feb. 28, 2025.

2009

Laura (Mark) and Adam Bush ‘06 welcomed daughter Frances Jane in August 2024. Siblings are Nathan, 7, and Virginia, 5. Laura (North) and Ben Chapman ’11 announce the birth of daughter Helen Rose on May 10, 2025. Ariel (Weygandt) Peterson and husband Brian welcomed daughter Lydia Ann on July 21, 2025. She joins sister Clara, 3.

2010

Megan (Grayburn) Baker and husband Ryan welcomed son Hudson Ellis on April 15, 2024. Emily (Windes) Pickens and husband Charlie are the parents of son Philip James, born Dec. 26, 2021. Emmalynne (Adrian) Waseleski is the new assistant elementary principal at Hillview in the Grove City Area School District.

2011

Ellie Haizlett and husband Paul Leu welcomed daughter Josephine “Josie” Bee on Sept. 25, 2024. Changsoon Kwon and Chanjin Park announce the birth of Yongbin on Nov. 16, 2024. Cara (Rozgonyi) and Philip Remaley are the parents of Michael Philip Blaine, born Oct. 5, 2024.

2012

Natalia (Danielson) Harris and husband Ross are the parents of daughter Kiara Margaret,

born Jan. 28, 2023, and siblings Rico, 8, Esther, 7, Maureen, 5, and John, 4. Victoria (Irey) Hassett and husband Timothy welcomed twin daughters, Charlotte Diana and Christine Elizabeth, on Nov. 23, 2024. Hannah (Hoover) and Philip Kinney welcomed daughter Lucy Jane on Sept. 14, 2024. She joins brothers Henry, 9, Charles, 6, and William, 4. Joanna (Stack) and Water Soren Kreider are the parents of son Owen Gabriel, born May 19, 2023. Adam Moyer and wife Abriana announce the birth of son Angelo Dionigi on Sept. 6, 2025.

2013 Bailey Bennett and Jonathan Lim ’10 were married July 19, 2025, in Annapolis, Md. Deanna (Steffy) Berkes and husband and James finalized the adoption of their son, Wyatt Wesley James, on March 12, 2025. Camille (Taylor) Farra and husband Wes welcomed daughter Meredith Marie on Aug. 20, 2025. Claire (Haines) Rikard and husband Will are the parents of sons Marshall Luke, born Dec. 19, 2024, and Thomas Scott, born Sept. 27, 2023.

2014 Michele (Perrine) Dudley and husband Zachary announce the birth of son Ezekiel Hesed on Nov. 25, 2024. Kate (Henry) and Christian Durbin ’15 welcomed daughter Faith Kathryn on July 15, 2025. Taylor (Hunker) Logue and husband Daniel welcomed son Isaac Anthony on Sept. 20, 2024. Jessica (Heck) and Andrew Quinn ’13 welcomed son Levi Miles on March 2, 2024.

2015

David ‘Herschel’ Miller and wife Emma welcomed son Daniel Carson on Aug. 26, 2025. Amber (Smith) and Kiel Nissel ’12 announce the birth of son Tristan Thomas on Sept. 16, 2024. Rachel (Johnson) Sorce and husband Brian are the parents of Reagan Kaye, born May 5, 2025.

2016

Sarah (McMahon) and Nate Bergey welcomed son Brooks Thomas on May 3, 2024. Brigitta (Hutchins) and Samuel Blood are the parents of daughter Felicity AlanaLouise, born May 24, 2021. Rebecca (McLaughlin) and Ryan Dickey ’11 are the parents of son Elmer Hartley, born Nov. 18, 2024. Mary (Leone) Duffy and husband Robert announce the birth of daughter Elizabeth Joy on July 28, 2025. She joins siblings Evelyn, 4; John “Jack”, 3; and Irina, 1. Kelsa (Battig) and Philip Graybill welcomed daughter Eden Muriel on Oct. 6, 2025. Emma (DeJournette) Hunkin and husband Christian welcomed son Emerson Anthony on Aug. 4, 2025. Barry McFadden and wife Megan welcomed daughter Oliva Juliet on March 7, 2025. Lizzie (Parsons) Nine and husband Micah announce the birth of daughter Emma Grace on Nov. 13, 2024. Kate (Amoris) and Andrew Risinger welcomed daughter Colette Thea on April 28, 2025. Lauren (Davis) and Josh Ruhl ’17 welcomed daughter Lydia Elise on April 26, 2025. Ben Stegner married Gissell Alexandra Alvarez Pinto on January 11, 2025. Gissell is from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. They met on the language exchange app HelloTalk.

Rachael (Zdaniewicz) and Ben Weaver welcomed son Daniel Quentin on April 27, 2025. Lorna WilliamsRolley is the graduate program coordinator and academic program manager for Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Chemistry. She assists students while serving as a liaison to the faculty.

2017

Rachel (Hawranko) and Paul Babirak welcomed daughter Georgia Millie on July 13, 2024. Amanda (Everett) and Stephen Betteridge announce the birth of daughter Margot Sue on March 11, 2025. Jordan (Good) and Jordan Coiro welcomed son Emmett James on Feb. 26, 2025. Sydnei (Zalice) Curcio and husband Michael are the parents of son Quinn Alexander, born Aug. 14, 2025. Joshua Fried and wife Cadyn welcomed son Judah Ari on May 5, 2025. Emily (Pfisterer) Rivera and husband Jose welcomed daughter Mabel Grace on April 12, 2025. Bethany Thomson and Tony Beck were married March 23, 2025, in Prospect, Pa. Mark Wasilko and wife Rosemary welcomed daughter Magdalena Ruth on March 27, 2025.

2018

Lexie (Hunker) Godo and husband Josh are the parents of son Elijah William, born July 6, 2023. Emily (Nicolette-Fantin) and Matthew Grus ’14 welcomed son Christopher Richard on Nov. 21, 2024. Jennifer (Wingard) and Benjamin Hershey ’16 are

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Grove City College the parents of sons Hiram Johannes, born April 9, 2025, and son Ephraim David, born May 29, 2020. Rachel (Kennedy) and Alex Moldovan announce the birth of son Caleb Caspian on April 23, 2025. Abby (Slater) Osiniak and husband Matt announce the birth of daughter Lucy Elizabeth on July 17, 2025. Melissa (Lueken) and Jacob Thurman ’19 welcomed daughter Sophia Ayla on May 7, 2025.

2019

Abigail (Buirge) and Jake Ballentine are the parents of son Conrad Jeffery born Nov. 6, 2024. Claire (Kocur) and Sean Daugherty ’18 welcomed daughter Audra Elizabeth on Jan. 11, 2025. Rachel (Falk) and Timothy Hanna ’17 welcomed daughter Clara Ellen on April 24, 2025. Miranda (Prough) and Anthony Schifano welcomed daughters Lydia Mae and Louisa Anne on Sept. 23, 2025, bringing them to a family of six. Mikayla (Bartley) and Hunter Weston ’17 are the parents of daughter Victoria LaVonne, born Feb. 17, 2025.

2020

Matthew DeMember and wife Ashley welcomed son Finley Joseph on May 1, 2025. Colleen (Zilka) and Justin Lind welcomed daughter Selah Faith on June 14, 2025. Grace (Thurman) and Liam von Berg are the parents of son George Frederick, born Aug. 4, 2024. Sarah (Rectenwald) and Kevin Zuercher ’19 announce the birth of son Hudson Joseph on May 24, 2025.

EP LINKS | The Epsilon Pi Alumni Association hosted its annual Summer Golf Outing in July at Slippery Rock Golf Club. More than 80 actives and alumni from across the country, and from seven decades, gathered for an afternoon of golf and dinner. Champions Joe Mrochek ’81, Joe Sudar ’81, Jim Kemp ’81 and Jeff Burd ’79, posted an impressive 13 under par.

KAP GOLFERS | The brothers of Kappa Alpha Phi hit the links in July at the Spring Valley Golf Course in Mercer, Pa. It was their 42nd annual golf outing.

2021

Dr. Katerina (Bailey) Dudgeon graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree 52 | w w w. g c c.e d u t h e G ēD UNK

TOADFEST INVITE | Almost 60 Phi Tau Alpha brothers played in October’s 2025 Toadfest Invitational at the Pittsburgh North Golf Club. Matt Perry ’78 and Mark Donnelly ’83 began the day playing bagpipes. Profits from mulligan packages went to the Phi Tau Alpha Alumni Association Memorial Scholarship.

Winter 2025 in May 2025. She accepted a position at a small animal general practice in Smyrna, Tenn. Dr. Wyatt Grimm graduated from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in May. He is in his first year of pediatrics residency at Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio. Hannah (Mercer) and Matthew Horner ’20 welcomed son Brooks Matthew on April 11, 2025. Madeline (Gladstone) and Zach Jew ’11 announce the birth of daughter Hadley Hayes on July 8, 2025. Catherine (Root) Schweitzer and husband Mark welcomed daughter Violet Abigail on March 12, 2025. Allyson Winters and Tanner Orner welcomed daughter Lily Ana on Aug. 5, 2025.

2022

Bethanie (Nissly) and Zack Orlaski ’21 welcomed son Elijah Thomas on March 3, 2025.

2023

Mark Gordeuk and wife Erin announce the birth of son James Victor on May 9, 2025. Emily Klusendorf and Matthew Marasco ’22 were married July 8, 2023, in Washington, Pa., where they currently reside.

2024

Claire (Mackanic) and Joshua Nichols ’22 welcomed daughter Estelle Marie on April 3, 2025.

OAKMONT GOLF | Friends Mitch Young ’09 and Evan Addams ’10, both left, and Paul Molingowski ’89, right, introduced new President Brad Lingo ’00 to the Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club in July.

SEVEN SPRINGS | Nu Lamb brothers representing the Class of ’70 through ’86 hit the course at Seven Springs Resort on Sept. 26, organized by Stan Oldroyd ‘74.

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Grove City College

in memory The Grove City College Alumni Association places a book in Henry Buhl Library in memory of each alumnus for whom the Office of Alumni and College Relations receives written notification of death, including a copy of the obituary. This pays tribute to the lives of deceased alumni while benefitting current and future students.

To notify the Office of Alumni and College Relations of the passing of a loved one, please send an obituary to alumni@gcc.edu.

Esther (Canning ’45) Rucker, Portland, Ore., July 25, 2025. She was a teacher and military spouse. Eleanor B. Harmon-Adamo ’47, Butler, Pa., April 24, 2025. Nancy (McKay) Seward ’48, Waverly, Ohio, April 29, 2024. After raising her family, her work included directorship of the Camp Fire Girls of Western Pennsylvania. Grace (Hill ’49) Teselle, Gainesville, Fla., Jan. 30, 2025. She was a teacher and paralegal. Harold A. Foster Jr. ’51, Myrtle Beach, S.C., April 23, 2025. The Army veteran was a mechanical engineer for Marlin-Rockwell and Crescent Tool. William H. Lohr ’51, Beaver, Pa., Aug. 10, 2025. He retired as 38-year principal with the Beaver Area Schools. Charles W. Scott Jr. ’51, Lititz, Pa., May 2, 2025. He was an electrical engineer with Bell Laboratories, receiving several patents. Ruth (Eisler ’52) Clark, Mount Vernon, Ohio, April 7, 2025. She was a homemaker. Joan (Hagy ’52) Green, Easton, Md., May 26, 2025. She held management positions in fields including religious education, law, and banking. Ralph E. Gross ’52, Zelienople, Pa., July 8, 2025.

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An Army veteran, he taught history and civics for 42 years at Seneca Valley High School, where he coached golf for 35 years. Evelyn (Hoop ’52) O’Block, Hermitage, Pa., June 13, 2025. She was director of nursing for several facilities. Eugene C. Renz ’52, Hermitage, Pa., April 21, 2025. An Army veteran, he founded two kitchen and bath businesses. Survivors include wife Janet (Gill ’53) Renz. Louanne (Lindgren ’52) Steinbrenner, Cornwall, Pa., Feb. 19, 2025. Dr. L. Marvin Clark ’53, Solomons, Md., June 4, 2025. A Navy medical officer, he and wife Dr. Sandra (Marshall ’59) Clark, who survives, operated a private medical practice in the Clarion-Brookville, Pa., area, and implemented a malaria control project in Papua New Guinea. They both received the Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award in 2016. Carolyn A. Davis ’53, Oakmont, Pa., May 7, 2025. She taught in Fox Chapel for 20 years. David E. Stauffer Jr. ’53, York, Pa., April 16, 2025. A veteran from the Navy and Naval Reserves, he retired as president and chairman of the family business, D.F. Stauffer Biscuit Company. His wife, Joan (Fritchman ’53) Stauffer, passed away May 7, 2025. She was an active member

of the York community and board member of the York Symphony. Robert M. Phifer ’54, Pittsburgh, Pa., July 22, 2025. The Army veteran was vice president of operations for Pittsburgh National Bank. Survivors include children Susan (Phifer ’85) Flemming and William Phifer ’86. Robert K. McCutcheon ’55, Harrisburg, Pa., June 17, 2025. After Army service, he worked with Bell Telephone until retirement. Survivors include wife Jane (Walker ’56) McCutcheon. Harriet (Hoffman) Andrews ’56, New Brighton, Pa., July 31, 2025. She taught high school business and retired from West-Aircomm Credit Union. The Rev. C. Richard Cox ’56, Gwynedd, Pa., July 25, 2025. He was a retired vice president with William Penn Foundation, a civil rights activist, and Methodist minister. Jane (Dunn ’56) Lebzelter, Sugar Grove, N.C., Nov. 27, 2024. She was a lab technician before raising her family. James C. Lozier ’56, Greensburg, Pa., July 26, 2025. He taught high school social studies before helping to found a school credit union. Harry R. “Bob” Becker ’57, Utica, Pa., April 16, 2025. The Army veteran retired from Joy Manufacturing.

Winter 2025 John M. Crossett ’57, Mount Pleasant, S.C., May 13, 2025. He spent 42 years with LTV Steel. Survivors include sons Jack Crossett ’79 and Bradley Crossett ’80. The Rev. Robert H. Glaser ’57, Malverne, N.Y., July 12, 2025. He served churches in New York, Georgia, and West Virginia as a Presbyterian minister. Dorothy (Thomson ’57) Johnson, Pittsburgh, Pa., June 4, 2025. She had a real estate career after working in the family land development business. Barbara (Barone ’57) Krenitsky, Wilmington, N.C., May 19, 2024, and her husband, Dr. Peter P. Krenitsky ’57, died June 29, 2024. James F. McElrath Sr. ’57, Jamestown, N.Y., July 25, 2025. He was a longtime teacher, principal, and winning basketball coach. Marilynn (Riggs ’58) Dull, Fredonia, Pa., Sept. 16, 2025. She had a long career with the U.S. Postal Service. Eugene J. Isacco ’58, Boyers, Pa., June 12, 2025. He was a respected electrical engineer who ran his own family farm. Mary (Daly ’58) Kutulakis, Shippensburg, Pa., June 18, 2025. She worked with animals on the family farm and led a dog training business. Mary Jo (Walker ’58) Oehm, Great Falls, Va., Aug. 28, 2025. Richard S. Carter ’59, Windsor, Colo., Sept. 15, 2025. He had a 40-year financial planning career. Marguerite (Parkes ’59) Ford, Hilton Head, S.C., July

1, 2025. She managed a retirement community and was a dedicated volunteer. Ronald P. Gentile ’59, Melbourne Beach, Fla., May 19, 2025. He was a career Naval officer for 21 years, then worked in private business. William A. Hanley Jr., ’59, Apalachin, N.Y., June 26, 2025. He retired as a professional engineer with Anitec. James J. Minick ’59, Yardley, Pa., April 17, 2025. He worked in risk management with SEPTA and NJ Transit. Marlene (Otto ’59) Morrell, Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. 14, 2025. The former Alumni Council member had an early job with Alcoa, then raised her family. Survivors include daughter Kristin Morrell ’90. Lynne (Dreher ’59) McKee Rife, The Villages, Fla., Jan. 13, 2024. Thomas F. Ritchey III ’59, Cranberry Township, Pa., Aug. 21, 2025. After Army service, he worked in accounting, retiring as president of Allegheny Casualty. Marion H. “Pete” Shearer ’59, Atwater, Ohio, Oct. 27, 2025. The Navy veteran taught high school industrial technology for 31 years. Richard G. Wolfe ’59, Greensboro, Ga., April 28, 2025. He was an account manager with Owens-Brockway Glass, becoming a day-trader in retirement. Survivors include wife Sandra (Dick ’60) Wolfe, and sister Marilyn (Wolfe ’57) Louttit. Charles M. Dennison ’60, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April 11, 2025. The Navy veteran designed radio components for the U.S. space program with

Collins/Rockwell and ran a wedding business. Clayton N. Emery ’60, Fort Myers, Fla., July 29, 2025. The Marine had a long electrical engineering career. Joseph C. Lightner Jr. ’60, Mount Juliet, Tenn., July 6, 2025. For 40 years, the Army veteran was a railcar design engineer with Greenville Steel Car Company. Richard D. Sutter Sr. ’60, Kennewick, Wash., June 11, 2025. The Army veteran worked in commercial insurance in Pittsburgh. Survivors include wife Helen (McCune ’59) Sutter and son Richard Sutter ’82. Keith A. Farnham ’61, Fairview, Pa., Aug. 5, 2025. The engineer worked with both IBM and Zurn. Survivors include wife Laura (Culbertson ’61) Farnham. Michael E. Holko Jr. ’61, Butler, Pa., July 25, 2025. He was a metallurgist in the steel industry. Jack E. Holtzinger ’61, York, Pa., Sept. 29, 2025. He retired as a credit executive from First Union Bank. William R. Kammerdiener ’61, Columbus, Ohio, March 24, 2025. An Army veteran, he was an industrial engineer for Owens-Illinois. Survivors include wife Judy (Kline ’61) Kammerdiener. William C. Stewart ’61, Butler, Pa., June 26, 2025. A Trustee since 2004, he retired as CEO of the Armstrong Group, was an industry leader, and a community philanthropist. The College’s the new baseball field will be named in his honor. He received the Jack Kennedy

Memorial Alumni Achievement Award in 1995. Survivors include daughter Paula (Stewart ’84) Brestensky. Jacqueline J. Weaver ’61, Jacksonville, Ark., Jan. 6, 2024. She was an educator. Nancy (Wesner ’62) Asher, Dallas, Texas, June 2, 2025. Delores (Ciampa ’62) Harper, Boerne, Texas, May 19, 2025. After teaching high school English and French, she was an interior designer and hospice caregiver. J. Clyde Miller III ’62, Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. 30, 2025. The Army veteran worked in advertising and marketing. Marjorie (Priddey ’63) DeCamara, Lititz, Pa., Oct. 11, 2025. She was a Christian education director and nursing home administrator. Carol (Farren ’63) Hood, Aledo, Texas, Sept. 4, 2025. She became the corporate inventory control specialist for SPEC Roofing. Dr. C. Edward Mathay ’63, Lady Lake, Fla., June 25, 2024. He worked in higher education technology. Mary Lou (Reslink ’63) Patton Neithamer, Erie, Pa., May 30, 2025. She was a legal secretary with several firms. Howard J. Oakes ’63, Wimauma, Fla., July 1, 2025. His 30-year Air Force career included commanding Eglin Air Force Base and later worked as a consultant. Paul R. Raupach ’63, Murphys, Calif., August 21, 2025. An Army veteran, he worked both in food service and property development. A. Todd Alexander ’64, New Castle, Pa., June 3, 2025.

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Grove City College Following a brief Single A baseball career, he joined the family sporting goods business, which he led for 39 years. He is in the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Survivors include wife Suzanne (Wherry ’64) Alexander and son Greg Alexander ’91. Harry E. Damp ’64, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Sept. 7, 2025. The Air Force Reserves member was a vice president at Mellon Bank. Edward L. Dunlap ’64, Wadsworth, Ohio, May 15, 2025. As a tire engineer, he earned several patents and led a team designing tires for the Space Shuttle. Martin E. Lengel ’64, New Braunfels, Texas, May 11, 2025. He was an Army veteran. Dr. Major C. Ross McCollough ’64, Chattanooga, Tenn., May 10, 2025. He taught collegelevel archeology and worked at TVA as a cartographer. Survivors include wife Janet (Deets ’63) McCollough. The Rev. Andrew C. Bullions III ’65, Pelzer, S.C., Aug. 20, 2025. He served in the Navy and Naval Reserves, along with work for Michelin Tire and as a Methodist lay pastor. Evelyn Crawford ’65, Tallmadge, Ohio, March 23, 2025. She taught elementary school for 30 years. Gordon F. Geissler ’65, Zieglerville, Pa., May 27, 2025. A German teacher, he spent 32 years with the Perkiomen Valley School District and was a motorcyclist. Suzanne (Chidsey ’65) Karsen, Grand Rapids, Mich., June 8, 2025. She had a 25-year career in medical social work John W. Prince ’65, Sausalito, Calif., Sept. 14, 2025. After 56 | w w w. g c c.e d u t h e G ēD UNK

Air Force service, he trained executives through Decker Communications. He was also a voice actor. Shirley (Buck ’66) Anderson, Camarillo, Calif., June 23, 2025. She was a sixth- and seventh-grade teacher. Michael J. Creedon ’66, Albuquerque, N.M., March 11, 2025. He spent 26 years in the Air Force as a security policeman and later worked for Pinkerton/Securitas. F. Stone Roberts ’66, Delray Beach, Fla., Oct. 24, 2025. He was a 50-year, award-winning advertising executive, launching brand names including Diet Coke, and retiring from Robert and Langer. The Former Alumni Council member received the Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award in 2002. Margene (Naumowich ’66) Sorzano, West Grove, Pa., March 31, 2025. After first teaching English, she was a top sales associate for Asher Chocolates. Linda (Barnes ’67) Anderson, Jamestown, N.Y., May 27, 2025. She was assistant vice president of Buffalo Savings Bank before becoming a stayat-home mother. Survivors include daughter Adelle (Anderson ’04) Smith. Dr. Paul A. Edwards ’67, Wexford, Pa., Sept. 21, 2025. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years as a maxillofacial head and neck pathologist, achieving the rank of colonel. Gary J. Greska ’67, Miami, Fla., Sept. 28, 2025. His aviation career included Air Force service, piloting commercial aircraft, and training pilots. Survivors include wife Elaine (Edwards ’67) Greska.

Lynda (Lewis ’67) Komlos, Chillicothe, Ohio, July 29, 2025. She taught French and math at Chillicothe High School for 32 years. Survivors include husband Jerry Komlos ’67. Nancy Anne (Hely ’67) Patterson, New Braunfels, Texas, June 4, 2025. She had a long career with the Houston Public Schools and helped to launch the KIPP Charter School network. Janet (Koch ’67) Platt, Butler, Pa., Sept. 20, 2025. She taught for 24 years in the Butler School District. Survivors include husband Thomas Platt ’67. Linda (Reese ’67) Spadafora, Indiana, Pa., Sept. 19, 2025. She was a teacher then a homemaker. Carol (McCall) Gale ’68, Hollidaysburg, Pa., July 19, 2025. She had been a plant operator/chemist in Beverly, Ohio, as well as a rescue squad member. Dr. William D. Hetrick ’68, Gibsonia, Pa., July 26, 2025. He was chair of the Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh Department of Anesthesiology and a clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The College presented him with a Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award in 1997. Survivors include wife Patti (Bryan ’66) Hetrick. Larry A. Pickard ’68, Dewittville, N.Y., April 29, 2025. After Army service, he served the force as a civilian computer expert. Lt. Col. John R. Venneman (Ret.) ’69, Chillicothe, Ohio, April 3, 2025. He had a 22-year Air Force career, later working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Richard M. Walsh ’69, Winchester, Va., July 17,

2025. After Air Force service, he became an administrator for Social Security. Survivors include wife Sandra (Stadler ’70) Walsh. William F. Barrett ’70, Enola, Pa., May 16, 2025. He was a career expert for the Public Utility Commission. James A. Ockerman ’70, Monaca, Pa., Sept. 16, 2025. An engineer, he worked for AC&S and Burnham Industrial. Arthur E. Trezona ’70, Grove City, Pa., Feb. 2, 2025. An Army veteran, he worked at Cooper Bessemer and SATEC in Grove City, and worked at the College Bowling Alley for 13 years. Survivors include son Brad Trezona ’98. Douglas R. Chiado ’71, Bloomsburg, Pa., June 20, 2025. He worked in human resources at Geisinger Medical Center for 38 years and belonged to the Von Mises Society. Samuel B. Robinson ’71, Pittsburgh, Pa., June 14, 2025. After Army service, he spent much of his career in logistics and operations for commuter rail and steel transportation in the Pittsburgh area. Dennis W. Westover ’71, Charleston, W.Va., Aug. 29, 2025. He managed elevator installations with TKE and worked with many Christian organizations. Elton R. Barnett ’72, Greenville, Pa., Oct. 24, 2025. A former captain in the Army Reserves, he retired as owner/operator of Barnett’s Garage Jeep Sales & Service. Bonnie (Boak ’72) Lewis, Greensburg, Pa., April 23, 2025. She led the YWCA of Westmoreland County for 24 years, also serving the national YWCA in many capacities.

Winter 2025 Survivors include siblings Bruce Boak ’69 and Betsy (Boak ’77) Craig.

Instruments, Honeywell and Molex in sales and business development.

James M. Moore ’72, Fayetteville, Ga., Aug. 11, 2022. After Navy service, he was commercial pilot, retiring as a captain with Delta Air Lines.

Michael G. Nelson ’80, Erie, Pa, May 4, 2025. He had a career in law, becoming a partner with Marsh Spaeder Baur Spaeder & Schaaf, and served on the Epsilon Pi Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Gregory J. Caldwell ’74, Hickory, Pa., Sept. 26, 2025. Carol (Van Kirk ’75) Wellford, Knightdale, N.C., Sept. 20, 2025. After working as a bookkeeper, she was a receptionist for Merrill-Lynch. Karen A. Beikert ’76, Midland, Mich., July 14, 2025. She used her chemical engineering degree with Dow Corning, later attending law school and joining Dow’s legal department. Richard J. Cirillo ’77, Mercer, Pa., July 5, 2025. He worked in sales and marketing with SATEC Systems and Interstate Chemical. Scott L. Magee ’77, Stoneboro, Pa., July 2, 2025. An electrical engineer, he had worked in the aerospace division of Sundstrand Corp. Elizabeth (Lehner ’77) Ward, Howland, Ohio, July 5, 2025. After working as a CPA with Hill, Barth and King, she was controller for Northeast Ohio Adoption Services. Survivors include husband Robert Ward ’77. Karl G. Hiebel ’78, Toledo, Ohio, May 24, 2025.

J. Gregory McGrath ’81, Blandon, Pa., June 14, 2025. David A. Smith ’82, Harrisville, Pa., Sept. 14, 2025. An engineer, he held leadership positions with TimkenSteel and Solmet. Survivors include daughter Amber (Smith ’15) Nissel. David G. Rutterman ’83, Olean, N.Y., July 15, 2025. He worked with with Eagle Air Compressors. Mark E. Cunningham ’84, Grove City, Pa., Oct. 18, 2025. He was senior vice president of risk management at First National Bank of PA. Guy J. Williams ’85, Mechanicsville, Va., Dec. 30, 2024. He was a strategic account manager in the telecommunications industry. Survivors include wife Aleen (Crummy ’85) Williams and brother Matthew Williams ’83.

Group, PC, and was the city solicitor. Adrienne E. Hill ’02, Camp Hill, Pa., Oct. 10, 2025. She had worked as an accountant for Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racing. Cheryl E. Mounts ’03, New Castle, Pa., July 14, 2025. Kenneth E. Roudybush Jr. ’06, Ford City, Pa., Feb. 22, 2025. He was soon to become manager of reimbursement at Zoll Life Vest. Dr. David C. Earl ’10, Nashville, Tenn., April 15, 2025. He pioneered discovery methods for anticancer molecules and was director of platforms for Empath Biosciences. Ryan C. Meyer ’19, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., June 9, 2025. He was a manager with Round Lake Remolding, loved travel, and was a passionate hiker. Khush Agrawal ’25, June 8, 2025. He graduated summa cum laude with a mathematics degree. He belonged to the TriRho Housing Group and the economics honor society.

Friends Former Executive Vice President and Dean of the College Dr. Garth E. Runion, Lynchburg, Va., June 3, 2025. He served the College from 1992-2001, including time as vice president for academic affairs and one year as interim president. Survivors include daughters Mindy (Runion ’94) Peterson and Amanda (Runion ’03) Yates. Retired Department Chair and Professor of Biology Dr. Arnold Sodergren, Gainesville, Va, Sept. 13, 2025. He taught at the College from 1973 to 2011. Survivors include wife Mary (a longtime Buhl Library staff member), and children Jeff ’92, Janine ’96, and Julie ’97. Professor of Communication Studies from 2001-2019 Dr. Daniel S. Brown Jr., Noblesville, Ind., June 26, 2025. He also was an author and pastor.

Michele (Perino ’90) Ebert, McMurray, Pa., July 9, 2025. Survivors include husband Scott Ebert ’89.

Jeffrey E. Librock ’79, North Tonawanda, N.Y., Jan. 19, 2025. He was a teacher and soccer coach for 38 years at Williamsville East High School. Survivors include sister Gretchen Librock ’83.

Tracy (Herbst ’89) Williams, Fairview, Pa., May 20, 2025. She and husband Jeff owned and worked at Frontier Lumber. Also surviving are daughters Julia Williams ’18, Kara Williams ’20, and Megan Williams ’27, and brother Troy Herbst ’94.

J. Scott Dalglish ’80, Lago Vista, Texas, June 30, 2025. He worked with Texas

John M. Flick ’90, Esq., Gardner, Mass., July 19, 2025. He founded Flick Law t h e G ēD UNK w w w. g c c.e d u | 57

Grove City College

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CONGRATULATIONS NEW PARENTS! Grove City College welcomes your new bundle of joy. We want to send your newborn a Grove City College T-shirt! So between the feedings and late-night lullabies, be sure to send the Office of Alumni and College Relations your child’s name and date of birth. Shirts are available in infant sizes and up to 5T. Due to the popularity of the Alumni Babies feature, photos will be limited to babies under the age of 5 in Grove City College shirts only. Digital photos must be high resolution, 300 dpi. Please do not embed photos in the body of an email message, but rather attach a high-resolution image.

Georgia Millie Babirak Born 7-13-24 Rachel (Hawranko ’17) and Paul Babirak ’17

Caleb Ronald Becker Born 9-18-24 Angela (Buckler ’08) and Jim Becker

Brooks Thomas Bergey Born 5-3-24 Sarah (McMahon ’16) and Nate Bergey ’16

Audra Elizabeth Daugherty Born 1-11-25 Claire (Kocur ’19) and Sean Daugherty ’18

Elmer Hartley Dickey Born 11-18-24 Rebecca (McLaughlin ’16) and Ryan Dickey ‘11

Malcolm Griffin Dietz Born 2-10-2025 Ellie (Shaw ’16) and Derek Dietz

Irina (1), Evelyn (4), and John “Jack” (3), with Elizabeth Joy Duffy Born 7-28-25 Mary (Leone ’16) and Robert Duffy

Faith Kathryn Durbin Born 7-15-25 Kate (Henry ’14) and Christian Durbin ’15

Halle May Elsey Born 11-18-24 Kate and Patrick Elsey ’16

Elizabeth Gish Born 10-14-24 Jessica (Schaming ’20) and Joel Gish ’21

Charles Gunkler Born 4-19-24 Brittany (Cobb ’11) and Andy Gunkler ’12

Catherine and Henry Halverson Born 10-11-24 and 9-8-22 Meghan (Lund ’16) and Michael Halverson

To request a baby shirt, visit alumni.gcc.edu/babyshirt. Send pictures to alumni@gcc.edu.

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Winter 2025

Clara Ellen Hanna Born 4-24-25 Rachel (Falk ‘19) and Timothy Hanna ’17

Ellen, Eoin, and Liam Johnston Born 7-5-25, 8-27-22, and 6-11-24 Corrie (McNulty ’14) and Stephen Johnston

Sylvia Joy and Ruby Kate Kelly Born 4-10-22 and 10-16-24 Megan (Daugherty ’16) and Bryan Kelly ’16

Maria Dianne Keppler Born 10-18-24 Stephanie (Judd ’17) and Marty Keppler

Lucy Jane Kinney Born 10-14-24 Hannah (Hoover ’12) and Philip Kinney ’12

Josephine Bee Leu-Haizlett Born 9-25-24 Ellie Haizlett ’11 and Dr. Paul Leu

Selah Faith Lind Born 6-14-25 Colleen (Zilka ’20)) and Justin Lind ’20

Isaac Anthony Logue Born 9-20-24 Taylor (Hunker ’14) and Daniel Logue

Cael and Haley Miller Born 8-30-23 and 7-12-21 Katie and Rhys Miller ’11

Sophia Jane and Nora Elizabeth Morgan Born 1-11-23 and 12-10-24 Katie and Timothy Morgan ’13

Jonathan Douglas Myers Born 1-22-25 Caroline (Jensen ’23) and Aaron Myers ’22

Tristan Thomas Nissel Born 9-16-24 Amber (Smith ’15) and Kiel Nissel ’12

Nathaniel Konrad Oelschlager Born 9-16-24 Alaina (Hill ’04) and Robert Oelschlager

Marshall and Thomas Rikard Born 12-19-24 and 9-27-23 Claire (Haines ’13) and Will Rikard

Caylin and Coen Robert Born 2-15-24 Dalaney (Algiere ’15) and Jeffrey Robert

Jesse Brooks Schafhauser Born 9-8-24 Shayla (Hunker ’16) and Dan Schafhauser ’16

Greta Lynn Shrewsbury Born 6-1-25 Meg (Chochola ’08) and Clint Shrewsbury

Thérèse Elizabeth Sigourney Born 12-27-24 Chelsea (Grayburn ’14) and Tucker Sigourney ’16

Reagan Kaye Sorce Born 5-5-25 Rachel (Johnson ’15) and Brian Sorce

Cassia Jane Stahl Born 9-21-23 Mandie (Becker ’08) and Ben Stahl ’08

Moriah Beth Stahl Born 11-30-21 Mandie (Becker ’08) and Ben Stahl ’08

Henry Alvin and Charlotte Grace Thomas Born 10-27-22 and 11-30-24 Grace (Janvier ’14) and Alvin Thomas ’14

Vaughn Vuchak Born 3-17-21 Kathryn (Grafinger ’03) and Kyle Vuchak ’03

Daniel Quentin and Anna Lane Weaver Born 4-27-25 and 7-7-23 Rachael (Zdaniewicz ’16) and Ben Weaver ’16

Hudson Joseph Zuercher Born 5-24-25 Sarah (Rectenwald ’20) and Kevin Zuercher ’19

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Providing opportunities for students to excel outside the classroom – from the band front to the debate team – has been a part Grove City College’s mission for 150 years. Impact 150: The Anniversary Campaign for Grove City College is focused on ensuring opportunties to develop the whole student – intellectually, spiritually, and physically – continue for the next century and a half. To learn more and donate, visit giving.gcc.edu.