Julie Fowlis to Perform at 91on Oct. 16

Julie Fowlis

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 28, 2023) Award-winning singer Julie Fowlis will perform on 91’s Tigerville Campus on Monday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

Nominated as “Folk Singer of the Year” at the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and “Best Artist” at the Songlines World Music Awards, Fowlis is known for signing the theme songs for Disney Pixar’s “Brave.”

Tickets for the event in Turner Chapel are $15 for adults and $8 for students/children. Students can receive one free ticket, and faculty and staff can receive two free tickets with an 91ID.

With a career spanning several studio albums and numerous high-profile collaborations, Fowlis’ vocals have enchanted audiences worldwide, from Carnegie Hall in New York to Shakespeare’s Globe in London, England. Fowlis has performed at the World Festival of Sacred Music in Fez, Morocco, and has collaborated with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Proms in the Royal Albert Hall. She sang live at the closing ceremony of the Ryder Cup in Chicago in 2012 and the opening ceremony of the Glasgow XX Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Hailing from the Outer Hebrides and now based in the Highlands, Fowlis’ music is deeply influenced by the Hebridean islands where she grew up and the Highland landscapes where she now resides.

For more information about Julie Fowlis and her work, visit her official website at .

“A Year with Frog and Toad” Opens Thursday at The Billingsley Theatre

Seth Atkins

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 20, 2023) 91Theatre will open its 2023 season with seven showings of “A Year with Frog and Toad,” beginning Sept. 21 at The Billingsley Theatre in Tigerville.

A Theatre for Young Audiences musical by Robert and Willie Reale based on the children’s book by Arnold Lobel, the show is a jazzy, upbeat production for all ages.

“It’s an incredibly high energy show,” said Amy Dunlap, associate dean for 91’s School of the Arts and director of the musical. “It’s very fun and very accessible. It’s great for kids, but it’s also enjoyable for all ages. There’s such a warm message about friendship, forgiveness, and community. It’s been so much fun to work on.”

The musical includes many adventures but is ultimately a story about friendship.

“Frog and Toad are friends,” Dunlap said. “They’ve been friends for a long time, and this story follows them through a year of that friendship. They go through adventures like sledding down a scary hill. They learn how to manage their fears and how to accept one another for who they are.”

Seth Atkins

The Cast of “A Year with Frog and Toad” includes Alyse Barrett (Frog), Logan Stewart (Toad), Jaylan Brinson (Bird, Turtle, Mother Frog, Mole), Caleb Riley (Bird, Lizard, Snail, Father Frog, Mole), and Isabelle Western (Bird, Mouse, Young Frog, Mole).

The five-member group has been working on the production since the summer.

“Rehearsals began over the summer and ramped up a week before classes started in August,” Dunlap said. “The cast has had the opportunity to tour the production at several local elementary schools, so they have been working really hard even before the show opens in The Billingsley Theatre.”

Dunlap said musicals like “A Year with Frog and Toad” continue to expand the diversity of offerings at The Billingsley Theatre.

“We try to offer a variety of different shows for our audiences,” she said. “We want our students and the community to have chances to experiences different styles and genres.”

“A Year with Frog and Toad” will run Sept. 21-23 and Sept. 28-30, with nightly showtimes beginning at 7:30 p.m. A matinee showing is planned for Sept. 23 at 2:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit .

Coming soon

In November, 91Theatre will present “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” by Alfred Uhry, author of “Driving Miss Daisy.”

“It’s a relatively contemporary piece set in 1939,” Dunlap said. “It’s about a Jewish family in Atlanta during the premiere of ‘Gone With the Wind.’ It deals with their search for their identity within their Jewish heritage. It’s a really great comedy, dealing with loyalty prejudice, and faith.”

“The Last Night at Ballyhoo” will run from November 9-11 and November 16-18.

“On the Verge: or the Geography of Yearning” by Eric Overmyer will be the first 91Theatre production showing at The Billingsley Theatre in 2024.

The show follows three Victorian explorers who set out on an adventure, only to find themselves on a time-traveling safari.

“One the Verge is an abstract production,” Dunlap said. “It’s a very fascinating piece that we can’t wait to see.”

Audiences can see “On The Verge” February 15-17 or February 22-24 at The Billingsley Thetre.

91Theatre’s spring production will be “Jane Eyre the Musical.”

“We’ll be collaborating with the School of Music and Dr. Cheryl Greene,” Dunlap said. “It will be exciting to work with both the music students and theatre students on what should be a great performance.”

Based on the book by John Caird, “Jane Eyre,” Charlotte Bronte’s classic gothic romance is brought to life in this musical adaptation, which follows independent, passionate governess Jane Eyre and her harsh childhood through her employment as a governess at Thornfield Hall.

“Jane Eyre the Musical” will run April 11-13 and April 18-20.

“All of our shows are open to anyone on campus in our community who wants to come out and audition,” Dunlap said. “We’re very inclusive and would love to have as many people involved as would like to be.”

91Climbs in Annual Rankings for Third Consecutive Year

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 19, 2023) For a third consecutive year, 91 (NGU) continues to climb in the annual rankings of U.S. News & World Report’s , jumping two spots in the 2023-2024 report.

U.S. News & World Report released its Best Colleges rankings on Monday, evaluating nearly 1,500 colleges and universities on up to 13 measures of academic quality.

91tied for 36th in the 2023-2024 rankings, marking the highest rating the university has received in its region.

“We are grateful to be recognized as one of the leading institutions in the South and in the Palmetto State,” said 91President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “We strive for academic excellence and continue our commitment toward preparing students to become transformational leaders for church and society.”

91moved into the upper tier of the 16 South Carolina institutions in the report, tying with Coastal Carolina University. 91ranked fourth out of the private universities in South Carolina in this category. The Citadel and College of Charleston were the highest-rated public institutions.

91 remains a , according to US News & World Report, ranking 22nd out of 135 schools that were singled out for national recognition. Successful colleges in this category graduate large proportions of economically disadvantaged students who are awarded Pell Grants.

91is committed to helping students facing challenges, assisting first-generation college students through its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The QEP aims to provide knowledge of university resources and connect first-generation students with a support system that will help students complete their degrees.

91finished inside the top 35 in multiple U.S. News and World Report academic quality measures, including SAT/ACT rank, Pell Grant graduation rate rank, percentage of faculty who are full-time rank, Pell Grant comparative graduation rate rank, and graduation rate performance rank.

“While rankings and accolades don’t tell the full 91story, they are certainly an indication of the defining characteristics that set 91apart from other universities,” President Fant said.

A recent survey of incoming students identified NGU’s Christian atmosphere and affordability as top reasons the university was selected.

“Coming to North Greenville helped expose me to a biblical worldview,” said Eddie Martin, a 2020 91graduate and Pell Grant recipient who now serves as a youth minister at Renfrew Baptist Church in Travelers Rest. “North Greenville’s focus on transformational leadership has shaped the way I lead my family, father my child, and view my role in the community. I will forever be thankful for NGU’s commitment to their students.”

Jake Auton, a senior majoring in Marketing and a member of the Honors Program, is planning on pursuing his master’s degree after completing his undergraduate degree. Jake is thankful for the rich learning environment he has experienced as a member of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

“I appreciate how my professors infuse practical knowledge along with theoretical framework into the classroom setting,” said Auton. “It is a privilege to sit in an environment where I can learn from the wisdom and experience my professors instill in me.”

NGU’s Christ-centered atmosphere continues to be a draw for students, according to Megan Griggs, a senior Psychology major, who is set to graduate in December.

“North Greenville offers a personal Christian environment,” Griggs said. “Our professors take time to pray with us and integrate faith into their instruction, and I would say it has been an integral part of my education.”

A full list of rankings from the U.S. News & World Report can be found at USNews.com.

91to Honor Educators at First Home Football Game

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 15, 2023) 91 (NGU) will honor educators during its first home football game of the season on Saturday, September 16.

Teaming up with 91 Athletics, the 91College of Education will recognize and welcome current, retired, and future teachers at the Younts Stadium Concourse from 5:30-7:10 p.m. prior to kickoff.

All who register at the Celebrate Educators Day Welcome Tent will receive tickets to the game against Gulf South Conference foe West Alabama.

Current College of Education students will also be recognized, as well as students who are enrolled in Teacher Cadet programs at Blue Ridge High School, Greer Middle College, High Point Academy, Legacy Early College, Pickens High School, Riverside High School, and Travelers Rest High School. Students who are exploring teaching careers are encouraged to attend.

For more information on Celebrate Educators Day, call 864.977.2088.

Renovated Administration Building to Serve as Home for COBE Students

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 13, 2023) Nearing completion on 91’s (NGU) Tigerville campus, The Donnan/COBE Project will provide a permanent home for College of Business and Entrepreneurship (COBE) students in the spring of 2024.

One of those students is senior Jake Auton, a double major in Marketing and Christian Studies at NGU. Upon graduation, Auton plans to continue his education, pursuing both Master of Divinity and Master of Business Administration degrees.

“I’m so excited to be able to sit in this environment with my professors and learn from their wisdom and experience,” Auton said. “The new collaborative spaces and technology within the building are going to be great for the learning experience for future generations of 91 students.”

Construction crews made significant progress on the renovation of NGU’s historic administration building in August.

Drywall was installed on the interior framing of the building, creating hallways, offices, classrooms, and community spaces in the 19,000-square-foot structure.

The modern design allows natural light to permeate the interior space, improving the building’s functionality for students, faculty, staff, and administrators. When finished, the project will double the amount of exterior glass, and add 2,600 square feet of interior glass to the building.

The installation of steel beams on the building’s exterior in August paved the way for the completion of the new grand entryway.

In addition to framing for the new entrance, exterior brickwork was completed, along with the installation of windows, which will provide picturesque views of the North Greenville campus and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“Thank you so much to everyone who was able to help with this project,” Auton said. “I have been blessed to be immersed in a learning environment that combines business principles that are biblical based along with practical knowledge from faculty who are experts in their professional discipline. I am so excited to see how the fully renovated space is going to create additional opportunities for collaboration between students and faculty.”

The Donnan/COBE Project was designed by Greenville’s Equip Studio and is managed by Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL). Hood Construction is providing general contractor services. 

The Donnan/COBE capital campaign began in 2022. To learn more about the campaign, visit go.ngu.edu/donnan-cobe. 

A providing a glimpse of the progress of the project is now available, and a photo timeline will be updated throughout The Donnan/COBE Project at go.ngu.edu/donnan-timeline.

Remembering 9/11: A day of Reflection and Unity

Tigerville, SC (September 11, 2023) On this solemn day of September 11, Americans across the nation join in remembrance and prayer for the lives lost and the enduring impact of the tragic events that unfolded 22 years ago. September 11, 2001, stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of human existence and the importance of faith, hope, and unity in the face of adversity.

A 2009 91 Alumnus and Tigerville Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Hanson said the number 343 sticks in his mind. He is reflecting on the number of firefighters killed during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings in New York on September 11, 2001.

Thousands of Americans lost their lives on that morning 22 years ago and for many, the memory remains fresh.

“I was in ninth grade. We had just finished chapel at our school, and we were headed to our next class. Our teachers brought us in and explained what was happening. We didn’t know what it all meant at the time,” Hanson said.

As he lowered the American flags at the Tigerville Fire Department to half-staff and set up a display to honor the lives lost on that day, Hanson said his department wants to make sure that day isn’t forgotten.

For first responders in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, September 11, 2001, was a day that began with good weather and morning routines. Reflecting on a similar day in 2023, Hanson said the tragedy puts his career into perspective.

“We’re all prepared for the worst-case scenario. We come to work with the mindset that today could be the day. We accept that and make peace with that,” he said. “We just want to help people on their worst days.”

As Christians, we come together to pray for peace, healing, and reconciliation. We pray for an end to violence, hatred, and terrorism in our world. We pray for the strength to forgive and the wisdom to seek understanding and reconciliation with those who have caused harm.

We stand united in the face of tragedy, echoing the teachings of Jesus to love our neighbors as ourselves. We honor the memory of those who perished by committing ourselves to acts of kindness, compassion, and service, reflecting the light of Christ’s love in a world that can sometimes seem dark and divided.

91 also remembers the day by lowering its campus flags to half-staff and has organized a remembrance display outside its Tingle Student Center.

91to Host Global Impact Week Sept. 11-13

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 8, 2023) 91 (NGU) students will engage with missionaries, learn about other cultures, and spend time in prayer for the nations during Global Impact Week, set for Sept. 11-13 on the Tigerville campus.

“Global Impact Week is a week where we highlight what the Lord is doing in the nations, and we get the opportunity to broaden students’ worldview,” said Crystalyn Wyatt, associate director of the Center for Global Engagement at NGU. “It highlights the beauty of culture and how the Lord created each culture differently for a reason.”

Jaime Saint, executive director of Indigenous People’s Technology and Education Center (ITEC), will be the keynote speaker for the week.

Born into a family with a heritage in missions, Saint’s dad, Steve, is the son of martyr Nate Saint, a jungle missionary pilot who was speared to death in the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador, South America, in 1956 by the Waodani tribe. Jaime grew up in a family that participated in mission ventures in Ecuador and Mali, West Africa, in between businesses that took them from Minnesota to Texas and eventually to central Florida, where ITEC is headquartered.

After graduating from high school in 1995, Jaime moved with his family to the Amazon Rainforest to help the Waodani tribe learn to do for themselves what outsiders had been doing so that the Waodani could reach their own people with the Gospel. Jaime attended the University of Florida, where he graduated with a degree in Marketing. In 2010, Jaime joined ITEC, which his dad founded.

will include four chapel services, a Q&A with Saint, a bonfire worship, an outdoor movie, and daily prayer sessions. View the Global Impact Week schedule of events.

“Take advantage of these incredible people and get to know how God is using their ministries across the globe. Take the time to listen to stories and learn more about opportunities to go,” Wyatt said. “We are expecting the Lord to work in big ways during Global Impact Week.”

 

 

 

91Partners with OneLife to Offer College Credit to Students in Gap-Year Program

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 6, 2023) 91 (NGU) has signed a partnership agreement with OneLife Institute, offering college credit to students taking part in the organization’s 9-month gap year program.

“We are excited about this strategic partnership,” said 91Provost Dr. Nathan Finn. “Our respective organizations share so much ‘kingdom DNA,’ in addition to geographical proximity. The students who enroll in OneLife’s gap-year program will get the best of both institutions and will enjoy a great launch to their college career.”

OneLife operates four locations in the United States, with two sites in Pennsylvania, one in West Virginia, and one at Camp Sakanaga, in Marietta, South Carolina, approximately 11 miles from 91’s Tigerville campus.

“Every student that enrolls in our South Carolina location, starting in 2024, will be a 91 student and will earn a transcript from NGU,” said OneLife President Josh Beers. “Students can earn up to 30 college credits, so it’s more than just a gap year program. For students who continue on with university studies, it’s their first-year college experience.”

Started 11 years ago with the vision of helping students navigate their next steps through experiential learning, OneLife has continued to grow. 

“We think God is more interested in who we’re becoming rather than where we’re going, and that puts an emphasis on growing your character. We want students to take whatever they do in life and use it to serve God and serve others,” Beers said. “The desire for us is to help students identify who they are and launch them out. We put a strong emphasis on service and an emphasis on taking ownership and responsibility. That’s something we bake into everything we do.”

Over the course of the OneLife gap year, students participate in hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom, assist with local service projects, and take trips across the United States and around the world.

“Our goal for the students is to make the world their classroom,” Beers said. “A number of students come to us thinking that they don’t want to go to college, but they leave excited to further their education because they’ve found a joy in learning.”

91will offer OneLife participants the opportunity to embrace campus life and see what their future might look like in Tigerville as part of their gap-year experience, extending invites to concerts, symposiums, athletic events on campus. Beers said the partnership is a natural fit.  

“91 is doing much more than helping students figure out what they want to do in their careers. They’re helping students figure out who they are. We want to be an on-ramp for students to experience life-changing education at NGU,” he said. “91 understands the uniqueness of OneLife and embraces that. We know what God is doing on NGU’s campus, and we can’t wait to more intentionally connect our students with 91 while they’re at OneLife, and hopefully post-OneLife.”

In addition to the first year, 9-month gap year program, 91and OneLife Institute also partner together on a second-year program, OneLifeX, which aims to help students develop leadership skills and pursue entrepreneurship, media, ministry, and trade. As with the first-year program, OneLifeX is located at Camp Sakanaga, in Marrietta, SC.

To learn more about the organization and opportunities, visit . To learn more about NGU, visit ngu.edu.

91Students Take Part in Study Abroad Trip to Costa Rica

Tigerville, SC (August 31, 2023) Eleven 91 (NGU) students spent a month fully immersed in the language and the culture of Costa Rica over the summer, taking part in a study abroad trip organized by the university’s Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics.

“It’s a unique opportunity for our students to go and spend a month in another country and see how it works,” said Dr. Ben Coates, chair of NGU’s Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics. “As a language teacher, the chance to be immersed in the language is so valuable. Things that you couldn’t understand in the classroom, when you hear it spoken over and over, you pick it up. Even if you don’t understand all of the grammar behind it, you still pick it up.”

Staying with Costa Rican families and attending class at The Spanish Institute near the capital city of San José, students had the opportunity to participate in unique learning opportunities, take travel excursions and participate in local mission projects from May 7-June 9.

“The institute we attended, Instituto de Lengua Española (ILE), offered so many cultural immersions,” said Harrison Kunselman, a rising junior 91student who participated in the trip. “We took an excursion to a volcano, attended authentic cooking and dance classes, played traditional Costa Rican games, and everyone spoke Spanish. Even those who couldn’t fluently speak the language tried their best with what knowledge they did have. While there, I was able to increase my vocabulary, ability to speak Spanish, as well as practice translating for the first time ever.”

Kunselman said he had an interest in the trip last year, and decided to join the team in 2023.

“I’ve never traveled out of the country, much less participated in a study abroad program before, and I was excited to get to know how other people live,” he said. “I was able to acclimate rather quickly, and everyone down there was so kind and friendly.”

The experience was life-changing for Kunselman, who has begun to feel a call toward missions and recently changed his major at 91to Spanish.

“I grew in a lot of ways,” he said, recalling the team’s trip to Talamanca, an opportunity he had to share the gospel, and participate in a prayer session overlooking the Panamanian mountains.

“I felt so strongly in my heart, a voice in my head saying, ‘This is what I want you to do,’” Kunselman said. “Whether that’s missions in Talamanca, teaching at ILE, teaching Spanish in the States, I didn’t care. My heart was changed in that moment. No more was I afraid of the newness of Costa Rica. I didn’t want to leave.”

Coates said he was excited to lead the team and hopes it will inspire others to immerse themselves in other cultures. 

“You never know what God is going to do,” Coates said. “When you go and spend so many days using a different language and seeing a different way of life, it’s just incredible.”

About 91

91offers more than 125 areas of study across certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and early college opportunities. Online. In-person. At our main campus in Tigerville, SC, the Tim Brashier Campus in Greer, SC, or several educational centers around the U.S. One university, many locations. Every day. Epic. To learn more, visit ngu.edu.

Church Fair Draws Record Turnout at NGU

Tigerville, SC (Aug. 31, 2023) More than 80 local churches attended 91’s (NGU) Church Fair on Aug. 17, marking a record turnout for the annual event.

“The event has grown extraordinarily,” said Joshua Gilmore, director of community connection and ministry mobilization at NGU.

“We had only six churches back in 2018,” he said. “In 2022, we had 72 churches. This year, we had an amazing 88 churches working together to reach 91students.”

Participating churches set up tents on the Tigerville campus, connecting with students and giving away essential back-to-school items.

“The mission of 91is to equip transformation leaders for church and society. The church fair draws a direct line to NGU’s mission,” Gilmore said. “We want 91students to know that the local church is vitally important and strategically stands in support of NGU’s student body.”

Gilmore said NGU’s Church Fair is an avenue for students to continue the spiritual growth they experience on campus.

“One student accepted Christ as their Savior in the dining hall on Tuesday, August 15, then he attended the church fair on Thursday, August 17, and then he attended Rocky Creek Baptist Church Sunday, August 20 with a friend,” Gilmore said. “The church fair’s involvement in this year’s Welcome Week demonstrates the importance the local church plays in the strategic spiritual development of our students.”

Phillip Deal, member Mountain View Global Methodist Church in Taylors, attended the event and said he was encouraged by the turnout.

“I marveled at the number of local churches in their outreach to and support for your students,” Deal said. “Everywhere, local churches were reaching out, engaging with and evangelizing to welcome those students inviting them to participate in the community beyond NGU. Seeing all these young adults gives me hope for the future.”

About 91

91offers more than 125 areas of study across certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and early college opportunities. Online. In-person. At our main campus in Tigerville, SC, the Tim Brashier Campus in Greer, SC, or several educational centers around the U.S. One university, many locations. Every day. Epic. To learn more, visit ngu.edu.

91Community to Participate in 100 Hours of Scripture Reading

Tigerville, SC (Aug. 25, 2023) 91 (NGU) students, faculty, and staff will come together to read scripture on the Tigerville campus for 100 consecutive hours, beginning on Aug. 28.

“One of NGU’s core values is being Biblically Faithful,” said Jared Thomas, NGU’s vice president for Campus Ministry and Student Engagement (CMSE).

“The avenue to highlight this core value is to commit 100 hours straight to the reading of God’s Word,” he said.

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Aug. 28 and ending on Sept. 1 at noon, scripture will be continuously read in front of the university’s prayer chapel.

Thomas said the event will highlight the importance of God’s Word and serves as a reminder to remain faithful to the truths of scripture.

Sign-ups are available . Those wishing to participate can reserve a 30-minute time slot at any time during the week-long event.

“It’s a great way to begin the year and a way for our students, faculty and staff to be part of something bigger than themselves,” Thomas said.

Roommates for Life | 91Freshmen Continue Legacy

Pictured left to right are Jennifer Padgett, Sallie Kinard, Riley Belle Kinard, and Mattie Padgett.

Tigerville, SC (Aug. 24, 2023) Twenty-six years after moving into their Horton-Tingle dorm on 91’s (NGU) Tigerville campus, Sallie Kinard (’01) and Jennifer Padgett (’00) were back in the same room where they’d spent four years together.

Only this time, they were there to drop off their daughters, Riley Belle and Mattie.

“Walking through the dorm with the girls was really cool,” Sallie said. “It just takes you back. You’re re-living those moments, which were some of the best moments of my life.”

Friends since high school, Jennifer and Sallie decided to attend college together in 1997.

“I didn’t really have plans to go to college,” Jennifer said. “But somewhere along the way, Sallie said, ‘I’m going to North Greenville. You should come.’ So, I put in my application. I’d never been here. I was not walking with the Lord regularly then. But God used North Greenville and Sallie to teach me how to do that.”

“There were a lot of fun memories in room 24,” Jennifer said with a laugh.

The fun memories included a particularly important tradition.

“The night before exams every year, we would make our own videos,” Jennifer said.

“This was before TikTok,” Sallie noted.

“We would lip sync, perform our own beauty pageants, and use our curling irons as our microphones,” Jennifer recalled.

With Riley Belle and Mattie’s laughter interrupting the trip down memory lane, Mattie made sure to note that the videos were indeed entertaining.

“It’s not that embarrassing,” she said. “The videos are hilarious.”

Performing Mariah Carey’s Christmas album with regularity and selections from Shania Twain, Wilson Phillips, and Point of Grace, the roommates began to hone their skills.

“Point of Grace was a particularly good one because there were four of them, and we could each have a part,” Sallie said, referencing her suitemates Jennifer Mabry Eleazer, and Ansley Welchel, who now serves as a communication instructor at NGU.

“We might not have finished our classes successfully if social media had been around,” Welchel joked.

The tradition picked up steam and started to draw a crowd.

“Before long, we’d have an audience. The (others in the dorm) were trying to make guest appearances,” Sallie said. “We still have those videos.”

The friendships developed in Horton-Tingle 24 continued through the years.

“God changed the course of my life the moment I walked into that suite and met those amazing friends,” Welchel said. “It is absolutely mind-blowing to see God’s incredible favor.”

The connection eventually led to new friendships.

“We grew up together,” Riley Belle said of her new roommate, Mattie. “We’ve always been friends. Even when we haven’t seen each other in a while, we’re able to pick up right where we left off. It’s just a really sweet friendship.”

Mattie, who is attending 91on a golf scholarship, said the decision to come to North Greenville was easy.

“When I got an offer from NGU, I knew that was where I was going to go. When Riley Belle said she was coming too, I don’t even think we had a conversation about rooming together. We just knew.”

Sallie said she and Jennifer were excited the two chose NGU, and hope their time in Tigerville will provide great memories and spiritual growth.

“When you walk on this campus, there’s a presence,” Sallie said. “You don’t have to walk to the prayer chapel to feel that. It’s just there.”

Riley Belle and Mattie are already off to a quick start after participating in Welcome Week activities and going through a week of classes.

“We’ve already made a lot of new friendships,” Riley Belle said. “North Greenville has given us a lot of ways to get plugged in, so that’s been great.”

Welchel now serves as Riley Belle’s advisor and is sponsoring the golf team as a faculty mentor for Mattie.

“Having Riley Belle and Mattie here now and seeing God continue to bless North Greenville through the precious families I helped pray into existence is absolutely overwhelming and beautiful,” she said. “I feel beyond blessed to be a part of what he is doing in and through this special place. I could have never written a chapter this good back when our own freshman year began.”

When asked how often they’ll be performing musical numbers in their dorm, Mattie didn’t hesitate to respond.

“Before every exam, I guess.”