91Theatre to Present “On the Verge” February 15-24 at The Billingsley Theatre

Tigerville, SC—91 (NGU) Theatre will present “On the Verge; or The Geography of Yearning” February 15-17 and February 22-24 at The Billingsley Theatre.

The play, written by Eric Overmyer, follows Victorian explorers on an adventure that takes them to Africa, Himalaya, and Terra Incognita. The mirthful safari spins into time travel as the three sisters sojourn through the wilderness.

“I fell in love with the play and felt like it would be a great exploration for our students,” said Dr. Bess Park, 91theatre professor and director of ‘On the Verge.’ “It’s a deep look into one’s future, one’s destiny, and one’s faith—exploring what God’s plan is for us and fearlessly stepping towards that and surrendering to it.”Park said NGU’s third major production of the academic year provided a challenge for the cast and crew.

“This is a very tough production because Eric Overmyer is a master wordsmith. We spent a lot of time nailing down the pronunciations of these five and six-syllable words. The language of the play is absolutely comprehensible, but the actors and actresses have done a remarkable job of diving into that aspect of it and making it their own.”

The Cast of “On the Verge” includes Alyse Barrett (Mary), Kat Liederbach (Fanny), Keely Lyons (Alex), Dylan Thompson (Grover et al), Rebecca Panagiotacos (Mary), Rachel Forester (Fanny), Grace Turner (Alex), and Logan Stewart (Grover et al).

The show’s crew includes Cynthia Lohrmann (costume designer), David Vierow (technical assistant), Anna Faith Major (stage manager), Marnie Daniel (theatre assistant), Chappie Livdahl (assistant stage manager), Dylan Thompson (assistant sound designer), MJ Greene (projection designer), Mikey Murray (lightboard operator), Daniel Johnson (projection operator), Morgan Madden (projection operator), and Payten Anderson (sound board operator).

“On the Verge” takes the audience on an enjoyable journey that warps time and space.

“The play is set in 1888 and travels up until the 1950s,” she said. “It’s an interesting journey for the three actresses. Time and space are a little warped, but what’s occurring is pushing them toward their divine destiny. It requires a lot from the actors and performers. They have to really embrace the movement and language of space and time. There’s just a level of complexity to the show that makes it unique.”

Nightly showtimes begin at 7:30 p.m., with a special matinee performance available on February 17 at 2 p.m. are $8 for students/children, $15 for adults, and $20 for premium seating. 91students may receive one free ticket with an 91ID on the Monday of the date chosen to attend.

“It’s a fun production,” Park said. “There are so many cultural references and iconic images and music. It’s just a fun show, and audiences are really going to enjoy it.”

Christian Worldview Week Set for March 4-6 in Tigerville

Tigerville, SC (February 7, 2024) 91 (NGU) will host Christian Worldview Week March 4-6, featuring talks from Dr. Katie McCoy and Jason Thacker on “Thinking Christianly about Human Nature.”

Christian Worldview Week has been a highlight at the University for nearly two decades.

“North Greenville always takes seriously the centrality of a biblical worldview in a Christ-first education,” said Dr. Nathan Finn, executive director for NGU’s Institute of Transformational Leadership. “Christian Worldview Week provides an opportunity each spring to invite our entire community to reflect on an important topic from the standpoint of Scripture and consider how it relates to us serving as transformational leaders for church and society.”

McCoy serves as director of . She has a PhD in systematic theology and is the author of “To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond” and co-author of the volume dedicated to the doctrine of humanity in the “Theology for the People of God” series.

“Today’s college students have no shortage of messages about their identity and their purpose in life—messages that form and inform their sense of self,” McCoy said. “But they also have a remarkable opportunity to present a counter-vision of humanity to a culture that is searching for what the way of Jesus provides. I’m delighted to invest in the students of 91as they consider who they are and why they were created.”

She will be speaking on March 4 at 10 a.m. in Turner Chapel and 7 p.m. in Hamlin Recital Hall.

Thacker serves as assistant professor of philosophy and ethics at Boyce College and directs the Research Institute for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He is a PhD candidate at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity,” “Following Jesus in a Digital Age,” and the editor of “The Digital Public Square: Christian Ethics in a Technological Society.”

“Technological innovation and change have become commonplace in our lives and society, yet we rarely think about how these tools are radically altering our perception of God, ourselves as human beings, and the world around us,” Thacker said. “NGU’s Christian Worldview Week is a great opportunity for all of us to think deeply about the role of technology in the Christian life and how we might chart a path of hopeful wisdom — not total embrace nor uncritical rejection. Whether we are faced with the challenges of artificial intelligence, social media, or biomedical technologies, God’s Word is more than sufficient for the task ahead as we seek to follow Jesus with both truth and grace.”

Thacker will speak on March 5 at 7 p.m. in Hamlin Recital Hall and will conclude the week on March 6 at 10 a.m. in Turner Chapel.

Dr. Murphree Claude Donnan Tribute

Murphee Claude Donnan

Dr. Murphree Claude Donnan

Born January 11, 1892, in Greer, Murphree Claude Donnan grew up in the Pelham community, reared on a farm by his mother and grandparents. By age 11, he was plowing 20 acres on his own. He attended a one-teacher grade school which was in session from December to March, before leaving at age 16 to farm full-time. He owned a 35-acre farm at the age of 22, when he felt God calling him to Christian work. Returning to eighth grade as a 23-year-old, he spent three years at Spartan Academy, briefly pausing his education to serve in World War I.

He paid his own way through Furman University, renting shares of his farm. After graduating, he married Ernestine Hawkins on August 4, 1924. Donnan enrolled at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, that fall. The Donnans’ first child, Yates, was born in 1926. The Donnans had their second child, Lois, in 1930, and their second son, Hugh, in 1933. 

As he completed a master of theology degree in the spring of 1928, Dr. Donnan received a telegram offering the post of principal at North Greenville Baptist Academy. 

When Dr. Donnan became principal, the academy had 12 acres, an administration building with eight classrooms, a boys’ dormitory, a girls’ dormitory, and use of an adjacent farm. Roads from Tigerville to Greer and Travelers Rest were unpaved, and the party-line telephone system was out of service most of the time. The campus water and electricity services were unreliable. The young principal declared the summer of 1930 brought “the dawn of a new day,” as a power line and gravel roadways reached the campus. That was followed by an economic depression and struggles to keep the academy operating. 

“Without making a study of the facts as to the future of North Greenville, I accepted the place believing and trusting that the Lord was leading.” 

“Mr. Donnan was a real leader in a time of need and he is more responsible than anyone I know for pulling the school through those perilous years.” 

Professor W.D. Mitchell

North Greenville Baptist Academy faculty 

During his second year as principal, Donnan navigated the academy through the discontinuation of Southern Baptists’ mountain mission schools. He and the academy’s trustees pressed forward, supported by the North Greenville Baptist Association. 

One of Donnan’s first capital projects was the erection of a dairy barn on the back of the campus in 1930. He secured donated materials and free labor. There would be an operating dairy on the campus, employing students, until 1957. Many students paid their board and tuition by farm work and other campus jobs. 

“In his early days as head of the school, Dr. Donnan was in direct charge of the farming operation and spent many days in the fields. … His versatility and physical energy have meant the difference between continuing the school or closing it. When he became principal he was in fact chief engineer, caretaker and farm overseer in addition to being the administrative head of the school.” 

Rev. James W. Crocker

Class of 1943

“I don’t think I have been a college president as we ought to think of a college president.” 

donnan administrative building

Donnan Administration Building

Academy trustees voted August 4, 1934, to offer a year of college work through North Greenville. Dr. Donnan became the institution’s first president and 22 students enrolled for the fall session. The junior college added sophomore class offerings in 1935, and the college’s first graduation, in the spring of 1936, consisted of nine graduates.

The institution grew in physical facilities and academic strength under Donnan’s leadership. A new campus auditorium was built in 1933, connected to the administration building. White Hall for women opened in 1937. Neves Dining Hall was completed in 1944, and a science building was constructed in 1946, along with faculty homes and apartments for married students. A new gymnasium and faculty apartments opened in 1950. Donnan Administration Building was constructed in 1955, followed by Turner Auditorium in 1958, along with Lawton Hall men’s dormitory. A new women’s dormitory, Simpson Hall, was completed in 1961, and Crain Science Building opened in 1962. 

The Donnan Administration Building was critical to the academic growth of the college. With spacious classrooms and a well-equipped library, the building signaled academic stability. The permanent library facilities were the final step in North Greenville earning accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1957.  

“Sometimes God answers prayers on purpose, so we had better be careful what we ask.” 

“Dr. Donnan enjoys the unique privilege and rare opportunity to be able to build in stone, mortar, and human lives.” 

H.J. Howard

NGJC faculty

Dr. Donnan received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Furman University in 1948. He stepped down from the presidency in August 1962, at the age of 70. During his tenure, North Greenville grew to a college campus of nearly 800 acres, a student enrollment of more than 500, and about 30 faculty. NGJC had 120 graduates in the spring of 1962. Upon reluctantly accepting his resignation, the trustees voted to name Dr. Donnan “President Emeritus.” The Donnans moved to a 32-acre site in Greer. While he did not farm the land, he had pasture with a spring and had “just enough” beef cattle “for a little entertainment.” He died on August 1, 1976, at the age of 84, just three days before his 52nd wedding anniversary. 

“We are grateful to you, Dr. Donnan, for the unending sacrifices you have made – in gathering about you a group of men and women whose hearts God hath touched, who have placed the love of humanity above the love of silver and gold, who have labored tirelessly with you in planting the roots of our school deep in the hears of people. … Thank you for your great faith, our belief in prayer, your kind and sympathetic heart that never turned away a worthy one from your door.” 

Rev. Raymond L. Pinson (At dedication of Donnan Administration Building)

Class of 1940, North Greenville Alumni Association President 
“To think of North Greenville is to think of Dr. Donnan, and to think of Dr. Donnan is to think of North Greenville.” 

Rev. M. Floyd Hellams

Class of 1952

“With our increased responsibilities, we must remember to increase our praying.” 

“Murphree Claude Donnan is a man without whom this school simply would not be. … Most of his life he gave to the service of young people, because he believed in young people and he believed the world needed the young people he served. … It was potential that thrilled him, not obvious and completed achievement.” 

Dr. Lloyd E. Batson

Class of 1943
“His relationship with his family was one of warmth and love, for he was not a self-centered person but was always concerned with the needs of others. His love for his family, college students, and north Greenville College could not be expressed in words.” 

Lois Donnan Hinds 

“He will be appreciated and thanked for years to come for his superior qualities of leadership and Christian service, as reflected in the impact that North Greenville students have made throughout the world. … He has guarded our Baptist heritage and has never been apologetic for operating a college which is Christian or Baptist.” 

Rev. A. Howard Wilson

Board Chairman, July 1962

91Hosts Scholars Weekend For Top Student Prospects

Tigerville, SC (February 5, 2024) Sixty-six prospective students competed for 91’s (NGU) highest merit scholarships during Scholars Weekend in Tigerville.

The invitation-only event was held January 26-27 and featured interviews with faculty, staff, and alumni; campus tours; a facilitated group discussion; and a dinner with 91President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr.

“Scholars Weekend is an important part of our academic calendar,” President Fant said. “It provides us with an opportunity to build relationships and connect with some very bright students that will soon be joining us and continuing the tradition of academic excellence on our campus. We are excited to see what God has in store for this group students as they become the transformational leaders we know they will be.”

“Scholars Weekend is a great event,” added Katie Lynn Marshall, director for traditional admissions at NGU. “It’s a big deal to the students and their families, who are invited to attend. It’s an opportunity for students to come and put their best foot forward, with the hope that they’ll be chosen to receive one of our top awards.”

As a group, the candidates maintained an average weighted GPA of 4.9, an average ACT score of 29 and an average SAT score of 1300.

“They are all bright and well-accomplished,” Marshall said. “It was neat hearing each of their stories and seeing how they each contributed to conversations throughout the weekend.”

As part of the competition, the students were asked to put their skills to the test through participation in a collaborative group project.

“The students who come to Scholars Weekend are always excellent, and the event is designed to highlight their individual achievements, interests, and desires,” said Dr. Nathan Finn, executive director for NGU’s Institute for Transformational Leadership. “We felt like it would be helpful to put these high-achieving students into groups where they must collaborate with others to accomplish a creative task. The group projects turned out to be a smashing success. The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with several of them noting it was their favorite part of the event.”

The students competed to receive NGU’s most prestigious academic awards, including several full-ride scholarships designed to allow recipients to graduate debt-free.

“We don’t take this process lightly, and we know the scholarships will help set the selected students up for success as they begin their journey at North Greenville,” Marshall said. “We’re honored to have been able to spend the weekend with such a wonderful group of young men and young women and can’t wait for them to join us at 91this fall.”

Living Their Dream on the Sidelines and in the Studio

Mary Margaret Ellison

Tigerville, SC (January 31, 2024) Two 91 School of Communication alumni are of sports broadcasting and reporting at two television stations in the southeast.

Mary Margaret Ellison (’22) is a sports reporter for KALB-TV (NBC) in Alexandria, Louisiana. The Easley, SC native dreamed of being a sportscaster when she was young. She spent her years at 91bouncing between various on-air and production roles in the School of Communication, 91Athletics, and freelance media and internship work across upstate South Carolina.

“I’m getting to do things I never thought I would. I get to cover LSU…I get to cover the Saints…I’ve always wanted to be a sports reporter and being able to live this dream…It allows me to dream bigger and see where I can go next,” Ellison said.

Kasie Thomas

One state away, Ellison’s 91 classmate Kasie Thomas (’22) is also living her version of the dream, but on the sidelines of Ole Miss, Jackson State and dozens of high schools and arenas in the competitive sports scene of Jackson, Mississippi.

Thomas, originally from Wetumpka, Alabama, is a weekend sports anchor and reporter for WLBT-TV (NBC) in Jackson, responsible for producing and presenting highlights through the busiest parts of the sports week and covering individual athlete stories the rest of the time. Shortly after graduating, Thomas said she knew she’d arrived as a professional journalist when she attended SEC Media Days in Atlanta the summer before the fall football season.

“I’m interviewing coaches that I saw on TV growing up. I’m standing in front of these people. They’re looking me in my eyes, and I’m like ‘What?…This is crazy. I can’t believe I get to do this’…it was so exciting,” Thomas said.

Both Thomas and Ellison were part of the School of Communication’s Broadcast Journalism class their senior year, fall of 2021, producing weekly stories and newscasts for Vision TV online.

“The TV news students do it all–pitching stories, shooting video and interviews, writing scripts, editing video and producing and presenting a live broadcast every week. It’s demanding,” said Dr. Randall E. King, Associate Dean for the School of Communication.

“But it’s also incredibly rewarding to see them put a newscast together. Five students made it through to the end of the semester and five–100 percent of them–landed full-time jobs in broadcast news after graduation. And they’re in good company because we have many more School of Comm alumni working in local media all over the southeast,” King said.

Thomas, who admitted the class was a struggle at times, said she is still grateful for her experiences. “As much as I hated having a package (TV news story) every single week, the repetition really helps…making sure you’re writing, having all your scripts…it truly helps because now I do that every day.”

Both young professionals credit 91with helping them grow in more ways than just media skills. They say their faith in God sustains them in the pressure-filled work environments.

“You can feel the Lord everywhere…North Greenville in general…and being able to be there and feel the Lord’s presence there…and seeing Christ work in me and transferring that to them is probably the best part,” Ellison said.

“Through North Greenville, I became stronger in my faith, and that translated into my job, without even thinking about it—trust God, have faith in what He’s doing and His plan,” Thomas said.

Although they get to work on some of the biggest stages in college and professional sports, Thomas and Ellison say they enjoy reporting the smaller stories the most, featuring high school athletes who compete for the love of the game, their families and communities.

“Mary Margaret and Kasie represent what we hope for all of our communication students–to fall in love with telling stories and connecting with the people behind those stories. That’s how they become transformational leaders in their world – one person, one story at a time,” King said.

McDonald Announces Retirement From Athletics Leadership

Tigerville, SC (January 26, 2024) 91 Director of Athletics Jan McDonald will retire on May 31, 2024. The long-time administrator announced her decision to the university’s athletics staff on Friday, January 26.

When she steps down, McDonald will have served with 91Athletics for 41 years, including more than three decades as director. She joined the school in 1983 as an assistant and began North Greenville’s softball program in 1985, leading that program for 18 years. Over her career in Tigerville, she has taught an array of courses, served as an assistant volleyball and basketball coach, and also started the women’s soccer program in 1986.

“Jan McDonald has invested her entire career at North Greenville and it is a career marked by care and concern for our students, and dedication to helping them prepare for life beyond college,” said 91President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “Her passion for coaching young people in a Christ-centered community has benefitted our university in manifold ways over the past four decades. We are grateful for her commitment to our mission and look forward to joining together to celebrate her career later this semester.”

“I have been very fortunate,” McDonald said of her 91tenure. “Just to be here this long is one thing, but to have been surrounded by such a great team of colleagues has been another. The many people I worked with made me look good. But now I just feel like it is my time to step aside. I’m grateful to the administration for the wonderful opportunity I’ve had to serve and look forward to seeing what’s next. I believe the future of 91athletics is bright!”

As director of athletics, McDonald guided 91through transitions from junior college competition to the NAIA, the NCCAA, and into NCAA Division II. The university fields 20 varsity sports teams and is a member of Conference Carolinas, with 91football transitioning from the Gulf South Conference to Conference Carolinas over the next two seasons. 91has constructed or renovated all athletics facilities during her tenure as director. The university’s softball field was named in her honor in 2016.

A native of Fountain Inn, SC, McDonald earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Erskine College and a master’s degree in health and exercise science from Furman University.

The university will announce plans for naming McDonald’s successor in the coming days.

91Concert Choir and Worship Ensemble to Host Hymn Sing

Tigerville, SC (January 26, 2024) The 91 (NGU) Concert Choir and Worship Ensemble will host a Hymn Sing in Turner Chapel on February 27 at 7 p.m.

The special musical event will feature the 91Concert Choir and Worship Ensemble leading the audience through a selection of timeless hymns. Attendees can expect a diverse selection of hymns, ranging from cherished classics to contemporary arrangements.

“We are excited to bring the Concert Choir and Worship Ensemble together for this event,” said Director of Worship Studies Megan Hollifield. “It’s an opportunity for our community to come together, enjoy the rich tradition of hymns, and experience the powerful impact of music on our spirits.”

This free event is a celebration of musical heritage and spiritual inspiration. It is open to the public and welcoming to attendees of all ages.

For additional information about the program, or group ticket sales, contact Megan Hollifield at megan.hollifield@ngu.edu or call 866.706.4610.

Want to go?

  • Date: Tuesday, February 27
  • Time: 7 p.m.
  • Location: Turner Chapel, Tigerville Campus
  • Cost: Free, tickets are available at The Billingsley Theatre Box Office (864.977.2081)

91Soccer Camp Ranks in Nike Top Ten

Tigerville, SC (January 22, 2024) Nike has ranked the 91’s Soccer Camp among the top 10 camps in the nation.

With more than 300 soccer camps across 35 states in the United States, Nike touted the 91camp’s state-of-the-art facilities, unique and structured curriculum, and position-specific training as reasons for the top-10 selection.

“The camp has continued to grow,” said 91Women’s Soccer Head Coach Andy Robinson. “We started with one week and we’re going to do three weeks this summer. People that didn’t know about North Greenville are checking us out now.”

Geared for campers ages 10-18, NGU’s Nike soccer camp is designed to develop training sessions to enhance technical skills and tactical awareness.

“We teach them the technical aspects of a skill, and we put them back into the game where they can try it out,” Robinson said. “These are things you can duplicate in your back yard.”

“In the old days, there weren’t a lot of resources. You just went out in the backyard and practiced because you loved it. That’s what we’re trying to move back to,” he said.

According to Nike, the camp has a five-star rating, and will run from June 10-13; June 17-20; and July 15-18 in 2024.

Camp coaches include Robinson, Katie Taylor, and Sayit Mejia Bello.

“We’re here because we love this sport and it gave so much to us, so that’s what we want the camp to emulate,” Robinson said. “Kids are always afraid to make mistakes because they’ll have to run laps or get berated. We just want to create an environment where you’re free to fail. We have great support coaches and lead coaches. It doesn’t have to be miserable to learn, develop, and grow. It can be fun.”

Complete on the Nike ID camp are available online, and registration information can be found at .

Light on a Hill Brick Campaign Paves Way to Honor or Memorialize

Tigerville, SC (January 17, 2024) Students, alumni, and friends of 91 (NGU) can leave their mark on The Donnan/COBE Project by participating in NGU’s .

The campaign invites participants to purchase commemorative bricks that will be part of the grand entry leading into the renovated Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center. Each brick will be engraved with names or messages.

“We are grateful for the incredible response to the start of the Light on a Hill Campaign,” said Lamont Sullivan, Senior Associate Vice President for Alumni and Athletic Engagement. “This effort is helping us achieve something truly remarkable, while celebrating NGU’s history and our future.”

Situated at the highest point on NGU’s campus, the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center has been part of the educational journey for 91students for nearly seven decades. It has served as a home for the university’s library, the business office, information technology services, and an array of classrooms and offices, including the president’s office.

The historic building now serves as the home for the College of Business and Entrepreneurship and 91Senior Administration offices. The fully renovated structure also will provide students with a new commons area in the heart of the campus.

The 4-inch-by-8-inch bricks are $150 for alumni and friends, and $100 for 2023 91graduates and current students. To learn more, or to purchase bricks in the Light on a Hill campaign, visit go.ngu.edu/mark-the-way.

Major Grant Supports New Home for 91Business Programs

Tigerville, SC (January 5, 2024) A major grant from the Robert W. Plaster Foundation to 91’s capital campaign for the transformation of historic Donnan Administration Building will yield a new name for the home of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, 91President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., announced on January 5. The expanded and completely renovated 20,000-square-foot building will be named the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, housing the College of Business & Entrepreneurship, the Donald E. Ward Administrative Suite, and the Murphree C. Donnan Commons, which preserves and articulates the legacy of NGU’s longest-serving president.

The grant was approved by the Lebanon, Missouri-based foundation’s board of directors earlier this fall, after a site visit by the foundation’s executive director.

With a stated mission to “expand educational access and promote the virtues of the American free enterprise system through named capital projects,” the Robert W. Plaster Foundation has supported capital projects at more than 20 colleges and universities. The foundation has mainly worked with institutions in the Midwest. 91is the first South Carolina university to receive a grant from the foundation.

Plaster founded Empire Gas Corporation in 1963. It was one of the largest retail propane distributors in this country when he sold the company in 1996. The Robert W. Plaster Foundation was created in 1983, with a “primary goal of helping academic institutions provide affordable college education to those ambitious young students who might not otherwise be able to afford it.”

91officials said the new vision for the facility, which originally opened in 1955, reflects continued growth for a university which grew from its grade school roots under the leadership of Dr. Murphree C. Donnan, who served as North Greenville Academy principal from 1928-34, and president of North Greenville Junior College from 1934-62.

“President Donnan was an extraordinary educator who gave this institution a staggering 34 years of uninterrupted leadership,” said President Fant. “He cast a vision for North Greenville that reached far beyond the Foothills. Mr. Plaster was a bold entrepreneur who impacted the world of business far beyond his Midwestern roots. This new partnership with the Plaster Foundation weaves together the passions of both men. I can imagine Dr. Donnan and Mr. Plaster having a lively conversation about the value of hard work, courageous ethics, and the fruit of human flourishing in all sectors of society. This grant allows us to move forward with enhanced facilities and a shared commitment to expanding our academic impact in the business world. The Plaster Center provides 91with ‘Class A’ facilities for our ‘Grade A’ business programs.”

“Robert W. Plaster believed in God, country, hard work, and the free enterprise system,” said Jason Hannasch, the foundation’s executive director. “His many successes can be attributed to his underlying belief in the philosophy that ‘Can’t Never Could.’”

The foundation’s board has focused on grants to institutions which are committed to education supporting the American Free Enterprise System. According to the foundation’s website, Plaster “knew that success comes through hard work and that the effectiveness of hard work is multiplied by having a good education.”

“Our commitment to teaching students the virtues of the American Free Enterprise System and the opportunities afforded by free markets makes our relationship with the foundation one which should mutually benefit our organizations,” said Dr. John Duncan, dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship. “Our strong desire is to glorify God by transforming students into innovative thinkers and entrepreneurial problem-solvers who serve as agent of human flourishing. The foundation’s partnership will bolster our ability to excel in this work.”

The College of Business and Entrepreneurship is NGU’s largest academic unit, with more than 500 students enrolled in its bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center will provide five high-tech classrooms, comfortable faculty offices, and two high-profile collaboration rooms for the college, accounting for approximately 75 percent of the space in the facility.

NGU’s senior administrative leaders will move into the Ward Executive Suite, on the north side of the upper level of the building, with President Fant’s office overlooking the historic quad and the expansive mountain views from Glassy to Packs Mountains. Other offices include those of the executive vice president, provost/dean of the university faculty, chief financial officer, and university general counsel, allowing senior officials to be housed in the same suite.

The Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center also will yield new meeting areas for 91students, with completion of an enlarged gathering space in the middle of the ground floor. Named for North Greenville’s first president, Donnan Commons will provide students with a brightly lit, expanded area to visit and study, as well as a heritage center that preserves the distinctive, restored historical mural that has marked the building’s entrance since its construction.

A full timeline of the building’s transformation can be found online at ngu.edu.

91Announces Fall 2023 Dean’s List

Tigerville, SC (December 13, 2023) 91 (NGU) has released its Fall 2023 Dean’s List.

Undergraduate students named to the Dean’s List carry a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher while taking a minimum of 12 hours. Online and traditional students recognized for their academic achievements are alphabetized by last name.

Congratulations to our students!

Fall 2023 Dean’s List

Samantha Acker Spartanburg SC
Kevin Adcock Chapin SC
Braxton Allmon Pendleton SC
Paris Alsup Peachtree City GA
Shane Amerson Darlington SC
Joseph Amici Williamsville NY
Payten Anderson Early Branch SC
Cecily Anderton Sullivans Island SC
Juan Arbelaez Fort Mill SC
Hannah Archer Rock Hill SC
Brooke Arends West Union SC
Eliana Armstrong Clover SC
Kaelum Armstrong Easley SC
Mallory Arp Spartanburg SC
Seth Atkins Inman SC
Jacob Auton Marietta GA
Natali Auton Marietta GA
Mark Autry Midlothian VA
Victoria Azurdia North Miami FL
Julia Babun Bean Station TN
Ayden Baker Gastonia NC
Victoria Baldwin Warrenville SC
Samantha Ball Saint Paul MN
Allison Ball Saint Paul MN
Zachary Bannister Fort Mill SC
Madison Barkley Trinity NC
Broghan Barnes Ehrhardt SC
Chandler Barnett Ware Shoals SC
Christopher Barr Lake City SC
Sarah Barrineau Lexington SC
Karah Barry Blythewood SC
Tia Bartlett Hendersonville NC
Emma Bartlett Hendersonville NC
Stephen Basha Chesnee SC
Camille Bates Simpsonville SC
Abbegale Bauer Sumter SC
Angel Beahm Campobello SC
Allysa Bearden Spartanburg SC
Sadie Beaumont Okatie SC
Winter Bedenbaugh Leesville SC
Judy Benner Simpsonville SC
Thaddaeus Bertoni Belton SC
Ally Bingham Mooresville NC
Tolleson Birch Roebuck SC
Brian Bishop Inman SC
Preston Bishop Easley SC
Virginia Bishop Simpsonville SC
Abbie Bishop Wellford SC
Kaitlyn Bishop Simpsonville SC
Hannah Black Ridgeway SC
Jared Blackmon Lancaster SC
Emily Blackwell Starr SC
Caroline Blake Mauldin SC
Ryan Blalock Fuquay Varina NC
Caitlyn Blankenship Travelers Rest SC
Carter Blanton Taylors SC
Kaitlyn Bliss Travelers Rest SC
Abigail Blow Florence SC
Hollie Boland Boiling Springs SC
Kyle Bollman Glen Ellyn IL
Misty Bonasia Boiling Springs SC
Victoria Bonet Denver NC
Kortnie Booker Greenville SC
Joshua Borges Waynesville NC
Katie Bostic Easley SC
Brandon Bowman Concord NC
Thomas Boyd Cleveland SC
Charles Bozard III St Matthews SC
Andrew Brackett Clover SC
Katherine Bradford Greenville SC
Beau Bradley Monticello GA
Dallas Bradshaw Landrum SC
James Brady Cary NC
Meagan Brannen Taylors SC
Caden Brannen Lugoff SC
Cevonna Brewington Rock Hill SC
Brent Bricklin Lyman SC
Madaline Bridges Easley SC
Nazia Bridges Chesterfield SC
Emily Bright Greer SC
Kealee Brinkley York SC
Jaylan Brinson Mills River NC
Danielle Brisco Spartanburg SC
Aidan Broeker Tigerville SC
Alexander Brooks Houston TX
Amy Brooks Earl NC
Philip Brooks Inman SC
Teffiany Broome Lancaster SC
Brooklynn Brown Wellford SC
Tristan Brown York PA
Amber Brown Spartanburg SC
Shelbee Bryant Rockwell NC
Sarah Buchanan Burnsville NC
Abigail Buras Largo FL
Scott Burgess Roebuck SC
Delanie Burnett Greer SC
Taylor Burnett Inman SC
Katie Burns Greer SC
Maggie Burrell Inman SC
Alanna Burroughs Fletcher NC
Emmalee Burton Mooresville NC
Carolina Busch Liberty SC
Kayla Butterfield Waldoboro ME
Autumn Byers Gaffney SC
Riley Byrd Zirconia NC
Nicholas Cabel Anderson SC
Savannah Cade Liberty SC
Rachel Caffell Inman SC
Brianna Cagle Pickens SC
Joshua Campbell Travelers Rest SC
Joao Pedro Campos e Silva Belo Horizonte ZZ
Natalie Cannon Aiken SC
Nadja Canty Rock Hill SC
Shane Carpenter Mauldin SC
Emily Carroll Woodruff SC
Holan Cartee Greer SC
Avery Carter Marshall NC
Emma Carver GREENVILLE SC
Lindsey Case Easley SC
Tanner Case Easley SC
Karoll Castiblanco Greer SC
Abigail Cauley Greenville SC
John Cauthen Greenville SC
Laura Cervantez Fort Worth TX
Marli Cevallos Makofsky Johnson City TN
Olivia Chambers Travelers Rest SC
Savannah Chambers Iva SC
Selah Chambers Pisgah Forest NC
Jill Chapman Chesnee SC
Zoe Character Hephzibah GA
Hannah Chelton Hanahan SC
Latasha Chestnut Columbia SC
Bryson Childs Belton SC
Ashley Chism Spartanburg SC
Zachary Cholak Inman SC
Jasper Clapp Knoxville TN
Sydney Clark Browns Summit NC
Lidia Clipperton Greenville SC
Lara Cloninger Greer SC
Fred Coan Lyman SC
Kirsten Coan Moore SC
Shaylie Coleman Greer SC
Anna Coleman Simpsonville SC
James Compton Greer SC
Ashlyn Conner Midland City AL
Zoe Cooke Lexington SC
Abigail Corn Hendersonville NC
Kinsley Cothran Greer SC
Magdalen Covington Liberty SC
Heather Cox TAYLORS SC
Jody Cox Lake View SC
Alyssa Creef Inman SC
Boyd Cribb Spartanburg SC
Erin Crittendon Greer SC
Moriah Crouse Travelers Rest SC
Sarah Crowe Cleveland SC
Bailey Crowe Wellford SC
Grace Crowhurst Taylors SC
Cobey Cruell Piedmont SC
Carson Curry Bogart GA
Talley Cushman Port Royal SC
Thomas Dacus Easley SC
Desire’e Dadisman Sumter SC
Nicole Dan Clover SC
Matthew Darnell Woodruff SC
Kelli Davis Moore SC
John Deal Greenwood SC
Michaela Dean Abbeville SC
Brittany Decker Taylors SC
Gerald DeFronzo Simpsonville SC
Sarah Delanuez Greenville SC
Markayla Dempsey Moore SC
Heavenlee Deneen Salisbury NC
Luke Densmore Easley SC
Brooke Dickinson Midland MI
Lily Diez Greer SC
Pablo Diez Greer SC
Mary Dillard Spartanburg SC
Anna Dinn Social Circle GA
Ronald Dix Greer SC
Sarah Dixon Simpsonville SC
Kensey Doughtie Chesapeake VA
Zion Douglas Simpsonville SC
Chloe Dove Dillon SC
Hannah Dover Easley SC
Ashlyn Dowling Saluda SC
Lauren Drake Inman SC
Jonathan Drake Inman SC
Roger Duckett Greenville SC
Alexis Duckett Moore SC
Ciera Dudziak Anderson SC
Brandon Dugar Taylors SC
Kinsley Dunn Central SC
Matthew Easler Gaffney SC
Matthew Eaton Gray Court SC
Andrew Eaton Gray Court SC
Christian Edland Greer SC
Emma Edwards Greer SC
Jenny Edwards Easley SC
Taylor Edwards Hendersonville NC
Charles Eldridge Travelers Rest SC
Lydia Elliott Duncan SC
Jaclyn Elliott Clover SC
Marigrace Ellis Gaffney SC
Jacquelyn Endy North Myrtle Beach SC
Natalie Epps Union SC
Artem Ermoshkin Taylors SC
Julia Estes Greenville SC
Thomas Evans Duncan SC
John Faile Boiling Springs SC
Penny Fang Simpsonville SC
Carolyn Farabee Rock Hill SC
Abby Farr Taylors SC
Jarod Feitshans Martinsburg WV
Seth Fellenz Woodruff SC
Daniel Fetter Taylors SC
Anna Fiddelke Fountain Inn SC
Kimsey Fiddie Simpsonville SC
Alyssa Finkbeiner Simpsonville SC
Abbey Finklea Conway SC
Michael Finley Travelers Rest SC
Lauren Fisher Belmont NC
Travis Fitzgerald Greer SC
Emma Fleming Landrum SC
Melanie Floyd Woodstock GA
Eric Fogle Columbia SC
Lezette Folk Easley SC
Rachel Forester Swannanoa NC
Lisa Forrester Anderson SC
Cristalyn Fosdick Stanley NC
Katelyn Foster Woodruff SC
Parker Foster Newnan GA
Terri Foster Spartanburg SC
Abigail Fowler Campobello SC
Daisy Frankenfield Hopkins SC
Taylor French Corbin KY
Koleman Fritz Travelers Rest SC
Kade Fritz Greer SC
Keiley Frye Leesville SC
Grace Fuller Colfax NC
Grayson Fulmer Pauline SC
Aaron Fulton Campobello SC
William Fulton Campobello SC
Morgan Funderburk Hickory Grove SC
Kylie Futrell Hanahan SC
Rhyan Gaff Manning SC
Abigail Galloway Greenville SC
Paola Garcia Duran Greer SC
Abigail Garrett Wellford SC
Abbey Garrett Chesnee SC
Kyleigh Garrick Six Mile SC
Jason Gavalda Fair Play SC
Zachary Geerholt Hendersonville TN
Kristopher Gentry Sierra Vista AZ
Makayla George Simpsonville SC
Kamryn George Laurens SC
Kyleigh Gibbons Ocala FL
Christiana Gidney Charlotte NC
Michael Gilbert Travelers Rest SC
Marco Gonzalez Inman SC
Manuel Gonzalez Inman SC
Michael Goodwin Lawrenceville GA
Lauren Gouge Spartanburg SC
Haviland Graham Edgefield SC
Natisha Grandjean Rock Hill SC
Tucker Gray Anderson SC
Karley Green Cowpens SC
Maggie Green Lexington SC
Meredith Greene Greer SC
Amelia Gregg Inman SC
Megan Griggs Matthews NC
Blythe Griner Greenville SC
Jessica Gross Seneca SC
Julianna Guivas Taylors SC
Isabella Gyurich Estero FL
David Haase Greenville SC
Rebekah Haddad Lithia FL
Garrick Hagen Easley SC
Carmyn Haley Greenville SC
Seth Hall Trussville AL
Nicole Hamacek Greer SC
Henry Hammett Taylors SC
Jordan Hamon Travelers Rest SC
Madison Handy Chesnee SC
Jenna Hansard Sumter SC
Shannon Hardin Summerville SC
Treasure Hardwick Charleston SC
Breana Harris Greenville SC
Kelci Harrison Taylors SC
Lucas Hart Inman SC
Angelina Hart Travelers Rest SC
Alison Hartin Travelers Rest SC
Hilary Harvell Belton SC
Macey Haviland Clover SC
Caylee Hayes Camden SC
Emma Heard Lexington KY
Victoria Hefner Terrell NC
Evan Helms Lancaster SC
Duncan Henderson Pickens SC
McKenzie Henderson Pickens SC
Chloe Henry Greenville SC
Abigail Hepner Greenville SC
Christian Hess New Market VA
Madison Hightower Seneca SC
Hannah Hill Simpsonville SC
Jeffery Hillyard Laurens SC
Shelby Hipps Spartanburg SC
Caleb Hodge Greer SC
Jessica Hogue Rock Hill SC
Anna Hoke Palm Coast FL
Timothy Holcomb Myrtle Beach SC
Garrison Holdman Lexington SC
Brittney Holland Lugoff SC
Kylie Horton Inman SC
Camden Howell Greer SC
Alexis Hudson Spartanburg SC
Chloe Hughes Rock Hill SC
Angels Humphries Lexington SC
Taylor Hunt Aiken SC
Giorgiana Hunte Greer SC
Skye Hurst Fort Worth TX
Lindsey Hyder Taylors SC
Morgan Hynds Simpsonville SC
Jacob Iannace Summerville SC
Samuel Imeh-Nathaniel Greer SC
Emmanuel Imeh-Nathaniel Greer SC
Tiffany Isgett Hartsville SC
Christopher Jackson Inman SC
Kabrina Jackson Murrieta CA
Zy’Novia James Boiling Springs SC
Benjamin Jaminet Easley SC
Lane Jennings Travelers Rest SC
Elizabeth Jernigan Hickory NC
Caleb Jiva Taylors SC
Virginia Jodon Greer SC
Macy Johnson Greenville SC
Carly Johnson Kings Mountain NC
Rachel Johnson Kings Mountain NC
Anslee Johnson Boiling Springs SC
Austin Johnson Union KY
Jacob Johnson Cleveland TN
Natalee Johnson Union SC
Tayden Johnson-Stayton Moravia NY
Reagan Jolley Spartanburg SC
Olivia Jones Honea Path SC
James Jones Greer SC
Joshua Jones Blainville QC
Zachary Jordan Clover SC
Marianna Jordan Pine Mountain GA
Shelden Joseph Fort Mill SC
Jacqueline Judge Wagener SC
Madison Kavanaugh Clover SC
Jessica Keesler Clover SC
Katie Keller Oak Ridge NC
Jason Kelly Woodruff SC
Tarrence Ketter Hartsville SC
Riley Kinard Lyman SC
Connor Kincaid Matthews NC
Victoria Kirby Inman SC
Natalie Kitchko Spartanburg SC
Jacob Klumb Grafton WI
Christian Knight Rock Hill SC
Alejandria Knight Westminster SC
Ethan Kolmus Roebuck SC
Denver Koon Lexington SC
Ryland Kowalski Goose Creek SC
Christopher Krafcky Woodhaven NY
Naomi Kreloff Clearwater FL
Blythe Krueger Chapin SC
Bella Kuckel Inman SC
Harrison Kunselman Simpsonville SC
Laura Lake Lexington SC
Jayce Lamb Cowpens SC
Lindley Lamb Lexington SC
Aleisha Lamb Mint Hill NC
Natalie Lambert Inman SC
Michaela Lanier Blythewood SC
Emma Lankford Indian Trail NC
Gwinn Lankford Charlotte NC
Danielle LaPlume Loganville GA
Anthony LaRusso Greenville SC
Kayla Latham Greenwood SC
Andrew Layne Reidsville NC
Anna Lee Buffalo SC
Porcha Lee Moncks Corner SC
Graham Leonard Inman SC
Daniel Lesley Belton SC
Eva Lewandowski Columbia SC
Hobart Lewis Greer SC
Blake Lewis Vienna WV
Jenna Lisowy Mattituck NY
Tabitha Littlefield Taylors SC
Finley Lloyd Monument CO
Nicholas Long Cayce SC
Silas Losh Taylors SC
Julia Low Ridgeland SC
John-Paul Lowrimore West Columbia SC
Isabelle Lutzio Simpsonville SC
Corbett Lyda Greenville SC
Haven Lyko Greer SC
Carrie Lytton Spencer NC
Sarah Macdonald Hendersonville NC
Morgan Madden Campobello SC
Amanda Mahaffey Simpsonville SC
John Malone Inman SC
Heidi Malphrus Ridgeland SC
Paul Manukin Travelers Rest SC
Christopher Marbut Greenville SC
Leila Marbut Greenville SC
Natalie Marcy Columbia SC
Melissa Marlowe Chesnee SC
Morgan Martin Swansea SC
Elizabeth Martin Sharon SC
Carl Martin Liberty SC
Klayton Mathis Greer SC
Abigail Matson Travelers Rest SC
Lawson Maxey Pickens SC
Vitoria Maximiliano Rio De Janeiro NULL
Carolina Mayer Easley SC
Emma Mayew Clayton DE
Claira Mayhall Gastonia NC
Lewis McBeth Union SC
Riley McCall Oak Ridge NC
Leslie McClain Gaffney SC
Chandler McCraw Boiling Springs SC
Abigail McGillis Columbia SC
Leeann Mckinney York SC
Jennie McMurray Laurens SC
Caroline McNeely Woodruff SC
Kinslee Medlin Seneca SC
Kedrissa Mendoza Greer SC
Rylee Merrill Inman SC
Aubrey Merryman Summerville SC
Samantha Meyeres Waconia MN
Callie Meyerholtz Clinton SC
Kacey Miller Conway SC
Yates Miller Naples FL
Ashlyn Miller Greer SC
Vincent Mitchell Simpsonville SC
Isabella Mitchell Boiling Springs SC
Hayden Moffat Airdire AB
Erin Mole Varnville SC
Jennifer Molizon Simpsonville SC
Jacob Monroe Pawleys Island SC
Philip Monteith Greenville SC
Rebecca Moore Simpsonville SC
Keaton Moore Easley SC
Jordan Moore Lexington SC
Kayla Moore Gray Court SC
Star Moore Mullins SC
SarahAnn Morgan Taylors SC
Ashley Morris Lexington SC
Christopher Moseley Travelers Rest SC
Chloe Moser Clover SC
Meghan Mosher Lexington SC
Autumn Mossman Greenwood SC
Misti Motte Boiling Springs SC
Sadie Mullinax Travelers Rest SC
Sarah Mullinax Liberty SC
Andrew Mullinax Liberty SC
Noah Murphy Aiken SC
Kathryn Murray Campobello SC
Stelly Musser Inman SC
Andrew Neilson Winter Garden FL
Linley Nelson Westminster SC
Gabriel Nelson Littleton CO
Kylie Nelson Roswell GA
Makena Newsome Enoree SC
Aimee Nichols Talbotton GA
Rebecca Nicholson Townville SC
Landon Norris Spartanburg SC
Joel Nugent Greenville SC
Jose Nunes Greer SC
Abigay Oates Register GA
Emiline Oates Register GA
Kyler Odom Turbeville SC
Brooklyn Odom Lyman SC
Emma Ogden Travelers Rest SC
Aiden Oliver Simpsonville SC
Isabella Ortiz Greenville SC
Jasmine Ortiz Gasca Taylors SC
Arianna Owens Hanahan SC
Joei Owens York SC
Joceline Paez Blythewood SC
Katherine Palm Lexington SC
Rebecca Panagiotacos Swannanoa NC
Noah Parker Clemson SC
Marjorie Parrillo Winfield Park NJ
William Parris Greenville SC
Jada Patrick Egg Harbor City NJ
Tiffany Patton Spartanburg SC
Chloe-Michelle Peden Inman SC
Gabriel Pegoraro Sao Bernardo Do Campo ZZ
Maggie Pennell Newport NC
Denise Peters Spartanburg SC
Blake Petteway High Springs FL
Glenda Pharr Catawba SC
Kelly Phillips Mauldin SC
Allisondra Phipps Haverhill MA
Brandy Pilgrim Simpsonville SC
Ethan Platt Spartanburg SC
Molly-Elizabeth Platt Longwood FL
Abigail Pollard Louisville TN
Emilie Porter Boerne TX
Benjamin Portillo Walhalla SC
Ryan Potter Matthews NC
Jaycee Potts Westminster SC
Lauren Pressler Monroe NC
Abigail Prince Taylors SC
Melody Proffitt Seneca SC
Macy Pruitt Eastman GA
Lexie Pust Greer SC
Eva Rabon Myrtle Beach SC
Eric Ragan Spartanburg SC
Ethan Ragusa Travelers Rest SC
Owen Ragusa Travelers Rest SC
Shaylea Raines Burnsville NC
Joshua Rains Pickens SC
Maddison Ramsey Sunset SC
Kendrick Randall York SC
Braeden Ray Taylors SC
Shana Ray Greenville SC
Jordan Rector Hendersonville NC
Anna Reece Pickens SC
Karis Reed Franklinton NC
Susan Rhodes Spartanburg SC
Lucas Richardson Elgin SC
Jacinta Richey Laurens SC
Kael Rillie Goleta CA
Leslie Rivera Easley SC
Sharda’ Robinson Mauldin SC
Evelyn Roderer Travelers Rest SC
John Rogers Greenville SC
Elijah Rogers Easley SC
Jonah Rollins Inman SC
Ronald Rose Greer SC
Diego Rosich Oliver San Juan PR
Nicholas Ross Bennettsville SC
Kayden Rowell Clermont FL
Logan Rudisill Greenville SC
Madalyn Rumple Lugoff SC
Merena Russeau Lexington SC
Jennifer Russell Travelers Rest SC
Ashley Russell Travelers Rest SC
Naomi Sakakibara Sao Paulo NULL
Grace Salter Alexandria VA
Alyssa Samples Travelers Rest SC
Aubree Sangster Clermont FL
Parker Santee Due West SC
Paola Santiago San Juan PR
Abigail Sarratt Blacksburg SC
Thomas Schilling Brandon FL
Emma Schubert Greer SC
Patrick Scott Greer SC
Elijah Scott Travelers Rest SC
Morgan Scott Simpsonville SC
Mckenzie Scott Greenville SC
Lydia Scott Moss Point MS
Brooke Scruggs Columbus GA
Thristan Searchfield Greenville SC
Emma Sepko Greer SC
Kylie Sheldrake Goode VA
Micah Shelton Marshville NC
Julia Shennan Taylors SC
Cameran Sherman Landrum SC
Rachel Sherrod Williamsburg VA
Karsten Shields Monroe NC
Avery Shope Fort Mill SC
Riley Shope Fort Mill SC
Jacob Shuford Aiken SC
Nelson Shwe High Point NC
Rebecca Simpson Due West SC
Lauren Sims Greer SC
Hannah Siniard Penrose NC
Aydan Sizemore Fuquay Varina NC
Jaclyn Skinner Beaufort SC
Thomas Skipper Marion SC
Brian Smith Easley SC
Destiny Smith Hartsville SC
Victoria Smith Alpharetta GA
Caroline Smith Gulf Breeze FL
Austin Smith Honea Path SC
Delaney Smith Fountain Inn SC
Hope Sneller Fletcher NC
Amy Solesbee Boiling Springs SC
Tyler Sonneborn Woodruff SC
Ca’Darrius Sowell Kershaw SC
Caden Sprinkles Gastonia NC
Matthew Stanley Greenville SC
Nilska Stanley Travelers Rest SC
Jamie Steele Lyman SC
Mabry Steele Lexington SC
Jared Steinman Keller TX
Neo Stengel Pleinfeld NULL
Madison Stephens Taylors SC
Helen Stephenson Lavonia GA
Kathryn Stepkoski Birmingham AL
Ethan Sterling Simpsonville SC
Jadon Stevens Matthews NC
Micah Stewart Vancouver WA
Nathan Storch Moore SC
Taylor Strickland Georgetown SC
Hallie Stumbo Greenwood SC
Ethan Sudsberry New Port Richey FL
Amelia Suggs Gaston SC
Hannah Sullenger Orting WA
Cecelia Sundell Lexington SC
Anna Sutherland Williamston SC
Matthew Swier Lexington SC
Austin Tapp Cheraw SC
Kaitlyn Taylor Fountain Inn SC
Natalie Taylor Garner NC
Emmy Taylor Greer SC
Kanon Tebo Belgrade MT
Dominick Terlizzi Aiken SC
Jaycie Thigpen Hickory NC
Jaxson Thigpen Hickory NC
Hannah Thomas Chester SC
Kinsey Thomas Waxhaw NC
Miriam Thomas Natick MA
Josiah Thomas Pine Mountain GA
Amber Thomason Spartanburg SC
Marissa Thompson Simpsonville SC
Ethan Thompson Thompsons Station TN
Faith Thompson Mineral Bluff GA
Lauren Thorpe Clover SC
Elijah Threatt Boiling Springs SC
Hannah Tilley Blythewood SC
Christo Timini Limassol ZZ
Dylan Timms Travelers Rest SC
Embre Todd Raleigh NC
Kyleigh Tokar Spartanburg SC
Weston Tolsma Simpsonville SC
Justin Toney Newton NC
Merritt Townsend Travelers Rest SC
Karoline Trapnell Hodges SC
Abby Trent Marietta GA
Hunter Truluck Florence SC
Abigail Tully Wilkesboro NC
Amareya Turner Palatka FL
Megan Turner Moore SC
Grace Turner Yuba City CA
Debbie Tye Pensacola FL
Seth Upton Marietta SC
Tatianna Vasquez Bay Point CA
Brandi Vazquez Spartanburg SC
Kyle Venturini Hatfield PA
Skyler Vicino simpsonville SC
Abrielle VonCannon Conway SC
Olivia Wade Liberty SC
Caitlyn Walker Campobello SC
Cameron Walker Rock Hill SC
Madison Walker North Charleston SC
Samantha Wall Statesville NC
Savannah Walls Fort Mill SC
Asher Warner Lyman SC
Sarah Warren Varnville SC
Hannah Waters Kannapolis NC
Lauren Waters Easley SC
Jaycee Watkins Bakersfield CA
Kelsey Watson Lancaster SC
Aaron Watson Camden SC
Elijah Wease Chesnee SC
Rachel Weatherford North SC
Laila Weaver Wellford SC
Emily Weaver Taylors SC
Dimitri Webb Seneca SC
Noah Weiss Landrum SC
Carmen Wells Greer SC
Gary Wenzel Mohrsville PA
Pate West Lutz FL
Ashley West Pauline SC
Harper Whaley Kershaw SC
Jacob Whatley Taylors SC
Erin Wheaton Pompano Beach FL
Chase Wheeler Inman SC
Caroline Whitt Abbeville SC
Abigail Wilcox Simpsonville SC
Hannah Wiles Ware Shoals SC
Kristen Wilke Simpsonville SC
Kelsey Wilkes Florence SC
Jude Wilkey Greenville SC
Dalton Wilkins Summerfield NC
Lexis Wilkinson Fort Mill SC
Blakely Williams Pelzer SC
Caleb Williams Flowery Branch GA
Matthew Williams Taylors SC
Leah Williamson Lexington SC
Savannah Williamson West Union SC
Arianna Wilson Wellford SC
Abigail Wilson Gaffney SC
David Wilson Myrtle Beach SC
Aubrey Winstead Archer Lodge NC
Meredith Wirth Gastonia NC
Sara Wolgamott Gray Court SC
Ainsley Woodham Marietta GA
Carson Woodham Bennettsville SC
Catherine Woods Fountain Inn SC
Mikayla Woodward Nipawin CN
Macy Wooten Taylors SC
Charmaine Wright Yemassee SC
Hannah Wyant Simpsonville SC
Mia Wysong Summerville SC
Delaney Yarboro Kings Mountain NC
Grace Yoder Carrollton GA
Nathaniel Yon Gilbert SC
Savannah Yopp Gastonia NC
Abigail Young Greer SC
Jonathan Yun Roseburg OR
Antonella Zambrano Lawrenceville GA
Gianna Zarella Greer SC
Zachary Zarra Bethpage NY
Enxu Zhang Spartanburg SC
Anna Zimmerman Campobello SC

Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis Graduates with Honors From NGU

Tigerville, SC (December 11, 2023) “Leaders have to be able to equip those around them with the tools they need to do the job. They also have to be willing to pick the tools up and do the work themselves.”

Those are reflections from Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis, who graduated from 91 with a degree in criminal justice on Friday, December 8.

Lewis has served the county as sheriff since 2020.

“I didn’t need a degree. I’d reached the pinnacle of any goal I’d ever set for myself in law enforcement. I wasn’t looking to get a college degree, and I wasn’t looking at North Greenville,” he said.

“The Lord just had other plans.”

Lewis cited Senator Tim Scott’s police reform bill, introduced in 2020, as the reason he decided to return to school.

“Part of that reform bill was that every deputy we hired had to have at least an associate’s degree or military service,” Lewis said.

The United States military veteran harkened back to a phrase he frequently told voters on the campaign trail.

“I ran on the fact that I would never ask somebody to do something that I wouldn’t do,” he said. “I couldn’t ask new hires to come in with a degree and not have one myself.”

Lewis found North Greenville and never looked back.

“I’m very thankful to have picked a university that was local, inside the county, and based on religious beliefs that aligned with mine,” he said. “The education has been valuable, and I’ve certainly sharpened my skills. The professors and other students took a vested interest in me and my success, and I was able to accomplish something that I’m extremely proud of.”

While the road has been challenging at times, it has also been rewarding.

“Sheriff Lewis been able to bring his life experience, his campaign experience, and his administrative experience to the classes and to the discussion boards,” said Dr. Marti Glass, director for adult and professional studies at NGU. “The program is really designed for working professionals. It’s taught by people who have actually worked in the field. These are professionals who have been out there and know what it’s like to be in the line of duty.”

Joined by his family and fellow law enforcement officers, Lewis was presented with a diploma on Monday, December 11 at the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.

“School has been a challenge on top of the very busy three and a half years I’ve had as sheriff,” Lewis said. “With as much stress as it can bring, studying at North Greenville has been a great outlet for me. I’ve had some tough days, but this has been a great way to end those days—connecting with like-minded people who want to serve the community. Pursuing this degree has made me a better person and a better leader for the sheriff’s office.”

As the Class of 2023 prepares for their future endeavors, Sheriff Lewis is doing the same.

“To be honest, I really don’t want to stop,” he said. “I would love to continue learning and improving my skills, I’m not sure where this ends for me.”

Offering a discount to first responders and fully online courses, NGU’s Criminal Justice and Legal Studies degree is designed for professionals who are already working in the field, as well as those who are just beginning their careers in law enforcement. For more information on the program, visit here.