Class of 2017 Makes History as Last to Graduate From GC, Now Greenville University

Published: April 13, 2021

The class of 2017 made history May 27, 2017, when graduates crossed the Commencement stage to receive congratulatory handshakes and diplomas. They are the last graduates to earn degrees from Greenville College. Effective June 1, Greenville College will become Greenville University.

Dan Haseltine (pictured at left), founding member and front man for the multiplatinum selling music group Jars of Clay, delivered the Commencement address. The GC alumnus told graduates that of all the accolades Jars of Clay has received over the years, the privilege its members most value is having a presence in rooms where conversations with consequences take place.

Over the years, Jars of Clay has had the opportunity to set the tone musically for conversations about civil rights, for modern slavery, religious persecution, global health, he said. I really want you to be in those rooms; I want you to have the opportunity to be in those conversations.

Graduates from the School of Adult Studies, the Briner School of Business and the School of Education received degrees at a 10 a.m. service. Graduates from the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Professional Studies and the Bastian School of Theology, Philosophy, and Ministry received degrees at a 3 p.m. service.

At the 10 a.m. exercise, Provost Edwin Estevez recognized highest academic achievement by awarding graduate Kirsten Norsworthy Freeze with the Presidents Citation. Lisa Amundson (pictured at right) received the W. Richard Stephens Outstanding Faculty Award, and former student Daniel McPherson was posthumously awarded an honorary bachelor of science in business administration.

At the 3 p.m. exercise, President Ivan Filby awarded an honorary doctor of science degree to Greenville College alumnus, retired neurosurgeon Dr. Kenneth R. Smith, Jr.

2017 Greenville College Baccalaureate service
2017 Commencement Exercises 10 a.m. service
2017 Commencement Exercises 3 p.m. service