Five generations at GU: A Krober and Finger family legacy story

Published: March 22, 2023

When Greenville University senior Claire Krober walks across the stage this May to receive her diploma, she walks the same path—figuratively—that five generations of her family walked.

“To be a fifth-generation student is really special to me,” Claire says. “I think most students and staff could say that there’s something uniquely special about Greenville. Knowing that the saints of my family walked the same roads that I do years and years later makes it that much more special to me.”

The first connection

It all began with Lester Finger in 1915 (pictured with his wife Pauline), who came from Texas to (then) Greenville College because of the College’s Free Methodist connection. Lester (Granddad Finger) didn’t graduate from GU (because he went back to Texas to marry Pauline. However, he was the first connection that led a total of 23 Finger family members to attend or graduate from GU and also led to nine Finger/Krober marriages through GU.

Kent Krober ’78, a grandson of Lester Finger, shares that the Free Methodist affiliation drew the first generations of his family to GU as it was one of the first four-year FM schools in the country. Kent notes that over those five generations, GU has experienced changes from dress codes to buildings. Still, the University continues to influence the future with students of character and service graduating and making a difference in the world as alumni.

“Things have changed and it’s a different school, but GU is remaking itself in wonderful ways. God is still in charge, and this is a good place to be.”

He adds that while family members in those five generations attended GU for different majors and careers—teachers, doctors, ministry, business—all of them shared the GU connection.

The fifth-generation connection

Claire knew about that connection throughout her childhood and says she originally resisted considering GU because of all the family history.

“[However], as soon as I visited campus, I knew it was the place because of the people I met who were genuinely excited to meet me,” she says. “I don’t regret my decision one bit! The ways my faith has been strengthened, the lifelong friends I have made, and the empowerment I have received as a leader all affirm my decision to be a part of the GU community.”

Claire, a worship arts and theology double major, plays guitar and drums and sings in various student bands that lead worship for on- and off-campus events. She’s also active in GU’s Interfaith Club. She was named a 2022 Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, an award recognizing her academic and extracurricular accomplishments as well as her on-campus leadership and service.

Claire shares a full-circle moment that started with one of her earliest memories of Greenville from when she was around 4 years old.

“I don’t remember much, but there’s a moment that I remember playing in Grandmother (Anita) and Granddad’s (Howard) backyard with my cousins and we found a giant caterpillar. We were so intrigued by this caterpillar and filled with wonder,” she recalls. “Just about 20 years later, I find myself with a similar sense of wonder in the classroom, in the pews of St. Paul’s Free Methodist Church, and on the trails of Patriot’s Park. I am deeply grateful for this place and for my family that has both formed and been formed by Greenville University.”

Five generations of Fingers:

First generation:
Lester D. Finger (Attended GC 1915-1916)

Second generation:
Lester H. Finger (Attended 1943) married Ruth (Williams ’45) Finger

Third generation:
Anita (Finger) Krober (daughter of Lester D. Finger) enrolled in GC in 1939 but got married in Dec. 1939 and never matriculated. She worked for GC from 1962-70 running the Student Union Snack Bar.

Children of Howard James and Anita (Finger) Krober:
Wendel J. Krober ’63 married Kay (Wills ’63)

Leslie L. Krober ’69 married Peg (her father attended GC)

Howard Kent Krober ’78 married Sandy (Wade ’78)

Children of Lester ’43 and Ruth (Williams ’45) Finger:
Mary (Finger ’74) married Dennis Henry ’74

Barbara (Finger ’76) married Bob Cranston ’77

Naomi (Finger ’79) married Mike Gregornik ’79

Nancy (Finger ’79) married Rick Hoover ’79

Carol (Finger ’81) married Dale Stewart ’80

Son of Lucille (Finger) Lane:
Glenn Lane ’65

Fourth generation:
Children of Wendel ’63 and Kay (Wills ’63) Krober:

Lauretta (Krober ’89) Leak

Lisa (Krober ’91) married Richard Ware ’91

Brian Krober ’93

Children of Robert ’77 and Barbara (Finger ’76) Cranston:
Daniel Cranston ’99

Sarah Cranston ’03

Children of Les ’69 and Peggy Krober:
Timothy Krober ’01

Rebecca (Krober ’02) Carpenter

Children of Kent ’78 and Sandy (Wade ’78) Krober:
Kyle Krober ’02

Rachel (Krober ’04) married Tim ’04 Wayman

Children of Mike ’79 and Naomi (Finger ’79) Gregornik:
David Gregornik ’10

Children Dale ’80 and Carol (Finger ’81) Stewart:
Rachel Stewart ’13

Fifth generation:

Child of Brian ’93 and Julie Krober:
Claire Krober ’23