As 2024 draws to a close, Grove City College is quiet – for a change – as students, faculty, and staff take a winter break from their studies, teaching, and labors.
For some, the end of the year is a time of reflection, a time to look back at what has transpired over the last 12 months. And, when it comes to the College, much has. To help sort it all out, we offer this review of the Top 10 Stories of the Year.
This list was determined by a variety of factors, including institutional impact, media coverage, social media engagement and website metrics. These are the stories that meant the most and attracted the most attention in 2024.
#1 President Paul J. McNulty ’80 retiring
In August, College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 announced his plan to retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year, his 11th in office. McNulty became the College’s ninth president in 2014 after a 30-year legal career in Washington, D.C., which included service as U.S. Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, senior attorney in the U.S. Congress, and private practice.
Trustee Chair Edward D. Breen ’78 called McNulty’s tenure a “historic era of success for Grove City College” and cited increased academic offerings, innovative programs, enhanced worship and discipleship opportunities, athletic success, and campus revitalization efforts. “His innovative, energetic, and winsome style has truly been transformative ,” Breen said.
Leading his alma mater is “the most professionally fulfilling experience of my life,” McNulty said. “Shepherding our tremendous flock of Grovers is the best part of this job, and, frankly, the hardest to give up. Learning, living, and growing together on this beautiful campus is a fantastic experience.” McNulty and First Lady Brenda (Millican ’80) McNulty are known for their dedication to students, deep faith, and a commitment to the College’s vision, mission, and values.
The search for the College’s 10th president is ongoing.
#2 Chair Emeritus David R. Rathburn ’79 passes on
Trustee Chair Emeritus David R. Rathburn ’79, a man who left an indelible mark on the College as a student, alumnus, benefactor, and leader, died Feb. 6, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. He was 66.
During 28 years of service on the Board of Trustees, Rathburn led Grove City College through an era of unprecedented growth and change and generously supported the College’s vision, mission, and values. He was the youngest person in College history to serve as chair and even served briefly as the College’s interim president in 2003.
Rathburn – who studied accounting, political science, and business administration – enjoyed enormous success in business and contributed tens of millions of dollars during his lifetime for projects than included the namesake Christian activities building and far more after his passing with an estate gift estimated at $70 million. During a memorial service in Harbison Chapel, former President Richard G. Jewell ’67 said Rathburn had earned a place in the pantheon of the College’s greatest leaders and supporters equal to J. Howard Pew.
#3 School of Business named for alumnus Howard Winklevoss ’65
The Winklevoss School of Business was dedicated in November in recognition of entrepreneur Howard Winklevoss ’65, who presented the College this year with its first Bitcoin gift. Winklevoss’ donation, worth $4 million in September, ushered in a new era of giving for Grove City College. The unrestricted gift will fund innovative business programs and ensure that Grove City College continues to provide an exceptional education to future generations.
Winklevoss is a renowned academic and business technology entrepreneur. A native of Mercer, Pa., he earned a degree in accounting and met his wife Carol (Leonard ’65) at Grove City College. He also embraced the Austrian School economics taught by legendary professor Hans Sennholz. “Grove City College played a pivotal role in shaping my career and success and has always been a champion of free enterprise and independence,” he said. “This gift is a way to give back to an institution that has given me so much. I hope it will inspire future generations of students to pursue excellence and make a positive impact in the world.”
#4 Mike Pence joins GCC, helps establish Center for Faith & Public Life
In April, the College announced the creation of the Center for Faith & Public Life to explore and support the presence of Christian faith in public institutions and the addition of former Vice President Mike Pence to the staff as a distinguished visiting fellow.
“The appropriate role of faith in the public square is a major issue in this moment of our American life,” McNulty said. “The Center will examine how and why Christians have sought to put their faith into action for the common good.” Pence is an “extraordinary role model” for carrying faith into the public square, said McNulty, who co-taught a class with Pence this fall.
“Faith and engaging in public life are not mutually exclusive, nor should they ever be,” Pence said.
#5 40th anniversary GCC v. Bell
This year marked the 40th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Grove City College v. Bell, which put an end to the nearly decade-long legal battle over federal funding and the College’s right to self-determination. It marked the beginning of a new era, one in which Grove City College was recognized as much for the courage of its convictions as its reputation as one of America’s best Christian liberal arts colleges.
#6 Wolverine winners
Athletic success continued for Wolverine student athletes in 2024, with several teams taking Presidents’ Athletic Conference championships, including repeats from 2023 like football and women’s soccer, the College winning the conference men’s and women’s All-Sports honors for the first time in 18 years, and raising the College’s national sports profile.
#7 Reagan movie
In August, “Reagan,” the long-awaited biopic based on Professor of Political Science Paul Kengor’s book “The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism,” opened in theaters nationwide. The film, starring Dennis Quaid as Reagan was a hit with audiences and the realization of a 20-year effort by the professor and movie producer Mark Jacobs.
#8 Academic excellence expanded, enhanced
The College’s expansion into new areas of academic excellence to better serve students and society was marked in 2024 by the approval of three new Graduate Studies programs in Kinesiology , Economics, and Education as well as the graduation of the College’s first class of nursing students to complete the bachelor’s degree program that began in 2020.
#9 Fundraising record – momentum
In July, Grove City College announced it shattered all previous fundraising records for the just-closed fiscal year, with a whopping $36.6 million total, more than twice the previous year’s sum. The Impact 150 campaign total stands at $116 million toward a goal of $185 million. “Grove City College is enormously blessed by the support of donors who believe in what we do and how we do it,” McNulty said.
#10 Total eclipse/Northern lights
Campus was graced by more than a few celestial wonders in 2024, providing students with unforgettable experiences with God’s creation. In April, a total solar eclipse drew thousands to the Quad to watch as the moon passed in front of, and nearly blotted out, the sun. Then, in May and again in October, the Aurora Borealis – the northern lights – illuminated the evening sky, drawing students out of their dorms and away from their studies to see – and take photos – of the rare occurrences.