By NICK HILDEBRAND
GCC Senior Editor, Marketing and Communications
GROVE CITY, Pa. – In 2023, Grove City College launched Impact 150: The Anniversary Campaign for Grove City College, a fundraising and investment initiative that will position the college to make an impact for another century and a half.
Grove City College, founded in 1876, is a private Christian liberal arts and sciences college best known for its independence and commitment to providing students with an affordable, academically excellent, and Christ-centered learning and living experience that prepares them for lives of achievement and service.
The $185 million Impact 150 campaign is the largest in the college’s history. It is focused on improving campus facilities, increasing financial aid and enhancing the student experience. The three-phase campaign will culminate in 2026, when the college marks its 150th anniversary.
“Bottom line – Impact 150 will strengthen Grove City College for decades to come,” says college president Paul J. McNulty.
In its initial phase, Impact 150 has generated more than $80 million, including more than $20 million for financial aid and scholarships. Work is well underway on the first major project funded by Impact 150 – the transformation of 90-year-old Rockwell Hall into the $48 million Smith Hall of Science and Technology. And construction will begin this year for a new fieldhouse and athletic event center on lower campus.
Across campus, 2023 was an outstanding year.
U.S. News and World Report ranked Grove City College as fourth overall and third for best value among colleges and universities in the Northeast based on academic quality, graduate outcomes and the number of degrees the college awards in the sciences and professional disciplines. U.S. News also recognized the college for offering best-in-the-nation undergraduate engineering and computer science programs.
In September, Chick-fil-A opened in Breen Student Union and Grovers literally ate it up. As well as providing hungry students with nuggets and sandwiches, the corporate values of the fast food chain sync well with the character of Grove City College.
Also last year, the Center for Rural Ministry was established to expand the college’s work by helping ministers who serve under-resourced parishes in agricultural, Appalachian and Rust Belt communities.
Enrollment, which stands at 2,400, remains robust. The 600-strong freshmen class that arrived in August was drawn to Grove City College by its excellent academics, Christian mission, career outcomes, conservative values, and strong community, according to a survey of the students.
The year ended with an amazing fall season for Grove City College student-athletes. In addition to claiming Presidents Athletic Conference titles in women’s soccer, women’s cross country and women’s tennis, the Wolverine football team had a record-breaking run this fall that included an undefeated regular season, a PAC championship, and the college’s first appearance and first victory in the NCAA Division III playoffs.