Top GC Stories of 2023

This year brought many moments, encompassing both joyous occasions and somber reflection. Explore some of the noteworthy stories from the past year below.

• Goshen College dedicated a Hispanic-serving Institution by U.S. Department of Education

  

  The U.S. Department of Education formally designated Goshen College as a Hispanic-Serving Institution in January, followed by an October grant that will propel the institution’s efforts to support student success and close the equity gap over the next five years.

• Historic Westlawn renovations begin

  Goshen College ceremonially broke ground on Sept. 1 for the historic Westlawn Hall renovation project. To learn more about the project and to track updates with accompanying photos, videos and more news, click here.

• New history book tells the story of GC’s journey around identity and inclusion

  Author John D. Roth ’81, a noted Anabaptist-Mennonite scholar and professor emeritus of history at Goshen College, researched and gathered information for the book from the college’s extensive archives.

• Athletic programs soar to new heights

  GC’s athletic programs showcased dedication, skill and determination throughout 2023. Athletes in several different sports soared to new heights, achieved triumphs and made their mark on collegiate competition.

  • Cross country teams have best finishes in program history
  • Men’s and women’s bowling teams added to growing list of athletic programs
  • Student-athletes recognized at 2023 LEAFYs
  • Kemboi and Chebet as outdoor track & field All-Americans

• New Honors Program set to launch in 2024

  

  GC announced in late November its plans to launch an Honors Program. It is designed to provide a transformative educational experience for high-achieving students and will begin in the Fall of 2024.

• Five honored with 2023 alumni awards

  Five outstanding alumni were chosen to receive Goshen College’s 2023 alumni awards: Daryl Abbott ’69, Geof Landis ’76, Melissa (Lehman) Gillette ’05, Jeremy Pope ’11 and Pauline (Graybill) Kennel ’53.

• Student documentary explores a hard part of Goshen’s past

  A special premiere screening of ‘Goshen – A Sundown Town’s Transformation‘ took place on March 21 at The Goshen Theater, offering a free and open-to-the-public opportunity to witness the town’s remarkable journey. There have been thousands of such communities in the U.S., but Goshen is among the first to make a bipartisan declaration regarding “a past to stand against.”

• Three retiring employees say farewell after decades of service

  

  Three employees said farewell to Goshen College this year as they retire and begin the next chapters in their lives. Together, they have served a total of 79 years and an average of approximately 26 years at GC. The employees who retired during the 2022-2023 academic year were Gordon Bontrager, IT programmer analyst and senior database administrator, Roger Nafziger, director of gift planning and John Ross Buschert, professor of physics.

• Students honored with national, state and campus awards

  

  Students brought in a plethora of individual and group awards this year, more recognition of the amazing work our students and faculty put into their crafts.

  • 2022-2023 undergraduate Dean’s List announced
  • President’s Graduating Leader Award recipients announced
  • Three outstanding seniors presented with Global Citizenship Awards
  • Communication Department brings home broadcasting awards
  • 91.1 The Globe wins fifth Radio Station of the Year Award
  • The Record places second in Newspaper of the Year competition
  • Jakyra Green wins C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest
  • FiveCore Media earns fifth Emmy nomination for ‘Vital Passage’
  • Brenton Hieu Pham honored with ‘Realizing the Dream’ Award

• We also remember those who passed away this year, including the following long-time faculty and staff:

  
  • 1/30/23: Gordon Yoder, associate director emeritus of college relations, dies at 97
  • 9/16/23: Marlin Jeschke, professor emeritus of philosophy and religion, dies at 94
  • 9/21/23: Mario Wenger, retired professor of German, dies at 91
  • 12/5/23: John A. Lapp, former provost and academic dean, dies at 90

To view the Best Images of 2023, click here.