Grove City College was founded in 1876. From its inception it has endeavored to provide its students with an excellent academic and physical fitness education in a thoroughly Christian atmosphere. It has taught beauty by providing a beautiful campus and stewardship by the way it handles funds entrusted to it. Even though equal freedom for race, religion, and women was unusual in 1876, it stood for those principles then and it does so today. And by keeping costs low, it has made it possible for families of modest income to send their children to Grove City.

As powerful government through bureaucracy and taxation began to encroach on our freedoms, Grove City College emphasized more than ever its dedication to the freedom of the individual. Most people came to this country from abroad to gain particular freedoms, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom to pursue a livelihood. But freedom is indivisible. One of these freedoms cannot be lost without ultimately losing all freedoms. Teaching this to our students is an important part of their education.

In 1977, the College went to court over Title IX and its requirements. As part of the outcome, our student aid department became the entry point for federal control. As a result, we forbade our students from accepting Pell Grants.

In 1996, the federal Department of Education insisted that we sign a complex participation agreement that exposed the College to extensive regulations and that we disclose our financial reports. We then had no choice but to withdraw from their loan program and forbid our students from using Stafford/PLUS loans. To do otherwise would have ultimately resulted in federal control of the management of the College through regulations and other ways.

Grove City College operates efficiently because its board of trustees truly governs, its administration carries out the policies established by the board, and its faculty teaches. This type of management makes the College the highly admired institution that it is today.

From its inception, needy youth have been helped through their four undergraduate years in various ways, and this will not change. Indeed, one of the original goals of the trustees was to provide an excellent low-cost education to deserving students. The trustees have full confidence that, free from intrusive government regulation, the College will become even better than it now is.

Albert A. Hopeman, Jr.
President of the Board of Trustees (1972-1998)