The top 10 Grove City College stories of 2025 tell a story of transition and accomplishment, of plans made and hopes fulfilled, of service and leadership.
The year now ending saw a new president’s arrival, the rebirth of a campus landmark, validation of the College’s Christ-centered living and learning environment, and more, all coming on the eve of another big year. In 2026, Grove City College will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding in 1876.
The top 10 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 2025:
#1 – Bradley J. Lingo ’00 selected as the College’s 10th president
Lingo, an alum and Harvard-educated attorney and law professor, was chosen for the post in March after the College conducted a nationwide search to succeed retiring President Paul J. McNulty ’80.
Lingo describes his return to campus as an opportunity to make sure future generations of students enjoy the same preparation and opportunities he did. He is focused on making sure Grove City College fulfills its mission to provide an academically excellent, Christian, conservative, and affordable education for the nation’s most promising students.
“Fidelity to our mission is not just our sacred responsibility – it’s also the magnet that will draw outstanding students and scholars to Grove City. We want to be a place where students are known, loved, and discipled. I hope to see Grove City establish itself as the premier Christian college in this nation. And I expect that to happen. But if we disciple students, inspire them to pursue excellence, and launch them to serve and lead across this country--that’s success,” he said.
Lingo, who previously served as dean of Regent University School of Law, began work in July, made his mark early with the creation of the President’s Scholarship, an annual $7,500 merit-based award for incoming students with outstanding academic records.
#2 – Smith Hall of Science and Technology opens
On Sept. 12, Grove City College rechristened the campus’ oldest – and newest – academic building at a dedication ceremony for the Smith Hall of Science and Technology. The two-year renovation and expansion of the former Rockwell Hall of Science, which was built 94 years ago, cost nearly $50 million, all of it raised from private donors as part of Impact 150: The Anniversary Campaign for Grove City College, a multi-year effort to raise $185 million for scholarships and campus improvements. It is named for lead donors, technology entrepreneur William W. Smith Jr. ’69 and his wife Dieva Smith.
The work included a full renovation of all four floors of Rockwell Hall, a complete redesign of just about everything except the building’s iconic tower, and the construction of a connector linking it to STEM Hall. The result is 100,000 square feet of space dedicated to discovery and serving some of Grove City College’s fastest-growing majors and strongest programs.
#3 – A transformative $70 million gift
A $70 million gift from the estate of David R. Rathburn ’79 – the largest single donation in Grove City College history – will enable the College to increase student financial aid, fund campus building projects, and continue its momentum toward a firmer financial future. Rathburn, who died in February 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer, was a successful entrepreneur, active alumnus, major donor, and longtime member of the College’s Board of Trustees, which he chaired for 17 years and led through times of intense change and growth. The bequest from Rathburn’s estate calls for 75 percent – $52 million – to go to the College’s financial aid endowment to fund need- and merit-based scholarships for students. The remaining 25 percent is earmarked for capital improvement projects.
#4 – President McNulty retires
Grove City College’s ninth president, Paul J. McNulty ’80, retired in June after 11 years of service to his alma mater. Over the course of his presidency, McNulty demonstrated energetic, initiative-driven, winsome, and Christ-centered leadership as the College faced expected and unexpected challenges and explored new opportunities in an era of uncertainty in higher education, society, and culture.
During his tenure, the Center for Faith & Public Life and the Center for Rural Ministry were established, Buhl Library was completely renovated, the Chapel program was revised, the College’s values were codified, and Chick-fil-A opened on campus. His legacy includes strengthening the College’s Christian character, a deep interest and attention in the lives and formation of students, and a new focus on collegiate athletics. In recognition of his service, the College plans to name a new proposed athletic facility in his honor.
#5 – New baseball stadium named for Stewart
Grove City College will name its new baseball field in honor of alumnus William C. “Bill” Stewart ’61, a stalwart of the team that brought baseball back to the Grove in 1959 and longtime supporter of the College’s vision, mission, and values. Stewart died just months after plans for the $3 million ballfield were unveiled. The stadium off Pinchalong Road will accommodate important improvements that will allow the program to grow in the short and long term, including turf for the infield and outfield, which will minimize maintenance and injuries, and space to accommodate lights, parking, and additional seating for spectators. It will replace R. Jack Behringer Field, which the College has used since Stewart’s playing days.
#6 – Mises Archive available online
After his death more than 50 years ago, famed economist Ludwig von Mises’ papers and library were entrusted to the College, which is the home of the country’s leading undergraduate Austrian School economics program. The 20,000-page archive has yielded a raft of academic papers, journal articles, books, and more in the decades since, but only for scholars who could make the pilgrimage to the College. That changed with the completion of a year’s-long effort to fully digitize the archive, which is now available at gcc.historyit.com. “By giving access to interested scholars around the world, the Mises digital archive will stimulate new lines of research on the Misesian approach to economics,” Dr. Jeffrey M. Herbener, chair of Grove City College’s Department of Economics said.
#7 – College earns top rankings
Grove City College students are the Most Religious in the nation, according to The Princeton Review, which also gave Grovers top spots on their lists of Friendliest (2), Most Politically Conservative (3), and Most Engaged in Community Service (10.) In addition to recognition by Princeton Review as one of America’s Best Colleges – and a Best Value – U.S. News ranks Grove City number two for Best Value and fifth overall in the region.
#8 – Back-to-back All-Sports trophies
For the second straight academic year, the Grove City College athletic department won the Presidents' Athletic Conference All-Sports Trophy in both men's and women's competition in 2025. The trophies are awarded to the schools which perform the best across the board in league competition. Wolverine student-athletes dominated the competition, with varsity programs winning 11 of 24 PAC titles in the 2024-25 academic year, a record for Grove City College.
#9 – IFF turns 20
The Institute for Faith & Freedom, Grove City College’s conservative think tank, marked its 20th anniversary at this spring’s annual conference “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: 2025.” The Institute, then known as the Center for Vision & Values, was founded in 2005 and has been advancing the College’s vision of religious, economic, and personal freedom, and Christian values in the public sphere ever since. The Institute has made Grove City College a key contributor to the marketplace of ideas.
#10 – Downtown revitalization partnership
The College, in collaboration with the Borough of Grove City, received a $179,500 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to develop a community revitalization plan for downtown Grove City. The major town-gown effort involves local stakeholders honing a strategic vision for economic development and sustainability. College and borough officials say the partnership reflects a shared vision for a vibrant community for residents, students, business, and visitors and will be a catalyst for investment in the community and its people.