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“A Year with Frog and Toad” Opens Thursday at The Billingsley Theatre

Seth Atkins

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 20, 2023) 51�Թ� Theatre will open its 2023 season with seven showings of “A Year with Frog and Toad,” beginning Sept. 21 at The Billingsley Theatre in Tigerville.

A Theatre for Young Audiences musical by Robert and Willie Reale based on the children’s book by Arnold Lobel, the show is a jazzy, upbeat production for all ages.

“It’s an incredibly high energy show,” said Amy Dunlap, associate dean for 51�Թ�’s School of the Arts and director of the musical. “It’s very fun and very accessible. It’s great for kids, but it’s also enjoyable for all ages. There’s such a warm message about friendship, forgiveness, and community. It’s been so much fun to work on.”

The musical includes many adventures but is ultimately a story about friendship.

“Frog and Toad are friends,” Dunlap said. “They’ve been friends for a long time, and this story follows them through a year of that friendship. They go through adventures like sledding down a scary hill. They learn how to manage their fears and how to accept one another for who they are.”

Seth Atkins

The Cast of “A Year with Frog and Toad” includes Alyse Barrett (Frog), Logan Stewart (Toad), Jaylan Brinson (Bird, Turtle, Mother Frog, Mole), Caleb Riley (Bird, Lizard, Snail, Father Frog, Mole), and Isabelle Western (Bird, Mouse, Young Frog, Mole).

The five-member group has been working on the production since the summer.

“Rehearsals began over the summer and ramped up a week before classes started in August,” Dunlap said. “The cast has had the opportunity to tour the production at several local elementary schools, so they have been working really hard even before the show opens in The Billingsley Theatre.”

Dunlap said musicals like “A Year with Frog and Toad” continue to expand the diversity of offerings at The Billingsley Theatre.

“We try to offer a variety of different shows for our audiences,” she said. “We want our students and the community to have chances to experiences different styles and genres.”

“A Year with Frog and Toad” will run Sept. 21-23 and Sept. 28-30, with nightly showtimes beginning at 7:30 p.m. A matinee showing is planned for Sept. 23 at 2:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit .

Coming soon

In November, 51�Թ� Theatre will present “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” by Alfred Uhry, author of “Driving Miss Daisy.”

“It’s a relatively contemporary piece set in 1939,” Dunlap said. “It’s about a Jewish family in Atlanta during the premiere of ‘Gone With the Wind.’ It deals with their search for their identity within their Jewish heritage. It’s a really great comedy, dealing with loyalty prejudice, and faith.”

“The Last Night at Ballyhoo” will run from November 9-11 and November 16-18.

“On the Verge: or the Geography of Yearning” by Eric Overmyer will be the first 51�Թ� Theatre production showing at The Billingsley Theatre in 2024.

The show follows three Victorian explorers who set out on an adventure, only to find themselves on a time-traveling safari.

“One the Verge is an abstract production,” Dunlap said. “It’s a very fascinating piece that we can’t wait to see.”

Audiences can see “On The Verge” February 15-17 or February 22-24 at The Billingsley Thetre.

51�Թ� Theatre’s spring production will be “Jane Eyre the Musical.”

“We’ll be collaborating with the School of Music and Dr. Cheryl Greene,” Dunlap said. “It will be exciting to work with both the music students and theatre students on what should be a great performance.”

Based on the book by John Caird, “Jane Eyre,” Charlotte Bronte’s classic gothic romance is brought to life in this musical adaptation, which follows independent, passionate governess Jane Eyre and her harsh childhood through her employment as a governess at Thornfield Hall.

“Jane Eyre the Musical” will run April 11-13 and April 18-20.

“All of our shows are open to anyone on campus in our community who wants to come out and audition,” Dunlap said. “We’re very inclusive and would love to have as many people involved as would like to be.”

51�Թ� Climbs in Annual Rankings for Third Consecutive Year

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 19, 2023) For a third consecutive year, 51�Թ� (51�Թ�) continues to climb in the annual rankings of U.S. News & World Report’s , jumping two spots in the 2023-2024 report.��

U.S. News & World Report released its Best Colleges rankings on Monday, evaluating nearly 1,500 colleges and universities on up to 13 measures of academic quality.

51�Թ� tied for 36th in the 2023-2024 rankings, marking the highest rating the university has received in its region.��

“We are grateful to be recognized as one of the leading institutions in the South and in the Palmetto State,” said 51�Թ� President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “We strive for academic excellence and continue our commitment toward preparing students to become transformational leaders for church and society.”��

51�Թ� moved into the upper tier of the 16 South Carolina institutions in the report, tying with Coastal Carolina University. 51�Թ� ranked fourth out of the private universities in South Carolina in this category. The Citadel and College of Charleston were the highest-rated public institutions.��

51�Թ� remains a , according to US News & World Report, ranking 22nd out of 135 schools that were singled out for national recognition. Successful colleges in this category graduate large proportions of economically disadvantaged students who are awarded Pell Grants.��

51�Թ� is committed to helping students facing challenges, assisting first-generation college students through its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The QEP aims to provide knowledge of university resources and connect first-generation students with a support system that will help students complete their degrees.��

51�Թ� finished inside the top 35 in multiple U.S. News and World Report academic quality measures, including SAT/ACT rank, Pell Grant graduation rate rank, percentage of faculty who are full-time rank, Pell Grant comparative graduation rate rank, and graduation rate performance rank.��

“While rankings and accolades don’t tell the full 51�Թ� story, they are certainly an indication of the defining characteristics that set 51�Թ� apart from other universities,” President Fant said.��

A recent survey of incoming students identified 51�Թ�’s Christian atmosphere and affordability as top reasons the university was selected.��

“Coming to North Greenville helped expose me to a biblical worldview,” said Eddie Martin, a 2020 51�Թ� graduate and Pell Grant recipient who now serves as a youth minister at Renfrew Baptist Church in Travelers Rest. “North Greenville’s focus on transformational leadership has shaped the way I lead my family, father my child, and view my role in the community. I will forever be thankful for 51�Թ�’s commitment to their students.”��

Jake Auton, a senior majoring in Marketing and a member of the Honors Program, is planning on pursuing his master’s degree after completing his undergraduate degree. Jake is thankful for the rich learning environment he has experienced as a member of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship.��

“I appreciate how my professors infuse practical knowledge along with theoretical framework into the classroom setting,” said Auton. “It is a privilege to sit in an environment where I can learn from the wisdom and experience my professors instill in me.”��

51�Թ�’s Christ-centered atmosphere continues to be a draw for students, according to Megan Griggs, a senior Psychology major, who is set to graduate in December.��

“North Greenville offers a personal Christian environment,” Griggs said. “Our professors take time to pray with us and integrate faith into their instruction, and I would say it has been an integral part of my education.”��

A full list of rankings from the U.S. News & World Report can be found at USNews.com.��

51�Թ� to Honor Educators at First Home Football Game

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 15, 2023) 51�Թ� (51�Թ�) will honor educators during its first home football game of the season on Saturday, September 16.

Teaming up with 51�Թ� Athletics, the 51�Թ� College of Education will recognize and welcome current, retired, and future teachers at the Younts Stadium Concourse from 5:30-7:10 p.m. prior to kickoff.

All who register at the Celebrate Educators Day Welcome Tent will receive tickets to the game against Gulf South Conference foe West Alabama.

Current College of Education students will also be recognized, as well as students who are enrolled in Teacher Cadet programs at Blue Ridge High School, Greer Middle College, High Point Academy, Legacy Early College, Pickens High School, Riverside High School, and Travelers Rest High School. Students who are exploring teaching careers are encouraged to attend.

For more information on Celebrate Educators Day, call 864.977.2088.

Renovated Administration Building to Serve as Home for COBE Students

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 13, 2023) Nearing completion on 51�Թ�’s (51�Թ�) Tigerville campus, The Donnan/COBE Project will provide a permanent home for College of Business and Entrepreneurship (COBE) students in the spring of 2024.��

One of those students is senior Jake Auton, a double major in Marketing and Christian Studies at 51�Թ�. Upon graduation, Auton plans to continue his education, pursuing both Master of Divinity and Master of Business Administration degrees.��

“I’m so excited to be able to sit in this environment with my professors and learn from their wisdom and experience,” Auton said. “The new collaborative spaces and technology within the building are going to be great for the learning experience for future generations of 51�Թ� students.”��

Construction crews made significant progress on the renovation of 51�Թ�’s historic administration building in August.��

Drywall was installed on the interior framing of the building, creating hallways, offices, classrooms, and community spaces in the 19,000-square-foot structure.��

The modern design allows natural light to permeate the interior space, improving the building’s functionality for students, faculty, staff, and administrators.�� When finished, the project will double the amount of exterior glass, and add 2,600 square feet of interior glass to the building.��

The installation of steel beams on the building’s exterior in August paved the way for the completion of the new grand entryway.��

In addition to framing for the new entrance, exterior brickwork was completed, along with the installation of windows, which will provide picturesque views of the North Greenville campus and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.��

“Thank you so much to everyone who was able to help with this project,” Auton said. “I have been blessed to be immersed in a learning environment that combines business principles that are biblical based along with practical knowledge from faculty who are experts in their professional discipline. I am so excited to see how the fully renovated space is going to create additional opportunities for collaboration between students and faculty.”��

The Donnan/COBE Project was designed by Greenville’s Equip Studio and is managed by Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL). Hood Construction is providing general contractor services. ��

The Donnan/COBE capital campaign began in 2022.

A providing a glimpse of the progress of the project is now available.

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Remembering 9/11: A day of Reflection and Unity

Tigerville, SC (September 11, 2023) On this solemn day of September 11, Americans across the nation join in remembrance and prayer for the lives lost and the enduring impact of the tragic events that unfolded 22 years ago. September 11, 2001, stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of human existence and the importance of faith, hope, and unity in the face of adversity.

A 2009 51�Թ� Alumnus and Tigerville Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Hanson said the number 343 sticks in his mind. He is reflecting on the number of firefighters killed during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings in New York on September 11, 2001.

Thousands of Americans lost their lives on that morning 22 years ago and for many, the memory remains fresh.

“I was in ninth grade. We had just finished chapel at our school, and we were headed to our next class. Our teachers brought us in and explained what was happening. We didn’t know what it all meant at the time,” Hanson said.

As he lowered the American flags at the Tigerville Fire Department to half-staff and set up a display to honor the lives lost on that day, Hanson said his department wants to make sure that day isn’t forgotten.

For first responders in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, September 11, 2001, was a day that began with good weather and morning routines. Reflecting on a similar day in 2023, Hanson said the tragedy puts his career into perspective.

“We’re all prepared for the worst-case scenario.�� We come to work with the mindset that today could be the day. We accept that and make peace with that,” he said. “We just want to help people on their worst days.”

As Christians, we come together to pray for peace, healing, and reconciliation. We pray for an end to violence, hatred, and terrorism in our world. We pray for the strength to forgive and the wisdom to seek understanding and reconciliation with those who have caused harm.

We stand united in the face of tragedy, echoing the teachings of Jesus to love our neighbors as ourselves. We honor the memory of those who perished by committing ourselves to acts of kindness, compassion, and service, reflecting the light of Christ’s love in a world that can sometimes seem dark and divided.

51�Թ� also remembers the day by lowering its campus flags to half-staff and has organized a remembrance display outside its Tingle Student Center.

51�Թ� to Host Global Impact Week Sept. 11-13

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 8, 2023) 51�Թ� (51�Թ�) students will engage with missionaries, learn about other cultures, and spend time in prayer for the nations during Global Impact Week, set for Sept. 11-13 on the Tigerville campus.

“Global Impact Week is a week where we highlight what the Lord is doing in the nations, and we get the opportunity to broaden students’ worldview,” said Crystalyn Wyatt, associate director of the Center for Global Engagement at 51�Թ�. “It highlights the beauty of culture and how the Lord created each culture differently for a reason.”

Jaime Saint, executive director of Indigenous People’s Technology and Education Center (ITEC), will be the keynote speaker for the week.

Born into a family with a heritage in missions, Saint’s dad, Steve, is the son of martyr Nate Saint, a jungle missionary pilot who was speared to death in the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador, South America, in 1956 by the Waodani tribe. Jaime grew up in a family that participated in mission ventures in Ecuador and Mali, West Africa, in between businesses that took them from Minnesota to Texas and eventually to central Florida, where ITEC is headquartered.

After graduating from high school in 1995, Jaime moved with his family to the Amazon Rainforest to help the Waodani tribe learn to do for themselves what outsiders had been doing so that the Waodani could reach their own people with the Gospel. Jaime attended the University of Florida, where he graduated with a degree in Marketing. In 2010, Jaime joined ITEC, which his dad founded.

will include four chapel services, a Q&A with Saint, a bonfire worship, an outdoor movie, and daily prayer sessions. View the Global Impact Week schedule of events.

“Take advantage of these incredible people and get to know how God is using their ministries across the globe. Take the time to listen to stories and learn more about opportunities to go,” Wyatt said. “We are expecting the Lord to work in big ways during Global Impact Week.”

51�Թ� Partners with OneLife to Offer College Credit to Students in Gap-Year Program

Tigerville, SC (Sept. 6, 2023) 51�Թ� (51�Թ�) has signed a partnership agreement with OneLife Institute, offering college credit to students taking part in the organization’s 9-month gap year program.

“We are excited about this strategic partnership,” said 51�Թ� Provost Dr. Nathan Finn. “Our respective organizations share so much ‘kingdom DNA,’ in addition to geographical proximity. The students who enroll in OneLife’s gap-year program will get the best of both institutions and will enjoy a great launch to their college career.”

OneLife operates four locations in the United States, with two sites in Pennsylvania, one in West Virginia, and one at Camp Sakanaga, in Marietta, South Carolina, approximately 11 miles from 51�Թ�’s Tigerville campus.

“Every student that enrolls in our South Carolina location, starting in 2024, will be a 51�Թ� student and will earn a transcript from 51�Թ�,” said OneLife President Josh Beers. “Students can earn up to 30 college credits, so it’s more than just a gap year program. For students who continue on with university studies, it’s their first-year college experience.”

Started 11 years ago with the vision of helping students navigate their next steps through experiential learning, OneLife has continued to grow.

“We think God is more interested in who we’re becoming rather than where we’re going, and that puts an emphasis on growing your character. We want students to take whatever they do in life and use it to serve God and serve others,” Beers said. “The desire for us is to help students identify who they are and launch them out. We put a strong emphasis on service and an emphasis on taking ownership and responsibility. That’s something we bake into everything we do.”

Over the course of the OneLife gap year, students participate in hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom, assist with local service projects, and take trips across the United States and around the world.

“Our goal for the students is to make the world their classroom,” Beers said. “A number of students come to us thinking that they don’t want to go to college, but they leave excited to further their education because they’ve found a joy in learning.”

51�Թ� will offer OneLife participants the opportunity to embrace campus life and see what their future might look like in Tigerville as part of their gap-year experience, extending invites to concerts, symposiums, athletic events on campus. Beers said the partnership is a natural fit.

“51�Թ� is doing much more than helping students figure out what they want to do in their careers. They’re helping students figure out who they are. We want to be an on-ramp for students to experience life-changing education at 51�Թ�,” he said. “51�Թ� understands the uniqueness of OneLife and embraces that. We know what God is doing on 51�Թ�’s campus, and we can’t wait to more intentionally connect our students with 51�Թ� while they’re at OneLife, and hopefully post-OneLife.”

In addition to the first year, 9-month gap year program, 51�Թ� and OneLife Institute also partner together on a second-year program, OneLifeX, which aims to help students develop leadership skills and pursue entrepreneurship, media, ministry, and trade. As with the first-year program, OneLifeX is located at Camp Sakanaga, in Marrietta, SC.

To learn more about the organization and opportunities, visit . To learn more about 51�Թ�, visit ngu.edu.

51�Թ� Students Take Part in Study Abroad Trip to Costa Rica

Tigerville, SC (August 31, 2023) Eleven 51�Թ� (51�Թ�) students spent a month fully immersed in the language and the culture of Costa Rica over the summer, taking part in a study abroad trip organized by the university’s Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics.

“It’s a unique opportunity for our students to go and spend a month in another country and see how it works,” said Dr. Ben Coates, chair of 51�Թ�’s Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics. “As a language teacher, the chance to be immersed in the language is so valuable. Things that you couldn’t understand in the classroom, when you hear it spoken over and over, you pick it up. Even if you don’t understand all of the grammar behind it, you still pick it up.”

51�Թ� offers more than 125 areas of study across certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and early college opportunities. Online. In-person. At our main campus in Tigerville, SC, the Tim Brashier Campus in Greer, SC, or several educational centers around the U.S. One university, many locations. Every day. Epic. To learn more, visit ngu.edu.

Church Fair Draws Record Turnout at 51�Թ�

Tigerville, SC (Aug. 31, 2023) More than 80 local churches attended 51�Թ�’s (51�Թ�) Church Fair on Aug. 17, marking a record turnout for the annual event.

“The event has grown extraordinarily,” said Joshua Gilmore, director of community connection and ministry mobilization at 51�Թ�.

“We had only six churches back in 2018,” he said. “In 2022, we had 72 churches. This year, we had an amazing 88 churches working together to reach 51�Թ� students.”

Participating churches set up tents on the Tigerville campus, connecting with students and giving away essential back-to-school items.

“The mission of 51�Թ� is to equip transformation leaders for church and society. The church fair draws a direct line to 51�Թ�’s mission,” Gilmore said. “We want 51�Թ� students to know that the local church is vitally important and strategically stands in support of 51�Թ�’s student body.”

51�Թ� Community to Participate in 100 Hours of Scripture Reading

Tigerville, SC (Aug. 25, 2023) 51�Թ� (51�Թ�) students, faculty, and staff will come together to read scripture on the Tigerville campus for 100 consecutive hours, beginning on Aug. 28.

“One of 51�Թ�’s core values is being Biblically Faithful,” said Jared Thomas, 51�Թ�’s vice president for Campus Ministry and Student Engagement (CMSE).

“The avenue to highlight this core value is to commit 100 hours straight to the reading of God’s Word,” he said.

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Aug. 28 and ending on Sept. 1 at noon, scripture will be continuously read in front of the university’s prayer chapel.

Thomas said the event will highlight the importance of God’s Word and serves as a reminder to remain faithful to the truths of scripture.

Sign-ups are available . Those wishing to participate can reserve a 30-minute time slot at any time during the week-long event.

“It’s a great way to begin the year and a way for our students, faculty and staff to be part of something bigger than themselves,” Thomas said.

Roommates for Life | 51�Թ� Freshmen Continue Legacy

Pictured left to right are Jennifer Padgett, Sallie Kinard, Riley Belle Kinard, and Mattie Padgett.

Tigerville, SC (Aug. 24, 2023) Twenty-six years after moving into their Horton-Tingle dorm on 51�Թ�’s (51�Թ�) Tigerville campus, Sallie Kinard (’01) and Jennifer Padgett (’00) were back in the same room where they’d spent four years together.

Only this time, they were there to drop off their daughters, Riley Belle and Mattie.

“Walking through the dorm with the girls was really cool,” Sallie said. “It just takes you back. You’re re-living those moments, which were some of the best moments of my life.”

Friends since high school, Jennifer and Sallie decided to attend college together in 1997.

“I didn’t really have plans to go to college,” Jennifer said. “But somewhere along the way, Sallie said, ‘I’m going to North Greenville. You should come.’ So, I put in my application. I’d never been here. I was not walking with the Lord regularly then. But God used North Greenville and Sallie to teach me how to do that.”

“There were a lot of fun memories in room 24,” Jennifer said with a laugh.

The fun memories included a particularly important tradition.

“The night before exams every year, we would make our own videos,” Jennifer said.

“This was before TikTok,” Sallie noted.

“We would lip sync, perform our own beauty pageants, and use our curling irons as our microphones,” Jennifer recalled.

With Riley Belle and Mattie’s laughter interrupting the trip down memory lane, Mattie made sure to note that the videos were indeed entertaining.

“It’s not that embarrassing,” she said. “The videos are hilarious.”

Performing Mariah Carey’s Christmas album with regularity and selections from Shania Twain, Wilson Phillips, and Point of Grace, the roommates began to hone their skills.

“Point of Grace was a particularly good one because there were four of them, and we could each have a part,” Sallie said, referencing her suitemates Jennifer Mabry Eleazer, and Ansley Welchel, who now serves as a communication instructor at 51�Թ�.

“We might not have finished our classes successfully if social media had been around,” Welchel joked.

The tradition picked up steam and started to draw a crowd.

“Before long, we’d have an audience. The (others in the dorm) were trying to make guest appearances,” Sallie said. “We still have those videos.”

The friendships developed in Horton-Tingle 24 continued through the years.

“God changed the course of my life the moment I walked into that suite and met those amazing friends,” Welchel said. “It is absolutely mind-blowing to see God’s incredible favor.”

The connection eventually led to new friendships.

“We grew up together,” Riley Belle said of her new roommate, Mattie. “We’ve always been friends. Even when we haven’t seen each other in a while, we’re able to pick up right where we left off. It’s just a really sweet friendship.”

Mattie, who is attending 51�Թ� on a golf scholarship, said the decision to come to North Greenville was easy.

“When I got an offer from 51�Թ�, I knew that was where I was going to go. When Riley Belle said she was coming too, I don’t even think we had a conversation about rooming together. We just knew.”

Sallie said she and Jennifer were excited the two chose 51�Թ�, and hope their time in Tigerville will provide great memories and spiritual growth.

“When you walk on this campus, there’s a presence,” Sallie said. “You don’t have to walk to the prayer chapel to feel that. It’s just there.”

Riley Belle and Mattie are already off to a quick start after participating in Welcome Week activities and going through a week of classes.

“We’ve already made a lot of new friendships,” Riley Belle said. “North Greenville has given us a lot of ways to get plugged in, so that’s been great.”

Welchel now serves as Riley Belle’s advisor and is sponsoring the golf team as a faculty mentor for Mattie.

“Having Riley Belle and Mattie here now and seeing God continue to bless North Greenville through the precious families I helped pray into existence is absolutely overwhelming and beautiful,” she said. “I feel beyond blessed to be a part of what he is doing in and through this special place. I could have never written a chapter this good back when our own freshman year began.”

When asked how often they’ll be performing musical numbers in their dorm, Mattie didn’t hesitate to respond.

“Before every exam, I guess.”

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Former Trustee and Noted Community Leader Russell Ashmore Dies

Long-time 51�Թ� trustee and benefactor Dr. Russell C. Ashmore, Jr., died August 21 in Taylors. He was 93.

A noted community leader and active Baptist layman, Dr. Ashmore was instrumental in keeping North Greenville College open in 1991, when the South Carolina Baptist Convention-affiliated school nearly closed. As chairman of the board of trustees, he was part of a group of Baptist leaders which guided the junior college to remain operational and pursue four-year status. The institution, which had 325 students at the time, has grown to nearly 2,300 students, with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs on campuses in Tigerville and Greer. An active 51�Թ� supporter, Dr. Ashmore served as a university trustee for 25 years.

“Dr. Ashmore was one of the greatest, most influential board chairs ever to serve the 51�Թ� community,” said 51�Թ� President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “He championed 51�Թ�’s shift to four-year status, believing that baccalaureate degrees would serve students more effectively and transform the university’s enrollment.”

“He believed that the university should engage the entire region and was thrilled when the Tim Brashier Campus in Greer opened, serving that business community,” Dr. Fant said. “But more than anything, he was a prayer warrior and encourager who lived out the gospel of Christ with integrity and boldness. He was an inspiration to me in our frequent visits and prayer times together. The world could use more transformational leaders like Russell and Ruth Ashmore.”

A graduate of Greenville High School, Dr. Ashmore completed a bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine from Clemson University in 1950. He entered the U.S. Army in the spring of 1951 as a second lieutenant. While stationed in Germany, he married Ruth Stanton, from Belton, SC, on October 13, 1951.

After completing his military service, Dr. Ashmore returned to Clemson and completed a bachelor’s degree in ceramic engineering in 1955. He worked with General Shale Products Corporation in Tennessee and Kentucky, before returning to the Upstate in 1960 to join the family business, Ashmore Brothers, Inc.

The company celebrated 50 years of operation in 1980, and opened new offices on Highway 14 in Greer. With the move, Dr. Ashmore became an active member of the Greer Chamber of Commerce.

The Ashmores joined Taylors First Baptist Church in 1960, and were engaged in a variety of ministry activities through their church and in medical missions work. They were married for 65 years before Ruth passed away on October 14, 2016, at the age of 86.

For more than 60 years, Dr. Ashmore was an active deacon, Sunday School teacher and committee member at Taylors First Baptist Church. While on a Mobile Medical Missions trip in South America in 2003, he and fellow church member Dr. James Hayes discussed the possibility of forming a medical clinic in their own community. That led to the opening of Taylors Free Medical Clinic on July 28, 2005. The clinic has served more than 5,100 patients since then.

Between 1977 and 2006, Dr. Ashmore served five five-year terms on the North Greenville Board of Trustees. He was board chairman in 1979, 1980, 1991, and 1992. North Greenville presented him the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at Spring Commencement in May 1997.

Dr. Ashmore began his financial investment in North Greenville in the early 1970s, following his father’s active support of the university. He was a founding member of the university’s Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund to support students pursuing full-time ministry roles. He also supported fine arts, global missions, academic facilities, campus housing, and 51�Թ� Athletics.

The university’s varsity baseball facilities are located at Ashmore Park, originally named Ashmore Field in 1997 to honor the family’s support for North Greenville’s baseball program. Ashmore Park now encompasses Ray and Bea Dillard Field and George Bomar Family Stadium.

“He was an early supporter of intercollegiate athletics, particularly baseball, and he loved seeing the NCAA national championship in 2022,” said President Fant.

Dr. Ashmore is survived by four children, Russell C. Ashmore III, Dianne Ashmore Stewart, Mark Ashmore, and Gregory Charles Ashmore, Sr.

In recognition of Dr. Ashmore’s life and legacy, President Fant has directed that all 51�Թ� flags be flown at half-staff through sundown Friday, August 25, 2023. A commemorative wreath has been placed at the entrance to Ashmore Park on 51�Թ�’s Tigerville campus.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 25, 2023, at Taylors First Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Josh Powell, Dr. Jimmie Harley, and Rev. Jerry Long. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Friday, August 25, 2023, at Taylors First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Taylors Free Medical Clinic, 400 W. Main Street, Taylors, SC 29687; 51�Թ�, 7801 N. Tigerville Road, Tigerville, SC 29688; or Taylors First Baptist Church, 200 W. Main Street, Taylors, SC 29687.

51�Թ� (51�Թ�) admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.