As a mission station of the denomination, Geneva College is deeply committed to equipping students for fruitful and faithful service to God and to neighbor as an integral part of their Christian liberal arts education. Through excellent instruction from highly qualified faculty and a focus on the integration of biblical principles in every aspect of the program, college graduates are prepared for their life’s work in families, churches, communities, places of employment, and the world.

Among other vital aspects, achieving this mission requires a vision for the future. Last July, the Geneva College Board of Trustees approved an updated Vision Statement for 2021–2031, developed by a task force of Geneva representatives and partners: “Geneva College will be known nationally for advancing integration of faith and learning under Christ and His Word, preparing students for courageous engagement throughout their life’s work.”

National recognition is an aspirational goal, but this new focused trajectory for the institution capitalizes on the work Geneva already does—advancing the integration of vocational faith and learn-ing. Faith-life integration is built into the curriculum and programming at Geneva, and students, faculty, and staff are well equipped to communicate how this concept impacts the life and work at the college and beyond.

The new vision directs Geneva’s focus to communicating this concept effectively to a larger audience, confirming the college as a leader for this point of recognition. The primary objective in establishing a new vision is to reach more students who will ultimately become faithful and fruitful servants in Christ’s kingdom.

Geneva faculty members are already leading the charge toward national recognition through exemplary work in their respective fields. Here are some recent examples of their work.

In May, WORLD magazine interviewed Computer Science Professor Paul Poteete for its daily podcast The World and Everything In It. Poteete is an internationally recognized authority on information systems and cybersecurity, and he spoke on the importance of vigilance against points of vulnerability in digital systems. The focus in cybersecurity is trust and trusted sources. This concept fits well in preparing professionals who strive to do their work with integrity from a Christian world and life view.

At the beginning of this year, Adjunct Professor of Biology Anthony Sadar was published in both the Washington Times and the Washington Examiner, examining public trust in the sciences and calling for humility, integrity, and authenticity on the part of scientists. The integration of a biblical ethic in the sciences gives students the foundation needed to engage the culture as Christian witnesses.

Professor of Biblical Studies Dr. Jonathan Watt recently edited the translations of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts for the Modern English Version (MEV). Designed to be accessible to military personnel, the MEV was presented to the royal family of England in 2016 and is now being prepared for a second edition. Active faculty scholarship in the field gives Geneva students the benefit of learning from high-quality, Christian faculty members like Dr. Watt.

Many of Geneva’s faculty are acclaimed authors, gaining wide recognition for their work. Inspiring thousands of Christians to think critically and deeply, Professor Rut Etheridge’s book God Breathed: Connecting through Scripture to God, Others, the Natural World, and Yourself (Crown & Covenant, 2019) and Professor Emerita Esther Meek’s books Longing to Know: The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People (Brazos Press, 2003); Loving to Know: Covenant Epistemology (Cascade Books, 2011); and A Little Manual for Knowing (Cascade Books, 2014) are just a few examples.

Besides his administrative duties as president, Dr. Calvin L. Troup also engages in academic pursuits, contributing to the field of rhetoric from a Christian perspective. In fall 2020, Dr. Troup presented on the life and thought of Augustine of Hippo as part of a short course hosted online by the Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

In Geneva’s 10-year vision of the future, faculty members continue to become thought leaders in Christian higher education, bearing fruit from their faithful labors in the ministry of education. As a result, the college expects a wider base of students will engage with that work.

President Troup believes that the new vision recognizes the strengths Geneva already offers to students. He says, “Geneva is committed to helping students navigate life as committed believers in Christ and challenging them to examine the questions they will inevitably face, providing high expectations with strong support in a connected community. We offer them opportunities to learn how to integrate faith in Christ throughout their life’s work.”

These ideas led the college to develop a statement of commitment, called the Promise to Students, which details the value of a Geneva education: “We promise that Geneva College will give you the opportunity to make a deep connection to a vibrant community where you will grow in your faith, be taught and mentored by a Christ-centered faculty, and learn to integrate the Christian faith into every area of your life and calling. We are dedicated to working toward equipping you to think, work, and perform at the highest levels and preparing you to impact the world for Christ through your career, family, and a lifetime of service.”

As students and their families consider college options, they can be assured that Geneva offers this promise to every student who enrolls. Geneva’s educational offerings stand out in the higher edu-cation landscape, and even within Christian higher education. Geneva College, both now and as it looks to the future, is steadfastly committed to Christ-centered academic excellence grounded in the Bible and for the equipping of servants for the kingdom, pro Christo et Patria; for Christ and country.

The 2021–2031 Vision Statement holds the college to its commitment to offer every student, regardless of background, an educational environment that prepares each to courageously live for Christ in every area of life after graduation. Achieving this vision is possible because it does not alter but rather reinforces approaches to education that are already established at Geneva under The Foundational Concepts of Christian Education, adopted in 1967.

Geneva occupies a unique place in Christian higher education with strong faculty, commitment to core principles, outstanding degree programs, and quality facilities. The new vision directs the college to elevate its points of distinction, particularly the integration of faith and learning, so that Geneva College can be known nationally in circles of those interested in Christian education.