The John Priest Greene Society is William Jewell's premier annual giving society, honoring the legacy of William Jewell’s longest-serving president.
The John Priest Greene Society is a nationwide network of alumni, parents and friends who are active advocates for William Jewell. This group recognizes members who commit to be sustaining supporters with a $1,000 minimum gift to the Jewell Fund each year. The Jewell Fund is used to support the current needs of William Jewell’s students and faculty. These annual gifts build strength for the Jewell Fund and strength for Jewell, making John Priest Greene Society members an important part of our pursuit of excellence.
William Jewell is grateful for the distinguished group of leadership donors who share an annual commitment to the mission of the College through their John Priest Greene Society membership. In 2014, the Board of Trustees' Development Committee proudly introduced the John Priest Greene Society President's Circle, recognizing those donors committed to an annual gift of $10,000 or more.
“My family’s difficult financial position made attending college difficult. However, thanks in large part to the support of alumni and other individuals who believe in this institution, I have been able to have one of the greatest experiences of my life. At William Jewell, I have had the opportunity to grow as a student, leader and citizen. ”
Drew Novak
Personalized bricks for John Priest Greene members are placed around the Quad to ensure students they will always be surrounded by those who support their Jewell journey. Members gathered for a reception during Homecoming.
William Jewell’s longest serving president, Dr. Greene’s devotion to the College for 30 years as president and 20 years as a Trustee has had a paramount influence on William Jewell’s emergence as a premier national liberal arts learning institution.
A distinguished pastor in St. Louis, Dr. Greene became the president of William Jewell in 1892. Many of his strong ideals for the College remain central to today’s mission: a sound academic program, democratic in standards and practice where economic and social status do not exist, comfortable facilities for living and learning, loyalty to the ideals of Christ and an adequate endowment to ensure operation in challenging times.
His administration was marked by steady progress, leading William Jewell into the 20th century and through World War I. Under his direction the endowment more than doubled, women were admitted as students, and living conditions were improved with the addition of conveniences such as running water, central heating, electric lights, roads and sidewalks. The landscape of the Hill changed as well, growing to a full campus with two additional classroom buildings, the first gymnasium and library, a second dormitory and the president’s home.
The native Missourian was known as much for his unquestioned integrity and belief in hard work as he was for his genuine love for people. He was respected for developing personal relationships with faculty, and he knew every student by name. Dr. Greene adopted the College motto still in use today: Deo Fisus Labora means “trust in God and work,” and that’s exactly how he lived his life.
