At the recent annual meeting of the Alumni Association of Howe Military School, the former school at the GCU campus, three challenge coins were awarded, the recipients being two Diocesan Bishops of the Episcopal Church and GCU President Paul Foerster.
Regarding GCU, the challenge coin was given in recognition of GCU’s effort to revive and continue the tradition of Christian education at the Howe campus along with the wish to develop good relationships between the Howe Military Alumni and GCU.
The two Bishops, Bishop Spark being the current and Bishop Gray being the former Bishop of the Northern Indiana Episcopal Diocese wherein the Howe Campus is located, were awarded for their traditional connection with and support of the Howe Military School when it was still in operation.
The meeting with Bishop Gray was especially meaningful for GCU as his grandfather Bishop Gray is buried in the crypt of St. James Chapel on GCU campus along with his wife (The St. James crypt hosts several tombs of Bishops, the Howe School founders and other significant individuals).
The Alumni Association, representing 135 years history of the Howe Military School, operating from 1884-2019, had invited GCU leadership to attend their annual banquet. GCU Chair of the Board, Dr. Matthias Gebhardt, and President Paul Foerster followed the invitation and were warmly welcomed by the Alumni.
The Alumni are genuinely interested in the development of their former campus, they were eager to learn about GCU’s plans and expressed their gratitude for GCU taking on the challenge to inherit, preserve and develop the historical campus. Their interest in and support for GCU were visibly expressed by awarding the challenge coin.
GCU leadership is equally thankful for the acceptance and support by the Association, and expressed their positive expectation towards deepening the relationship with the Alumni in the time ahead. The possibility of hosting an Alumni gathering on campus was discussed. Connecting with the Association is a meaningful way for GCU to engage with and inherit the long history of Christian education at Howe and advance the public relations of GCU.
