The Geneva Across America Team Returns Home

Geneva College congratulates the Geneva Across America (GAA) team on its ride to raise awareness for Geneva College and for funds for scholarships for Geneva students. After two years of planning and preperation, the team successfully biked 3,708 miles through 14 states. Scholarship donations are still being collected online, and the total is very close to the goal of $50,000. In total, the team raised $47,614 so far toward a new endowed scholarship benefiting future Geneva students in need of financial assistance.

"Someone reading this e-newsletter might be the person to make a donation and take us to our goal. Every dollar makes a difference." - Dr. Mike Loomis

“Geneva Across America was an incredible experience and a huge success! Our goals were to ride across America, experience the beauty of God's creation and Christian community, spread the name of Geneva College, and raise money for a new endowed scholarship,” says Dr. Mike Loomis, Dean of Student Development. “I can honestly say that we met these objectives and that the trip exceeded our expectations on all fronts.” Dr. Loomis was also rider for Geneva Across America. 

“When I first learned of the cross-country bike ride with Geneva, I literally replied that same day with a big YES,” writes alumnus Jim Andrews in his section of the GAA blog. “What excited me about the opportunity was the ability to ride with others who are passionate about Geneva and to help promote Geneva from coast to coast.”

In addition to promoting Geneva and raising funds, the nine team members, along with several “tag-along” riders and Cycle to the Sea participants, were given an exciting adventure and cross-country experience that challenged them physically, mentally and spiritually. “There is nothing like waking up and knowing that the Lord is going to bring us from one city in the morning to an unknown city that evening - and that we'd get to experience every scent, bump, temperature change, mountain or tailwind,” says rider Christy Coulter, Director of Academic Counseling Center and Educational Support Services.

Along its journey, the team was able to develop as a community of believers and spread the light of Christ and the mission of Geneva College. “The United States is an incredible country, full of believers in a variety of vocations that are working hard to live out their faith. We met so many interesting and incredible people, we enjoyed one another's company and life stories, saw vistas that pictures cannot begin to describe, and accomplish a life goal that I have dreamt about for 20 years,” Loomis says.

GAA was “without a doubt, one of the best, most memorable experiences of my life,” states Coulter. “We continue to pray that the Lord abundantly blesses the time and energy planning and executing Geneva Across America. I hope that GAA was like a pebble dropped into a calm lake with ripples impacting students for years to come.”

Read more about the team′s adventures at the GAA blog.

- Amanda Tyson '16