When Dr. Terry Norris reflects on his years at Geneva College, he doesn’t hesitate to credit the institution for shaping his path. “Besides my parents and my faith in God, I count Geneva as the third most important factor in positioning me where I am today,” he shared previously. That deep sense of gratitude inspired Terry and his classmates to establish a lasting legacy for future generations through the Class of 1974 Endowed Scholarship.
Terry, a dentist in Owensboro, Kentucky, spearheaded this class gift alongside his Golden Reunion Committee classmates Don Kirkwood and Bonnie (O’Neill) Meyer. Their shared goal was first launched in 2014 during their 40th class reunion year, honoring their Geneva education by financially supporting the next generation of scholars.
For over a year leading up to their 50th reunion in 2024, Terry reignited efforts to further this endowed scholarship. Through letters sent to classmates, the Golden Reunion Committee encouraged others in the Class of 1974 to increase their fund by $50,000 — propelled by a dollar-for-dollar match up to $25,000 by Terry. This growth would take the fund to over $75,000, providing worthy students seeking a Geneva education up to $3,000 or more a year.
While Terry preferred to give anonymously, he agreed to make his name public in hopes of encouraging others. “It’s not about me,” he says. “It’s about the future of Geneva College. The better the students we attract, the better the College will be.”
The scholarship is designed for incoming freshmen or returning students who demonstrate financial need and maintain a strong academic standing. Recipients may receive this support for up to four years, making this fund a foundation for lasting academic success.
Terry's own story at Geneva unfolded in the 1970s. Originally from nearby Moon Township, Geneva became a home base for Terry after his parents moved south. His professors and mentors became friends, and his time on the men’s soccer team established strong connections. Terry and his classmate, Bill Vache, were the first student managers in the new Alexander Dining Hall, moved from the basement of McKee Hall to its current location after their freshmen year.
His dedication as a double major in both chemistry and biology laid the groundwork for an impressive 47-year dental career. Terry received his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in 1978 before opening his own practice in March 1979. He served as president of the Kentucky Dental Association in 2012 and prepares for his upcoming role as president of the American College of Dentists, a leader in dental education.
Beyond professional accomplishments, Terry emphasizes the integrity of Geneva as a continuing encouragement. “The commitment of the College has not changed,” he remarks of his recent visit to campus during Homecoming 2024. “Its foundational beliefs have not changed." His ongoing relationship with Geneva’s alumni relations — as well as Marv Dewey, EdD, president of the Geneva College Foundation — has kept him closely connected to the College’s evolving story.
The 50th reunion reconnected classmates whose lives were shaped by shared experiences and purpose at Geneva. Terry joyfully reunited with former roommates and classmates like David Howard and John and Lynne (Ulrich) Evans — fellow graduates who dedicated their lives to ministry and education abroad, returning to the U.S. for this milestone reunion.
This emphasis on long-lasting friendship and missional giving is what defines the Class of 1974’s legacy. Through their endowed scholarship, these Golden Grads ensure that current and future students receive the same transformational experience at Geneva that they did half a century ago.
For more information on establishing a class gift alongside your classmates, visit www.genevacollegefoundation.org.
By Erika Kauffman '20
Published in the Geneva Magazine, Summer 2025 Issue
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