Reception Planned For Dave Rilling's Retirement

Limestone College is a much different place than it was in July of 1986 when Dave Rilling first stepped on campus.

Over the course of the next 29 years, Limestone moved from a college with 236 students and struggling financially into a thriving institution of higher learning with a current day program enrollment of 1,241.

And Rilling has been a big part of that renaissance.

On Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Formal Parlors of the Curtis Administration Building, friends and family are invited to a drop-in reception for Rilling, who will retire at the end of the current semester.

“The campus is in good shape and the students are here,” said Rilling, a San Antonio, TX, native and the Vice President for Financial Affairs. “It’s been a good run, and I have really enjoyed it here.”

Retiring from the United States Marine Corps in 1981, Rilling then joined the faculty at Pfeiffer College as a professor of Management and eventually moved into the role of Vice President for Finance. One of Rilling’s students there was Jack Perry, the son of Major League Baseball star pitcher Gaylord Perry. Through those connections, Gaylord Perry would later become the first head coach of the Limestone baseball team in 1988.

Also at Pfeiffer, Rilling was instrumental in bringing lacrosse to the Falcons Athletics department. One of the players on that inaugural team was Mike Cerino. Rilling then helped establish lacrosse at Limestone and Cerino was tabbed as the Saints’ first coach in 1990.

The Hall of Fame Room at Limestone’s Bob Campbell Field House was named in April of 2015 in honor of Rilling and his wife, Nancy, who served for many years as Limestone’s Archival Custodian until her retirement earlier this year.

“In addition to their extraordinary service as members of our staff, Dave and Nancy have been consistent supporters of Limestone Athletics over the years,” said Limestone President Dr. Walt Griffin. “They have developed lasting bonds with so many of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff members who have passed through our doors. Dave has helped build Limestone into the success that it is today, and we will truly miss his leadership and his friendship. I speak for the entire College when I say we wish him a very happy retirement.”

Rilling earned his bachelor’s in International Relations from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, and received his master’s in Financial Management from Drury University in Springfield, MO. He also attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, VA, as well as the Armed Forces’ Industrial College in Washington, DC.

At Brackenridge High School in San Antonio, Rilling was a member of the varsity basketball team for two years, and also played basketball for one season at San Antonio Junior College. Rilling attended the University of Texas in Austin for one year before leaving for St. Mary’s.

The Rillings have two children, David Rilling, Jr., of Portland, OR, and Meredith Sargent of Powdersville, SC. They also have three grandchildren, Wheeler (17 years old), Jennifer (13), and Johnathan Sargent (9).

As Vice President for Financial Affairs at Limestone, Rilling’s responsibilities have included annual budget formulation and implementation, along with the management of student accounts, physical plant, food services, campus store, campus security, human resources, and financial management.  He also taught both day and evening classes for a time.

Rilling was also instrumental in Limestone’s Block Program transitioning into the Online & Evening Program that now has eight locations across the state, and over 2,000 internet and evening classroom students.

The Rillings are enthusiastic supporters of the Arts programs at Limestone, and Dave has appeared in productions of “White Christmas” and “You Can’t Take It With You.”

Retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, Rilling’s Marine Corps decorations include Bronze Star Medal with Combat Valor, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the President’s Unit Citation Medal.

Rilling serves as a Ruling Elder and as Treasurer at Overbrook Community Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Gaffney.