Freshman Experience

Welcome to Grace College!

At Grace, we provide a comprehensive program to assist first-year students in their adjustment to college life. It is our hope that Grace will become a fast second home for you and that you’ll feel supported as you discover and pursue God's calling on your life. The central components of the first-year program are Welcome Weekend (orientation) and Freshman Foundations (LAC 101). Throughout orientation and the course, freshmen meet in breakout groups of 15-20 students led by a Faculty Mentor and a Student Mentor (an upperclass student). These groups are designed to give first-year students the kind of support needed to adapt to college life. To being preparing for the Freshman Foundations course before orientation, read the Summer Reading Book.

Welcome Weekend

"Welcome Weekend" will be Saturday, August 18, 2012, through Monday, August 20, 2012. Welcome Weekend is the time when Grace welcomes new students to campus and introduces them and their parents to the Grace campus family.

2012 Welcome Weekend Tentative Schedule will be posted in early June.

Other Information

The Campus Book Store, Business, Registrar, and Financial Aid Offices are all open during Welcome Weekend to assist new students.

Meetings and other events are scheduled throughout the weekend to help new freshmen and transfer students learn about the Grace campus and community and to become familiar with expectations and the campus environment.

In addition, programs are provided during the weekend to help parents learn about the campus community, educational philosophy, and academic commitment of the college and its faculty and administration. New freshmen and transfer students are required to attend the events specified for them on the schedule.

Each parent will be given two complimentary meal passes for the weekend to be picked up at Welcome Weekend Registration. Additional meal passes for other family members can be purchased at the entrance of Alpha Dining Commons.

You will be given a final schedule of Welcome Weekend Events upon arrival.

Lodging

To assist parents and/or family members, we have a list of available lodging in the Warsaw and Winona Lake area.

For more information about Welcome Weekend, call the Grace College Student Development Office at 1-800-54-GRACE, ext. 6466.

Freshman Foundations

Who Are We? Who Are You? What Is Our Calling?

These questions (and perhaps a few more) will be addressed in the Freshman Foundations (LAC 101) introductory course required for all freshmen. It’s designed to help students discover their God-given strengths, navigate through current college issues, introduce the student to the mission and expectations of the learning community at Grace College, better understand what makes Christian liberal arts education valuable, introduce students to the value of service in the local community and introduce the students to prospective departments and faculty within the institution. A primary component of this course is a small group discussion led by Faculty Mentors and Student Mentors where students are free to explore ideas with the guidance of the experienced staff and students at Grace.

Principle Faculty:

Jim Swanson

Jacqueline Schram

Aaron Crabtree

2011-12 Summer Reading

Unbroken

The author of well-known novel Seabiscuit, Laura Hillenbrand, brings another best- seller. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption examines the life of American airman Louis Zamperini, and follows his journey through the extremities of World War II. Famous for being a speedy competitor in the Berlin Olympics, Louis never imagined what awaited him when he joined the Army Air Force at the onset of World War II. Louis became a plane bombardier, and managed to cheat death when his plane crashed and disappeared into the Pacific Ocean. After struggling to stay alive on the Pacific Ocean for 47 days, Zamperini ended up in a POW camp in Japan. His first years home after WWII were clouded by nightmares, heavy drinking, and an obsession with revenge. Join Hillenbrand as she outlines Zamperini’s tragic and remarkable story as it leads to an inspiring and redemptive conclusion. Grace freshmen will be treated to a visit with Louis himself this September through chapel and Freshman Foundations.

Faculty & Student Mentors

The men, women and students below serve as Faculty and Student Mentors (sometimes called "break out group leaders") for Freshman Foundations (LAC 101).

As a freshman you will meet with your breakout group one or two times a week. Assisting each Faculty Mentor is an upperclass student called a Student Mentor. Together, it is their desire to assist you in any way possible as you transition to college life and begin to feel at home at Grace. Feel free to contact these mentors with any questions you may have—or just to introduce yourself and begin getting to know them.

Meet the Mentors:

Emily Brenneman

Resident Director Kent & Indiana Hall
Office: Indiana Hall
Faculty Session Location: MM 203
Phone Extension: x6490
Email: emily.brenneman@grace.edu

	Student Mentor: Caitlin Chaney Break-out location: SC 215
	Student Mentor: Brook Surgeon Break-out location: SC 216

Jared Burkholder

Assistant Professor of American and World History
Office: Philathea
Faculty Session Location: PH 009
Phone Extension: x6006
Email: burkhojs@grace.edu

	Student Mentor: Elizabeth Guinter Break-out location: PH 009
	Student Mentor: Alysha Mroczka Break-out location: L. Theater

Steve Carlson

Registrar
Office: Indiana Hall 247
Break-out location: MM 202
Phone Extension: x6411
Email: carlsost@grace.edu

	Student Mentor: Cameron Michael Break-out location: MM 202
	Student Mentor: Brittany Smith Break-out location: MM 203

Aaron Crabtree

Associate Dean of Students
Office: Indiana Hall 153
Break-out location: MC 103
Phone Extension: x6464
Email: crabtrat@grace.edu

	Student Mentor: Connie Okupski Break-out location: MC 103
	Student Mentor: Katie Puckett Break-out location: MC 106

Mark Norris

Professor of European & World History
Office: Philathea 112B
Break-out location: PH 109
Phone Extension: x6256
Email: norrismm@grace.edu

	Student Mentor: Matt Brunner Break-out location: PH 109
	Student Mentor: Whitney Munn Break-out location: PH 110

Jacqueline Schram

Professor of Foreign Languages & Cultures
Office: Philathea 11
Break-out location: MC 107
Phone Extension: x6283
Email: schramjs@grace.edu

	Student Mentor: Ashlyn Barnes Break-out location: MC 107
	Student Mentor: Heidi Schroeder Break-out location: MC 203

Jim Swanson

Vice President of Student Affairs
Office: Indiana Hall 142
Break-out location: MC 108
Phone Extension: x6473
Email: swansoje@grace.edu

	Student Mentor: Courtney Homoelle Break-out location: MC 108
	Student Mentor: Bethany Klein Break-out location: MC 109

Carlos Tellez

Cultural Liaison
Office: Indiana Hall 149
Break-out location: MM 201
Phone Extension: x6284
Email: tellezjc@grace.edu

	Student Mentor: Matt Chilson Break-out location: MM 105
	Student Mentor: Courtney White Break-out location: MM 201

Peter Wolff

Resident Director Beta Hall
Office: Beta Hall
Break-out location: MC 106
Phone Extension: x6494
Email: wolffpa@grace.edu

	Student Mentor: Danika Allison Break-out location: SC 210
	Student Mentor: Ian Line Break-out location: SC 214

These mentors are ready and willing to help you as a freshman—whether you encounter a question about life at Grace College or just want a friend to share a meal or a cup of coffee with.

Other helpful resources:

Residence Life
Departments/Majors
Health Center Forms
Career Services
Computer Services
Student Activities
Academic Assistance

Questions?

Email Student Affairs at studentaffairs@grace.edu or call 574-372-5100, ext. 6488.