Senator Jim Banks reads the resolution honoring Grace College and Seminary’s 75th year anniversary with representatives from Grace standing by.

On March 12, 2013, several representatives from Grace College met in Indianapolis to witness the reading of a resolution honoring Grace College and Seminary’s 75th year anniversary.  Dr. Ronald Manahan, President of Grace and Dr. Bill Katip, Provost, attended the event to hear the resolution read before the Indiana State Senate on the chamber floor.

The resolution, read by Senator Jim banks, noted the history of Grace College and Seminary as well as several of Grace’s outstanding achievements. The resolution also highlighted Grace’s recent implementation of more affordable education options for students.

Other Grace representatives at the event were Brian Ramsey, Site Director of Weber Indianapolis; Tom Dunn, Chief Operations Officer at Grace; Jennifer Anderson, Student Services Coordinator at Weber Indianapolis; Dr. George Slaughter, Professor of Psychology at Grace; Dr. Jared Burkholder, Assistant Professor of American and World History, and several students from Grace’s main campus in Winona Lake and Grace College Indianapolis.

“It was really exciting to see Grace College represented on the Senate chamber floor,” said Dr. Manahan. “When someone like Senator Jim Banks notices our achievements as a college and decides to present a resolution about it, then it recognizes the work and innovation we’ve put in.”

Also in attendance was Senator Ryan Mishler, long-time partner with Grace College and Seminary and representative of the 9^th District Senate (Grace’s district), who spoke on behalf of the college on the senate floor.

Senator Banks was born and raised in Columbia City and South Whitley and received his B.A. in Political Science from Indiana University in Bloomington. He is currently pursuing his MBA from Grace College’s online program.

On March 12, 2013, Senator Jim Banks will be presenting a resolution to the Indiana State Senate honoring Grace College and Seminary’s 75th year anniversary and achievements as an institution. The resolution will be read before the Indiana State Senate in Indianapolis, and representatives from Grace will have the privilege to attend the event at the capitol.

The resolution notes the history of Grace College and Seminary, as well as several of Grace’s achievements such as graduates of Grace’s accounting program receiving a ranking of 10th out of 793 institutions nationwide for the first-time pass rate on the Certified Public Accountant exam in 2012.

The resolution also highlights Grace’s recent implementation of more affordable education options for students. One of these options reduces cost by 25 percent through one of the nation’s first successful three-year accelerated degree programs. Another program being recognized is a $7,800 per year associate degree program for city youth now available in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.

“We are honored that Grace College and Seminary’s 75th Anniversary will be recognized before the Indiana State Senate,” said Dr. Ronald Manahan, president of Grace College and Seminary. “I think it acknowledges the passion and hard work we have invested to give our students quality, affordable options for their education. We are excited to continue innovating and addressing students’ needs.”

Grace College Fort Wayne invites families of high school juniors and seniors to attend a Financial Aid Seminar on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 from 6:30 – 8:30pm.  The event will be an informational meeting for students and parents to learn more about the college application process and how to make use of available financial aid, regardless of what colleges they may be considering. Refreshments will also be available for all who attend.

“We are hoping to make parents aware of what is available and answer questions they may not even know to ask,” said Susan Fenker of Grace College Fort Wayne. A Financial Aid Counselor and Admissions Counselor from Grace College, and a 21^st Century Scholar Outreach Coordinator will be present to give info and answer questions.

Grace College Fort Wayne is located at 1027 W. Rudisill Blvd, Fort Wayne 46807 (former Taylor University Fort Wayne campus, now called The Summit). For more details about the event and to RSVP go to www.grace.edu/visitftwayne or call Susan Fenker at 260-469-4070 or 855-932-3739.

Grace College and Seminary kicks off its fall 2012 semester and 75^th anniversary celebration with a record-breaking enrollment of 1,821 students thanks to nationally recognized program innovation and new academic offerings.

The record enrollment, propelled by 407 new students this fall, results from Grace College’s innovative, market-driven responses to a rapidly changing higher educational landscape increasingly shaped by concerns about college affordability and accessibility.

Recognizing that rising college costs are a significant burden and growing barrier to students, in 2011, Grace College launched an innovative three-year accelerated degree program for all 60 majors, allowing students to graduate sooner, save a year’s tuition and enter the workforce a year earlier.  The program also allows students to benefit from free online summer courses.  National statistics indicate the average undergraduate spends five years completing a bachelor’s degree.

Grace College is one of the few public or private universities nationally – to offer a three-year degree program across its curriculum.  Grace’s program innovation has attracted the attention of Congress, state legislators and national media.

At a time when parents and students increasingly consider quality and affordability in their consideration of educational options, forty-nine percent of entering freshmen this year indicated an intent to pursue the three-year degree option.  In 2011, forty-eight percent of entering freshmen identified Grace’s three-year degree program as a significant factor in their college selection decision.

New online graduate and adult programs, along with the launch of additional educational sites in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, also contributed to Grace College’s significant enrollment growth.

A remarkable 85 percent retention rate of students from their freshman to sophomore year also has positively impacted student enrollment at Grace College. This figure considerably exceeds the 70 percent national average for schools similar to Grace.  Grace officials attribute the impressive retention rates to Grace’s three-year degree program and the stellar student support services offered.

“Grace College is committed to continued program innovation and educational leadership to keep a high quality, faith-based education accessible and affordable for all families,” said Grace College Provost Dr. William Katip.  “We are pleased to see the increased number of students, including those attending our new sites in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, who are directly benefiting from our aggressive attempts to adapt educational models and address escalating costs to better serve savvy educational consumers seeking better higher educational options.”

Grace College and Seminary is an evangelical Christian community of higher education that applies biblical values in strengthening character, sharpening competence and preparing for service. Grace College offers traditional undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as flexible online and hybrid-online graduate degrees, on-campus and online degree completion programs, and a highly affordable, easily accessible two-year degree program in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review have regularly named Grace as one of America’s Best Colleges and a “Best Midwestern College” respectively. The 180-acre main campus is located in the historic resort town of Winona Lake, near Warsaw, Indiana.

On Wednesday, Nov. 30, Grace College and Theological Seminary President Dr. Ronald Manahan testified before the Congressional Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training at a hearing entitled, “Keeping College within Reach:  Discussing Ways Institutions Can Streamline Costs and Reduce Tuition” at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx had invited Manahan to represent Grace College at the hearing because of Grace’s innovative 3-year accelerated degree program, which is available for each of Grace’s more than 50 majors.

Manahan was given five minutes to present his oral testimony; he also submitted a longer written statement, which is included in the hearing record. Members of the Committee had five minutes each to ask questions of the witnesses and to comment on the testimonies.

Manahan was excited about the invitation’s implications for Grace College.  “It’s a great honor for Grace College to be recognized for something we’ve put so much time and effort into – using innovative approaches to address the escalating costs of higher education,” Manahan said.

Indiana Congressman Marlin Stutzman praised Grace College for its initiative to find solutions.  “We, as Hoosiers, are constantly innovating, finding ways to lower costs and increase opportunities. It was great to have Grace College recognized as a leader in higher education. I’m glad when Hoosiers take bold perspectives to DC. Dr. Manahan and Grace College are doing great work for our community and offering a model for the rest of the country,” Stutzman said.

In his oral testimony, Manahan explained how Grace College has addressed the increasing cost of higher education.  In an effort to reduce cost, the school has systematically evaluated every academic program, reviewed institutional operations, explored innovations (which include the new three-year degree program, the Weber school, and Grace’s “placement promise” to graduates), and created collaborations and partnerships with other institutions.  These efforts are in line with Manahan’s closing statement that, “…higher education must be vigilant in controlling cost, ensuring access, and increasing employability.”

Grace College is moving forward to bring post-secondary education within reach of a larger population. Beginning August 2011, The Henry and Frances Weber School at Grace College will deliver a two-year associate of arts degree in general studies in two locations: Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. Tuition rates for the new program are $3900 per semester.

Dr. Ronald Manahan, president of Grace College, remarked, “To our knowledge this is the only such Christian two-year program available today. This school will offer a cost-effective associate degree to students in urban areas who want a Christian education, and we ultimately look forward to offering this program in a variety of cities.”

Each of the two years will be divided into fall, spring, and summer semesters, each with two eight-week sessions. The program is designed so that students completing the two-year associate degree can continue to the Winona Lake campus or transfer to another college to complete baccalaureate degrees.

Dr. John Teevan has been appointed Executive Director of The Weber School. Teevan came to Grace in 2006 to lead the Prison Extension, which grew to 350 students under his leadership. For more than thirty years before coming to Grace, he was a pastor in Grace Brethren Churches in Ashland, Ohio and Winona Lake, Ind.

“Henry and Frances Weber have served Grace College in a variety of capacities for nearly two decades,” said Teevan. “It’s an honor for our school to be able to give back to them when they have given so richly to us.”

Henry Weber noted that Christian higher education needed “to develop alumni who make their way in the world as successful Christian members of society, no matter what their vocation.” Through The Weber School, Grace plans to help fulfill this charge by lowering the upfront cost of the first two years of college and minimizing barriers to education that many people face.

Grace College is an evangelical Christian community of higher education which applies Biblical values in strengthening character, sharpening competence, and preparing for service. The academic, residential, athletic, and social aspects of the college are designed to encourage intellectual and spiritual growth in a supportive campus community. The 180-acre campus is located in the historic resort town of Winona Lake, near Warsaw, Ind. It has historically been among the top schools of its size and listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s Best Colleges. The Princeton Review has regularly awarded it the title of a “Best Midwestern College.”

Grace College and Theological Seminary has announced it is opening a location in Fort Wayne at the Ambassador Enterprises property formerly occupied by Fort Wayne Bible College, and classes will begin this fall. To commemorate the event, Grace will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and press conference on Friday, August 5, 2001 at 11 AM at the location, which is housed in the English Library.

Speakers will include Dr. Ronald Manahan, president of Grace College, Mayor Tom Henry and Larry Rottmeyer of Ambassador Enterprises.

Grace College is moving forward to bring post-secondary education within reach of a larger population. Beginning August 2011, The Henry and Frances Weber School at Grace College will deliver a two-year associate of arts degree in general studies in two locations: Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. Tuition rates for the new program are $3900 per semester.

Dr. Ronald Manahan, president of Grace College, remarked, “To our knowledge this is the only such Christian two-year program available today. This school will offer a cost-effective associate degree to students in urban areas who want a Christian education, and we ultimately look forward to offering this program in a variety of cities.”

Each of the two years will be divided into fall, spring, and summer semesters, each with two eight-week sessions. The program is designed so that students completing the two-year associate degree can continue to the Winona Lake campus or transfer to another college to complete baccalaureate degrees.

Dr. John Teevan has been appointed Executive Director of The Weber School. Teevan came to Grace in 2006 to lead the Prison Extension, which grew to 350 students under his leadership. For more than thirty years before coming to Grace, he was a pastor in Grace Brethren Churches in Ashland, Ohio and Winona Lake, Ind.

“Henry and Frances Weber have served Grace College in a variety of capacities for nearly two decades,” said Teevan. “It’s an honor for our school to be able to give back to them when they have given so richly to us.”

Henry Weber noted that Christian higher education needed “to develop alumni who make their way in the world as successful Christian members of society, no matter what their vocation.” Through The Weber School, Grace plans to help fulfill this charge by lowering the upfront cost of the first two years of college and minimizing barriers to education that many people face.