Commencement ceremonies at Grace College & Theological Seminary took place Saturday, May 11 at 9:00 a.m. in the Orthopaedic Capital Center on the Grace campus. A brass ensemble conducted by Martin Becker provided the prelude and processional accompaniment. The ceremony, which commemorated the 75^th anniversary of the college and seminary, included an invocation by Michael C. Taylor, director of the Medical and Compassion Ministries of Encompass World Partners-Three Strands and father of Kristen H. Taylor, graduating senior.

An institutional recognition was also given by James L. Custer, chairman of the Grace Board of Trustees and Ronald E. Manahan, Th.D., president of Grace College and Seminary led the commencement ceremony. The musical presentation was performed by graduating senior Rebekah Noack, accompanied by Aaron Scantlen. Matthew D. Slippy gave the benediction. Slippy is associate pastor of Youth and Family Ministries at Calvary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and father of Tara A. Slippy, graduating senior.

Grace College and Seminary’s graduating class of 2013 consisted of 431 graduates:

• 15 received Associate of Science in Management degrees from the School of Adult and Community Education’s Prison Extension program
• 56 received Bachelor of Science in Management degrees from the School of Adult and Community Education’s Prison Extension program
• 11 received Master of Education degrees from the School of Adult and Community Education
• 6 received Master of Business Administration degrees from the School of Adult and Community Education
• 24 received Master of Science in Orthopaedic Regulatory & Clinical Affairs  degrees from the School of Adult and Community Education
• 14 received an Associate Degree in Nursing (through Bethel College)
• 37 received Bachelor of Arts degrees from the School of Arts & Sciences
• 42 received Bachelor of Science degrees from the School of Arts & Sciences
• 5 received Bachelor of Arts degrees from the School of Behavioral Sciences
• 37 received Bachelor of Science degrees from the School of Behavioral Sciences
• 23 received Master of Arts degrees from the School of Behavioral Sciences
• 3 received Bachelor of Arts degrees from the School of Business
• 31 received Bachelor of Science degrees from the School of Business
• 10 received Bachelor of Arts degrees from the School of Education
• 28 received Bachelor of Science degrees from the School of Education
• 8 received Bachelor of Arts degrees from the School of Ministry Studies
• 25 received Bachelor of Science degrees from the School of Ministry Studies
• 1 received a Certificate in Biblical Studies from the School of Ministry Studies
• 21 received Master of Arts degrees from the School of Ministry Studies
• 8 received Master of Arts degrees from Grace Theological Seminary
• 6 received Master of Divinity degrees from Grace Theological Seminary
• 2 received Doctor of Ministry degrees from Grace Theological Seminary
• 18 received Doctor of Missiology degrees from Grace Theological Seminary.

The class was comprised of students from 24 states and 16 countries, including Argentina, China, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Uzbekistan and the United States.

Of the 431 college graduates, 36 were members of the Alpha Chi Honor Society and six were the college’s first inductees into Sigma Beta Delta, an honors society for business students. A total of 163 baccalaureate degree recipients earned graduation honors and wore gold tassels, cords or sashes at the commencement ceremony.

• 11 graduated with summa cum laude honors
• 39 achieved magna cum laude honors
• 29 earned cum laude honors
• 84 earned honors in the graduate division and seminary division

Christa K. Farrell, B.S. in Elementary Education

Dr. Ronald and Barbara Manahan receiving several recognitions from the Grace College & Seminary Board of Trustees

Master of Business Administration graduate Matthew R. Metzger with children Megan Metzger (left) and Hunter Metzger (right)

Master of Divinity graduate Brent T. Mencarelli with wife Amy Mencarelli

Grace College announces the opening of its third commuter location in the city of Detroit this coming August.  Grace chose the location in Detroit based on an invitation from Evangel Ministries. Grace College Detroit will offer an A.A. or A.S. in General Studies (Liberal Arts) for traditional students seeking to live at home and save money while completing their first two years of college.

“Grace College Detroit is being established in response to the need for accredited ministry training in Detroit,” said Dr. Bill Katip, president of Grace College and Seminary. “There is a large population in the area who are interested in ministry education, so we are partnering with Evangel Ministries and their senior pastor Christopher Brooks to fill that need.”

Grace College Detroit will also offer an A.A. or A.S. in Biblical Studies. This is a degree completion program for adult students who have already earned a certificate from Detroit Bible Institute, Ashland Theological Seminary or Moody Bible Institute in Detroit. This A. A. degree program will be offered this year through evening classes for working students who wish to earn an associate degree.

Grace’s initial commuter locations and The Henry and Frances Weber School were founded in 2011. Tuition is $3,900 per semester; this is significantly lower than most other Christian residential colleges and comparable to public commuter college tuition.  The Grace College Detroit site joins Henry and Frances Weber School sites already established in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.

Matt Parker, site director, said, “Grace College Detroit provides an opportunity for young people to receive a Christ-centered education that is affordable and accredited.  It’s also an opportunity for church and ministry leaders to increase their knowledge and leadership skills.”

The school administration also has plans to offer a Bachelor of Science in Ministry Studies degree completion program beginning fall 2014. The school has accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.  Visit detroit.grace.edu for more information.

Dr. William J. Katip, president of Grace College & Seminary

The faculty, staff, and board of trustees of Grace College and Seminary are excited to welcome former provost Dr. William J. Katip as the president of Grace College & Seminary. He assumed this new role following Dr. Ronald E. Manahan’s final day on May 11. Katip received a B.A. in Bible and Psychology from Grace College, an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Michigan State University. His professional background includes 39 years of college administration (15 at Grace), teaching and counseling experience, and serving as provost of Grace College since 2007.

As Katip steps into his new role, he is implementing some structural changes to the institution’s senior leadership team. Manahan will assume the role of senior advisor to the president during the academic year 2013-2014, taking some time in the fall semester as a sabbatical. Dr. Jeff Gill was named vice president and dean of the Seminary and School of Ministry Studies, and joins the Grace College and Seminary senior leadership team.

Dr. James Swanson, vice president of Student Affairs and Academic Services, now has additional areas of responsibility that focus on developing student life. The school’s retention rates have improved yearly under Swanson’s guidance. Cynthia Sisson received a promotion from dean to vice president of Enrollment Management, and Associate Provost Dr. Carrie Yocum stepped into her new role as vice president of Administration and Compliance. Thomas Dunn, accepting his new title as vice president of Strategic Initiatives and Planning, will hone his focus on institutional growth and innovation, which is integral to Katip’s strategy. Grace will be seeking to fill the three remaining openings in the senior leadership team (vice president of Financial Affairs, vice president of Advancement, and vice president of Academic Affairs) in the coming months.

“Dr. Manahan made sure the college and seminary remained true our mission through drastic changes,” said Katip. “I commit to that same fortitude, also acknowledging that our methods must be adaptable. Higher education is in line for radical changes and we have to pray for wisdom daily to find new ways to express it.”

A community appreciation dinner in honor of Dr. Ronald E. Manahan was hosted by Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller at Westminster Hall on May 6, 2013. During the evening, Manahan was recognized for 36 years of distinguished service and 20 years as president of Grace. The Board of Trustees of Grace College and Seminary, on behalf of the students, faculty, and staff of Grace College & Seminary, in expression of its deepest gratitude, officially presented the re-naming of the Orthopaedic Capital Center the “Ronald E. and Barbara J. Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center at Grace College.”

A welcome was given by Bob Vitoux, board member at Grace College and Seminary and vice president of commercial operations at Biomet. The Rev. Kip Cone, board member at Grace College and Seminary and pastor of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, gave an invocation.

Sen. Jim Banks of the Indiana State Senate presented a resolution from the State of Indiana along with a flag that was flown over the state capital. Banks also presented a proclamation from the City of Warsaw, and a proclamation and resolution from the Town of Winona Lake declaring it “Ron Manahan Day.” Jean Northenor, retired executive vice president of Lake City Bank, presented a letter from the state Supreme Court. Northenor spoke on Manahan’s mobilization of the community to pursue the Westminster restoration project, which was the first time that Grace collaborated with the community on a project of such magnitude and that involved such broad representation.

Dr. Dane Miller, founder and board member of Biomet, Inc. spoke on Manahan’s efforts to mobilize the orthopaedic community around the Orthopaedic Capital Center project, the first collaboration between competing orthopedic companies to benefit the community as a whole. Mr. David Johnson, president of BioCrossroads, spoke about Manahan’s efforts as an ambassador in championing the cause of orthopaedics statewide. Dr. Patrick Kavanaugh, executive director of The MasterWorks Festival, provided special music for the evening.

The event closed with a gracious response by Manahan and closing remarks by Dr. William J. Katip, president-elect of Grace College and Seminary. A closing prayer of blessing was offered by Mr. Scott Silveus, board member of Grace College and Seminary and president of Silveus Insurance Group.

Vitoux said, “Dr. Manahan will be remembered as a godly, Holy Spirit-driven leader who left his indelible print on all those he encountered through his soft-spoken words, and by making the community and many of the local Orthopedic businesses feel a part of the school during the years of his presidency.”

Manahan has assumed the role of senior advisor to the president and will serve in that role at least a year.  During the 13-14 academic year Manahan and his wife Barbara will take several months of sabbatical leave.

Dr. Ronald E. Manahan and Indiana State Senator Jim Banks

Jean Northenor, retired executive vice president of Lake City Bank

Grace College head coach Jim Kessler was announced as a court coach for the 2013 USA Basketball Men’s World University Games training camp.

Kessler will assist USA Basketball’s coaching staff during the team’s training camp from June 24-July 1 for the 2013 Men’s University Games.

The USA men will be coached by Davidson College’s Bob McKillop and assisted by Michigan’s John Beilein and South Carolina’s Frank Martin. The 2013 World University Games are held in Kazan, Russia, from July 6-17.

“I’m highly honored to have the opportunity to contribute to USA Basketball. It’s an honor for the NAIA to be included at this level. I think USA Basketball is recognizing there are a lot of good coaches at this level,” Kessler said. “I’m thrilled at this opportunity to help pick and train players to represent us in Russia. If nothing else, I want to encourage these guys to represent us well. We’ll go overseas with a target on our back as the United States, so we need to leave the all-star attitude behind, play hard and play together.”

Kessler will serve as court coach alongside Tad Boyle of the University of Colorado and Matt Matheny of Elon College at next month’s training camp.

Organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the World University Games is a multi-sport competition open to men and women who are between the ages of 17 and 24 (born between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 1995), and are or have been within the past year, a student at a college or university.

“It’s an honor to represent the NAIA, our league, Grace College and the state of Indiana,” Kessler continued. “I’m humbled to have this chance, and I appreciate USA Basketball and the NAIA for allowing me to represent them.”

Kessler has amassed 679 career wins at Grace during his 36-year coaching career. He has directed the Lancers to 15 20-win seasons and three 30-win seasons during his time, including a 24-10 record last year and a trip to the 2013 NAIA Division II National Championship semifinals.

To view the complete news release from USA Basketball, click here.

Grace Brethren military chaplain Major Billy Graham (U.S.Army) surprised his daughter, Katie, Saturday morning during her graduation from Grace College. He has been deployed in Afghanistan for the last nine months. Fort Wayne, Ind., television station, WANE, caught the story on tape, which appears below. Click here to view the video report.

Local graduate gets big surprise walking across stage

Winona Lake, Ind. (WANE) – Saturday morning a graduate at Grace Seminary College got a big surprise walking across the stage.

Katie Graham had her diploma in hand, her professor had just turned her tassel, and then, she looked across the stage and froze.

A man was running towards her with outstretched arms. The man was her father who she hadn’t seen in nine months.

” I was like, no way, no way, and then lots of oh my gosh, oh my gosh. I think I said it like six times,” Katie said.

Chaplain Billy Graham had just come back from a nine month deployment in Afghanistan.

“I really didn’t think I’d be able to make it home because my deployment was supposed to go for several more weeks,” Chaplain Graham said.

However, with the help of his commander, he was able to come home early. When he found out the good news, he began his plan of surprising his daughter for her graduation.

His family helped him keep his homecoming a surprise, and Grace College helped the ceremony reveal go smoothly. Chaplain Graham said he even pretended to Skype his daughter Friday night to make her believe he was still overseas.

The dad and daughter both agree the surprise made the special occasion even more memorable.

“Oh yeah, priceless, there we go,” Katie said.

Katie also said the surprise was also sentimental because her father is also a Grace graduate.

Grace College & Seminary’s 2013 Commencement will be held Saturday, May 11 at 9 a.m. at the Orthopaedic Capital Center on the Grace campus. The ceremony, which commemorates the 75^th anniversary of the college and seminary, will include an invocation by Michael C. Taylor, director of the Medical and Compassion Ministries of Encompass World Partners-Three Strands; an institutional recognition and tribute by Dr. James L. Custer, chairman of Grace Board of Trustees; to President Dr. Ronald E. Manahan for his 20-year tenure and final day as president.

The tribute will include the Board of Trustees resolution to rename the Orthopaedic Capital Center at Grace College the “Ronald and Barbara Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.” The honor is bestowed upon the Manahans as a demonstration of gratitude for their 36 years of service to the institution and Dr. Manahan’s two decades as president. Dr. William J. Katip, current Grace provost and president-elect, will assume the duties of president on May 12.

For the 2013 Commencement, Dr. Manahan has chosen Dr. Stephen A. Grill, dean of the School of Adult and Community Education, to carry the ceremonial mace in honor of his brother, the late Dr. E. Michael Grill, who served Grace College & Seminary for 35 years. Carrying the mace is a great honor and is traditionally borne by someone who has been singled out for tribute.

Each year, Grace College & Seminary honors faculty and staff who have served the college for five years, and again every five years thereafter. This spring, Grace honored 23 employees at a recognition luncheon held on May 1. First-time honorees included Kim Huntsman, financial aid coordinator; Monica Boyer, administrative assistant for the Graduate Department of Counseling & Interpersonal Relations; Dr. Cheryl Bremer, assistant professor of Education and chair of the Special Education Department; Dr. Jared Burkholder, assistant professor of American and World History; Dr. John French, site director of Weber School Fort Wayne; Dr. Jeffrey Peck, associate professor of Education; Dan McNamara, resident director; Valerie Crumbley, chapel administrative assistant; Aubrey Alcorn, assistant women’s soccer coach; Andria Harshman, assistant director of Athletics and head women’s volleyball coach;  Matt Hotchkin, head men’s soccer coach; and Larry Schuh, head tennis coach.  Ten-year honorees included Greg Weimer, director of Planned Giving; Aaron Crabtree, dean of students; Joseph Lehmann, associate professor of English; and Kelly Sharp, Athletic Department office manager. Fifteen-year honorees included Jacob Barros, OIT network administrator; Dr. Tom Stallter, professor of Intercultural Studies and World Mission and executive director of the GTS Center for Korean Studies; Dr. Roger Stichter, associate professor of Accounting and Finance; Dr. Bill Katip, current provost and president-elect; and Rick Koontz, associate professor of Computer Information and program director of Management of Information Systems. Dr. George Slaughter, professor of Psychology was honored for 25 years of service and Dr. Mike Grill, former dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences and professor of Psychology, was posthumously honored for 35 years of dedicated service.

“It is a joy to honor those who have dedicated years and sometimes decades of service to Grace College & Seminary,” said Audrey Russell, Director of Human Resources. “The time and passion they have contributed to the Grace community is truly an inspiration.”

2013 Employee Recognition Luncheon Honorees with Dr. Ron and Barbara Manahan. Back row (L to R): Joseph Lehmann, Larry Schuh, Rick Koontz, Aaron Crabtree, Jacob Barros, Matt Hotchkin, Dr. Bill Katip, Josh Grill*, Dr. Steve Grill*, Dr. George Slaughter. Front row (L to R): Kelly Sharp, Andria Harshman, Greg Weimer, Dr. Tom Stallter, Dr. Jared Burkholder, Dr. Jeffrey Peck, Dan McNamara, Monica Boyer, Dr. Cheryl Bremer, Valerie Crumbley, Becky Grill*, Barbara Manahan, Dr. Ron Manahan. Not pictured: Aubrey Alcorn, Dr. John French, Kim Huntsman and Dr. Roger Stichter. *Present to receive Dr. Mike Grill’s posthumous recognition were his wife, Becky Grill, his son, Josh Grill, and his brother, Dr. Steve Grill.

Grace’s men’s soccer team is set to expand its borders, embarking on a two-week sport mission trip to Cape Town, South Africa.

The Lancers will begin their trip on May 12 and enjoy two weeks of interacting with and ministering to the people of South Africa through the avenue of soccer.

“This will be such a rewarding trip for us,” said Grace head coach Matt Hotchkin. “This trip will surely teach us a lot and help to shape and challenge us. It is our hope that this trip will bring us together in a very special way. Most importantly, we are excited to use the joy of soccer to share the love of Christ with the South Africans.”

Grace’s coaches and players will run soccer clinics and speak to local high school assemblies during their time in South Africa.

The Lancers will also learn how to coach children from every type of socioeconomic background.

A special aspect of the trip centers around sophomore midfielder Gift Sibukome. Sibukome, originally from Lusaka, Zambia, will have the chance to return home for the first time in nearly two years.

Since arriving in the US in the fall of 2012, Sibukome has only spoken with family and friends in Zambia over phone and email.

“It’s been a blessing for me to be here in the US. I thank the Lord for what He has done for me here,” Sibukome said. “But this trip is an exciting one because it’s the first time to go home in almost two years. I’m thankful to the alumni guys for making this trip possible. God is always good.”