Overview
Graceland University Overview
Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, provides challenging academic programs rooted in the liberal arts tradition with a strong emphasis on career preparation. This Iowa university has maintained a tradition of academic excellence since 1895 based on the Christian view of wholeness, worth, and dignity for every person. The 2008-09 class hailed from 47 states and 41 countries - 17 percent of the 1,000 students on the university's Lamoni, Iowa, campus are international students.
Graceland combines a personalized education and an ongoing adventure that will stay with graduates for the rest of their lives. Graduates go on to stellar careers in the sciences, arts, nursing, education, business, athletics, and humanitarian service. Alumni confirm that the 'Graceland Experience' helped focus their passions and shape their futures.
Residence Life at Graceland University
Graceland University's unique 'House' residential system helps students feel instantly at home. Residence halls are divided into floors known as 'Houses' where students live with friends from day one through graduation. Every 'House' has its own traditions and students become a part of the traditions of tomorrow. Members of each 'House' elect a council to plan social, intramural, religious, and academic-support activities. Residence halls are equipped with voice mail, e-mail, Internet connections, and cable TV.
Hands-on Leadership Experience
Leadership is defined in many ways at Graceland. Hands-on experiences allow students to cultivate skills and prepare for future leadership positions. Students hold 200 leadership posts on campus, and these posts provide skills for an added edge in the job market. This is exactly what employers and graduate schools look for. Graceland University was also named a 2010 Best College in the Midwestern Region by the Princeton Review, which is evidence of its leadership in higher education today
Majors and Degrees
Graceland University offers more than 50 academic majors and programs. Students work closely with professors - the school has a 15:1 student-faculty ratio - who are both teachers and scholars. Students may participate in summer internships in their fields and travel abroad during Winter Term service/learning ventures to places like Australia, China, Hungary, Italy, India, Japan, and Mexico.
Graceland awards a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Concentrations in the arts include accounting, visual art, athletic training, business administration, communications, economics, elementary education, English, fitness leadership, health-care administration, history, liberal studies, mathematics, music, philosophy and religion, physical education and health, psychology, recreation, sociology, theater, and wellness program management.
Bachelor of Science programs and majors include biology, chemistry, computer science, and pre-professional programs. General education requirements are based on 10 core competencies satisfied by course selections, internships, portfolios, proficiency exams, work experience, independent studies, performance, and achievement.
The university also offers a Master of Arts in Christian Ministries, Master of Arts in Religion, Master of Education, and Master of Science in Nursing.
Graceland University's State-of-the-Art Facilities
State-of-the-art facilities at Graceland include the new Resch Science and Technology Hall that was completed in August 2009 and provides superb infrastructure and industry-standard equipment. The $15 million project brings best-in-the-Midwest science, math, and technology opportunities to students.
The Helene Center for the Visual Arts includes 29,000 square feet of classrooms, galleries, and studios with large north-facing windows for optimum light for artists. The Shaw Center for the Performing Arts has a 750-seat auditorium, a 150-seat studio theater, a world-class Casavant pipe organ, a gallery, and a scene and wardrobe shop.
The Eugene E. and Julia Travis Closson Physical Education Center complex includes an indoor pool; indoor track; weight and training room; and basketball, tennis, volleyball, and racquetball courts. The Bruce Jenner Sports Complex boasts a new outdoor track, a new $1 million artificial-turf football field, and three beautiful soccer fields. The campus borders a nine-hole golf course and has a highly-regarded disc golf course.
Financial Aid Program
Graceland University's students receive academic and athletic scholarships, performance grants, work-study, federal and state grants, and government loans. Grants are available for achievement in athletics and performing arts and for international students. The university matches a grant up to $1,500 annually for contributions made by congregations.
Admission Requirements
High school graduates must meet two of these criteria: rank in the upper 50 percent of their class, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, or have either a minimum composite ACT score of 21 or a minimum SAT combined score of 960.
Graceland's Lamoni and Independence Campuses
Lamoni is located in the rolling hills of south-central Iowa on Interstate 35 halfway between Des Moines and Kansas City. Shops, restaurants, and a scenic bike trail are all within walking or biking distance in small-town Lamoni. It is a safe, friendly community where students always feel welcome.
Graceland University also has a stunning urban campus in Independence, Missouri, home to a wide array of online programs and the award-winning School of Nursing. Take a look at the Graceland Web site to learn more about its students, alumni, and community.
