Motto | Character, Competence, Service |
---|---|
Type | Private |
Established | 1948 |
Endowment | $10 million |
President | Dr. William J. Katip |
Location |
Winona Lake, Indiana, United States 41°13′33″N 85°48′57″W / 41.225861°N 85.815915°WCoordinates: 41°13′33″N 85°48′57″W / 41.225861°N 85.815915°W |
Campus | rural: 180 acres (0.73 km²) |
Affiliations | Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches |
Website | Official Website |
Grace College & Seminary is an evangelical Christian community of higher education which applies biblical values in strengthening character, sharpening competence, and preparing for service. The institution of higher education is located in Winona Lake, Indiana. Its five divisions, or "schools," are located on the grounds of the main campus: The School of Arts and Sciences, The School of Behavioral Sciences, The School of Business, The School of Ministry Studies, and The School of Professional & Online Education (SPOE).Grace Theological Seminary, which began as the parent institution, now exists as part of the School of Ministry Studies and is also located on the Winona Lake campus under the direction of Jeffrey A. Gill. Since 2011, several commuter campuses have also started. While the college and seminary are historically affiliated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, the student body and faculty of both institutions have diverse denominational backgrounds.
The institution began with the organization of Grace Theological Seminary under the leadership of Alva J. McClain in 1937. A two-year "undergraduate division" of the seminary was added in 1948 and has since transitioned into a four-year Liberal Arts college.
Alva J. McClain served as president until 1962, when he was succeeded by his colleague and fellow co-founder Herman A. Hoyt. He remained in this position until he retired in 1976, and was followed by then Dean of Grace Theological Seminary Homer Kent, Jr., who retained this position until his own retirement in 1986. Dr. John J. Davis then served in the position from 1986 to 1993.Ronald E. Manahan replaced Davis and led the institution until 2013 at which time William J. Katip, who had been Provost since 2007, replaced Manahan. New initiatives implemented in the fall of 2013 included an adjusted calendar in which each of the semesters were divided into two 8-week sessions.
For many years Grace College maintained a ministry to the incarcerated in Indiana at various correctional facilities throughout the state directed by Dr. John Teevan. However, due to legal changes in the state of Indiana, this ministry has transitioned to a GED program. The institution now manages the GED program for five correction facilities in northern Indiana.