WikiMini

Grace University

Grace University
Dedication stone in the courtyard
Former name
Grace Bible Institute
TypePrivate university
ActiveAugust 1943 (1943-08)–July 1, 2018 (2018-07-01)
Religious affiliation
Interdenominational Christian
Address
1311 South Ninth Street
,
Omaha
,
Nebraska
,
68108-3629

41°14′39″N 95°55′41″W / 41.2442°N 95.9280°W / 41.2442; -95.9280
CampusUrban
NicknameRoyals
Sporting affiliations
NCCAA Central
Websitewww.graceuniversity.edu
Map

Grace University was a private Christian university in Omaha, Nebraska.[1] The university included undergraduate programs and the Grace University College of Professional and Graduate Studies.[2] The university ceased all academic operations in May 2018.[3]

History

[edit]

Established in 1943, Grace was initially created as an interdenominational Bible institute for Christian men and women to enhance their theological training. The ten ministers and leaders counted as Grace's founders (August Ewert, Albert Ewert, Albert Schultz, Peter Kliewer, Paul Kuhlmann, Harold Burkholder, John Barkman, C.H. Suckau, Solomon Mouttet, and John Tieszen) originally met to discuss relocating the Bible department of Oklahoma Bible Academy. After several days of prayer, they decided that really what was needed was a place of higher education.

Originally called Grace Bible Institute, the school opened in the fall of 1943 with a grand total of 23 students and six professors. No tuition was charged; instead, students performed "30-minute jobs" every day. That changed in 1948 when the Accrediting Association required member schools to charge money. The original tuition was a flat $50 fee. In 1976, the school's name was changed to Grace College of the Bible. On July 1, 1995, the school officially became Grace University, emphasizing the school's new academic identity.

Grace's original home was in the former site of the recently shuttered Presbyterian Theological Seminary. In less than a year, the college was able to purchase Stuntz Hall on South 10th Street in Omaha. The current campus includes that lot (the hall, by then known as Old Main, was torn down in the 1990s because of decay and safety concerns) as well as the surrounding city blocks. In 1977, the University purchased St. Catherine's Hospital Center for Continuing Care.[4][5] This purchase added almost 2.7 acres (1.1 ha) to the campus and doubled facility space.

In 2017, a large portion of the school's campus was sold to Omaha Public Schools and announced plans to move to Blair, Nebraska and occupy the former campus of Dana College, which folded in 2010. On October 3, 2017, however, Grace CEO Bill Bauhard announced that Grace University would halt operations at the end of the 2017–2018 academic year, citing financial and enrollment challenges.[3][6]

Following the school's closure, the school's transcripts were transferred to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for access by former students.[7] Over its lifetime, more than 9000 students studied at the institution.[3]

Charis University

[edit]

In response to Grace's closing and failure to occupy the former Dana campus, a group of Grace alumni and friends formed Charis University in early 2018, with the intent of opening on the Dana campus as a spiritual successor to Grace.[8][9] In September 2018, the group announced that they were downsizing their plans and the university ultimately failed to open.[10]

Presidents

[edit]
No. Name Term Ref
1[a] Paul Kuhlmann 1943–1944 [12][13]
2 Cornelius H. Suckau 1944–1951 [14][15]
3 Harold D. Burkholder 1950–1955[b] [18][19][20]
4 Joseph W. Schmidt 1955–1960[c] [23][24]
5 Daniel J. Unruh 1960–1961[d] [26][27][28]
6 Waldo E. Harder 1961–1971[e] [30][31]
7 Robert W. Benton 1971–1984[f] [31][32][33][34]
8 Warren E. Bathke 1984–1993 [34][35][36]
9 Neal F. McBride 1993–1997 [36][37]
10 James P. Eckman 1997–2012[g] [38]
11 David M. Barnes 2012–2016 [39][40][20]
– Thomas Roche 2016 [41][20]
– John D. Holmes 2016–2017 [42][20]
12[h] William L. Bauhard 2017–2018 [44]
  1. ^ Originally Kuhlmann's title was only acting president, but Grace University retroactively counted him as its first president.[11]
  2. ^ Burkholder initially served as acting president from 1950 to 1952 during a leave of absence taken by Suckau and after his death in 1951.[16][17]
  3. ^ Schmidt initially served as interim president 1955–1956.[21][22]
  4. ^ Unruh briefly served as interim president in 1960.[25]
  5. ^ Harder initially served as interim president 1961–1962.[29]
  6. ^ Benton initially served as acting president from July to October of 1971.[32]
  7. ^ Eckman initially served as interim president from August to November of 1997 before accepting the full-time position.[37]
  8. ^ Bauhard, Grace University's CEO, was the leader of the school in its final year.[43]

Academics

[edit]
The entrance to the Jim Classen Gymnasium.

Grace University was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.[45] From the original three majors offered, Grace has grown to offer more than 40 undergraduate degrees and four graduate degrees.[46] Popular programs included business, intercultural studies, communication, pastoral ministries, psychology, music, and teacher education. Approximately 500 students attended near its closing. Facilities included a state-of-the-art library, a new gym (which hosted the NCCAA Division II Volleyball National Championships in 2007 and 2008), a newly remodeled teacher education wing, and WiFi across campus.

The teacher education program was one of the biggest programs offered at Grace University.[47] This program started in 1998 and strove to provide a biblically integrated curriculum as well as challenging, up-to-date education.

Arts and music

[edit]

In the area of fine arts, the school had the Concert Band, the Women's Chorale, and most notably the Grace Chorale, which toured regularly across the United States and overseas. Instrumentalists had opportunities to join ensembles or the Community Concert Band. Annual musicals were held as well.

Athletics

[edit]

As a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), Grace offered sports including basketball, volleyball, and soccer. They also briefly offered men's baseball for several years. The Lady Royals Volleyball team was named Division II National Champions of the NCCAA in 2005. In 2007 and 2008, Grace University hosted the NCCAA Division II Volleyball National Championship. The Royals' head coach Courtney Moore played for Grace from 2005 to 2008 and was an assistant coach for two seasons. In the six seasons Coach Moore had been a part of Grace volleyball, the team has competed at the National level five times to bring home two final four finishes, one National Runner-up finish and one National Championship.

In 2008, the men's basketball Team won the NCCAA Div. II National Championship. Starter Paul Putz was named Tournament MVP. They were last coached by Willie Williams, who was a member of the 2008 National Championship team. The Royals won the NCCAA Div. II Central Region Championship in 2012 and 2013.

The men's soccer team made consecutive appearances in the NCCAA National Tournament in 2002 and 2003.[48]

The women's basketball team was the 2011 NCCAA Central Region Champion. They subsequently won the NCCAA Div. II Central Region Championship that year and the following year.

Values

[edit]

Similar to other private religious schools in the state, Grace University's code of conduct provided students guidelines about morally acceptable behavior:[49] no kissing, no prolonged hugs and no premarital sex. The school also forbid certain television channels which they assert consistently air material contrary to their values. HBO, MTV, and Comedy Central are among the restricted channels "because of the values they promote". The rules are laid out in a student handbook signed by students every year."[50] The Resident Assistants and Deans were charged with upholding the school's code of conduct and holding the students accountable to the university's standards.

Ronald Kroll, who heads the accreditation commission for the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) in Orlando, said it shouldn't be surprising that schools like Grace University have strict rules on a wide range of issues: sex, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, pornography, and gambling. "It's the essence of who they are," Kroll said. "Since these institutions, by and large, are preparing people for biblical ministry or spiritual engagement, they have lifestyle expectations. These are non-negotiable issues."[49]

Lesbian student expulsion controversy

[edit]

During its operation, Grace University received federal Title IV funding under the Higher Education Act of 1965.[50] This prohibited it from discriminating against individuals protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women. However, this does not prohibit discrimination against students based on sex or gender identity, and Grace University received national attention in 2013 after it expelled a lesbian student on the basis of her sexual orientation.[50] Danielle Powell, who was in a prohibited same-sex relationship at the time, was expelled during her last semester at Grace when the university found she had violated the terms of the school's probationary yearlong restoration program. Powell had finished less than 60 percent of the semester when probation began. According to Title IV government requirements, when a student withdraws before that mark, the school must return government scholarship money, leaving her owing a $6300 bill. Despite that, Grace University clearly stated in writing that it was willing to provide transcripts and help Powell transfer to another university, according to Michael James, the school's executive vice president.[51] All students, before admission, were required to sign a document affirming their willingness to abide by the university's community standards, which included a prohibition of same-sex romantic relationships.

Demographics

[edit]

Enrollment for the final (2017–18) academic year was 287 students, only 33 of whom were freshmen, according to University CEO Bill Bauhard. This was 100 fewer than the previous year and about 50 fewer freshmen than anticipated, contributing to its announced closure at the end of the academic year, according to Bauhard.[52]

A 2013 statistical report from Grace University revealed that of the 481 students enrolled, 23% reported themselves as being ethnic minorities. The top five states represented by the student body at the time were Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, California and Colorado.[53] In 2013, 97 students graduated with bachelor's degrees, 19 with master's degrees, and 10 with associate degrees.[53]

Grace University also offered an online and on-campus accelerated adult degree completion program for those who were not able to attend traditional undergraduate courses. The Midwestern Higher Education Compact Research Brief 2013 reported that Grace University was ranked Very High for institutional efficiency based on a 4-year graduation rate and ranked second out of 18 independent colleges and universities in Nebraska. The school was ranked Moderate for 6-year graduation rates.[54]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Accreditations and Affiliations". Grace University. Grace University. Retrieved 2014-09-26.
  2. ^ Hatfield, D. "$1 Million Gift Establishes Grace University School of Professional and Graduate Studies". Grace in the News. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  3. ^ a b c writer, David Hendee / World-Herald staff. "Grace University says it will halt operations at end of 2017-18 school year; financial, enrollment concerns blamed". Omaha.com.
  4. ^ "northomahahistory.com". Retrieved 10/03/18.
  5. ^ "St. Catherine Hospital Omaha NE 1963", flickr. Retrieved 10/03/18.
  6. ^ Franz, Trevor (2017-10-03). "An Important Announcement from Grace University" (Press release). Archived from the original on 2019-03-24. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  7. ^ "Ordering Transcripts - Office of the University Registrar". registrar.unl.edu.
  8. ^ Wilcox, James (15 April 2018). "New Christian college could bring Grace University students to Blair". KETV.
  9. ^ Ellis, Leeanna. "Charis University plans to open this fall at Dana". Washington County Enterprise and Pilot Tribune.
  10. ^ Ruggles, Rick (2018-09-14). "Christian school that hoped to move onto to Dana campus in Blair still seeks OK, downsizes plan". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  11. ^ "Grace Founder Will Speak Here". Omaha World-Herald. May 29, 1965. p. 3. Retrieved August 24, 2025. The Rev. Paul Kuhlmann of Los Angeles, Cal., a founder and first acting president of Grace Bible Institute, will speak....
  12. ^ "Grace Institute Buys Stuntz Hall for Use as Bible School". Omaha World-Herald. October 3, 1943. p. 2. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  13. ^ "Ex-Missionary Is Head of Grace Bible Institute". Omaha World-Herald. August 29, 1943. p. 17. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  14. ^ "232 Enroll at Institute: Grace Bible Started with 18 in 1943". Omaha World-Herald. September 14, 1946. p. 4. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  15. ^ "Bible Institute's Co-Founder Dies". Omaha World-Herald. November 13, 1951. p. 26. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  16. ^ "Grace Bible Institute to Open September 6". Omaha World-Herald. September 2, 1950. p. 5. Retrieved August 24, 2025. Dr. H. D. Burkholder, acting president, is taking the place of Dr. C. H. Suckau, who is on leave of absence to India.
  17. ^ "Grace Bible Institute Graduation Is Near". Omaha World-Herald. May 19, 1951. p. 5. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  18. ^ "Students Help Build Levees". Omaha World-Herald. April 16, 1952. p. 8. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  19. ^ Range, Stacey (January 18, 2000). "Rev. Burkholder's Funeral Friday". Omaha World-Herald. p. 10. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d Nohr, Emily (June 9, 2016). "Letters call for financial help as trustees review 'every aspect' of school". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1B. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  21. ^ "Schmidt Interim Head at Institute". Omaha World-Herald. September 3, 1955. p. 12. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  22. ^ "Building Near End at Grace". Omaha World-Herald. July 7, 1956. p. 12. Retrieved August 24, 2025. Dr. Joseph Schmidt, interim president....
  23. ^ "Schmidt Elected". Omaha World-Herald. November 2, 1957. p. 5. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  24. ^ "Grace President Funeral Tuesday". Omaha World-Herald. February 15, 1960. p. 26. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  25. ^ "Grace Bible Institute". Omaha World-Herald. July 29, 1960. p. 11. Retrieved August 24, 2025. Daniel J. Unruh, Interim President
  26. ^ "Illinois Singer at Two Services". Omaha World-Herald. January 21, 1961. p. 5. Retrieved August 24, 2025. The Rev. Daniel Unruh, president of Grace Bible Institute, will speak....
  27. ^ "Ground Broken for Grace Bible Institute Dorm". Omaha World-Herald. May 2, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  28. ^ "49 Grace Bible Diplomas Given". Omaha World-Herald. May 21, 1961. p. 26. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  29. ^ "Harder Starts Term as Bible School Head". Omaha World-Herald. September 8, 1962. p. 2. Retrieved August 24, 2025. The Rev. Mr. Harder had been serving as an acting president at the institute for about a year.
  30. ^ "Grace Bible Institute Has Served for 21 Years". Omaha World-Herald. November 7, 1963. p. 22. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  31. ^ a b "Harder Quits Bible School". Omaha World-Herald. January 30, 1971. p. 25. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  32. ^ a b "Grace Bible Will Install New Leader". Omaha World-Herald. October 17, 1971. p. 34. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  33. ^ Cattau, Daniel (November 23, 1980). "Grace College Is 'Rigid, Yet Relaxed'". Omaha World-Herald. p. 39. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  34. ^ a b "Benton Will Leave Grace College Post". Omaha World-Herald. April 10, 1984. p. 33. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  35. ^ Ruggles, Rick (April 6, 1991). "Grace College Raising Funds". Omaha World-Herald. p. 56. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  36. ^ a b "Grace College Leader to Retire". Omaha World-Herald. December 9, 1992. p. 21. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  37. ^ a b McCord, Julia; O'Connor, Michael (August 19, 1997). "Grace University Chief Resigns From His Post". Omaha World-Herald. p. 12. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  38. ^ Hicks, Nancy (November 25, 1997). "New Head of Grace U. Plans to Be an Activist". Omaha World-Herald. p. 13. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  39. ^ Ducey, Marjie (March 26, 2013). "Grace adds women's soccer, baseball". Omaha World-Herald. p. 6C. Retrieved August 24, 2025. Grace's new president, Dr. David Barnes, was able to build enrollment at his previous school by expanding athletics and hopes the same plan will work here.
  40. ^ "Grace University Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2013" (PDF), Grace University, p. 5, October 2, 2012
  41. ^ Golden, Dan (April 14, 2016). "Grace president steps down; Roche takes over in interim". Omaha World-Herald. p. 5B. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  42. ^ Nohr, Emily (July 31, 2016). "Grace University cutting salaries, 2 sports while raising tuition by 7 percent". The Daily Nonpareil. p. 15F. Retrieved August 24, 2025. The board in May unanimously appointed... Holmes, Grace's chairman of the Bible Department, as interim president.
  43. ^ "Grace University Undergraduate Catalog 2017-2018" (PDF), Grace University, p. 5, September 19, 2017
  44. ^ Hendee, David (March 7, 2017). "New life planned for old Dana campus". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1A,3A. Retrieved August 24, 2025. Grace University President Bill Bauhard said he was 'very excited' to think about moving....
  45. ^ "Directory of HLC Institutions".
  46. ^ Grace University Academic Catalog 2013-2014 (PDF)
  47. ^ Academic Catalog 2012
  48. ^ "Grace University- 2015 Women's Soccer Coaching Staff". www.graceroyals.com. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  49. ^ a b Goodsell, Paul (June 14, 2013). "Grace University's Moral Stance isn't that Unusual". No. June 14, 2013. Omaha World-Herald. Omaha World-Herald.
  50. ^ a b c "Christian college in Omaha expels lesbian". USA Today. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  51. ^ Stauf, Aimee. "Grace University offers reconciliation to lesbian student". World Magazine Online. WORLD News Group. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  52. ^ Doan, Chinh (3 October 2017). "Grace University: Enrollment drop, lack of programs force closure (October 03, 2017)". KETV Online. KETV NewsWatch 7. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  53. ^ a b "Grace University Registrars Report 2013". Grace University Registrars Report 2013. 2013 (2013).
  54. ^ "Research Brief, Midwestern Higher Education Compact, 2013". Research Brief, Midwestern Higher Education Compact, 2013. 2013 (2013). 2013.
[edit]