Grace University (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)
Grace University (first known as Grace Bible Institute, and in 1976 as Grace College of the Bible), Omaha, Nebraska, was organized for the purpose of training Christian workers in an inter-Mennonite context. The organizational meeting was held on 1 June 1943. The Board of Directors included leaders from six Mennonite conferences. The student body increased from 23 1943 to 325 by 1955. The 1955 enrollment consisted of young people from 20 denominations, 24 states, and 5 foreign countries. Sixty-five per cent of the student body was Mennonite at that time. In 2007/08 there were 440 undergraduates enrolled from 24 states; 317 of these from Nebraska. Twenty-three denominations were represented; 17 students identified themselves as Mennonite.
The Grace Bible Institute was accredited by the Accrediting Association of Bible Institutes and Bible Colleges—Collegiate Division. It offered the degree of Bachelor of Arts with a Bible major. The liberal arts courses were fully accredited by the University of Nebraska. The Institute was classified as a professional school in that it was primarily devoted to the training of young people for full-time Christian service. Grace Bible Institute, as an inter-Mennonite school, affirmed its stand as true and loyal to the time-honored Mennonite doctrines.
Over the years Grace also expanded physically through the construction and purchase of additional facilities. These included Suckau Chapel (basement, 1949; main floor, 1957); Schmidt Hall (1962); Harold D. Burkholder Center (1967) which includes the Jim Classen Gymnasium (2003); and the Donald J. Tschetter Academic Building (1975). In 1977, Grace purchased the St. Catherine’s Hospital Center for Continuing Care, adding building used for dorms and administrative purposes. In 2003 a gymnasium as was added.
In 1995 Grace Bible Institute became Grace University with three colleges: Grace College of the Bible, Grace College of Graduate Studies, and Grace College of Continuing Education.
Presidents of Grace have included: Paul Kuhlmann (Acting, 1943), C. H. Suckau (1944-1950), H. D. Burkholder (1950-1955), Joseph W. Schmidt (1955-1960), D. J. Unruh (Interim, 1960-1961), Waldo E. Harder (1961-1971), Robert W. Benton (1971-1984), Warren E. Bathke (1984-1993), Neal F. McBride (1993-1997), and James P. Eckman (1997-).
Bibliography
Grace University. "Grace University History." Accessed 15 April 2008. <http://www.graceu.edu/Catalog/GeneralInfo/Mission.htm>
Grace University. "Statistical Information." Accessed 15 April 2008. <http://www.graceu.edu/Catalog/Directories/StatsInfo.htm>
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, pp. 559-560. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.
©1996-2008 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.
To cite this page:
MLA style: Burkholder, Harold D. and Sam Steiner. "Grace University (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. April 2008. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 25 July 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/grace_university_omaha_nebraska_usa>
APA style: Burkholder, Harold D. and Sam Steiner. (April 2008). "Grace University (Omaha, Nebraska, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 25 July 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/grace_university_omaha_nebraska_usa>
