Grace College Welcomes Largest Incoming Class Ever

WINONA LAKE – Grace College 2021’s incoming class is one that will go down in school history.

This fall, the institution welcomed a record 471 new students to its campus, according to a statement from Grace. Grace’s incoming class is also the most socio-economically and ethnically diverse since the institution opened in 1937. The school’s total enrollment totals 1,919 students this semester.

“Our record number of student enrollments goes against all worrying enrollment predictions resulting from the pandemic,” said Dr. Bill Katip, President of Grace College. “Despite the wide range of challenges students have faced over the past year, it is evident that there is still a demand for affordable, Christ-centered education. Responding to this need will remain a strategic pillar and a driving force at Grace College. “

One hundred percent of students in the incoming class received financial aid, and over 25% of them attend Grace tuition-free through federal, state, and institutional grants.

“One of the keys to our success is great financial aid programs,” said Dr. Mark Pohl, associate vice president of enrollment management. “Taking the optional test has also significantly increased our pool of candidates. In fact, we received a record number of applications during the last admissions cycle.

In addition to her financial aid programs, Grace attributes her wave of growth to the expansion of several of her key academic programs.

The School of Behavioral Sciences grew 12% after introducing 11 new concentrations that prepare students to meet some of the most urgent emerging needs in the field. These concentrations include addiction counseling, child and family counseling, law enforcement, sports psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, and child life psychology.

Grace’s School of Arts and Sciences has also experienced steady growth after expanding its degree offerings through partnerships. Students can now earn a Graduate Certificate in Business Communication Strategy with Purdue University. In collaboration with John Patrick University, students can earn a bachelor’s degree in medical imaging, a master’s degree in integrative and functional medicine, or a master’s degree in healthcare administration.

These graduate degrees are offered as part of Grace’s accelerated bachelor’s and master’s degree program, which allows students to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four years. A record number of students enrolled in the accelerated program this year, which increased by 33%, the statement said.

Many online and seminar programs have also caught on. The college’s online degrees increased new student enrollment by 33% over the summer and fall. Deploy – Grace’s skills-based seminar program – continues to grow, with a Doctor of Ministry degree. Online seminar masters have increased their registrations by over 40%.

Beyond academic programs, Grace acknowledges that many campus updates have played a role in welcoming and retaining their new class of students.

In particular, the students were greeted by a state-of-the-art dining room. Alpha Dining’s $ 5.5 million renovations include additional indoor and outdoor seating, updated appliances and new dining stations that provide allergen-free options for students with dietary restrictions . Another novelty on campus: outdoor lounges, pergolas and foyers. Students are also awaiting completion of construction on the Miller Sunset Pavilion and the ice rink, just down hill from campus.

“While there are so many exciting things happening on and around campus, nothing is more important than our priority to make disciples of our students to know and follow Christ,” Katip said. . “This year, our campus theme is ‘Follow Me’, a reminder of this mission. We pray that the incoming class of 2021 will not only be remembered for their size, but for their undying dedication to following Jesus. “

Grace is accepting applications for the Incoming Class of 2022. The free five-minute Lancer application can be completed at www.grace.edu/apply.

For more information about Grace College, visit www.grace.edu.