Grace Christian University

Last updated
Grace Christian University
Grace Christian University logo.jpg
Former names
Milwaukee Bible Institute
Milwaukee Bible College
Grace Bible College
Type Private university
Established1945 [1]
Religious affiliation
Evangelical Christian (Grace Gospel Fellowship)
Endowment $400,000 [2]
President Ken Kemper, Ph.D. [3]
Academic staff
28 [2]
Students900+ [4]
Location, ,
United States

42°55′10″N85°41′32″W / 42.91944°N 85.69222°W / 42.91944; -85.69222
CampusSuburban, 23 acres
Colors Light Blue and Black   
Sporting affiliations
NCCAA,
ACCA
MascotTigers
Website gracechristian.edu

Grace Christian University is a private evangelical Christian university in Wyoming, Michigan. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Association for Biblical Higher Education to award associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees. [5] The university is affiliated with the Grace Gospel Fellowship.

Contents

History

Grace Christian University began in 1939 as an evening Bible institute, led by Charles F. Baker. It was an outgrowth of the late 19th-century Bible college movement. Initially, the main purpose of Grace was to train Sunday School teachers and church members of the Fundamental Bible Church, which was led by Pastor Charles F. Baker in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. [6]

In 1945, the program expanded to a day school called Milwaukee Bible Institute, which was founded by John C. O’Hair, a teacher of ultra-dispensationalism. In 1853, it was then renamed Milwaukee Bible College as curricular options were added. Charles Baker served as president at this time.

In 1961, the college moved from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Wyoming, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids. [7] Its name was changed to Grace Bible College. Grace was granted authority from the State of Michigan to give Associate and Bachelor of Religious Education degrees, as well as a five-year degree for vocational ministers.

In 1967, Grace received accreditation from the Association of American Biblical Colleges, now called the Association of Biblical Higher Education. [8] Since then, the degree programs have expanded to include Associate of Arts degrees, Bachelor of Science degrees and Master of Arts degrees.

In 2010, Grace began offering online education, allowing students to continue with their education exclusively online. [9]

In 2017, the college’s name was officially changed from Grace Bible College to Grace Christian University by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. Officially, the change took place on July 1, 2018.

Grace Christian University incorporates the study of the Bible as a core value in every degree program. [10]

Successive presidents of Grace have been Jack T. Dean, Samuel Vinton, Jr., Bruce Kemper, and Ken B. Kemper, who is the current president.

Academics

Today, the university has programs across numerous majors such as business, education, exercise science, history, human services, and others. Its most popular majors, by 2021 graduates, were: [11]


Grace Christian University offers a variety of degrees both on campus and online. Each degree at Grace integrates a biblical focus, with required Bible credits. Students have the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor, or master’s degrees.

On-campus undergraduate degrees: [12]

Online undergraduate degrees: [13]

Online master’s degrees: [14]


In 2018, the institution changed its name to Grace Christian University to reflect its broader educational mission. [15]

Campus Life

Housing

Grace Christian University offers dorm rooms, apartments, married housing, and townhomes. The men’s dorm, Preston Hall, houses 40 students with two students per room. Aletheia Hall is a similar dorm that houses 40 women. Grace is also home to eight, double-occupancy apartments, married housing apartments, as well as new townhomes that were built in 2022 and house more than 100 students. [16] [17]

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References

  1. "USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2007: Grace Bible College: At a glance".
  2. 1 2 Grace Bible College - Facts & Figures. Peterson's.
  3. Grace Christian University (2020). "Meet the President" . Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  4. . "IPEDS".
  5. "Higher Learning Commission".
  6. "History - Grace Christian University - Bible Centered - Grace Theology".
  7. "Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education®".
  8. "Accreditation".
  9. "Affordable - Online Christian University - 100% Online Bible College".
  10. "Statement of Faith - Grace Christian University - Bible Centered".
  11. "Grace Christian University". nces.ed.gov. U.S. Dept of Education. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  12. "On-Campus Programs - Grace Christian University - Grand Rapids".
  13. "Online Degrees - Grace Christian University - Online Programs".
  14. "Masters in Ministry Online at Grace Christian University".
  15. Grace Christian University (2018). "History" . Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  16. "Housing - Grace Christian University - Grand Rapids, Michigan".
  17. "Grace Christian University - Student Housing: Phase 1".