Mary Jean (Murdock) Jeanae came to Graceland as a freshman from Goldendale, Washington, in September 1961. She majored in elementary education, graduating in the Spring of 1965. Jeanae went to Independence, Missouri, to teach before earning her master’s in Elementary...
Read More »Send Us Your News Completed a degree program? Published a written work? Received that awesome promotion? Earned a prestigious honor? If so, we want to hear about it. Share your memories and milestones here. 66 Sally Hutchcroft Meams, received the Lorraine...
Read More »In the summer of 2021, James “Jim” Travis Closson ’56, who served as a faculty member and Graceland’s first full-time registrar from 1965-1987, passed away at the age of 84. Growing up in Lamoni with his parents, Eugene and Julia,...
Read More »Betty Welch '48, a pioneer of Graceland women's collegiate athletics, passed away on November 23, 2021. After graduating from Graceland in 1948, Welch received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Kansas and her Master of Science in physical education from the University of Colorado. When she returned to Graceland as a...
Read More »The life of “Les” Gardner was full of service, passion, and commitment to Graceland, the RLDS Church (now Community of Christ), and the Lamoni communities. Arthur “Les” Leslie Gardner was born August 24, 1929, in Wallsend, Australia as the middle...
Read More »Since completing the Addiction Studies program at Graceland in the late 1990s, THURSTON S. SMITH, MPA, LAC-S, CCS, has had an eventful life and career, which was recently recognized through a series of awards and public service citations. “For me, it...
Read More »Johnston grew up in Leon, Iowa, and originally wanted to study radio broadcasting, but when he came to Graceland, he found his new home in the theatre department. Johnston earned his MFA in acting at the University of South Carolina...
Read More »He joined the Institutional Advancement office as Don Keairnes ’53 was about to retire. “He asked me to consider applying for a job that I would love, not just like. The rest is history. Graceland has been the most rewarding job...
Read More »As a new student 700 miles from home, some of his biggest challenges were navigating life in rural Iowa and transitioning to the college experience. Even though Strawter did not graduate from Graceland, he still remembers the connections he made...
Read More »Each of them brings a unique skill set to their leadership role, but they are united in their commitment to furthering the mission of Graceland: to create learning environments where students develop their potential for meaningful and productive lives. They know...
Read More »His philosophy: Only the Tough. Creating a winning team isn’t for the faint of heart and Coach Ross is recruiting young men from across the country who are ready for the challenge. Ross orchestrated one of the best turnarounds in...
Read More »Our alumni and friends know that our Lamoni campus is a beautiful and tranquil place – full of lush green grass and beautiful trees, winding walkways and gorgeous sunsets. There is nothing quite like visiting campus, but more and more...
Read More »Shelton got a call from Graceland’s Executive Director for Planning and Effectiveness Beth Higdon ’73 asking to keep the library open for a week. Then they realized they needed someone to keep the library operating and functional for the entire fall...
Read More »Graceland's administration and Board of Trustees announced a new strategic framework for the University at the beginning of the Fall 2021 semester, aimed at ensuring the school’s financial sustainability for future generations. This announcement was accompanied by internal documentation outlining how...
Read More »In the annals of Graceland history, there are a few names that will forever be remembered for their contributions to the University. Marietta Walker. Roy Cheville. Edmund Gleazer. The Clossons. No list of Graceland legends would be complete without the...
Read More »Gracelanders gathered around the north steps and listened to speeches from coaches, administrators, students, and supporters alike. Those who attended were welcomed by the Graceland drumline and the cheer and dance teams, who infused energy and vibrance into the gathering —...
Read More »The shiny mascot statue was last seen by the Morden Center construction team, but no one could quite remember where it was moved. Some thought it was stored in Hampton Center or hidden in a supply closet, but in the months leading...
Read More »There was something special in the crisp autumn air October 15, 2021 — the BUZZ OF EXCITEMENT as alumni returned to campus for the first time in years could be felt across Lamoni. The familiar scene of friends reuniting had an...
Read More »From hosting its first virtual commencement exercise in the fall of 2020 to celebrating outside with the Spring 2021 graduates, the past few ceremonies have been anything but standard. One constant, however, is the incredible quality of graduates that Graceland...
Read More »Book Club Associate Professor of English Cat Clifford started the GRACELAND BOOK CLUB in 2017 because she wanted to read 1984 by George Orwell and she wasn’t alone. Soon she had a group of students and faculty who gathered to...
Read More »Joe E. Hanna, EdD, who served as Graceland President from 1980-84, has passed away. Hanna was born Aug. 3, 1934, in York, Nebraska. He died Feb. 10. Hanna graduated with an associate degree from Graceland in 1954. He obtained a Bachelor...
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