Passing the Torch

When DAVE SCHAAL (pictured above, left) first arrived at Graceland as a student, he couldn’t have imagined the lifelong impact the place would have on him — or the role he would play in shaping it for others. Now, more than four decades later, including over a decade serving as Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, Schaal is preparing to retire, leaving behind a legacy of care, integrity, and deep commitment to student growth.

As Dave steps away, the leadership baton passes to someone who knows firsthand the impact a strong Student Life team can have. JOHN GODFREY (pictured above, right) is returning to Graceland to step into the very role that helped shape his own experience as a student — where he served as GSG President and was mentored by legends like Marian Garrett ’70 Killpack and Tom Powell ’73. John brings with him years of experience from San Diego State (where the university housed 8,500+ students over 22 buildings), along with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who invested in him — and a clear vision for investing in the next generation of Gracelanders.

On What Brought Them to Graceland – and Why They Stayed

Every Gracelander has a story of how they found their way to “the Hill” — and what made them stay. For Schaal and Godfrey, it was about more than a campus; it was about finding purpose, people, and a place that felt like home.

DAVE SCHAAL: I know it sounds cliché, but it really was Graceland’s mission that brought me back. Helping young adults (and adult learners) discover their sense of call and impact the world for good — that deeply resonated with me.

College isn’t just about getting a degree. At least not here. It’s about discovering who you are and what you’re meant to do. And what’s kept me here? Relationships. With students. With colleagues. With alumni. It’s always the people.

DAVE SCHAAL, EdD, ’80

JOHN GODFREY: My journey was a little different. I transferred to Graceland from a community college and was hungry for connection. I jumped into House Council, then became House President, and eventually GSG President. Those experiences changed me. They were foundational to my career in higher ed. I’ve stayed connected ever since because the people I met at Graceland became family — that’s not just a phrase. It’s true.

On Radical Belonging

Graceland doesn’t just welcome students — it pulls up a chair and says, “You belong here.” Schaal and Godfrey share what radical belonging means to them, and why it’s at the center of everything they do.

SCHAAL: Radical belonging isn’t just about feeling accepted — though that’s important. It’s about being needed. About your presence shaping the community around you. It says, ‘We’re trying to make this place better, and we need your voice, your story, your uniqueness to do that.’ It’s not just ‘you’re welcome here.’ It’s ‘we’re better because you’re here.

GODFREY: That’s one of the most powerful parts of the Graceland Experience. When I arrived, I didn’t have a strong sense of direction. I wasn’t a standout student. But Graceland made me feel encouraged, safe, and capable.

I want to make sure every student feels that — seen, celebrated, and equipped to succeed. That’s what radical belonging means to me.

JOHN GODFREY, MA, ’06

On the Dean of Students Office

Forget what you’ve seen in the movies — at Graceland, the Dean of Students office isn’t about discipline, it’s about connection. Both leaders reflect on how they’ve made that space one of trust, growth, and real conversation.

SCHAAL: Movies and television have given the Dean of Students office a bad rap, and is often portrayed as the place students go when they’ve been caught doing something wrong. The truth is, the Dean of Students office exists to meet students wherever they are—searching, hurting, visionary, fearful, excited, etc. — and then help them move successfully forward. And when they leave, my hope is that they feel heard, cared for, encouraged, and realize that this is a safe place for them to come and talk.

GODFREY: Absolutely. My vision is that students feel welcome and respected the moment they step in. There will be times we navigate conflict, but those conversations should always be grounded in respect. This office will be a collaborative, encouraging space where students know they matter.

On Advice for New Students

If they could sit down with every first-year student, here’s what they’d say: lean in, branch out, and don’t be afraid to mess up a little along the way. This section is full of wisdom — with a side of encouragement.

SCHAAL: Graceland has become a microcosm of many cultures and peoples, and I would urge students to not confine themselves to friendships with people in their sport or their major. I say this for two reasons. Getting to know people whose life experience is different than ours enlarges our own understanding of life and the world. Also, the friendships that are formed at Graceland can become part of our network of connections that can be so helpful to us professionally and personally in the future.

GODFREY: Yes! You will only be a first-year student once…and that moment is unique. My hope is that every first-year student approaches their day-to-day interactions and activities with this in mind. Take advantage of the opportunities. Do not be afraid to fail early and often and have the confidence and excitement to keep going until you find success. Participating in higher education is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

On What They Admire in Each Other

Passing the torch isn’t just a formality — it’s a moment of mutual respect. Schaal and Godfrey reflect on the strengths they see in one another and why that matters for the students at the heart of it all.

SCHAAL: My impression of John is that he is a creative thinker who does not see challenges as threats, but as opportunities to succeed in new ways. When I think about the challenges facing our students, this is a great characteristic for them to witness and learn from. I’m happy for both Graceland students and employees that they will have an opportunity to work with John, whom I know is coming to Graceland because of his love for the university that so significantly shaped his own life.

GODFREY: Dave has an incredible ability to bring a level of pastoral care and wisdom to every conversation. His ability to connect with students, faculty, and community members is unmatched, and I will be working hard to fill the incredible legacy he has created.

On What Changes – and What Shouldn’t

Times change. Technology evolves. But some things — like the power of community and purpose — should always stay the same. Schaal and Godfrey talk about what’s next, and what should never be lost.

SCHAAL: The world of work is evolving so fast. Graceland now has to prepare students for jobs that don’t even exist yet. That’s exciting, but it also means our learning methods need to be flexible and forward-thinking. What shouldn’t change? Our values. Learning, community, wholeness, radical belonging — those aren’t just slogans. They’re lived values that are making a difference in people’s lives every day. And they still matter.

GODFREY: Graceland’s commitment to student success should never change. The names and buildings might shift, but that sense of purpose — of changing lives — has to stay. That’s the legacy we’re continuing.

Looking Ahead

One chapter closes, another begins — but the story continues. As Schaal looks back with pride and gratitude, Godfrey looks ahead with energy and hope for what’s possible on the next page of Graceland’s story.

SCHAAL: I’m proud of so much — especially the Student Life team and how they’ve empowered student leaders behind the scenes. But what stays with me most are the students themselves — their growth, their stories, their resilience. I’ve learned so much from them. Graceland has shaped me as much as I’ve shaped anything here.

GODFREY: I’m just excited to get started. Graceland is where I learned to dream big. And now I get to come back and co-create programs that help students do the same. It honestly feels surreal.

I’m grateful to President Shrock and the leadership team for believing in me. This isn’t just a job — it’s a calling. And I’m ready.

JOHN GODFREY, MA, ’06

Schaal vs. Godfrey Face-Off