Graceland University

Amy Austin received the 2020 Graceland University Alma and Kathryn Blair Prize in History for Best History Paper.

Graceland University students were recognized by history department for their outstanding achievements for 2020. The award is based on their academic achievement and contribution to Graceland.

Graceland University students were recognized by Graceland's C.H. Sandage School of Business as outstanding students in their major for 2020. The award is based on their academic achievement and contribution to Graceland.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named 99 Graceland student-athletes as scholar-athletes for the 2019-20 seasons due to their exceptional academic achievements. Graceland had the second highest number of scholar-athletes in the conference for 2019-20. In order to qualify for this honor, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), accumulated a minimum of 60 credit hours, completed at least five semesters of college and attended the nominating institution for at least two semesters prior to being nominated, and have documented participation in a varsity competition in the sport for which they are being nominated. Congratulations to all the student-athletes for this recognition of their hard work!

Meredith Salois was recognized by the History/Political Science Department with its Area Award in International Studies at a special ceremony April 8, 2019. The department houses and administers the major in International Studies. In the Fall 2017 semester, Meredith was a full-time student at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, in partial fulfilment of the study abroad requirement of this major. Meredith is graduating this semester with majors in international studies and English, along with minors in history, communication, political science and peace studies.

Abigail Stoetzel was recognized by the History/Political Science Department with its Area Award in International Studies at a special ceremony April 8, 2019. The department houses and administers the major in International Studies. In the Fall 2018 semester, Abigail was a full-time student at the University of Granada, Spain, in partial fulfilment of the study abroad requirement of this major. Abigail is graduating this semester as a double major in international studies and Spanish, along with a minor in communication.

Anthony Ginger received the 2019 Graceland University History and Political Science Department's Area Award in Political Science in recognition of his excellent academic record and service to the department.

Shane Majerus received the 2019 Graceland University History Department's Area Award in the history major in recognition of his excellent academic record and service to the department.Shane was specifically recognized for his leadership as this year's History Club president.

Chase Wood won the award for Best Overall Poster Design for her poster presentation "Stories in Motion: Animation as a Medium for Oral History Renewal" at the April 2019 Upper Midwest Honors Conference in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Chase also presented a paper at the conference entitled "Communities Together: A Holistic Solution to Rural Homelessness through Community-Based Interagency Collaboration."

Randallynn Smith received the 2019 Graceland University Alma and Kathryn Blair Prize for the best senior seminar paper in history for "Slighted Success: The American Mobile Riverine Force and Its Impact in the Vietnamese Waterways, 1966-1970." Thanks to the generosity of the Blairs, the award comes with a cash prize of $100. The presentation was made at the last meeting of the seminar April 8.

Amanda Findora received the 2019 Graceland University History Department's Area Award in the history major in recognition of her excellent academic record and her service to the department. Amanda has worked as Professor of History Steve Glazer's student assistant and tutor for the last three years and has assisted the department more generally throughout this time. She is a true scholar-athlete, having successfully balanced her academic work with her busy schedule playing for the Yellowjacket varsity softball team.

Graceland University students were recognized by Graceland's C.H. Sandage School of Business as outstanding students in their major for 2019. The award is based on their academic achievement and contribution to Graceland.

Graceland University Competitive Dance student-athletes were named 2019 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In order to be nominated by an institution, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved junior academic status.

Graceland University Cheer student-athletes were named 2019 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In order to be nominated by an institution, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved junior academic status.

Graceland University Football student-athletes were named 2018 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status.

Graceland University Women's Volleyball student-athletes were named 2018 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status. Graceland University Women's Volleyball led the nation with 15 student-athletes to receive the honor.

Graceland University Men's Soccer student-athletes were named 2018 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status.

Graceland University Women's Soccer student-athletes were named 2018 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status.

Two Graceland University students earned recognition in the 2017-18 Best Essay Award, determined by Graceland English faculty. The awards come with a Ruch Scholarship.

Phi Alpha Theta, founded in 1921, is the National History Honor Society for four-year colleges and universities. Graceland University has had an active chapter since 1967 and is pleased to recognize its new members.

The History and Political Science faculty give the International Studies Area Award to the International Studies major who best demonstrates academic excellence and who has had an outstanding study abroad experience. This year's recipient is Jessica Hypatidis.

The Alma and Kathryn Blair Historical Award is awarded by the Department of History for the best paper written in the History Senior Seminar. The students in this year's seminar produced particularly excellent papers, and for the first time in the history of the award, the history faculty decided to recognize three students for the quality of their writing and research.

The Department of History gives out the area award to the history major who best demonstrates academic excellence and service to the the Graceland Department of History. This year's recipient is Cooper Collier.

Graceland University students elected to complete "Future Focus and the World of Work," an elective professional readiness course focusing on networking, resume development, interview preparation, the job search and other soft skills, including dressing for success and dining etiquette. Every student who completes this course has performed mock interviews, and completed a resume and LinkedIn profile.

Graceland University students who complete the Career Perspectives class have elected to devote one academic quarter to personal development that encourages an in-depth look at passion, vocation, work related values and occupational fit. They have completed a research project on one possible career choice and assessments that allow a better understanding of personal and professional skills and strengths.

Graceland University student completed an elective 100 hour career exploration job shadow to gain on the job experience while "test driving" a career choice.

Graceland University students successfully completed a course that addresses professional readiness skills in depth. Students who complete this course develop all professional marketing documents associated with the job search. They have attended a job fair, dress for success and dining etiquette workshops, completed multiple mock interviews, thought critically about what unique "value add" they can provide to an employer and developed a blog, highlighting their professional interests.

Graceland University students elected to complete "Future Focus and the World of Work," an elective professional readiness course focusing on networking, resume development, interview preparation, the job search and other soft skills, including dressing for success and dining etiquette. Every student who completes this course has performed mock interviews, and completed a resume and LinkedIn profile.

Graceland University students who complete the Career Perspectives class have elected to devote one academic quarter to personal development that encourages an in-depth look at passion, vocation, work related values and occupational fit. They have completed a research project on one possible career choice and assessments that allow a better understanding of personal and professional skills and strengths.