Graceland University

The Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) named Graceland University women's volleyball student-athletes among the 2020 all-conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) named Graceland University men's soccer student-athletes among the 2020 all-conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) named Graceland University cross country student-athletes among the 2020 all-conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches. Racers who finished in the top 10 in the Heart conference meet earned all-conference honors, and those who finished number 11-15 received honorable mention recognition.

Graceland University music student Daryn Nowlin was accepted to La Musica Lirica, a prestigious international summer opera training program in Novafeltria, Italy. Read the whole story here.

Graceland University Men's Cross Country's Dillon Grover was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week Monday, Oct. 26. Grover has consistently improved throughout the year and has been one of the Heart's top runners all season. This weekend tabbed Grover's third top-ten finish of the fall. He placed fifth to open the season at the Viking Invitiational, won the Yellowjacket Invite, then earned third last week ahead of this recognition. Grover set a personal record at 25:30.36 this weekend and posted the fastest time in the Heart this fall. He helped the Graceland men's team to a fourth-place finish out of the nine competing teams in the Mustang XC Jamboree. Each week, award winners are nominated by members of the Heart and selected by a voting panel of member institution Sports Information Directors.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced the 2019-20 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes Sept. 15. Over 10,000 total NAIA student-athletes were named to the annual list. Graceland University had 47 individuals earn scholar-athlete status for the year. The Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete program recognizes excellence in the classroom for NAIA student-athletes with junior or senior status and with an academic standing of a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA. Students must appear on the eligibility certificate for the sport and have attended two full years as a nontransfer student or one full year as a transfer.

Graceland University Men's Soccer's Pedelson Finda was named Heart Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week by the Heart of America Athletic Conference Monday, Sept. 28. Head coach Bryan Courtney said, "Pedelson worked really hard this offseason with no guarantees that we would even be able to play. I am very happy to see his diligence and hard work pay off for himself as well as our team." Finda commented, "I'm beyond blessed to receive this honor in one of the best conferences in the NAIA. This award is a result of hard work, dedication, passion and love for the game. Although this was an individual award, I wouldn't be able to accomplish without the endless support and camaraderie from my coach and teammates. We are one family that prevails together, win or lose. Therefore, this is not my award, this is ours!" Each week, award winners are nominated by members of the Heart and selected by a voting panel of member institution Sports Information Directors.

Graceland University Men's Soccer's Abraham De Anda was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week. De Anda picked up an assist in the Yellowjackets' win at Park University earlier in the week and scored two goals in their win Friday night over Evangel University. On the season, De Anda now has four goals and an assist for 9 total points in Graceland's 10 matches thus far. In their match at Evangel, De Anda had a season-high in total points (4), goals (2), shots (5) and shots on goal (4). Each week, award winners are nominated by members of the Heart and selected by a voting panel of member institution Sports Information Directors.

Two Graceland University golf student-athletes were named Heart Golfer of the week by the Heart of America Athletic Conference Monday, Sept. 14. Freshman Isabelle O'Brien was named Female Golfer of the Week, and senior Jordan Lester was named Male Golfer of the Week. The pair of Graceland golfers turned in a solid performance from the team's first competition of the 2020 season at the Mount Mercy Invitational Sept. 12-13. Each week, award winners are nominated by members of the Heart and selected by a voting panel of member institution Sports Information Directors.

Graceland University Men's Soccer's Liam Smith was named Heart Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week by the Heart of America Athletic Conference Monday, Sept. 7. Head men's soccer coach Bryan Courtney commented, "Liam was a steady presence in net all game. It is nice to have him back and fully healthy to begin this season." Smith posted a clean sheet in goal for Graceland to help lead them to a 2-0 win in their season opener over Ottawa University Saturday, Sept. 5. He was in goal the entire 90 minutes of the match and had six saves. Coach Courtney added, "We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact that Liam brings to the team this season with his physical ability and leadership qualities. He is athletic and technically sound in the goal, but equally important is his quality of character. He is always positive and encouraging and sets a great example for his teammates." Each week, award winners are nominated by members of the Heart and selected by a voting panel of member institution Sports Information Directors.

The Graceland University Theatre Department is pleased to announce incoming freshman Naomi Thomsen as the recipient of the Stage Door Scholarship award. This is Graceland Theatre's most prestigious scholarship and comes with a $10,000 award each year for four years. Thomsen will begin her freshman year at Graceland this fall as a theatre major, but this will not be her first experience with the theatre department. Her high school does not have a theatre program, so, during her junior year, she reached out to Graceland Professor of Theatre Tracy Salter, MFA, to request the opportunity to gain audition experience and receive feedback. Salter immediately recognized her talent. Then, during her senior year, Salter invited Thomsen to audition again, and she was cast in the Graceland production of "Lighting the Way." "I'm thrilled that Naomi has chosen Graceland's Theatre Department to be her new home away from home," shared Salter. "Her motivation, professionalism and talent are serious assets to the program." This year, audiences will be able to see Thomsen in the upcoming production of "Antigone," opening Sept. 24

Graceland University Men's Soccer's Dylan Fox has been named the Heart of America Athletic Conference's nominee for the annual Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award. The award recognizes one student-athlete who excels academically and athletically, and embraces the core values of Champions of Character. Fox, a defender on the soccer team, saw action in 15 games last season and was selected as a Freeman Award recipient for Graceland in October. The five-time president's list selection is currently triple majoring in computer science and information technology, mathematics and data science. Fox also served as a House President, an Academic Student Council representative and a member of Graceland's Association of Student-Athletes during the 2019-20 academic year. The national winner for the Walker Award will be announced publicly during the NAIA National Awards Day in September.

Graceland University students were named as award winners in the Department of Art Annual 2020 Juried Student Art Exhibition. The Graceland juried exhibition consists of artwork submitted by students in designated categories. It is judged by an individual or panel, according to certain measures. Graceland students entered works in one of three categories: two dimensional art, sculpture and graphic design.

Graceland University inducted a new class of members into the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society for 2020. Graceland's chapter (272) has been in existence since 1987. Alpha Chi was founded in 1922 and is a coeducational academic honor society and a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. The purpose is to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction. To be accepted, juniors and seniors from all academic disciplines must place in the top 10% of their class. Congratulations to these students on their hard work and achievement.

Students in the English department at Graceland University have been recognized for their achievements and contribution to the department, and have been rewarded with scholarships for their respective talents.

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!

Graceland University has announced the Spring 2020 graduation list. Graduates from around the country and around the world have been recognized for earning undergraduate and graduate degrees from Graceland University between Jan. 31 through April 26, 2020. We congratulate all graduates on their accomplishments and offer our best wishes for success in the future!

The honor roll lists for Graceland University's 2020 spring term have been announced. Students with a perfect 4.0 grade point average are named to the president's list. Graceland commends the students who have devoted their efforts and talents to their academic success!

The honor roll lists for Graceland University's 2020 spring term have been announced. Students with a GPA between 3.65 and 3.99 are named to the honors list. Graceland commends the students who have devoted their efforts and talents to their academic success!

The honor roll lists for Graceland University's 2020 spring term have been announced. Students with a GPA between 3.25 and 3.64 are named to the dean's list. Graceland commends the students who have devoted their efforts and talents to their academic success!

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Wrestling student-athletes among the 2020 all-conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) named Graceland University competitive dance student-athletes among the 2020 All-American selections. To achieve NAIA All-America or honorable mention status, student-athletes participate in a tryout judged by officials, and All-Americans are determined by the scores. The Competative Cheer and Dance Coaches Association officers then confirm the list of scores and athletes. The very first NAIA competitive dance All-American teams were announced in 2017.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Women's Basketball student-athletes among the 2020 All Heart of America Athletic Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Men's Basketball student-athletes among the 2020 All-Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

Graceland University Cheer's Kalie Whitehall was recognized as an All-American for the NAIA National Competitve Cheer list as an honorable-mention selection. To achieve NAIA All-America or honorable mention status, student-athletes participate in a tryout judged by officials, and All-Americans are determined by the scores. The Competative Cheer and Dance Coaches Association officers then confirm the list of scores and athletes. The very first NAIA competitive dance All-American teams were announced in 2017.

Graceland University Track and Field's Suzie Guerrero qualified for nationals in the pole vault with her first-place finish at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships, with a vault of 3.42 meters. The mark earned her the B standard nationally in the pole vault.

Graceland University junior 165-pound wrestler Drew Sams was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Wrester of the Week Monday, Feb. 3. The former Oskaloosa High graduate earned the award after his 4-0 performance Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Sioux City Dave Edmonds Open. Sams, currently ranked #13 in the 165-pound weight class nationally, won his first match during the match by major decision and followed that up with a pin in the first period of his second match. After another win in his third match, he advanced to the next round matched up against a DI opponent from the University of Nebraska. Sams was successful in the match, winning by disqualification late, to solidify his undefeated record on the weekend. Each week, award winners are nominated by members of the Heart and selected by a voting panel of member institution Sports Information Directors.