Graceland University

Graceland University Softball's Olivia Fluehr was named one of the Newcomers of the Year by the Heart of America Athletic Conference. A senior pitcher from Illinois, Fluehr finished the regular season with 15 wins, nine losses and two saves. She recorded 84 strikeouts and finished with an ERA of 2.24. At the plate, Fluehr posted a .567 slugging percentage with eight homeruns and 45 RBIs on the season.

Graceland University students presented at the Iowa Academy of Science 131st annual meeting held Saturday, April 27, at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Iowa Academy of Science promotes science research, science education, the public understanding of science and recognizes excellence in these endeavors.

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.

Graceland University has inducted a new class of members into the Omicron Delta Epsilon International Honor Society for 2019. Graceland's chapter has been in existence since 2012. Omicron Delta Epsilon is one of the world's largest academic honor societies. The objectives are recognition of scholastic attainment and the honoring of outstanding achievements in economics; the establishment of closer ties between students and faculty in economics within colleges and universities, and among colleges and universities; the publication of its official journal, The American Economist; and sponsoring of panels at professional meetings as well as the Irving Fisher and Frank W. Taussig competitions. Currently, Omicron Delta Epsilon has 696 chapters located in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Egypt, France, Kazakhstan and United Arab Emirates. Congratulations to these students on their hard work and achievement.

Graceland University Football student-atheletes were named to the 2019 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society by the NFF and the College Football Hall of Fame. This is the first time in program history that members of the Graceland Yellowjackets football team have received this honor. The Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of student-athletes from all divisions of college football who maintained at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average during their college careers. Members must have completed their final year of athletic eligibility and be of senior academic standing.

Graceland University Track and Field's Kristol Vanterpool qualified for nationals in the triple jump with her "B" standard mark of 11.53 meters. She won the event by just over 0.60 meters.

Graceland University Track and Field's Payton Young qualified for nationals in the long jump with his mark of 7.13 meters, winning the event by a whopping 0.15 meters.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Men's Volleyball student-athletes among the 2019 All-Heart Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2018-19 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete Team and includes student-athletes from Graceland University. 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, must appear on the eligibility certificate for the sport and have attended two full years as a non-transfer or one full year as a transfer student.

Graceland University student scholars from a variety of academic disciplines were selected to present their research and work to an audience of fellow students, faculty and visitors for the annual Scholars' Showcase, a day dedicated to academic work and achievement on Graceland's Lamoni, Iowa, campus. The goal of Scholars' Showcase is to develop a culture of high-quality research, scholarship and creative activities. The showcase is an opportunity for students and professors to professionally demonstrate their scholarly works for the entire campus to see, and enables all schools to see each other's work in one place. Scholarly works are represented by posters, presentations, demonstrations, senior projects, art shows, musical instrument recitals and more.

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 has inducted a new class of members into the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society for 2019. 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.

Graceland University Theater students earned roles in "Macbeth," one of Shakespeare's darkest tragedies, under the direction of Graceland Associate Professor of Threatre, Tracy Salter, MFA.

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.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Men's Basketball student-athletes among the 2019 All Heart of America Athletic Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

Graceland University Gadets competative dance team's Nicole Fry received All-American recognition from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). She is Graceland's first-ever dance All-American. 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 music majors spent four days representing the university in a national-level collegiate band in Tempe, Arizona, this February. The event was held during the College Band Directors National Association National Conference. The students were required to audition for their parts on their first day and perform a full length concert on the fourth day. The trip was sponsored through a grant disbursed from the Maxwell Performing Arts Music Endowment, which allows students to travel for professional development opportunities.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Women's Basketball student-athletes among the 2019 All Heart of America Athletic Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) officially announced Graceland student-athletes among the qualifiers for the 2019 NAIA Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field National Championships.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) officially announced Graceland student-athletes among the qualifiers for the 2019 NAIA Wrestling National Championships hosted by Catch Des Moines. "I'm proud of the guys who have competed well when it mattered most, and it makes me excited to see what they can accomplish at the national level," said Zack Mullins, Graceland University head wrestling coach. Each conference champion in their respective weight class earns an automatic berth to that national championship. Additional automatic berths were determined by using the final regular-season coaches' poll. In addition to the automatic qualifiers, each conference was allowed three at-large individuals from any weight class. The remainder of the 240-wrestler field was selected by the national ranking committee.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Wrestling student-athletes among the 2019 All Heart of America Athletic Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

Graceland University Track and Field's Lexus Lovan bettered her own school record in the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.74 at the Last Chance Meet hosted by Wartburg College. Lovan also won the long jump with a leap of 5.83M.

Graceland University Wrestling's Brennan Swafford was been named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Swafford garnered the recognition following an individual championship title at 165 lbs at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament. He was also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Tournament. Currently, Swafford is 20-7 overall and is ranked No. 9 at 165 lbs in the NAIA. At the tournament, Swafford received an opening round bye. Then, in the quarterfinal match, Swafford took down Tyler Price (Baker) by Tech Fall (.5 5:55 (15-0)). He then advanced to the semifinal round where he won by decision (7-2) over teammate Drew Sams. As Swafford advanced into the championship match, he defeated Ryan Niven (Grand View) by decision (8-7). Swafford handed Niven, who is ranked No. 2 in the NAIA at 165 lbs. -- his second loss of the season.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Track and Field student-athletes among the 2019 All Heart Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

Two Graceland University students were recognized for their acting talent and selected to move on to the semifinals of the 2019 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 5 Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition. The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships provide recognition, honor and financial assistance to outstanding student performers wishing to pursue further education.

Jake Crozier was selected as the Graceland University representative for the Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team. The Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team assists the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board in developing programs that target and enhance Iowa Corn's relationship with those individuals who are pursuing careers in agricultural production and allied industries.