Graceland University

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.

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.

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.

Graduates from 34 states and 5 countries earned 335 degrees. There were 158 bachelor's degrees earned, 166 master's degrees, and 11 Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees earned by 318 Graceland graduates. 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 2018 fall 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 2018 fall 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 honor roll lists for Graceland University's 2018 fall 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!

Graceland University Football senior offensive lineman Braden Smith was named to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-America NAIA Football Team as honored by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). He is the first Graceland football player to receive the distinction. Smith boasts a 4.0 GPA and is double majoring in agricultural business and business administration. He took every snap at center and long snapper during the 2018 season for the Yellowjackets.

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 Theater students earned roles in "The 39 Steps," a comedy spoof of Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 movie of the same name and of British detective plot productions in general.

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.

Graceland University Football senior offensive lineman, Braden Smith, was named to the 2018 CoSIDA Academic All-District (District 3) Team, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Football student-athletes among the 2018 All-Heart Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

Graceland University Men's Cross Country's Lucky Lovan was named a 2018 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete 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 a junior academic status to qualify for this honor.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Women's Volleyball student-athletes among the 2018 All-Heart Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

Graceland University Football's Preston Compton set the Graceland University career passing record of 8,041 yards during his final game and Graceland's senior day Nov. 10. Passing 289 yards and connecting on 29 of 53 attempts against Culver-Stockton, Compton broke the record for total career passing yards. He totals 8,041, surpassing Clayton Braddock who totaled 8,018 career passing yards. Compton, a three-year starting quarterback, was a 2017 All-Heart of America Athletic Conference honorable mention player. He threw for 1,847 yards during his sophomore season with nine passing touchdowns. His junior year, he compiled 3,319 yards and 19 touchdowns in the air. He finished his senior season with a total of 2,875 yards with 13 touchdowns. Besides the Graceland career passing record, he also holds Graceland's single-game passing record of 501 yards, which he set on Sept. 23, 2017, against Central Methodist University. During his junior season, Compton also set two individual NAIA records. He set the single-game record for total offensive plays by an individual with 103 total plays against No. 2 Baker University. In that same game, Graceland set the NAIA record for total offensive plays with 124. Compton also set the individual offensive plays per game record, averaging 72.2 plays per game. He surpassed the previous record set in 1983 by Kevin Kott of Eastern New Mexico with 69.0 (690 in 10 games).

Graceland University Womens Basketball's Sarai Rodriguez was been named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Week Monday, Nov. 5. Rodriguez helped guide the Yellowjackets to a 3-0 record during a week in which Graceland played three games in three days. Graceland posted victories over Emmaus Bible College (93-57), Stephens College (103-47), and Cottey College (77-62). In the three games, Rodriguez averaged 25.7 points/game while shooting 55.6 percent from the floor, including 47.8 percent from three-point range. Against Emmaus, Rodriguez went 9-for-13 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc to score a game-high 29 points. The senior guard added six rebounds, four steals and four assists in the game. In the second game of the week against Stephens, Rodriguez continued to be a threat for the Yellowjackets recording 30 points in the victory. She went 10-for-13 from the floor and was a perfect 4-for-4 from downtown. Rodriguez rounded out the week with 18 points against Cottey College. She also came up with five steals in the win. On the year, she averages 24.0 points/game which is seventh overall in the NAIA rankings. First in total scoring at 96 total points and second in three-pointers made (13).

Graceland University Football's Evaristo Casimiro was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week following his performance against Peru State College Saturday, Oct. 27, in the Heart Game of the Week. Casimiro played a key role in the Yellowjackets 36-33 victory. He compiled a career-high 13 tackles in the win, which included eight solo tackles. He marked three tackles for a loss, both of the Yellowjackets sacks and forced a fumble.

Graceland University Women's Soccer's Mikayla Whitmer has been selected to third team All-Heart of America Athletic Conference. Whitmer has been a rock and key member of the Yellowjackets backline in the center back position. "Mikayla is the rock at the back and has had a tremendous impact on our program," said Graceland University Women's Soccer Head Coach Ozzie White. "She has been a four-year starter and really deserves this accolade her senior year. Congratulations, Mikayla!"

Graceland University students have been selected to play in the Iowa Collegiate Honor Band (ICHB) Nov. 16-17. These students will have the opportunity to work with musicians from colleges and universities all over Iowa and will perform a concert as the finale Nov. 17.

The 2018-19 Street & Smith's College Men's Basketball Yearbook has selected Graceland University senior forward Will Nelson as a second team preseason All-American. Nelson was just one of 29 NAIA men's basketball players recognized by the publication. Nelson, a standout forward for Graceland, helped the Yellowjackets to the 2018 NAIA DI Men's Basketball National Championship and the programs first-ever title. He averaged 14.0 points per game while shooting 53.7 percent from the floor. He pulled down 260 rebounds, including 108 on the offensive glass. Following the 2017-18 season, Nelson was 15th in the NAIA in offensive rebounds per game (2.84).

Graceland University students have been elected by their peers to the 2018-19 House Council. Graceland offers the integration of student government and residence life, allowing student leaders to impact the entire campus community. Students elected as house council leaders become the members and decision makers in the student government organizations. Learn more about the "House" system and other leadership opportunities at Graceland University HERE.

Graceland University students were elected by their peers as the Graceland Student Government (GSG) Leadership Council. The elected students took office at the start of the fall semester 2018 as an integral part of the vibrant Graceland University student leadership community. Students serving in GSG roles gain valuable leadership experience and become a respected voice for the Graceland student body.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference has selected its nominees for a number of national awards, including the Liston Award, which will be represented by Graceland University student-athletes. Each nominee represents the conference for national awards that will be announced Sept. 15 by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Liston Award is named in honor of the NAIA's first executive secretary. This award has been presented annually since 1950 to one junior men's and women's basketball player who has shown high athletic and scholastic achievement.

The 2018 Street & Smith's College Football Yearbook has selected Graceland University wide receiver Caleb Thomas as a preseason All-American. Thomas was one of just 24 NAIA football players recognized by the publication. Thomas, who will return to Graceland as a sophomore, was named a First Team AFCA NAIA All-American in his fresman campaign, making him the first player in Graceland football history to earn the distinction. He finished 2017 leading the nation with 158 receptions - an NAIA record. In 10 games, he averaged 15.8 receptions/game, another NAIA record. Thomas accounted for 10 touchdowns and averaged 123.5 receiving yards/game. He also holds the NAIA record for the most receptions in a single contest: 27 catches.

The Graceland University women's volleyball team earned the distinction of a scholar team for the 2017-18 academic year by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). For a team to be considered for the NAIA Scholar Team award, it must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. The team grade point average includes all eligible varsity student-athletes.

Graceland University sophomore wide receiver Caleb Thomas has been selected to the College Football America's 2018 Yearbook NAIA Starting Lineup, their version of All-America Team. Thomas, who was one of three sophomores selected, was a 2017 American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA) NAIA Coaches' All-America First Team Selection. He is the first AFCA NAIA All-American in Graceland football history. Thomas finished the 2017 season leading the nation with 158 receptions, an NAIA record. In 10 games, he averaged 15.8 receptions/game, another NAIA record. Thomas accounted for 10 touchdowns and averaged 123.5 receiving yards/game. He also holds the NAIA record for the most receptions in a single contest: 27 catches. The College Football America 2018 Yearbook features more than 930 college football teams from the United States and Canada in more than 300 pages. That includes every team from the NCAA (FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III), NAIA, NJCAA, CCCAA and U Sports (Canada). It also includes updates on club football, one-year postgraduate prep/sports academies and Mexican college football, along with dozens of action shots and stadium photos taken by the CFA staff.