Graceland University

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.

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.

The Graceland University women's indoor track and field 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.

The Graceland University men's cross country 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.

The Graceland University women's soccer 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.

The Graceland University women's basketball 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.

The Graceland University men's soccer 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.

The Graceland University baseball 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.

The Graceland University men's golf 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.

The Graceland University softball 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.

The Graceland University women's golf 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.

The Graceland University competitive dance team earned the distinction of a scholar team for the 2017-18 academic year by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The team led the way for the 14 Graceland teams that earned the honor with the school's highest GPA of 3.73. 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.

For the seventh consecutive year, the Graceland University women's volleyball team earned an American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award following the 2017-18 academic year. The Yellowjackets also made the AVCA Team Academic Honor, meaning their team GPA was among the top 10 in the NAIA with a 3.697. The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale.

Graceland University student-athletes have been honored for their academic achievements by being named Heart Scholar-Athletes for the 2017-18 academic season. In order to qualify for this honor, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.40 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), have accumulated at least 60 semester hours, at least five semesters, and attended the nominating institution for at least two semesters prior to being nominated. The student-athletes must also be a varsity competitor and made a significant contribution to their respective team and school.

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

Graceland University Women's Outdoor Track and Field 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 Men's Outdoor Track and Field 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 Baseball's Daniel Page was named a 2018 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete 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 Softball 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 Golf's Karli Smith was named a 2018 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete 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 Track and Field Long Jumper Lexus Lovan received All-American recognition from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Graceland University Men's Golf 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.

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

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

Graduates from 39 states and 16 countries earned 582 degrees. There were 335 bachelor's degrees earned, 241 master's degrees, and six Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees earned by 560 Graceland graduates. We congratulate all graduates on their accomplishments and offer our best wishes for success in the future!

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.

In 2004, The Brett family endowment was established to support high-achieving English majors. This year, the English Department's Brett Scholarship goes to Tabitha Reno.

The Student Life Award is given to one or more graduating seniors who have made significant contributions to multiple areas of the university community during their student experience. This award is recognition of qualities that include leadership, excellent academic record and respect by students, faculty and staff.