Exhale Parent Magazine, 2013

YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

PA R E N T M A G A Z I N E

Welcome to Grace CONSIDER US YOUR EXTENDED FAMILY. By the time you read this, you’ve probably helped your son or daughter stuff a car with milk crates, boxes, towels, sheets, stereo speakers, laptops and other “survival” gear. You’ve driven here and a team of friendly, caffeinated people greeted you and helped unload your new freshman’s belongings into his or her residence hall. Even as you watched other parents do the same thing, you may have felt a little anxiety. Whether it’s your first child, or you’re a veteran and this was one of several you’ve taken to college, it’s normal to wonder and contemplate … Will she find success here? Will he find friends easily? Have we made the right choice?

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It’s time to exhale and rest assured. Grace is a place where your student will grow and thrive. We’re the kind of extended family that watches out for each other. We serve one another in love and prompt one another to personal, professional and spiritual excellence. We know you’ll have evidence of your “right decision” within the first week of your student being here, and this magazine is designed to give you some snapshots of what he or she is about to experience. For more information, I invite you to visit www.grace.edu/parents.

If at any time you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 800-544-7223, ext. 6488 or via email at swansoje@grace.edu. After all, we’re family now.

Dr. Jim Swanson, Vice President of Academic and Student Services

WWW.GRACE.EDU/PARENTS

Incoming freshman, Tiffany Weaver, pictured with her parents Mike and Renita.

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Academic Life OUR FACULTY IS A CLASS ACT.

Every college speaks highly of its faculty. It’s just a given.

Most Grace graduates can point to a specific mentoring relationship that changed their lives and careers, forever.

Our faculty is vested in your student way beyond a paycheck.

Thanks to a student-to-faculty ratio of 25-to-1, your student will be known by name and receive specific and individual attention. It might be a professor that meets her students for coffee, where a conversation about

macroeconomics turns into a discipleship moment. Or another professor who has worn out spots in his office carpet where his knees have spent most of their time. It might be a coach that has been faithfully fathering his players at center court for nearly 30 years. The point is, our faculty are not teaching to draw attention to their pedigree — they’re teaching because they love Jesus.

They desperately want your student to embrace the opportunity to glorify Him with his or her whole life.

As you pass the baton to Grace in the race marked out before your students, please know that we want them to succeed as much as you do! A balanced spiritual, academic, social and professional life is the desire we have for all our students. We want to encourage and challenge them in ways that show the beauty and wonder of learning about God’s creation. Though their lives should first be

defined as image-bearers, not by a grade in a class, we value working hard, clear academic commitments, and integrity in the learning process and will invest in the life of your student to help him or her achieve these things.

— Dr. Carrie Yocum, Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs

EXHALE. YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

Every student at Grace completes a series of general education courses and thus enjoys a common experience that stretches across all the disciplines.

Explicitly taught from a liberal arts approach, the core challenges our students to acknowledge God’s infallible source of truth as revealed in His Word (Special Revelation), through His Works, and in His creation (General Revelation). Courses in the core are driven by the mission and evangelical heritage of the college, and have been created around four key human relationships: with God, with others, with self and with the world, which includes both cultures and the environment.

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WWW.GR AC E . E D U/ ACADEMICS

In addition to our dedicated faculty, the Learning Center is available to help your student with any assistance necessary in academic areas, including study groups, tutoring and help with homework. The Writing Lab at the Learning Center also helps students improve their writing

skills and coaches them through specific writing assignments. Several other resources are available to interested students, including tips on note taking, studying, memorizing, reading and test taking.

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Applied Learning FROM CONTENT TO COMPETENCE. Any college can provide instruction, but a Grace education will take your student beyond instruction and into experience. We’re committed to engaging students with a whole new gear of career-readiness by exposing them to emerging technologies, marketplace case studies, collaborative presentations and engaging discourse. Our academic model of immersive and applied learning means students spend 10 percent of their curriculum in the “field” — internships, study abroad, cross-cultural experiences,

As associate dean of student affairs, I am excited to welcome your student in the Grace community. In my role, I have the privilege of collaborating with faculty and student affairs professionals in the oversight and coordination of the Grace Core, which your student will share with all other students at Grace. Through

student teaching, research fellowships and student leadership positions.

Even with all this innovation, there are core distinctives associated with a Grace College education that will never change: the authority of Scripture, the value of biblical community, the necessity of transformative education, the benchmark of high quality, the experiential context of practical and applied learning, and the promise of affordability for families.

the Freshman Experience, we are committed to creating connections and providing your student with resources in and out of the classroom that will promote whole-life development.

— Jacqueline Schram, Associate Dean of Student Affairs

EXHALE. YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

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WWW.GRACE.EDU/ APPLIED

Go Encounter trips provide students with an opportunity to apply their cultural knowledge to real-life situations in locations like Romania, Fiji, Brazil and inner city Philadelphia. Grace students are required to complete a seven-day cross-cultural field experience to expand their global perspective and immerse themselves in cultural differences.

Students encounter and engage local people, gaining a greater appreciation for diversity and God’s heart for the world.

The variety of learning opportunities available will help your Grace student internalize concepts and understand coursework as a confident expert — it’s a shift from content to competence.

EXHALE. YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

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WWW.GR AC E . E D U/ CHAPEL

In addition to chapel, students participate in “serve,” a studentled ministry program that is dedicated to transforming God-given passions into a lifestyle of service. These ministry teams provide opportunities for Grace students to explore their dreams, talents and passions while they serve others.

Growth Groups meet weekly in residence halls. These are small groups of students who gather for Bible study and prayer. These meetings are led by volunteer upperclass students and help bring unity and community to students’ lives through relationship, encouragement, accountability and love.

Spiritual Life EXPECT YOUR CHILD TO GROW BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS.

Chapel meetings at Grace are just one of the mainstays of a healthy spiritual life. Three times each week, your student and the rest of the Grace community will come together to worship God and re-center their hearts on our one true priority. We gather as a way to experience Christ communally and to keep ourselves in tune with the global concerns of the world. It’s

during these times that we examine the ways in which we can serve God and one another more effectively.

While at Grace, expect your student to grow by leaps and bounds spiritually. Everything we do — from academics to athletics, from residence life to research — is centered upon making Christ preeminent in all aspects of our lives.

As dean of the chapel and global initiatives, I have the privilege to lead our student body to reflect upon who God is, His work in our community and His love for the world. I also lead and mentor our Chapel Commission, a group of students committed to the spiritual growth of the campus. Chapel at Grace is intentionally co-curricular, meaning that through participation, our campus

is instructed and challenged on issues applicable to our whole community regardless of gender, age, cultural background or academic focus. It is my hope and prayer that reflection will lead us to respond with a deeper love for God, a stronger commitment to one another and a greater compassion for the world.

— Carlos Téllez, Dean of the Chapel and Global Initiatives

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The first year at Grace is packed so full your student will hardly have time to be homesick. The Freshman Experience is a comprehensive program designed to assist students in their adjustment to college life.

All incoming students will be working through the Grace Core, a series of general education courses. The Grace Core provides a Christian liberal arts common experience driven by the mission of Grace College and is designed for the purpose of worshipping

As dean of students, my responsibilities lie in the oversight and development of the residence life and student organizations. I lead resident directors (RDs), resident assistants (RAs) and growth group leaders in making students feel at home at Grace.

Throughout my time at Grace, I have been transformed as a

Christ, connecting with others, engaging His world and following His calling. Additionally, there are a number of student services on campus — from the Student Health Center to the Gordon Recreation Center to Career Services — dedicated to promoting physical and mental wellness. Guided by both faculty and student mentors, freshmen will find themselves at home at Grace more quickly than they learn the way to the dining hall.

disciple, leader and man. I love the opportunities God gives to walk alongside students in this journey.

— Aaron Crabtree, Dean of Students

CU T OU T TH E CALEN DAR FOR YOU R U S E.

Fall Semester 2013 A U G U ST 17-19 New Student Orientation 19 Fall Session A classes begin, 6 p.m.

28 The Hike (1-day freshman class retreat)

S E P TE MB E R 12-14 Sibs Weekend

O CTO B E R

10 Fall Session A classes end 11-14 Fall Break 15 Fall Session B classes begin, 8 a.m.

22 Fall Day of Worship

(Only evening classes meet.)

Fall Calendar of Events NOV E MB E R

1-2 Grace Homecoming 27-29 Thanksgiving Break

(Residence halls closed 10 a.m. Nov. 27–2 p.m.

Dec. 1; classes resume 8 a.m. Dec. 2.)

D ECE MB E R

11 Fall Session B classes end (Residence halls close 10 a.m. Dec. 12.)

CU T OU T TH E CALEN DAR FOR YOU R U S E.

Spring Semester 2014 JA NU A RY

5 Residence halls open for spring semester, 12 p.m.

6 Spring Session A classes begin, 8 a.m.

20 Martin Luther King Celebration

(Only evening classes meet.)

F E BRUARY

27 Spring Session A classes end 28-March 10 Spring Break (Residence halls closed 10 a.m. Feb. 28–10 a.m. March 10.)

MARCH

11 Spring Session B classes begin, 8 a.m.

26 Spring Day of Worship and Communitas

(Only evening classes meet.)

A P RI L

Numbers to Know For a campus department or employee, call 574-372-5100, and ext.

18-21 Easter Break (Residence halls remain open. Classes resume 6 p.m. April 21.)

For a student on campus, call 574-372-5200, and ext.

MAY

For questions Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–5 p.m., contact the Office of Student Affairs at ext. 6488.

7 Spring Session B classes end

(Residence halls close 5 p.m. May 10.)

10 Commencement

19 Summer Term classes begin

For questions after hours until midnight, contact the Alpha Hall desk at ext. 6728. The desk employees can route your call wherever needed.

Health & Counseling can be reached at ext. 6472.

WWW.GRACE.EDU/CALENDAR

Office of Information Technology: phone: 574-372-5100 ext. 6174 email: helpdesk@grace.edu To contact your student in case of a family crisis, please call one of the following people/offices below. (This will allow us to have someone with your son or daughter when they receive your phone call.)

574-372-5100 Jim Swanson: ext. 6473 Academic and Student Services, Vice President Aaron Crabtree: ext. 6464 Dean of Students Campus Safety: 574-269- 5344

EXHALE. YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

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WWW.GR AC E . E D U/ FRESHMANEXPERIENCE

An iconic part of the Freshman Experience is The Hike, a one-day retreat taking place in the fall. The Hike builds class unity, provides students time to get to know their breakout groups and mentors and makes for a fun day away from classes. The highlight is almost always the Cardboard Canoe Race. Expect a request from your student for a little extra laundry money after The Hike.

The Student Activities Board facilitates many events with first-year students in mind: Freshman/Sophomore Dessert, concerts, bowling and Homecoming, among other activities. As well, students will have opportunities to participate in the Grace Intramural Program (GIP) which offers year-round athletics. Tear out the enclosed calendar of events to stay up to date on what’s happening on campus.

EXHALE. YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

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WWW.GR AC E . E D U/ COMMUNITY-EVENTS

Winona Lake is called a resort town for a reason. The Village at Winona is a thriving arts community on the shores of the lake itself, featuring galleries, studios, shops and museums. Perfectly manicured golf courses abound, as well as historical sites and great eateries.

Reserve your room at a local bed and breakfast or a nearby hotel and enjoy what Winona Lake has to offer. You may fight a little bit of jealousy that your student gets to live here while you have to return home. Check the enclosed calendar and plan a future visit.

Living Lakeside A RESORT TOWN BEGGING YOU TO VISIT OFTEN.

Grace sits in an area of remarkable serenity and beauty. Winona Lake is a perfect setting for your student’s college career. Actually, a high percentage of our students even decide to stay here after college.

Our vibrant collegiate culture enjoys additional resort town amenities like wooded walking trails, kayaking, parks and eclectic artisan shops and restaurants.

Students need only to walk downtown to enjoy a variety of entertainment options.

You already know that Grace is the right place for your college student, but don’t forget that Winona Lake is a great place for you to visit, too! Our Visitor’s Center can help make your return trip a success by providing athletics tickets, meal passes, information on chapel meetings and anything else you’d like to experience. Plan to come back for Homecoming, a Lancer basketball game, a theater production or just to spend a weekend with your student.

As chief of campus safety at Grace, I manage and direct the campus safety department. I enjoy working in this department with issues related to serving our students and how we can be effective in Christian service, especially related to law

enforcement. Working full-time as a police officer for 14 years in administration brings a unique perspective as well.

— Craig Allebach, Chief of Campus Safety

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A New Beginning for Both of Us You’re starting a brand new journey as the parent of a Grace College freshman. And your son or daughter is really beginning a whole new way of life!

Every new challenge presents opportunity. You will adapt to life without your son or daughter at home and will likely discover a newly emerging relationship with your maturing child. This year is also a new beginning for me as president of Grace College & Seminary.

Although I’m a graduate of the college, and I’ve worked at the school a total of 15 years, this is the first year I’ve had the responsibility of occupying the president’s office. It is humbling and sobering to follow in the footsteps of the five great presidents before me — Presidents McClain, Hoyt, Kent, Davis and Manahan.

But I look forward with confidence not because of my own ability, but because I believe God has issued a call to me for this work, at this time. I have confidence He will supply our needs as we seek His wisdom and guidance.

I have that same confidence for your new Grace College student.

God’s grace is sufficient for all His children (2 Corinthians 12:9).

He has promised that if we ask Him for wisdom, He will supply it (James 1:5).

We promise to do our best to provide a balance for your new college student. We will seek to help him or her develop talents and gifts. We’ll provide a wide-ranging liberal arts education that is preparation for the workplace and the world. And we’ll offer guidance and spiritual help where needed to encourage a thoroughly biblical worldview and lifestyle.

I commit to praying for your student and for you. Will you pray for us? Together we want to see God do marvelous things in the coming school year.

Thank you for placing your confidence in the staff and faculty of Grace College & Seminary. New beginnings are exciting, and we look forward to getting to know you — and your student — in the days ahead.

William J. Katip, Ph.D. | President

200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590 | www.grace.edu/parents | 800-54-GRACE