CELEBRATING 125 YEARS, A COLLECTIVE HISTORY OF MILESTONES & MEMORIESP5 VOL. 36, NO. 1 NO. 36, VOL. HORIZONS 2020 FALL The 2020 Time Capsule A collection of items telling the story of this unprecedented time in our 125-year history Horizons (USPS 0884-8939) is published by Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa. The magazine is distributed without charge to select alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university. Free copies are available upon request. CONTACT US Your feedback is always welcome! Direct correspondence and address changes to: Graceland University Alumni Programs Office 1 University Place Lamoni, IA 50140 866.GU4.EVER [email protected] BOARD OF TRUSTEES Harry J. Ashenhurst, PhD, ’70, CHAIR Sue Bevington ’89, VICE CHAIR David J. Brown, MBA, ’73, TREASURER Michelle Hampton ’83 Waite, SECRETARY Robert G. “Bob” Ackerley ’06 Michele Black, MBA, ’81 Follow me: Joseph Booz, JD, ’86 Stassi Cramm, PhD, ’03 @GracelandUPres Nancy Tanner Edwards, PhD, ’65 John Glaser, PhD, ’84 Karen Booth ’76 Jewell, JD Ivan Joseph, PhD, ’96 Aleksandar “Aleks” Memca, ’00 John Sheehy ’79 125 Years Together Dennis Shields, JD, ’77 Samuel G. “Sam” Smalldon, MBA, ’78 Julia Snethen, PhD, ’82 do not typically get a lot of questions about my time outside of the Ryan Watson ’77 Michael R. Wiley, PhD, ’83 Graceland community. I think part of the reason is that immediately upon my arrival, Graceland’s students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends ADMINISTRATION I embraced me as one of their own. There is something extremely special Patricia H. Draves, PhD, PRESIDENT Talia Brown, MEd, ’05, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER about how tightly knit the fabric of the Graceland community is woven. In Kathleen M. Clauson Bash, PhD, VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS my time at other universities, I have not experienced anything quite like it. Kelly W. Everett, BA, ’77, VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT As I have spoken to alumni and friends over my years on “the Hill,” one thing Jill Rhea, PhD, VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND DEAN OF FACULTY is clear: that feeling of community is one that virtually every Gracelander can David Schaal, EdD, ’80, VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT LIFE AND DEAN OF STUDENTS testify about, and I have heard so many stories of that power of together in Jodi L. Seymour, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES action through the university’s 125-year history. David L. Siddall, JD, LLM, ’85, VICE PRESIDENT FOR BUSINESS AND FINANCE Even though those stories through the years unite us in common purpose ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS and mission, one thing is sure: 2020 has been a year like no other. Sure, Michele Black, MBA, ’81, PRESIDENT Graceland has experienced similar circumstances before, enduring the 1918 Brian Woodson, BA, ’87, VICE PRESIDENT Holly Phillips ’81 Caskey, BA, SECRETARY flu pandemic. We have faced difficult financial struggles over the years too. Kevin Brunner, PhD, ’86, FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE But time and time again, the generosity of our alumni and friends has shown Brooke Beytin, MA, ’15 Caleb Brian, PhD, ’08 its true colors, as all the members of our community have stepped up to help Joy Brunner-Cannavino, MA, ’85 us face the myriad challenges of the era. Lynley Closson, MSW, ’15 Jen Ingram ’96 Imhoff, MA Ric Hettrick, BA, ’74 As we face new and unprecedented challenges this year, I am confident in Beth Higdon, MA, ’73 our resiliency as a community. I have that confidence because Graceland Cathy Wolfe ’88 Lysinger, BA Christy Pratt ’11 Martin, BA is not like the other places I have been. Graceland is special, and everyone Jeff Martin, BA, ’85 who has been a part of our community knows it. Nichelle Closson ’10 Oxley, JD Chelsea McClain ’05 Pearce, JD Doug Roberts, MA, ’01 That specialness is evident through the pages of this special issue of Horizons, Jonathan Schrale, BA, ’11 where you will see facts and figures from Graceland’s rich 125-year history Natalie Sherer, BA, ’16 Blake Smith, BA, ’16 covering everything from the number of faculty who voted to approve Lisa Sheehy ’80 Stobbe, MEd dancing on campus to the number of layers of paint on the victory bell. Holly Inglehart ’12 Weaver, BSN, RN There are so many interesting pieces of history, and I hope you will discover EDITOR something about Graceland you didn’t know before. Brooke Sutherland, MS, ’03 ART DIRECTION & DESIGN We’d love to hear about your memories from the last 125 years. As you enjoy Tiffany Rider ’06 Smith, MEd these facts from our history, we encourage you to share your own by posting PHOTOGRAPHY on social media with the hashtag #Graceland125. Shane Adams ’99 Steve Edwards, MS, ’96 Tiffany Rider ’06 Smith, MEd Thank you to each one of you for being a part of our history. WRITING Shane Adams ’99 Brooke Sutherland, MS, ’03 Patricia H. Draves, PhD DIGITAL LAYOUT President Steve Edwards, MS, ’96 CONNECT WITH US Graceland University ON THE COVER A classic Graceland University pennant; a new T-shirt with the Graceland shield; a Graceland face mask; You Got This: Mastering the Skill of Self-Confidence, a book by alumnus and trustee Ivan Joseph ’96; @GracelandU a class of 2020 graduation tassel; the 2019 annual report in the last issue of Horizons; and a postcard introducing @GracelandUniversity the newly completed Newcom Student Union on the Lamoni campus. What would you include in a 2020 time capsule? For more, see ▸ P6 Graceland University To minimize spread, the entire Graceland community is required to do daily COVID screenings, wear face coverings and follow social distancing guidelines on campus. These students might appear closer than they actually were, but we ensured all precautions were taken during this photo shoot. (Photoshop does wonders!) Cassie Tucker ’23 Kansas City, Missouri The Buzz Music, Viola Performance IDEA Rep, Khiyah House Paris Anderson ’23 Independence, Missouri Diversity English, Psychology IDEA Rep, Hanthorne House &Inclusion BY BROOKE SUTHERLAND Inclusion Diversity Equity Alliance That’s the idea. And it’s a good one — good enough to change the Graceland student government (GSG) constitution to reflect it. The newest branch of GSG, which goes by the acronym IDEA, grew Santina from a conversation between student leaders and administrators who had a desire to see underrepresented populations become Hernandez ’22 Kansas City, Kansas more represented as student leaders on Graceland’s Lamoni Hispanic Studies, Sociology campus. As a result, in early Spring 2020, IDEA was approved IDEA President to become the eighth branch of GSG. Sarasopa Today, each house has a representative within IDEA elected Lafitaga ’22 by its members. Additionally, the presidents of BSU (Black Waipahu, Hawaii Biology Student Union), LatinX Club, International Club, Polynesian IDEA Rep, Powell House Club and SAGE (Sexual and Gender Equality) all serve as ex officio members of the IDEA council. The IDEA president is elected by majority vote of the entire student body and serves on the GSG leadership council. During its first year, IDEA has provided experiences of education and celebration related to the experience and tradition of underrepresented populations. They have sponsored or co-sponsored events related to Hispanic and LatinX culture and tradition, Native American and Indigenous heritage, and more. And while the focus of these events — and the clubs that sponsor them — is underrepresented populations, all students are welcomed and invited to participate. And many do. Payton Young ’21 Oakland, California English, Critical Race & Ethnic Studies IDEA Rep, Tiona House Salume Osakue ’22 Lagos, Nigeria Biology, Chemistry IDEA Rep, Shalom House Read the full story online: graceland.edu/Horizons 3 The Buzz Read the full stories online: graceland.edu/Horizons SOCIAL JUSTICE Message of and join our happy throng. With loyal voices Diversity Support During Times of Hurt & Inclusion: Members of Graceland's let us raise our Alma Mater song; OHillcrest faculty and staff came together on the Lamoni Our Work campus over the summer and created sidewalk chalk art that delivered a message of solidarity Continues as the country was experiencing racial tensions. home of vision wide, where bonds of love hold sway. Director of Seminary Helps Graceland strives to build learning Organize Peaceful Protest communities that develop students Where all may learn in life and lore ‘tis thee we praise Director of Graceland’s from diverse backgrounds across Community of Christ our many academic and student Seminary, Zac Harmon- McLaughlin ’08, helped today. Through memory a thread shall run, of golden experiences. We are dedicated to organize a peaceful protest and rally near the to ensuring our community is Independence, Missouri, campus Sunday, June 7. part of a solution to a broader Harmon-McLaughlin Harmon-McLaughlin and welcomed the crowd and richness made. Cementing there the treasures rare world challenge of inclusion and about 300 other protestors then turned the megaphone over to Jenny Jackson ’10 and gathered at the United Darron Story of Kansas City. opportunity. Nations Peace Plaza outside the Community of Christ Auditorium in unity with Americans around the country calling in thy foundation laid; O Alma Mater, guide us on, ACADEMIC PROGRAMS for justice and an end to police brutality. New Areas of Study SUPPORT SERVICES The Graceland University Board of Trustees approved a new thy standard e’er unfold and call us on with memories of major and two new minors this summer that strongly align with the university’s mission and values, and that support TRIO Grant Graceland’s continued diversity and inclusion efforts. Secures Beginning Fall 2020, Graceland Lamoni-campus students have the option to major in social change and may choose from Funding for days ‘neath the Blue and Gold. Through years and two new minors: 1) critical race and ethnic studies, 2020-25 2) women’s, gender and sexuality studies.