Grace University - History

History

Founded in 1943, Grace was originally intended as an inter-Mennonite Bible institute where Christian men and women might further their theological training. The ten Mennonite ministers counted as Grace's founders (August Ewert, Albert Ewert, Albert Schultz, Peter Kliewer, Paul Kuhlmann, Harold Burkholder, John Barkman, C.H. Suckau, Solomon Mouttet, and John Tieszen) originally met to discuss relocating the Bible department of the Oklahoma Bible Academy. After several days of prayer they decided that what was really needed was a place of higher education.

Originally called Grace Bible Institute, the school opened in the fall of 1943 with a grand total of 23 students and six professors. No tuition was charged; instead, students performed "30-minute jobs" every day. That changed in 1948 when the Accrediting Association required member schools to charge money. The original tuition was a flat $50 fee. In 1976, the school's name was changed to Grace College of the Bible. On July 1, 1995, the school officially became Grace University, emphasizing the school's new academic identity.

Grace's original home was in a former Presbyterian theological seminary. In less than a year the college was able to purchase Stuntz Hall, 1515 S. 10th St. in Omaha. The current campus includes that lot (the hall, by then known as Old Main, was torn down in the 1990s due to decay and safety concerns) as well as the surrounding city blocks. In 1977, the University purchased the St. Catherine’s Hospital Center for Continuing Care. This purchase added almost 2.7 acres (1.1 ha) to the campus and doubled facility space.