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Former names | Milwaukee Bible Institute Milwaukee Bible College Grace Bible College |
|---|---|
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1945[1] |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical Christian (Grace Gospel Fellowship) |
| Endowment | $400,000[2] |
| President | Ken Kemper, Ph.D.[3] |
Academic staff | 28[2] |
| Students | 900+[4] |
| Location | , Michigan ,United States 42°55′10″N85°41′32″W / 42.91944°N 85.69222°W /42.91944; -85.69222 |
| Campus | Suburban, 23 acres (9.3 ha) |
| Colors | Light Blue and Black |
Sporting affiliations | NCCAA, ACCA |
| Mascot | Tigers |
| Website | gracechristian |
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Grace Christian University is aprivate Christian university inGrand Rapids, Michigan, United States. It isaccredited by theHigher Learning Commission and theAssociation for Biblical Higher Education to award associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees.[5] The university is affiliated with theGrace Gospel Fellowship.
Grace Christian University began in 1939 as an evening Bible institute, led by Charles F. Baker. It was an outgrowth of the late 19th-centuryBible college movement. Initially, the main purpose of Grace was to train Sunday School teachers and church members of the Fundamental Bible Church, which was led by Pastor Charles F. Baker inMilwaukee, Wisconsin.[6]
In 1945, the program expanded to a day school called Milwaukee Bible Institute, which was founded by John C. O'Hair, a teacher of Mid-Acts dispensationalism. In 1953, it was then renamed Milwaukee Bible College as curricular options were added. Charles Baker served as president at this time.
In 1961, the college moved from Milwaukee, Wisconsin toWyoming, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.[7] Its name was changed to Grace Bible College. Grace was granted authority from the State of Michigan to give Associate and Bachelor of Religious Education degrees, as well as a five-year degree for vocational ministers.
In 1967, Grace received accreditation from the Association of American Biblical Colleges, now called the Association of Biblical Higher Education.[8] Since then, the degree programs have expanded to include Associate of Arts degrees, Bachelor of Science degrees and Master of Arts degrees.
In 2010, Grace began offering online education, allowing students to continue with their education exclusively online.[9]
In 2017, the college’s name was officially changed from Grace Bible College to Grace Christian University by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. Officially, the change took place on July 1, 2018.[10]
Grace Christian University incorporates the study of the Bible as a core value in every degree program.[11]
Successive presidents of Grace have been Jack T. Dean, Samuel Vinton, Jr., Bruce Kemper, and Ken B. Kemper, who is the current president.
Today, the university has programs across numerous majors such as business, education, exercise science, history, human services, and others. Its most popular majors, by 2021 graduates, were:[12]
Grace Christian University offers a variety of degrees both on campus and online. Each degree at Grace integrates a biblical focus, with required Bible credits. Students have the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor, or master's degrees.
