OVERVIEW
The University Trustees are seeking a new leader who will continue the great work Dr. Jim Eckman has begun and help the University to make an even greater impact in the lives of students for the Lord. Areas where growth will hopefully occur will likely include: increased academic and spiritual excellence, new buildings, a larger endowment, greater financial vitality, and while local enrollment is strong, regional enrollment could be stronger.
The University, with the assistance of Bruce Dingman of The Dingman Company, is casting a wide net in search for its next President. We invite you to submit names (with address, phone number, email) of potential candidates to bruce@dingman.com for confidential consideration.
Mission
Grace University exists to develop servant leaders for the home, the church, and the world through excellence in biblically-integrated education and through life change in a personal, discipling environment, all for the glory of God.
Motto
Other foundations can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11).
The President
The President is the Chief Executive Officer of Grace University and reports to the Board of Trustees.
The President will provide the leadership and guidance to the University to fulfill its mission. The President will also represent the University to regional and national organizations, as well as network and create alliances with a much broader range of evangelical organizations. The Executive Vice President reports to the President. Three Deans report to the Executive Vice President (Academic Dean, Enrollment Management Dean, Student Services Dean).
The Board of Trustees
The 20 person Board of Trustees provides oversight and strategic direction for the University. The board represents a diverse group of pastors, business executives and other leaders. The board operates through a number of standing committees: Academic and Student Affairs, University Development and Admissions, Finance and Operations, Compensation and Executive/Membership.
Dr. Jim Eckman, RETIRING PRESIDENT
Dr. Eckman, who has been at Grace University since 1983, is an ordained minister, having served on the staff of two churches in Pennsylvania. He has expertise in historical theology, with special emphasis on the American church and revivalism. He conducts marriage seminars, current issue seminars, family life conferences, Bible conferences and retreats throughout the United States, as well as overseas. He speaks in churches throughout the Midwest nearly every Sunday. He also hosts a radio program on current issues called “Issues in Perspective” that airs over several radio stations and translators over the Midwest. He has a Th.M from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska. He is retiring July 1, 2012.
LEADERSHIP CRITERIA
Presidential Leadership Criteria
Grace University seeks its 11th President who must be a visionary of Christian Higher Education, demonstrate Christ-like character, be a servant leader who loves people, promote high standards of scholarship, be humble and persistent in the passionate pursuit of excellence, develop and foster mutual trust among the campus and community, and bring impeccable integrity and high energy in leading the University.
Spiritual Leadership
The President must be a born-again believer submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. The President will provide spiritual leadership on two levels; privately and publically. Privately, the President will lead his own soul well. Parker Palmer has said “the most important thing a professor brings into the classroom is the state of his own soul.” Similarly, the most important thing the President brings to the Grace University campus is the state of his soul. He will be expected to function on a daily basis in step with the Holy Spirit. As a servant leader, he should be a loving and caring person of faith, grace, patience, self-control, and forgiveness, who believes in the value of all people. Publically, the President will lead the campus spiritually by active participation in the University's chapel program and efforts to connect the University to local congregations, para-church groups and the community.
Academic Leadership
The President must be committed to building a strong academic reputation for the University's undergraduate and graduate programs. The President will need to make it a priority to be competent in the key administrative areas of budget, resource acquisition, enrollment-management, and student development. The President must foster the importance of integration of faith and learning.
Campus Leadership
Grace University places a high value on continued growth in enrollment in its traditional undergraduate, graduate and EXCEL programs. In keeping with that value, the President must show a strong commitment to growth by bringing significant experience and capabilities that will result in growth.
Community Leadership
The personal credibility of the President must foster mutual trust and respect among the Christian community of the University. The President must develop and retain quality relationships with the business and religious leaders of the Omaha community. The University leader must be a model of leadership and engender intellectual respect.
Strategic Leadership
The President must be a visionary leader with full understanding of strategic and operational planning in fulfilling current commitments and identifying new opportunities to be a world-changer in the community, the state, the nation, and throughout the world. The President must be able to facilitate a shared vision for the future of the University and involve the University community in its development, implementation, and attainment. The ability to engage, empower, and equip the administration, faculty, and staff in shared decision-making and problem-solving is expected.
Resource Leadership and Development Leadership
The President must provide leadership in resource acquisition and the fiscal health of the institution. Because the President is in essence the Chief Development Officer, he must thrive on development activities and have a demonstrated gift for developing high quality and enduring business, foundation, and community relationships. The future health and continued growth of the University is dependent upon a combination of fiscal management, efficient operations, cultivation of external resources, and the development of a growing base of donors, including alumni.
Other Required Qualifications for the Position
- A sense of "call" to this position and a heart for students.
- Mental flexibility and an awareness of what he does not know.
- A desire to spend time with students.
- An appropriate academic terminal degree.
- Experience in a leadership role in the growth of enrollment in higher education.
- A proven track record as an effective organizational leader.
- Unquestioned integrity and courage.
- The knowledge of and substantial prior experience with successfully leading fundraising and acquisition of funding sources from the private sector.
- A willingness to take on tough tasks or to make decisions that may not be well received; willing to challenge the status quo, encourage creativity and innovation.
- Ability as a strategic thinker and visionary; to see where Christian education, the Church and society are going in the 21st century.
- A faith that "spills over" to others and to the broader evangelical and Christian worlds.
- A passion for people to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; knowing that a strong prayer life is foundational to one's spiritual walk, and is an example and sponsor of such.
- A Christian character that models family relationships.
- A willingness to make a long term commitment to the University (ten or more years, subject to satisfactory performance and at the discretion of the University).
- Ability to lead the University through successful accreditation visits.
Other Desired Qualifications:
- Academic administrative and/or graduate teaching experience.
- The ability to be a bridge builder, one that creates an atmosphere of trust; willingly facing conflict and is adept at finding win-win solutions.
- An ability to develop warm, winsome relations with board members, faculty, staff, students, et al.
- An understanding of organizational structure that effectively functions relationally and operationally, while having the acumen for running the organization.
- An intuition to put the right person in the right position and ability to deal sensitively without delay in moving someone out of an ineffective position.
- A high level of confidence, being both humble and strong.
- A collaborative leadership style working with others, and seen as the "chief among equals."
- A transparency in living an exemplary life, knowing when to keep a confidence; meeting the qualifications for being an elder in the church.
- A command of the budgeting process and how it is best used in an academic institution to provide resources, control costs, properly motivate and yet hold people accountable.
- A personal charisma; when casting a vision or an idea, it should have an effect of "contagious enthusiasm."
- The desire of an evangelist, one who is a "soul winner," or at least be ready to "share the hope that is within" as the opportunity arises.
- A respect of cross-cultural and ethnic differences and a personal understanding of cross-cultural ministry; holding a world Christian perspective (understanding education, missions, culture, and politics in other parts of the world).
- A commitment to diversity and inclusiveness in faculty, students, and staff.
- A familiarity with undergraduate and graduate programs and the accreditation process.
- A good philosophy on education, being comfortable in the learning environment and understanding that the emphasis needs to move from education to learning (from the teacher's perspective to that of the students').
- A high value of scholarship, balancing the academic and practical, the innovative and the culturally relevant.
- Ability as an effective educator in educating the board, faculty, administrators, staff, students, donors and networks.
- Skill as a compelling and interesting communicator in large and small groups and with individuals.
- Effective leadership skills (developing esprit de corps; being a good team leader, open and transparent).
- The ability to multi-task and handle a multi-campus leadership role.
- A progressive learning nature, embracing the potential of technology.
- A strong work-ethic, balanced with the needs of a spiritual walk, family, and personal relaxation.
- The attitude of a good steward, giving at least a tithe to the Lord.
- An entrepreneurial inclination, knowing how to develop something and then make it work.
- A commitment to accountability, for self and others.
- A gracious spirit, comfortable in all settings, and given to hospitality.
This document is a guide and includes input from various constituencies and stakeholders. The Search Committee will remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as prospects are revealed and considered.
Institutional Overview
Grace University is education for vocation (over 27 undergraduate and graduate majors are available, with more on the way), education for thinking (producing a well-integrated Christian world and life view), and education for service (with a Servant Leadership Training program aimed at cultivating an “other-centered” approach to life). Grace has been building servant leaders for the home, the church and the world for over half a century.
Grace University consists of three colleges:
- Grace College of the Bible
- Grace College of Graduate Studies
- Grace College of Continuing Education
Grace was originally founded in 1943 as Grace Bible Institute. In 1976, the school became Grace College of the Bible to reflect its true collegiate status. Then on July 1, 1995, two additional colleges were added and a new identify was adopted – Grace University. Grace College of the Bible continues to be the University’s primary undergraduate college – offering both associate and bachelors degrees. Grace University is a distinctly Christian university with an interdenominational identity.
History
Past
Grace University was born in prayer as a group of ten Mennonite ministers met in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 1, 1943, to pray and plan for a college-level institution that would be fundamental in doctrine, vitally spiritual in emphasis, and interdenominational in scope.
The student enrollment grew rapidly in the early years so that by 1949 it had reached 331. The diversity of the student body in recent years indicates its interdenominational nature and widespread appeal to students who desire a Bible-centered college education.
Academic programs have been expanded and upgraded to reach each generation; the administrative structure has been revised and faculty has grown in size. Most significantly, the University has remained vigilant in upholding the fundamentals of the faith maintaining, without reservation, that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.
The physical plant has been expanded through the construction and purchase of additional facilities. In 1977, the University purchased the St. Catherine’s Hospital Center for Continuing Care. This acquisition added nearly 2.7 acres to the campus and doubled facility space, making it the largest and most significant property acquisition in the history of the University. In 2003, the Jim Classen Gymnasium was dedicated providing physical fitness and athletic opportunities to the campus community.
Throughout its history, Grace University leadership has been marked by vision and faith. The following have served as presidents: Paul Kuhlmann (Acting, 1943), Dr. C.H. Suckau (1944-1950), Dr. H.D. Burkholder (1950-1955), Dr. Joseph W. Schmidt (1955-1960), the Rev. D.J. Unruh (Interim, 1960-1961), Dr. Waldo E. Harder (1961-1971), Dr. Robert W. Benton (1971-1984), Dr. Warren E. Bathke (1984-1993), Dr. Neal F. McBride (1993-1997), and Dr. James P. Eckman (1997-2012).
Present
The core values of academic excellence, life change, and world impact continue to shape the vision of Grace. During the past 63 years, more than 8,000 students have studied at Grace University. Many of our alumni are actively involved in full-time vocational ministries. Many are serving in cross cultural and international missions, in pastoral ministry, in Christian education, in music, and in Christian radio and telecommunications. Others impact the marketplace for Christ serving as lay leaders in local churches and church-related organizations. Many are educators, business people, farmers and ranchers, and public servants in governmental settings.
The oversight of Grace University is vested in a strong, spiritually-minded Board of Trustees, representing various denominations. A variety of advisory teams assist in guiding various operations within the University. Each academic program has a professional advisory team evaluating and guiding faculty in program improvement. The Alumni Association, a vital advisory group, connects the school’s strong heritage with an ongoing mission of preparing men and women as servant leaders for the home, the church and the world.
Educational Goals and Values
Core Values
Three core values shape the goals and objectives of Grace University: academic excellence, life change and world impact. In line with its mission, the overall goal is for each student to become a well-balanced, Christ-like person who is a biblically literate student, an engaging citizen, a compassionate leader and a global Christian. Recognizing that Christian education is a process rooted in the Bible and directed by the Holy Spirit, the University establishes the following goals and objectives for students to meet prior to graduating from the University:
- A comprehensive working knowledge of the Bible, including Bible doctrine
- A growing love for Christ and His people
- To be a world Christian with a growing awareness of and involvement in God’s worldwide program of redemption
- A Christian worldview that integrates General Education studies with biblical truth
- An ability to serve Christ effectively
- A Christian value system that is reflected in Christian character, attitudes, decisions and actions
- An ability to function at a level of competency within their chosen area of study at their level of preparation
- A lifestyle of life-long spiritual, intellectual, emotional, relational, and physical health
Philosophy of Christian Education
Grace University is committed to a Christian philosophy of education. The following statements briefly present the University’s Christian philosophy of education:
- Ultimate reality is found beyond man in the Triune God who created and now sustains all things.
- Mankind is morally depraved and is dependent upon and answerable to a holy God. Every human has the capacity of knowing God.
- The Bible, God’s inerrant, authoritative revelation to man, provides the essence of truth.
- Disciplined, empirical study in all disciplines is valuable and helps to develop perspective, knowledge, and skill; it is always wise to examine the presuppositions and world views that influence researchers in the sciences and the creative aspects of the various arts.
- The objective of Christian Education is to glorify God through salvation, maturation and service.
- The Bible is the core and integrating factor for the entire curriculum.
- The teacher and student are both significant in the educative process with the Holy Spirit being the chief source for both.
- Each faculty member is committed to excellence, theological soundness, and spiritual fervor, no matter under which academic discipline the instructor teaches.
- The University is committed to the local church as the primary agency through which God works.
- The alumni are considered a strategic force within the home, the church, and the world.
This dynamic philosophy of education has been affirmed through 63 years. Grace University remains committed to offering an education that is distinctively biblical.
http://www.graceuniversity.edu/about_us/who_we_are/educational_goals_and_values.shtml
Servant Leadership Training
Grace University recognizes that as a part of academic excellence, students need to develop practical skills for effective service. This is best accomplished through “hands-on” ministry. Weekly Servant Leadership Training provides students with field experience in a variety of ministries and opportunities to apply what they have learned in the classroom in actual ministry situations.
The general objectives of Servant Leadership Training for students:
- Become involved in ministries of evangelism and edification
- Discover, develop and use his/her spiritual gifts
- Demonstrate personal responsibility and accountability in ministry
- Develop character traits and ministry skills essential for effective service
Servant Leadership Training is an integral part of the total educational program of the University; therefore it is listed along with all other courses students are expected to complete.
What Makes Grace University Different
The education offered at Grace University differs from a secular liberal arts education or even a Christian liberal arts education in a number of ways. Students should note the following distinctive characteristics:
Academic Focus
Grace University gives primary focus to the Bible with the humanities and sciences serving as a supportive role. With its focus on the Bible, integration and life application, Grace University emphasizes basic life skills development for the home and family, active involvement in a local church as an expression of commitment to community, and Christian character development with a critical thinking and ethical mind for the work place.
Integration of Knowledge and Skills
At Grace University, the Bible is the integrating dynamic of the curriculum. Each bachelor level student at Grace University pursues a double major — the first in Biblical Studies and the second in a professional or vocational field of his/her choice.
On this integrated foundation of Biblical Studies and General Education, professional studies are added in order to round out the entry-level professional for his or her work place. These professional studies also provide leadership development skills and life-long learning skills whereby the student will not simply be limited to his initial vocational responsibilities. With time and maturity, the graduates become ideal first level supervisors and managers, and some mature into key leadership roles within their vocational fields.
Personal Spiritual Life
Grace University places heavy emphasis upon spiritual formation and ministry skill development regardless of the vocational direction a student has chosen. Spiritual formation includes a lifestyle of daily quiet time to read Scripture, meditation, prayer, and the pursuit of a worshipful focus on God. Spiritual formation also includes development of a Christ-honoring lifestyle including self-discipline, ethical decision-making, and abstaining from behavior and attitudes that Scripture calls “sin.”
Ministry skill development includes development of one’s ability to share one’s faith with others, to speak about and teach Scripture publicly in a variety of ministry settings, and to engage in Christian worship with sensitivity to various traditions and styles. Grace University offers a complement of weekly chapels, called Grace L.I.F.E. (Life Integration For Excellence), a Fall Bible Conference, a Spring World Christian Conference, a Day of Prayer each semester, lectureships and forums, campus mentoring programs, and support of church ministries throughout the local area to help facilitate the development of the student’s spiritual life and ministry skills.
Faculty Commitments
Like other institutions of higher education, Grace University prides itself in its faculty and the academic freedom each has in accomplishing his/her duties in the classroom, in research, and in community service. What distinguishes Grace’s faculty is not their academic achievements, but their desire to devote those achievements to Christ, local churches and global missions, and the theological position of Grace University. Faculty see themselves as key role models for students of godliness as well as scholarship.
Accreditation
Grace University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Chicago, Illinois. On June 29, 2009 Grace University was informed by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools that the Higher Learning Commission approved the site team’s recommendation to re-affirm accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association through 2018-2019.
The University is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education, Orlando, Florida with the current accreditation period running through 2016.
Memberships
- American and Nebraska Associations of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
- Association of Christian Schools International
- Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Nebraska
- Christian Librarian’s Fellowship
- Christian Camping International
- Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
- Evangelical Training Association
- National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
- Nebraska Association of Colleges of Teacher Education
- Nebraska Council for Teacher Education
- Nebraska Independent College Foundation
- Nebraska Independent College Library Consortium
Articulation Agreements
Grace University has articulation agreements and special academic relationships with the following institutions and organizations:
- The American Association of Christian Counseling and the Center for Biblical Counseling, Forest, Virginia
- Bellevue University; Bellevue, Nebraska (several Cooperative Programs)
- Bethsaida Excavation Project; Kibbutz Ginnosar, Israel
- Camp Forest Springs; Westboro, Wisconsin (Camping Ministry Program)
- Clarkson College; Omaha, Nebraska (Nursing Cooperative Program)
- Creighton University; Omaha, Nebraska
- Focus on the Family Institute; Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Jerusalem University College; Jerusalem, Israel
- Metro Community College; Omaha, Nebraska
- Nebraska Christian College, Omaha, Nebraska
- Shepherd Ministries; Dallas, Texas
- Shepherd of the Ozarks; Harriet, Arkansas
- Sioux Falls Seminary, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- University of Nebraska at Omaha; Omaha, Nebraska
Campus Demographics
Some facts from the Fall 2010 Registrars’ Annual Report:
- More than 30 different denominations and faith groups were represented among the students.
- The top five denominational categories were:
- Baptist, all - 75
- Evangelical Free - 57
- Christian Missionary Alliance - 41
- Assemblies of God - 28
- Lutheran, all – 28
- The top five states by enrollment were:
- Nebraska - 318
- Iowa - 57
- South Dakota - 17
- North Dakota - 14
- Colorado – 10
- Transfer students made up 30% of the incoming class.
- There were 140 part time students (29% of the student body).
- The FTE (full time equivalency) was 430.
- There were 101 married students. Married students made up 21% of the student body.
- Thirteen percent of the students self-identified as an ethnic minority.
Athletics
Grace University offers intercollegiate basketball and soccer for men; basketball and volleyball for women. These teams compete in Division II in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).
Facility
Overview
Grace University is a compact urban campus in Omaha, Nebraska. The Campus is located approximately two blocks from the historical downtown business district, and only nine blocks from the Botanical Gardens. It is also within walking distance to the Qwest Center and the TD Ameritrade Park, new home of the College World Series. This urban campus has seen over $11,000,000 in new construction, remodeling and renovation upgrades during the past eight years.
Dorms and Facilities
Currently, the campus has 185 dormitory rooms for students within Harder Hall, Rieger Hall, Stanford Hall and Schmidt Hall. Campus facilities also include:
- Modern classrooms of various sizes
- A campus library with a variety of resources for students and faculty
- Learning labs for computer usage and music
- Curriculum labs for teacher and church education
- The Suckau Chapel for corporate and personal worship and prayer
- The Dirks Student Lounge for students to meet and study
- The Duerksen Dining Commons
- Administrative and faculty offices
- Green space and parking areas
- The Jim Classen gymnasium, with double NCAA approved courts for tournament play and seating for 800 (dedicated in August, 2003)
Doctrinal Overview
As a Christ-centered educational institution, Grace University consciously recognizes and submits itself to the Scriptures. The University does not require students to agree with all the nuances of its Doctrinal Statement but are asked to subscribe to these seven primary doctrines:
- The Trinity
- The Full Deity and Humanity of Jesus Christ
- The Spiritual Lostness of the Human Race
- The Substitutionary Atonement and the Bodily Resurrection of Christ
- Salvation by Faith Alone
- The Physical and Visible Return of Christ
- The Authority and Inerrancy of Scripture
Faculty will teach with the full Doctrinal Statement in mind, but a warm dialogue with students of varying backgrounds who subscribe to the above positional statements is welcomed.
Members of the Board of Trustees, the Administration, and the Faculty are required to annually affirm, in good conscience, the Institutional Doctrinal Statement in writing.
THE SEARCH AND SELECTION PROCESS
The Selection Committee is made up of members of the Board of Trustees and the Search Advisory Committee has representatives from the Faculty, Staff, Students and Trustees. Together the Selection and Search Advisory committees will interview the final candidates, and then with the benefit of input from the Search Advisory Committee, the Selection Committee is expected to choose a candidate to recommend to the Board of Trustees.
Assisting in the search is Bruce Dingman, President of The Dingman Company, Inc., (www.dingman.com), an executive search firm which has a successful track record of numerous similar searches.
Hopefully this process will be completed by April 2012. The new President is expected to assume the position July 1, 2012, and the official inauguration will occur in the fall of 2012.
We wish to thank The Search Advisory Committee members and others for their contribution on content used in creating this document. |
