Commencement ceremonies at Grace College and Theological Seminary took place at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11, in the Orthopaedic Capital Center on the Grace campus.

A brass ensemble conducted by Martin Becker provided the prelude and processional accompaniment. The ceremony, which commemorated the 75th anniversary of the college and seminary, included an invocation by Michael C. Taylor, director of the Medical and Compassion Ministries of Encompass World Partners-Three Strands and father of Kristen H. Taylor, graduating senior.

An institutional recognition was also given by James L. Custer, chairman of the Grace Board of Trustees and Ronald E. Manahan, Th.D., president of Grace College and Seminary led the commencement ceremony. The musical presentation was performed by graduating senior Rebekah Noack, accompanied by Aaron Scantlen. Matthew D. Slippy gave the benediction. Slippy is associate pastor of Youth and Family Ministries at Calvary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and father of Tara A. Slippy, graduating senior.

Grace College and Seminary’s graduating class of 2013 consisted of 431 graduates:

School of Adult and Community Education’s Prison Extension Program

• 15 received Associate of Science in Management degrees
• 56 received Bachelor of Science in Management degrees 
• 11 received Master of Education degrees 

School of Adult and Community Education

• 6 received Master of Business Administration degrees
• 24 received Master of Science in Orthopaedic Regulatory and Clinical Affairs degrees

Nursing (through Bethel College) 

• 14 received an Associate Degree

Arts and Sciences

• 37 received Bachelor of Arts degrees 
• 42 received Bachelor of Science degrees 

School of Behavioral Sciences

• 5 received Bachelor of Arts degrees 
• 37 received Bachelor of Science degrees 
• 23 received Master of Arts degrees 

School of Business

• 3 received Bachelor of Arts degrees
• 31 received Bachelor of Science degrees

School of Education

• 10 received Bachelor of Arts degrees 
• 28 received Bachelor of Science degrees

School of Ministry Studies

• 8 received Bachelor of Arts degrees 
• 25 received Bachelor of Science degrees 
• 1 received a Certificate in Biblical Studies 
• 21 received Master of Arts degrees

Theological Seminary

• 8 received Master of Arts degrees 
• 6 received Master of Divinity degrees
• 2 received Doctor of Ministry degrees 
• 18 received Doctor of Missiology degrees 

The class was comprised of students from 24 states and 16 countries, including Argentina, China, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Uzbekistan and the United States.

Of the 431 college graduates, 36 were members of the Alpha Chi Honor Society and six were the college’s first inductees into Sigma Beta Delta, an honors society for business students. A total of 163 baccalaureate degree recipients earned graduation honors and wore gold tassels, cords or sashes at the commencement ceremony.

• 11 graduated with summa cum laude honors
• 39 achieved magna cum laude honors
• 29 earned cum laude honors
• 84 earned honors in the graduate division and seminary division 

Grace College and Seminary is an evangelical Christian community of higher education that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and applies biblical values in strengthening character, sharpening competence and preparing for service. Grace College also offers flexible online graduate degrees, on-campus and online degree completion programs, and highly affordable, easily accessible two-year degree programs in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. The 180-acre main campus is located in the historic resort town of Winona Lake, near Warsaw.