Enduring Times of Great Change and Challenge

I trust this message finds you in good spirits. In my role as the Chair of the Board of Trustees, I wanted to share my thoughts on some of the latest developments at Graceland.

First and foremost, the Board of Trustees is so excited about the gains we have seen on the Lamoni campus — our largest incoming class in eight years! Graceland’s ability to evolve and tackle challenges in innovative and collaborative ways reach every corner of the University. The energy we feel from new faculty and the impact they are having in the classroom and the community is felt by the trustees. Speaking of trustees, I am so thrilled by the diversity of thought and capabilities offered by our six newest trustees (read more here) and the three we added last year.

Our University’s success is made possible by the hard work of the faculty, staff, and administration at Graceland, but also by the generosity and support of all of you. Thank you for your unwavering help in the pursuit of our mission. As a board, we have challenged the organization to be innovative and take thoughtful risks that challenge our status quo, and we see the institution responding.

“Graceland’s ability to evolve and tackle challenges in innovative and collaborative ways reach every corner of the University.”

MICHAEL R. WILEY, PhD, ’83

When the Board approved Graceland’s tuition transformation earlier this year, one trustee remarked that it was probably the most significant decision we would make during our tenure. Time will tell whether that is true or not, but it certainly is the right decision for this moment in time. It provides greater access to the Graceland Experience that we all hold dear and will build more transformational leaders for the future.

The last several years have seen our beloved University endure times of great change and challenge. But the collaborative work that has been done and continues to happen on behalf of Graceland by faculty, staff, administrators, and those who love Graceland is strengthening our institution for the future. We are becoming more nimble, growth-oriented, data-driven, less siloed, and ready to respond to the urgent challenges of the future.

Your input, as valued alumni and friends, is of great importance to us. Your experiences and perspectives have played a pivotal role in shaping Graceland’s past, and we hold them in the highest regard as we look to the future. We invite you to share your thoughts and ideas on the tuition transformation and any other aspects of Graceland that matter to you at feedback@graceland.edu. Your feedback will guide our efforts to create an even more vibrant and innovative educational community.

Thank you for being an essential part of the Graceland community. We appreciate your continued support, and we eagerly anticipate hearing your thoughts on the exciting changes ahead.

Michael R. Wiley, PhD, ’83
Chair, Graceland University Board of Trustees