Grace College Dialing in Liberal Arts, STEM Mix

The president of Grace College says the Winona Lake institution is being more intentional about blending traditional liberal arts offerings with "a vocational direction." Bill Katip says new programs and major investments focusing on science — such as the $8 million Dr. Dane A. Miller Science Complex, which is set to open next week — represent "the changing face, but also the reality," of providing a modern liberal arts education. Katip, who was joined on Inside INdiana Business With Gerry Dick by Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams Director Nate Bosch, says the science, technology, engineering and math emphasis increased more than a decade ago and continues today. He says the combination with the "Grace core" satisfies the business community and families.

"For years — about three decades — we had strong pre-med and pre-health professional programs and really starting about 11 years ago now, bringing in the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams we felt we wanted to expand. We had some experience and we could bring that excellence to other areas," he said. In the last year and a half, Grace has announced new associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in agribusiness, a mechanical engineering program and an associate’s degree in ministry leadership.

Grace College is nearing the completion of its $37 million Aspire Campaign, which hit the public phase in late-2016. It is the largest ever fundraising effort undertaken by the school.