Timeline of Graceland UniversityLamoni, Decatur County, Iowa |
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December 31, 1888. Graceland's Articles of
Incorporation were first read. April 11, 1890. Graceland College established by RLDS General Conference Resolution Number 335. This resolution empowered the "College Board" to make all necessary arrangements toward the establishment of an educational institution. April 11, 1890. Graceland's first Board of Directors, then known as the "College Board," appointed by RLDS General Conference Resolution Number 339. Members of the "College Board" were: president Bishop G. A. Blakeslee, treasurer David Dancer and secretary Robert Winning. Edmund L. Kelley and Robert Winning were the committee on subscription lists.< April 30, 1890. Graceland's "College Board" met for their first meeting. 1895. First plan for Graceland's campus layout was submitted by Kenneth F. Jones of Davenport, Iowa. May 2, 1895. The "College Board" was renamed the Board of Trustees. May 2, 1895. Col. George Barrett, who surveyed the land for the college, suggested the name "Graceland College" because of the graceful slope of the hill upon which the college would be built. The Board of Trustees cast their vote and approved the name "Graceland College" on this date. June 6, 1895. First Board of Directors meeting held at 9 a.m. in Herald Hall, Lamoni. September 17, 1895. First day of classes for Graceland College. Classes were held in rented rooms of the France Building uptown Lamoni because the "College Building" had not been constructed yet. Enrollment was 18 men and women. November 12, 1895. Cornerstone laying ceremony held for the Administration Building, then known as the "College Building." September 5, 1896. Professor Mark H. Forscutt was appointed as Graceland's first dean of the college. January 1, 1897. The "College Building" was dedicated with a grand ceremony. January 2, 1897. Classes were held for the first time on the campus within the new "College Building" although not all of the interior work had been completed. January 5, 1897. A daughter is born to Graceland's janitor Frank Bradfield and wife, who lived in the janitor's quarters in the basement of the Administration Building. The newborn was named Graceland Marcine Bradfield. June 15, 1898. Graceland's first commencement exercises were held in the Lamoni RLDS Red Brick Church with one graduate, Frederick Madison Smith. December 10, 1900. The Board of Trustees permitted student Clayton Frisby the privilege of sleeping in a room within the Administration Building, the beginning of Graceland's dormitory system. September 6, 1901. First mention of a museum which was located on the third floor of the Administration Building. 1903. Normal department, later renamed the education department, was organized with Ruth L. Smith the first instructor and Professor Charles B. Woodstock as department head. 1903-04. Athenian Arena, Graceland's first student publication as a separate work of journalism, runs from March of 1903 until it was discontinued in 1904. May 6, 1905. The Board of Trustees approved the construction of Marietta Residence Hall on-campus. Fall of 1906. Two dozen hens were donated to the college which was the beginning of Graceland's Farm. 1906. Graceland College Bulletin, Graceland's alumni newsletter, began publication. 1906. Official on-campus housing, referred to as "hotel facilities", were initiated within the Administration Building for $2,50 a week room and board. Fall 1906. Construction began on Marietta Hall. 1907. Electricity installed in the Administration Building. October 5, 1907. Graceland purchased the 40-acre Weable farm located next to the college for $3,950. 1907. Graceland purchased Marietta Walker's original farmhouse that stood at the southeast intersection of College Avenue and the old road that led to the east side of the Administration Building. It was called "East Hall" and "Walker Hall." January 4, 1908. E. D. Moore was elected superintendent of Graceland's farm. 1909. Patroness Hall was completed at a dormitory for women students. It was named in recognition of the Patroness Society, area women who substantially helped the college and her students. 1909. A house was moved on-campus [site where Walker's Hall north parking lot is located, 2015] and used as a residence by Marietta Walker. September 13, 1909. A bookstore and snack shop opened in the northwest corner of the basement in the Administration Building. 1909-1910. New cases were installed in the museum located on the third floor of the Administration Building. 1910. Graceland's nursing program was established with the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital located in Independence, Missouri. 1911. The Coliseum Theater is built downtown Lamoni. December 4, 1912. The monthly publication of the student body under the direction of the Booster Club, Graceland Messenger, makes its debut. 1912. Graceland's yearbook, the Acacia, is first published and dedicated to college president Jeremiah A. Gunsolley. 1912-1913. B. I. C. House, located on Graceland's farm, was formed as a 10-member men's dormitory and resided at the farmhouse for one year. 1912-1913. A portion of the basement in the Administration Building was outfitted into a gym for boxing and wrestling. The northwest corner of the basement was converted into a bookstore and snack shop. June, 1913. A silo, donated by T. A. Hougas of the Board of Trustees, was built on Graceland's Farm. 1914. Graceland Messenger is discontinued. 1915. Graceland purchased Marietta Walker's residence and converted it into a women's dormitory named Arbor Villa. June 3, 1915. Graceland's first associate of arts degree (as a junior college) was held at the Coliseum Theatre with six graduates. 1916. A fountain was presented to Graceland by the Class of 1915 and formally presented by the Class of 1916. 1917. Graceland was accredited by the States of Iowa and Missouri and from the North Centeral Association of Colleges. Thus, Graceland became the first fully accredited junior college in the State of Iowa. December, 1919. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Briggs Hall. 1920. Herald House in use as men's dormitory. October 8, 1920. Graceland Record, originally a weekly student newspaper, makes its debut. 1921. Women's dormitory Arbor Villa was converted and used as hospital space. April 18, 1921. First classes held in Briggs Hall. September, 1921. Bide-A-Wee (a.k.a. Bide-A-Way), located on the top floor of Briggs Hall, opened as a women's dormitory. September 16, 1921. Briggs Hall was dedicated. Spring of 1922. The Crescent Club was organized as an honor organization for women. Summer of 1922. During a fierce windstorm, the wires of the campus radio antennae blew down which took part of the northwest turret of the Administration Building. 1923. Arbor Villa was expanded to include offices for the college business manager and treasurer. 1923. Sunnymeade was opened as a dormitory. 1923. Graceland purchased the private home [located south of present-day Graybill Hall], and converted it into an infirmary, named "Country Club." October 30, 1925. Graceland purchases The Coliseum Theater from Charles Haskins. Ownership was transferred the following March. 1926. Graceland purchased the Banta farm. January 2, 1927. The original Patroness Hall was destroyed by fire. 1927. Sunnymeade was discontinued as a dormitory. 1927. Gables opened as a dormitory. 1927. "The Country Club," Graceland's infirmary, was converted into a women's dormitory. 1928 - 1930. The farm house located on the Banta farm was used as a men's dormitory. It was called "Banta Hall" and "Banta Place". 1929. Bide-A-Wee, located on the top floor of Briggs Hall, was discontinued as a dormitory and the rooms converted into a library and classrooms. 1929. West Hall opened as a dormitory. December 14, 1929. Marietta Walker Residence Hall opened as a new dormitory for female students. November 7, 1930. Graceland Tower, a student newspaper, makes its debut and the first issue is dedicated to the 1930 homecoming. 1934. Arbor Villa was remodeled. Summer of 1935. Graceland's first football field was prepared. 1936. Albert Hoxie of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, donated Graceland's first college flag. 1936. Jensen Hall, located at 305 South State Street, Lamoni, opened as a dormitory. May 21, 1937. Graceland's first lamp post was donated by the Class of 1937. Summer of 1938. Graceland contracted to use the two-story house at 408 South State Street as a men's dormitory, named Dancer Hall. Summer of 1938. A 100-foot flag pole was donated by the Classes of 1925-1932 and erected west of the Administration Building and dedicated the following September. 1938. Royce Hall opened as a dormitory. 1938. Banta Hall was discontinued as a dormitory. 1938. The first section of bleachers were erected at the football field. Summer of 1939. Graceland's second fountain was constructed near the west door of the Administration Building. 1939. The Science Department and the chemistry laboratory moved to the basement of Zimmerman Hall. 1939. Ed Dillon purchased "Dancer Hall" and renamed it "Dillon Hall." 1941. The Alumni Tower, an alumni publication, begins publication. 1941. Jensen Hall was discontinued as a dormitory. 1941. North Hall opened as a dormitory. Fall, 1941. Graceland purchased a large panel van, dubbed "the Orange Crate," which was used to transport students living off-campus at North Hall and Herald Hall to campus and back. September, 1941. North Hall, the original Saint's Home on Silver Street in Lamoni, opened as a men's dormitory. 1942-1943. "The Country Club" was utilized as a hospital reserve. 1942. Midway through the 1942-43 school year, Dillon Hall was vacated due to the loss of students who entered the armed forces during World War II. 1943. North Hall was used as a women's dormitory. 1945-1960. Herald House used as women's dormitory. September 17, 1945. Graceland observed her 50th anniversary with a program held at the Coliseum Theater in downtown Lamoni. September 27, 1945. Graceland's new adopted flag was dedicated and flew over the Administration Building after a flag service. 1946. Graceland converted the former Hyde and Vredenburg bakery building, located north of the grain silos downtown Lamoni, into a men's dormitory named Baker Hall. 1946. Marietta Hall, also called East Hall, was discontinued as a dormitory building. October, 1946. The Tower replaces the Graceland Tower as the college's student newspaper. June, 1947. Frontiers, an alumni publication, begins publication. October, 1948. Kelley Hall was constructed. October 24, 1948. Groundbreaking ceremonies held for Memorial Student Center held during homecoming weekend. May, 1948. The Graceland Bulletin was published, promoting the construction of the Memorial Student Center> 1948. Royce Hall was discontinued as a dormitory. September, 1948. Graceland College Bulletin, an alumni publication, makes its debut. 1949. The Memorial Student Center was completed and opened. 1949. Central Hall opened as a dormitory and was used for the 1949-50 school year. October 16, 1949. Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held for Memorial Student Center. January 8, 1950. First Sunday morning service held in Memorial Student Center. February 3, 1950. First skating event held in Memorial Student Center, sponsored by the Skate Club, a.k.a. Graceland Holy Rollers. March 12, 1950. Memorial Student Center dedicated and groundbreaking ceremonies for Gunsolley Residence Hall. September, 1950. A snack shop opened in Memorial Student Center. Fall of 1951. Construction of Gunsolley Residence Hall was completed and opened as a men's dormitory; named in honor of Graceland's original faculty member Jeremiah A. Gunsolley. 1952. North Hall was discontinued as a dormitory. 1952. Patroness Hall (the second one) was completed and opened as a women's dormitory. 1952. With the completion of Patroness Hall, North Hall (former Saint's Home) returned to the RLDS Church and was demolished shortly after the students moved out. December 1, 1952. A student laundry opened in Patroness Hall. 1953. Bill Ballantyne assumed the position of Graceland's Farm manager. March 27, 1953. A fire destroyed the barn on Graceland's Farm. 1953. Work began on a new football field. 1953-54. College Avenue, located on the north perimeter of the campus, is built. 1953-54. A print shop was added to the basement of the Administration Building. 1954. Founders Walk was laid. 1954. West Hall was discontinued as a dormitory. 1954. Arbor Villa was remodeled and modernized. 1955. The New Platz-Mortimor Science Building opened. 1955-56. Room #202 of the Administration Building was converted into a meditation chapel with a seating capacity of 30. 1956. Work on a new football field was completed. July 2, 1956. Lightning struck a tree which fell onto Arbor Villa. The structure was destroyed beyond repair. September, 1956. Burgess Hall, located in the east wing of Patroness Residence Hall, was formed and named in honor of former Graceland College president Samuel A. Burgess. September, 1956, Burton Place, named in honor of missionaries Joseph and Emma Burton, was formed and located at the south end, third floor of Walker Residence Hall. September, 1956. Carlile Manor, named in honor of Mabel Carlile Hyde who was the director and music instructor for 30 years, was formed and located in the north and east portions of the first floor of Walker Residence Hall. September, 1956. The Derry's hall was formed to honor missionary and apostle Charles Derry, and was located on the south first floor of Walker Residence Hall. September, 1956. Garver Hall, located on the first floor of Gunsolley Residence Hall, was formed and named to honor John Garver, an apostle, member of the First Presidency, Lamoni RLDS Stake president and president of Graceland's Board of Trustees. September, 1956. McDowell House was formed and resided at Baker Hall west. The house was named to honor Floyd M. McDowell, first dean of Graceland when it was a junior college and a member of the RLDS First Presidency. September, 1956. Forscutt House, named in honor of Graceland's first dean Mark Forscutt, was formed and located on the second floor of the north side of Gunsolley Residence Hall. September, 1956. Irwin House, located in the west wing of Patroness Residence Hall, was formed and named in honor of Charles E. Irwin Sr., who taught history, preparatory, normal and economics courses from 1912 to 1918 and 1920 to 1923. September, 1956. The off-campus unit of Williams, Butts, Pearson and Hughes homes was named Anthony Place to honor Joe H. Anthony, director of Graceland's band an orchestra 1917-1942 and composer of Graceland's Yellow Jacket Song. 1956-1957. Graceland began using a two-story concrete block house at 201 East 1st Street as a women's dormitory, named Derry Hall. 1957. Ullery Hall opened as a men's dormitory. 1957. Tower Apartments opened as a dormitory for married students. April, 1959. Construction began on Big G Lake. Fall, 1959. Chapel in the Grove was completed. Fall, 1959. "The Country Club" was converted into a women's dormitory. 1959-1960. Ricker Hall was used as a dormitory. 1950-1960. Founders Lake was constructed. 1960's. Derry Hall closed as a dormitory. 1960. Weldon's Hall opened as a dormitory. 1960. Graceland became a four-year college. 1960. South wing of new women's dormitory, Tess Morgan Hall, was completed. The dormitory was named in honor of Tess Morgan who taught English at Graceland for 33 years and served as dean of women. March 5, 1960. The Board of Trustees approved a remodeling project for Baker Hall. April, 1960. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Floyd M. McDowell Commons were observed. 1960-1963. Herald House used as men's dormitory. April 24, 1961. The Floyd M. McDowell Commons was completed and the first meals were served. The building was named in honor of Floyd Marion McDowell, a member of the church's First Presidency and Graceland's Board of Trustees from 1922 to 1952. May 14, 1961. The Floyd M. McDowell Commons was dedicated. Summer of 1961. Construction began on east addition to Memorial Student Center. October, 1961. The laundry was moved from Patroness Hall to the recently vacated dining room at Walker Hall. 1961. Graceland's first counseling center is created in the Administration Building. November/December 1961. The Graceland Alumni Magazine was published. January 28, 1962. The east-side addition of the Memorial Student Center officially opened. October, 1962. The first residence hall houses were established. Summer of 1963. College Avenue was paved up to the Administration Building. January/February 1964. The Graceland Alumni Newsletter was published. It was published only one time. Summer of 1965. Baker Hall was remodeled and became a women's dormitory. Summer of 1965. Meditation Chapel moved from Administration Building to north portion of Memorial Student Center. July 20, 1965. Ground was broken for the Frederick Madison Smith Library. Fall of 1965. Construction of Gunsolley Annex is completed and opened as a men's dormitory annex of Gunsolley Hall. 1965-1971. Herald House again becomes a women's dormitory. July 20, 1966. Books and material was moved into the new The Frederick Madison Smith Library. The library opened the following September. 1966-1967. Last mention of Derry Hall in Graceland's college catalog. 1966-1967. Laundry facilities were moved to the north wing addition of Tess Morgan Hall. January 18, 1967. Last two wings of Tess Morgan Hall are completed. January 18, 1967. Baker Hall, no longer needed with the completion of on-campus Tess Morgan Hall, closed. It was used by the Farmers Co-Op and The Lamoni Chronicle until it was torn down in 1989. 1968. Graceland's bachelor's degree program in nursing was established. 1968-69. Graceland's campus was extended to Independence, Missouri with the establishment of the college's bachelor's degree program. The Independence campus was located upon three different sites before the present building on West Truman Road was constructed in 1999. April 27-28, 1968. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved Graceland's faculty's recommendation that dance be accepted as a part of normal student activities on campus. May 1, 1968. President William T. "Bill" Higdon announced to Graceland's students that dancing would be permitted on campus. May 17, 1968. Graceland held her first legal on-campus dance at the Memorial Student Union with The Morticians, a popular band composed of primarily former Graceland students, performing. 1969. Graceland purchased Maple Street Building, 107 N. Maple Street, north of The Coliseum; operated as bowling alley called Graceland Community Lanes. Fall of 1969. Graceland's Independence, Missouri campus replaced the diploma program that had previously been the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital School of Nursing. 1971. Delilah, one of the college farm cows, held the Iowa record for the highest butterfat production among junior three-year-old cows. 1971. Graceland celebrates her 75th anniversary. 1971. Ullery Hall was discontinued as a men's dormitory. 1971. East Hall was renamed the Black Culture House. September, 1971. The alumni newsletter, The Gracelander, was renamed The Graceland Bulletin. Summer of 1972. The objects of many campus pranks, the campus fountains were dismantled. 1974. Herald House sold to Lamoni Public Schools. 1974. Graceland sold Graceland Community Lanes. 1974. Whispering Pines Motel was used as a dormitory complex. 1975. Three buildings known as The Units began housing students. 1975-1976. Plans were to tear down the former East Hall but with increased enrollment, it was utilized as a dormitory. June 13, 1976. The northwest turret of the Administration Building was struck by lightning. With some of the brick damaged beyond repair, the turret was resurrected but at approximately the same height as the other turrets. Spring, 1977. "The Country Club" was converted into practice rooms for college music majors. January 3, 1978. Paul and Marjorie Thompson turned over ownership of their 375-acre farm, located next to the campus, to Graceland. Fall of 1978. The Gazebo was erected south of the Swarm Inn portion of the Memorial Student Center, and removed on July 8, 1997 to make room for revisions to the college's entrance and parking area. March 1979. An addition was built onto Kelley Hall. 1978. Cheville Chapel was dedicated and named in honor of Dr. Roy A. Cheville. 1979. Patroness Hall closed as a dormitory and was converted into offices. 1979. The Coliseum Trust Board disbanded and operations for the Coliseum Theater were placed under the care of Orville Hiles, director of the Memorial Student Center. Summer of 1979. Old grayish-white shingle roof of Administration Building was replaced with imitation rustic wood shingles. October 6, 1979. Groundbreaking ceremonies held for The Shaw Center. 1980. A dam and a new aerator were added to Founders Lake. 1980. McKain Tennis Courts constructed south of the football grandstand. Named in honor of Hal McKain, 1952 Graceland graduate and Graceland basketball and tennis coach 1962-1966. September, 1980. Demolition began on former Marietta Hall built in 1906. April, 1981. "The Country Club" was sold and dismantled in 1981. April, 1981. Laundry facilities created in Graybill Hall. 1982. East Hall was demolished. 1982. The Shaw Center was completed and dedicated. 1982. Graceland's Hall of Fame established. August, 1985. Graceland's alumni newsletter changed to a magazine format and was renamed Horizons. 1985. Walker Hall, Graceland's oldest dormitory facility, closed for renovation. 1987. The Crescents revived the tradition of homecoming royalty and began overseeing the election and coronation of homecoming queen and king. 1989. Gunsolley Annex was renamed Graybill Residence Hall in honor of Dr. Bruce Graybill, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry. 1989. Graceland Partnership Program was established to offer degrees-completion programs on the campuses of Indian Hills Community College (Centerville, Iowa) and North Central Missouri College (Trenton, Missouri). July 26, 1992. Groundbreaking ceremony for the Carmichael House, residency for Graceland's president, was observed. 1994. After renovation, Walker Hall reopened. May 15, 1994. Dedication ceremony was held for the Carmichael House. Summer of 1994. The Administration Building is closed for major renovation and a facelift. The northwest turret will be restored to its original height. August, 1994. Graceland purchased Ivan and Audrey Williams' two-story home located north from the campus across College Avenue and it became the Alumni House. The home was originally constructed around the year 1968. Fall of 1995. Graceland's alumni magazine, Horizons, was renamed Graceland Horizons. January, 1996. Graceland purchased former Graceland Community Lanes building, 107 N. Maple Street; converted building into headquarters for Outreach Program Bookstore and site of college's bulk mailing operations. February, 1997. The wooden stage located at Chapel in the Grove was dismantled due to structural concerns. May 18, 1997. Graceland celebrates her 100th commencement ceremony. During the ceremony it is announced that The Administration Building was renamed the Higdon Administration Building in honor of three presidents: Earl T. Higdon (1964-1966), his son William T. "Bill" Higdon (1966-1997), and his daughter-in-law President Emerita Barbara J. (McFarlane) Higdon (1984-1991). 1999. The Col. George Barrett Disc Golf Course is established on-campus. 1999. Graceland's present building located on West Truman Road in Independence, Missouri, was constructed. June 1, 2000 - Graceland becomes Graceland University. 2002. The Leland Drennen Ackerley Outdoor Track and Field Facility constructed. 2006. Herald House demolished. 2007. Work began on the Huntsman Football Field. 2007. Herald Hall was demolished. 2009. The former math and sciences facility was renovated and re-named Research Science and Technology Hall. Fall of 2011. The Small Apartment Building and the Thomas Apartment Building opened. They were named in honor of Richard Small and Norma (Thomas) Small. May 13, 2012. Groundbreaking ceremonies held for The Shaw Center's expansion. Summer of 2012. Huntsman Football Field, named in honor of John ('62) and Sharon Huntsman, was upgraded. Homecoming, 2012. Dedication of new Shaw Center expansion. May, 2013. Hoop House was installed on the northeast corner of the campus. Summer of 2014. The property at 107 N. Maple Street uptown Lamoni was converted and opened in the fall as the Baughman Athletic Center. SOURCES: Edwards, Paul M. "The Hilltop Where . . . An Informal History of Graceland College." Venture Foundation. Lamoni, IA. 1972. Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” Herald House. Independence MO. 1997. |
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