Grantham University

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Grantham University (GU)
Motto Praestantia et Eruditio (Latin for Excellence and Knowledge)
Established 1951
Type For-profit
President Joseph McGrath[1]
Students 13,690
Location Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Colors Yellow and blue
Mascot Talon
Website www.grantham.edu

Grantham University is a for-profit university based in Kansas City, Missouri, that offers online distance-learning degree programs. Grantham University was founded in 1951. Today, the university is organized into four different schools: the Mark Skousen School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the School of Nursing and Allied Health.[2] 24 undergraduate and 14 graduate programs are offered. The student body comes from the 50 US states and 106 countries and includes military and Department of Defense personnel. In 2006, eLearning World University Rankings ranked Grantham University 13th out of 27 US distance education programs.[3] In its 2008 edition, KMI Media Group/Military Advanced Education ranked the university's undergraduate program 10th out of 20 military-friendly universities.[4][5] In 2010, the KMI Media Group listed Grantham in its Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities for the fourth year in a row.[6]

According to the latest data published by the National Center for Education Statistics, a component of the U.S. Department of Education, submitted in the spring of 2012, Grantham University has an overall graduation rate of 33% for students who began their studies in 2005-2006.[7]

History

Beginnings

Donald Grantham, founder of Grantham University

Grantham University started as Grantham Radio License School, a private school founded in 1951, in Los Angeles, CA.[8] Its founder, Donald Grantham, was an engineer and World War II veteran who offered Federal Communications Commission License certification courses to other World War II veterans after returning from the war.[9] In 1961, the university received formal recognition by the U.S. Department of Education.[10]

Expansion and growth

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, additional campuses were opened in Washington, D.C.; Seattle, Washington; Kansas City, Missouri; and Hollywood,California. The Grantham School of Electronics (GSE) became accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council. In 1968, the GSE was renamed to Grantham College of Engineering (GCE). A second Los Angeles campus was erected in 1974. In 1990, GCE received its license to operate by the Louisiana Board of Regents. In 1993, GCE relocated to the state of Louisiana in Slidell.

Recent history

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit Grantham University's main campus in Slidell, Louisiana, destroying approximately eighty percent of their facilities. Days later, more than 140 employees had the university up and running again in temporary offices in Kansas City, Missouri. Many of them drove all night to make the 900 miles (1,400 km) journey to Kansas City.[11]

After Hurricane Katrina, Grantham continued to serve its more than 8,000 students, without interruption—as described in the Harvard International Review.[12] The university decided to relocate to Kansas City permanently, and secured a certificate to operate from the Missouri Department of Higher Education.[13]

June 2006, Grantham University signed articulation agreements with Bellevue University of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Central Wyoming College of Riverton, Wyoming.[14]

September 2006, the university enrolled its oldest student, 83-year-old John "Jack" Childs. He had already earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at MIT in 1944.[15]

Grantham University in January 2007 signed a memorandum of understanding with the Defense Acquisition University (DAU)[16] to accept educational credit earned through successful completion of DAU courses and programs as transfer or elective credit at Grantham University.[17] November 2007, the university participates in numerous programs, such as GoArmyEd, Marine Corps Academic Explorer, and The Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (CCAF); has been recognized as a provisional school in the Navy College Distance Learning Program; and is a member of the National Association of Institutes for Military Education Services.[18][19]

In November 2010, Grantham University was ranked 93 out of 100 in the “Best for Vets: Colleges 2010” list compiled by Military Times EDGE. .[20] 4,000 institutions of higher learning were invited to submit information about their veterans programs, policies and resources, and then the top 100 schools were named. Colleges and universities were evaluated on four criteria: financial assistance, academic flexibility, campus culture, and support services.

Grantham University received the Innovative Best Practice/New Program Award for its VIP2 and SSS training modules at the Annual Achievement Awards ceremony hosted by APSCU on June 8, 2011.[21] Grantham graduate, First Sergeant Louis Sidney, Jr., was honored with the Hall of Fame Award. The university also received an honorable mention in the category of Community Service for its Grantham Gives Back charitable initiative.

In January 2012, Military Advanced Education magazine listed Grantham University in its 5th Annual Guide to Top Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities. This marks the fifth consecutive year Grantham University has achieved the distinction.[22]

As of 2012, Grantham houses staff at two locations in Kansas City. The main location houses administrative offices and student support staff. The second location houses the book distribution center.[23]

Academics

The College of Engineering and Computer Science oversees number of different programs, including associate degrees, bachelor degrees and course offerings from project management, digital systems, and electronic communications. Classes are 100% online. Grantham's college of engineering and computer science is unaccredited by ABET, the recognized accreditor for programs in computing, engineering, technology, and applied sciences.[24]

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest college. The arts and sciences courses offered are aimed at strengthening basic skills in writing, speaking, critical thinking and quantitative reasoning. The arts courses include writing and communication, while the sciences include knowledge of the natural world and human civilization.

Accreditation

Grantham University has been nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) since 1961.[25]

People

Students

As of October 2011, Grantham University's student enrollment was 13,690.[26] Tuition and fees for 2011 undergraduate tuition costs are $265 per credit hour for in-state and out-of-state tuition that includes a Textbook and Software Grant. 2011 graduate tuition costs were $325 per credit hour for in-state tuition, and out-of-state tuition.[27] Today, over 77 corporations and government agencies pay tuition reimbursement to the university.[28][29]

Faculty

Grantham University employs 15 full-time and 213 part-time faculty.[30][31] Many of them hold specialized certifications, master's degrees, doctorates, or professional engineer licenses.[31] Faculty are responsible for lecturing classes, advising both graduate and undergraduate students, and sitting on academic committees, as well as conducting original research. Among current faculty and teaching staff, Russ Meade, received the Tegrity Grant from McGraw-Hill. He has taught and developed over 22 different courses on all major distance learning platforms and has presented numerous papers on “Quality and Distance Learning”.[32] In 2009, Grantham University elected its newest Board of Governors member Thomas Rhame.[33]

Alumni

Grantham alumni have been employed in the fields of government, law, science, business, writing, computer science, and health care,among others. Several alumni have achieved great accomplishments and businesses. A 1960 graduate, Dick Booth, a licensed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) radio engineer had his own highly rated television show called Teen Date. Teen Date was aired on KPIC-TV CBS4 television station located in Roseburg, Oregon. A 1961 graduate, Mr. Winchester's Tele-Car business became the fastest-growing mobile communications firm in the Northwest called "Tele-Car.

  • Mr. Robert Winchester, an engineer, founded mobile Tele-car. 1961 Grantham University School of Electronics graduate.

  • Mr. Dick Booth, a licensed FCC engineer/announcer for KPIC-TV. 1960, hosted TV show "Teen Date"

Student life

Media

The campus newsletter, the News & Views, was published monthly as student and alumni news articles and events during the first day of the month of the school year following the academic calendar. (No issues are published during Spring Break or Winter Break.) The News & Views started its volume two issue one in late March 2005. The majority of subscribers are students that could read Grantham University's important issues, student spotlights, and organizational activities worldwide. The newsletter also was used to celebrate accomplishments, reflect on the past, and most importantly, inform its students about the university's on-going future direction. In April 2009, after the passing of Brigadier General David “Bull” Baker[34] (USAF Retired) who served on Grantham University’s Military Board of Advisors and Board of Governors the student newsletter stopped its print. Today, issues and news are accessed through Grantham University's new student and alumni portal called "GLife". This new technology is used as a variety of resources such as listing courses, new announcements, student account and alumni information.

References

  1. ↑ "Grantham University Welcomes New President". Grantham University. 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-30. 
  2. ↑ "About GU". Grantham University. 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-11. 
  3. ↑ "Modeling eLearning World Rankings" (PDF). USDLA - Distance Learning Association. 2003. Retrieved 2006. 
  4. ↑ "MAE Top 20 Universities Rankings" (PDF). Military Advanced Education. 2008. Retrieved 2008. 
  5. ↑ "Top 20 military friendly colleges". Higher ed Assessment. 7 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
  6. ↑ "4th Annual Guide to Military Friendly Universities Rankings" (PDF). Military Advanced Education. 2010. Retrieved 2011. 
  7. ↑ "College Navigator - Grantham University". Nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2013-05-03. 
  8. ↑ "A Chronology of University History at Grantham University". Grantham University Archives. Retrieved 2010-02-14. 
  9. ↑ "About Grantham University". CollegeCrunch.org. Retrieved 2010-02-14. 
  10. ↑ "Accreditation history". U.S. Dept of Education. Retrieved 2010-02-26. 
  11. ↑ "Grantham University Relocates to Kansas City in Aftermath of Katrina: 1926-2001". Grantham University Newsletter. 2001. Retrieved 2005-10-01. 
  12. ↑ "The Future of Urbanization. How Tele-technology is Shaping a New Urban Order". Harvard International Review. 2002-2008. Retrieved 2009-10-09. 
  13. ↑ "Grantham University Relocates to Kansas City". Business Wire. April 7, 2006. Retrieved 2009-10-09. 
  14. ↑ "Grantham University Signs Articulation Agreements with Bellevue University and Central Wyoming College Newsletter". Business Wire. June 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-01. 
  15. ↑ "Student Spotlight, Mr. Jack Childs, GU Newsletter 2006". Grantham University. September 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-30. 
  16. ↑ "Memorandum of Understanding Between GU and DAU". Grantham University. January 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-01. 
  17. ↑ "Grantham University Partners with the Defense Acquisition University". Grantham University. January 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-01. 
  18. ↑ National Association of Institutes for Military Education Services (NAIMES)., 2009. Retrieved on 2009-10-30.
  19. ↑ "AU-ABC Program, 2007 GU Newsletter". Grantham University. November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-02. 
  20. ↑ "Best for Vets: Colleges 2010". Military Times EDGE. November 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-04. 
  21. ↑ "APSCU Announces Winners of 2011 Annual Achievement Awards". APSCU. May 27, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-04. 
  22. ↑ "2012 GUIDE TO TOP MILITARY-FRIENDLY COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES". Military Advanced Education. 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-30. 
  23. ↑ "Grantham University time-line". Grantham University. December 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-30. 
  24. ↑ http://www.abet.org/AccredProgramSearch/AccreditationSearch.aspx
  25. ↑ "Directory of Accredited Institutions". DETC. Retrieved 2010-10-11. 
  26. ↑ "Military Friendly Schools". Retrieved 2011-10-04. 
  27. ↑ "GU Tuition and Fees". Grantham University. 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-04. 
  28. ↑ "GU Corporate Programs". Grantham University. 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-10. 
  29. ↑ "U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association Corporate Membership". U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association Online. December 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-01. 
  30. ↑ "Part-Time Faculty". Grantham University. Retrieved 2010-10-11. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "All GU Faculty". Grantham University. Retrieved 2010-10-11. 
  32. ↑ "Russ Meade, McGraw-Hill Tegrity Grant". Grantham University. Retrieved 2010-02-10. 
  33. ↑ "Thomas Rhame". Grantham University. Retrieved 2009-06-12. 
  34. ↑ "Brigadier General David "Bull" Baker". Grantham University. February 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-01. 

External links

Coordinates: 36°40′37″N 94°35′46″W / 36.67694°N 94.59611°W / 36.67694; -94.59611

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