Graceland University is a private university with campuses in Lamoni, Iowa, and Independence, Missouri. The university offers degree completion and master's degree programs at satellite campuses in Centerville and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Trenton, Missouri. It also offers undergraduate and graduate programs online. The university was founded in 1895. Graceland was established by, and is affiliated with, the Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church). Graceland's main campus in Lamoni offers over 50 academic programs, including 9 preprofessional programs and 35 undergraduate majors. The residential campus also offers 18 varsity sports, campus-wide activities, and intramural sports. The Independence campus offers graduate and undergraduate programs in the School of Nursing and the Edmund J. Gleazer School of Education. The campus is also home to programs in the Community of Christ Seminary. Patricia Draves has been Graceland's president since June 15, 2017. History Graceland University was established as Graceland College in 1895 by the RLDS Church (now Community of Christ) in Lamoni, Iowa. Land for the college was donated by church members, with the first 20 acres given by Marietta Walker. The name "Graceland" was selected by Colonel George Barrett, land surveyor for the college, for the graceful slope of the hill upon which it was built. Until the administration building was completed, classes were conducted in a building in downtown Lamoni. The first day of classes was September 17, 1895. In 1917, Graceland received accreditation from the states of Iowa and Missouri and from the North Central Association of Colleges, making it the first fully accredited junior college in Iowa. Graceland became a four-year college in 1960. Its nursing program began in 1910 as a cooperative program with the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital in Independence, MO. The Graceland campus was extended to Independence with the establishment of the college's bachelor's degree program in 1968–69. The Graceland Partnership Program, offering degree-completion programs on community college campuses, was established in 1989. In 1995, Graceland acquired SkillPath, a business training company that offers seminars and classes. Graceland College became Graceland University on June 1, 2000. Academics Reputation Graceland ranked "first tier" in U.S. News & World Reports "America's Best Colleges" in 2011, 2012 and 2013. It falls in the "Private University" category, "Midwest Region". In 2012, Graceland ranked 91st and in 2013 88th. The reports cite Graceland's small class sizes, with 72% of classes containing