WINONA LAKE - Grace College has been awarded a $2,343,000 grant from Lilly Endowment in Indianapolis.

The grant is the largest foundation grant ever received by Grace College and will be used to build a residence hall which also will house student services offices.

The college plans to integrate residential living for underclassmen from Indiana with student services. Departments such as the financial aid office, the registrar's office and career services will be located in the new building.

The building also will help provide for Grace's increasing student population. This year, the number of new students grew by 22.3 percent over last year's numbers.

"This grant will enable Grace College to move forward strategically by encouraging Indiana students to enroll, persist, graduate and become employed in Indiana," said Grace President Dr. Ronald E. Manahan of the $2.3 million grant. "Grace is very grateful to the Lilly Endowment."

The grant is expected to cover 70 percent of the construction cost for the building.

Grace College is one of 18 private Indiana colleges and universities that received funds from the Lilly Endowment as a part of their capital improvements program. Projects such as the construction and renovation of campus buildings to buying scientific and technological equipment were approved for the 18 colleges.

In addition to this program, the foundation also approved $21.9 million in grants to 20 institutions in the Indiana College Preparatory Program, which awarded funds to projects and programs that help prepare young people to succeed in college.

Both programs are continuing efforts in the Endowment's long-standing interest in raising the education attainment level of Indiana citizens.

Since 1966 the Lilly Endowment has made a commitment in this arena of nearly $223 million. [[In-content Ad]]