A History Lesson: Grantham Was Designed for Military Students

By Brandon Swenson January 7, 2021

 

We’re proud to support military students nationwide

 

Since the Continental Army, Navy, and Marines were founded in 1775, Americans have been serving their country through military service. University of Arkansas Grantham is proud to help honor this tradition by supporting our military and veteran students as they pursue the next chapter of their lives.

In 1951, the Korean War was underway, and hundreds of thousands of World War II veterans were still in the process of transitioning to civilian life. Many Americans who had served their country were trying to figure out how to translate their military experience and skills into a career back home—and how to take advantage of the education benefits provided by the G.I. Bill of Rights.

Donald Grantham, himself a World War II veteran, understood just how powerful those education benefits could be and made it his mission to help other veterans transform their lives through school. Mr. Grantham began using his background in engineering to offer radio license certification courses for veterans. Grantham Radio License School was founded in 1951 and the Grantham tradition of serving veterans and active-duty servicemembers was born!

A History Lesson: Grantham Was Designed for Military Students

Expanding to Meet the Needs of Veterans

The school didn’t stop with radio license courses, of course. Throughout the 1960s, Grantham added school locations—as well as distance education courses—and more programming in electronics and engineering. In 1961, Grantham School of Electronics was accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, which would later become the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), who is still Grantham’s accrediting agency today.

Grantham recognized both the need for flexible postsecondary education and for an expanding array of areas of study. Particularly as technology advanced through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, there was a growing need for skilled engineers and technicians. Grantham answered the need by adding new degree programs, paths that became great options for those who had gained technical experience in a military environment—experience that could be built upon for a civilian career.

In 2002, Grantham adopted its name (Grantham University). It was then that Grantham opened its business school and opened even more doors of opportunity for students. Today, UA Grantham offers more than 50 online degree programs in a 100% online format for students all across the country.

 

Supporting Military, Supporting Heroes

At UA Grantham, we understand that postsecondary education can be critical to a future career but that there is more to success than coursework. We are honored to offer a wide range of student support services to help our students meet their goals both in and out of the virtual classroom. That includes support designed specifically for our veteran and military students, who we recognize can face unique challenges in the process of trying to succeed in school while serving our country and transitioning to civilian life. From special tuition pricing to networking opportunities designed to foster camaraderie with fellow students, the Veteran Support is dedicated to serving those who serve.

 

The Military Aid Program

Donald Grantham saw an opportunity for veterans in the G.I. Bill, and that dedication to helping students afford their education continues today. Our Military Aid Program offers military students of all branches and ranks, first responders, and civil servants (as well as their spouses and children) a special tuition rate. The program also provides complimentary textbooks, software, and technology fees. Our admissions representatives would love to help you determine your eligibility for the Military Aid Program and to enroll today.

 

University Outreach

In 2007, Grantham recognized changes within the military marketplace and founded the University Outreach department to better serve both students and employers. By helping students promote their military experience when they’re entering the job market—and helping employers and communities connect with the right candidates to meet their needs—Grantham demonstrates that hiring vets is just good business.

 

Career Services

In addition to helping students polish their resume and learn job search skills, UA Grantham’s Career Services team supports veteran and active-duty military students in learning how to grow their network and to translate their military experience into selling points for a civilian career. From participating in mock interviews to outlining career goals, the Career Services team is eager to help students and alumni alike succeed in their chosen fields.

Ready to leverage your military experience to prepare for a civilian career? Contact us< to learn more about how to get started.

 

UA Grantham and Education for Veterans: A History

UA Grantham was founded in 1951 by Donald Grantham, a World War II veteran who was committed to supporting veterans in building careers in electronics. Almost seventy years later, we are proud of our rich history of helping military students pursue an education and find success in a wide range of civilian careers.

    • 1944: G.I. Bill signed by President Roosevelt, providing important education benefits to servicemembers
    • 1945: World War II ends, leaving hundreds of thousands of veterans looking for new careers
    • 1950: Korean War begins, expanding the need for dedicated U.S. servicemembers
    • 1951: Grantham Radio License School, later Grantham School of Electronics, founded
    • 1961: Grantham accredited by DEAC to provide distance education
    • 1971: Grantham’s first associate degree awarded
    • 1976: Grantham switches to a 100% distance education model
    • 2002: Grantham’s College of Business, Management, and Economics launched
    • 2004: Grantham’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences launched
    • 2007: Grantham’s University Outreach department founded
    • 2010: Grantham’s College of Nursing and Health Professions launched
    • 2019: Grantham Heroes Program introduced

Grantham Is Honored to Serve Our Heroes

    • United States Army
    • United States Navy
    • United States Air Force
    • United States Coast Guard
    • United States Marine Corps
    • Military Reservists
    • National Guard
    • Emergency First Responders
    • Civil Servants
    • Licensed or Certified Patient Care Workers
    • … and their children and spouses.

How Grantham Supports Veterans

    • More than 50 available degree options
    • Education in a 100% online environment
    • Teaching and Learning Center available 24/7
    • Heroes Program: a special tuition rate
    • Legacy, memorial, and partner scholarships
    • Career Services support for students and alumni
    • Veteran Support Team: help transitioning to civilian life
    • Veterans Voices Writing Program: healing through writing

Learn more about how UA Grantham can help you build upon your military experience, earn your degree, and find success in a civilian career!

Visit www.uagrantham.edu/online-college-for-military today.

About the Author

Brandon Swenson
Brandon Swenson, communications manager, is on University of Arkansas Grantham’s editorial board. A veteran and college graduate himself, he understands the benefits and intricacies of government education programs, such as veteran education benefits. Brandon earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City toward the end of his nearly two-decade tour in the United States Marine Corps.
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