Pictured are the five Grace students nominated for the Impact Award. From left, are Autumn Ogrin, Chloe Mann, Tim Swanson, Marina Tolczyk and Danielle Deal.

WINONA LAKE — Grace College was pleased to support seven students nominated for the 11th-annual Indiana INTERNnet Impact Awards. The students, all of whom are fulfilling Grace’s applied learning and internship requirements, were chosen based on exemplary work ethic and leadership skills.

IIN is dedicated to celebrating internship, employer and employee excellence. The program is managed by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. It provides an extensive database to help link employers, students and higher education schools with the best possible internships. This year, the awards luncheon took place on Feb. 8 at Ivy Tech Corporate College and Culinary Center. There were 50 nominees in all. Tamika Catchings, four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, WDNA All-Star and founder of Catch the Stars foundation, gave the keynote address. The winners were announced during the luncheon.

The nominated Grace students and corresponding internship sites were Danielle Deal, Flagship Enterprise in Anderson, Ind.; Chloe Mann, Centricity Music Label in Nashville, Tenn.; Katie Moheny, Think Pod in Mishawaka, Ind.; Autumn Ogrin, Roberts Brothers Excavating in 3Rivers Mich.; Jacob Kohl Smith, Croasman Properties in Indianapolis, Ind.; Tim Swanson, Grace College Athletic Department in Winona Lake, Ind., and Marina Tolczyk, Arrowhead Gold Club in Wheaton, Ill.

Although none of the Grace nominees received an award, they were honored to attend the event and spoke highly of the internships that led them there. “The most rewarding parts of my work at Roberts Bros. Excavating were the relationships I built,” said Ogrin. “The internship has also given me insight into what to look for in future jobs and what areas I need to grow in.”

Deal also spoke well of her internship experience at Flagship Enterprise Center. “The most rewarding part was contributing to the mission and vision of Flagship. I was able to contribute as a regular employee, not just as an intern,” she said. Deal called the experience “invaluable.”

“We are proud of our students,” said DeeAnna Muraski, associate director of internships and adjunct faculty for the Career Institute at Grace. “They are capable, talented men and women. We believe our applied learning and internship programs effectively develop students’ skillsets for the job market. Career preparation is a top priority at Grace.”

Mann’s mother, Debbie Mann, also attended the event. “I was honored and proud to attend with my daughter,” Mrs. Mann said. “I often hear about what Chloe is doing. But to see the fruits of that labor in action was a blessing!”

Grace College’s applied learning and internship programs are designed to incorporate real-world experience in the college curriculum. All Grace students are required to complete 12 hours of applied learning credits to earn their bachelor’s degree. Grace’s Center for Career Connections has developed partnerships with more than 250 area businesses and organizations from which students may choose to apply their classroom learning and explore their desired career path.