The photo found on Grace College President Bill Katip’s Facebook.

WINONA LAKE —Last week, a photo of Grace employees was posted on Facebook that upset many users. The photo depicts five people posing for an album cover with the acronym for “Not Grace Appropriate.” After some social media backlash, several of the employees in the photograph were fired. Now, some alumni are upset over content found on Grace College President Bill Katip’s Facebook page.

One of Katip’s post dates back from 2011 but is still active and visible to the public. The photo shows his head photoshopped onto the body of Troy Polamalu, a former NFL player. The comments on the photo suggest the photo is comedic due to the fact that Katip is bald and Polamalu has a full head of hair. But alumni are questioning why some employees get fired for a photo that was also aimed to be funny while Katip faces no repercussions. Both photos could be viewed as insensitive.

The photograph that led to several employees being fired.

When contacted for an interview regarding the old Facebook photo, an email was sent to Ink Free News by a Grace College staff member. It stated, “While someone may take issue with this, it’s a sports-related post that has been public for a number of years and never been associated with negative comments or suggestions of insensitivity.”

The statement regarding his own Facebook post varies greatly from the statement that was released on June 9 regarding his employees photo. That statement stated:

“Earlier this week, an insensitive and inappropriate photo was posted by a Grace College employee on the employee’s personal Facebook page. A Grace College department was referenced in the post and Grace employees were pictured in the photograph posted. This post elicited a significant amount of criticism, concern and hurt from our alumni, students, parents, friends and others.

“It is important for the public to know that Grace College is committed deeply to diversity and inclusiveness, and conduct that demonstrates insensitivity to these values will not be tolerated. Grace leadership has taken steps to ensure that this sort of incident will not recur, and several of the individuals involved are no longer employees of Grace College.

“This incident has initiated a reexamination of the policies and training at Grace related to diversity and inclusion. While we strive to create a welcoming environment, it is apparent that we can and must do more to help ensure people of all backgrounds are treated with respect and feel welcomed on our campus. These ongoing efforts will start immediately and will include the input and participation of current students, faculty and staff, alumni, board members and other leaders on diversity.”

The other photo causing controversy on Katip’s Facebook page is dated from 2015. This photo is extremely similar to the photo that recently got Grace College employees fired. It shows five children lined up against the wall in a similar album cover pose. The phrase, “Da Lil’ Drumma Boyz” is written across the top.

“How is one picture worth firing three people while the other is merely laughed at?” asked an unnamed Grace College Alumnus. “Sounds like being a white president has its privileges.”

The album cover photo found on Bill Katip’s Facebook.