Don’t consider it a coincidence that one of the Queen’s subjects would ascend to the throne as 2012 Mr. GCU. British-born, junior sports management major Nick Punter charmed the capacity crowd with an accent and dance moves sure to make his favorite monarch proud. Punter represented GCU’s men’s soccer and his teammates returned the favor with rowdy support through the pageant’s various competitions. In the end, the judges’ clear choice was the humble Brit. “I’m ecstatic,” said Punter. “I am proud to live up to the queen’s expectations. I hope to connect with her this year so we can compare crowns.”

After a knee injury sidelined Caelen Hiller, she feared not being able to play volleyball every again. When reconstructive surgery infected her with MRSA, the situation threatened more than her volleyball career. Two years since her month-long stint in the hospital, she has fought back and doesn’t take a single moment on the court for granted. “Every day is a blessing,” she says.

Sophomore pre-med major Jessica Barajas soaks up the opportunities to serve. After a car accident has kept her in and out of the hospital for most of this semester, she has worked hard to return to campus and dive back into service. She coordinated an upcoming blood drive with teh American Red Cross. “As a future physician, I now know what it feels like to be a patient,” she says. “I know that feeling of being afraid and overwhelmed. the experience gave me more compassion.”

Senior nursing student Heather McKean has her sights set on graduation, and then a future in forensic nursing. She credits her friend and fellow nursing student Kim Wright with helping her succeed in the GCU nursing program. “Find a classmate that thinks like you do,” she advises. “Connect with someone you can study with and support each other.”

Musician, tutor, cheerleader, skydiver, chess player, pre-Med major. GCU senior Chris Mellon is what you might consider a social butterfly. He is a fixture around campus, with two years of tutoring sciences, statistics and writing in the Center for Learning and Advancement. He is a regular performer at Java Jam. He jumped head first into the Canyon Kids ministry, meeting with local children on Saturday mornings. “The biggest part of college isn’t what you learn,” he says. “It is the person you become. My time at GCU has established who I am as a person and how I connect with people.” In his last year at GCU, Mellon has his mind set on med school and recently completed the MCAT.

Photographed at the new Prescott Hall, soccer players Mitchell Garcia (senior, sports management) and Melanie Johnston (junior, nursing) prepare to dive into a new season. The women’s team has more than 30 new players. The men, coming off a season that led to an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance, also have an abundance of fresh faces. “Our eyes are on the Final Four,” Garcia says. “We have the squad to do it.”