Next week, GCU students will take to the polls and exercise their civic duty to elect a new ASGCU president and vice president. As you see all the posters and fliers around campus, take an opportunity to meet the candidates and learn their intentions for next year. Pre-physical therapy major Mallory Freeman and pre-med major James Prigge are running for ASGCU president and vice president. Freeman has been a member of the GCU swim team and is a member of the ASGCU team.

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.”

If Shakespeare takes the measure of a serious actor, then perhaps no actor has a better take on the Bard than Drew Swaine. Swaine, a GCU junior, plays Demetrius in the Ethington Theatre production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” one of Shakespeare’s most popular works. The play begins a two-weekend run on campus Friday night. “I like Shakespeare, but I don’t think I’ve ever been intimidated by doing it,” Swaine says. “It’s good theatre, but it’s not inaccessible.”

The Office of Career Services has chosen Josh Girgenti as its Student Worker of the Month. Girgenti is a sophomore with a dual major in health-care and business administration. As a worker in the Antelope Reception Center in GCU Arena, he serves as a receptionist and is the assistant to the ARC’s director, Shannon Landers. “He is an excellent leader and a great motivator,” Landers says. “Josh exemplifies Christian camaraderie. His willingness to serve is clear in his excellent customer service and leadership qualities.”

GCU’s Musician of the Year from 2010-11, who plays both piano and guitar, is now a senior and she’s setting her sights on the future. Already Forte is building the connections needed for a shot at success. “My favorite thing is just sitting down and writing music,” she says.

The Office of Career Services has chosen Monique Belmudes as Student Worker of the Month. Belmudes is a sophomore secondary education major who works for the College of Education Field Experience Office. She acts as a liaison for students and the office by answering emails and phone calls and researching state requirements for student teaching, among other tasks. According to Mari Smith, COE field experience manager, Belmudes is an enthusiastic, self-motivated worker who has built a great rapport with faculty, staff and students.

A funny thing happened to GCU student Lindsay Fernandez on her way to winning the crown of Fiesta Bowl Queen last year.
She liked it. “I’m not the typical titleholder,” says Fernandez, 23, a commuter student from Peoria who is majoring in health-care administration and nursing. She was the first student from GCU to ever make the finals of the Fiesta Bowl competition.

The Office of Career Services is proud to present its student worker of the month – Julie Sage. Sage is a senior biology major working in the GCU Fleming Library. She transferred to GCU from the University of Florida two years ago and started working in the Library right away. “I get to help students with research issues, answer reference questions and more,” says Sage. “Because I help students with research a lot, it has helped me in my own studies. It’s been a great help in preparing for medical research.”

What is the biggest fear for an athlete? Underachievement? Injury? How about facing a potentially life-threatening condition and believing that you might never again be able to participate in the sport you love? If you want the answer, ask GCU swimmer Johan Ivarsson. In October 2010, his second season with the Antelopes, Ivarsson began to notice something out of the ordinary while in the pool.

How could GCU’s College of Fine Arts and Production possibly top the success of last year’s Ethington Theatre Series? Sophomore Nathan de Laet was wondering the same thing over the summer as he reported for rehearsals of “You Can’t Take It With You,” the comedy that opened this year’s series in early September. Dean Claude Pensis supplied the answer early on. “Last year was fun,” Pensis told the student cast, “but this year will be a step up.”