Slideshow: Traditional commencement

Photos by Slaven Gujic and Travis Neely
GCU News Bureau

Thousands of Grand Canyon University students on Thursday walked across the stage to pick up their diplomas on at two commencement ceremonies.

The rite of passage represents both their final walk as students and the first walk as graduates.

As noted by Dr. Tim Griffin, GCU’s pastor and dean of students, commencement is the culmination of an experience that students will not soon forget.

“The rhythm of university life at GCU is just incredible,” he said. “You start the year with Move-In, which is a highlight to the collegiate experience, and you end with commencement. It’s an enormous celebration. In the normal rhythm of the school year, this is a great time, and it’s great to watch the families celebrate with their children or their moms or dads or whoever’s graduating.

“It’s a very emotional time, and I’ve got a great seat for all of it, sitting on the platform watching people come up the stairs, getting ready to hear their name announced before they receive their diploma. It’s an incredible time.” 

There were 863 graduates and 5,198 attendees in Thursday’s morning session and 706 and 4,823 in the afternoon.