Archive for October, 2018

Graduates of the online program at Grand Canyon University always have inspirational stories to tell, and this year they were equally inspired by keynote speaker Gian-Paul Gonzalez’s talk — and by the celebration that is a GCU commencement ceremony.

If the graduates at fall commencement didn’t know about ninth-grade world history teacher and New York Giants chaplain Gian-Paul Gonzalez before they got to GCU Arena, they sure do now. Gonzalez’s keynote addresses at the five ceremonies were a hit every time, and in addition to all the standing ovations he also was descended upon by a sea of thankful listeners when he came out to watch the “tunnel walk” after the Saturday morning ceremony.

Photos by David Kadlubowski and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The final fall commencement ceremony at Grand Canyon University was solely for the College of Education. There were 725 graduates participating Saturday afternoon.  

Photos by David Kadlubowski and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The Saturday morning ceremony at Grand Canyon University fall commencement featured 858 graduates from the College of Doctoral Studies and the Colangelo College of Business.  

Photos by Slaven Gujic and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The Friday evening ceremony of fall commencement at Grand Canyon University featured 637 nontraditional graduates in the College of Education and College of Nursing and Health Care Professions (bachelor’s level).      

Photos by Slaven Gujic, David Kadlubowski and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The Friday afternoon ceremony of fall commencement at Grand Canyon University included 675 nontraditional graduates of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions (doctoral and master’s level) and the College of Science, Engineering and Technology.  

Photos by Slaven Gujic, David Kadlubowski and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The first ceremony of fall commencement Friday morning at Grand Canyon University included 752 nontraditional graduates of the College of Fine Arts and Production, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Theology.      

Brian Smith was a junior at Alhambra High School when he applied to then-Grand Canyon College. He was elated to be accepted. Unfortunately, his family moved back to Ohio and he was unable to attend. He held onto his admissions letter from 1975 for more than 40 years before he decided to pursue a master’s degree in Nursing at GCU. He will carry the letter across the stage with him at Online Commencement.

The leaders of the Associated Students of Grand Canyon University are taking “It’s On Us” Week beyond the important emphasis of preventing sexual assault. They aim to help StreetLightUSA build a school for victims of child sex trafficking, by planning a fundraiser designed to yield $10,000 in student donations that will be matched by the University. The fun part of the fundraiser is the Stampede button.

Eighty GCU students are in the class room already, gaining valuable experience by teaching lessons in math, science, social studies and art at nearby Westwood Elementary for students from preschool through Grade 3.