Archive for May, 2019

GCU’s first academic year in its return to nonprofit status was filled with so many important stories, picking just 10 was a challenging exercise for the GCU Today staff. Here’s how we voted, with links to the many stories that are worth revisiting.

It has been about three years since Michael Kary self-published what he once thought to be journals, and now his book, “Acting in Faith: A Christian’s Guide,” is being published by Kendall Hunt Publishing and distributed to other Christian institutions across the country. In it, Kary teaches students that they can still be proud Christians while also excelling in the acting profession. Kary believes that differences between the entertainment industry and Christianity have led to both sides holding misunderstood views about each other and hopes his book will help clear up some of the misconceptions that exist.

In this week’s Fitness Facts, guest writer Lily Limon has helpful tips about making sure meat is cooked thoroughly. Outbreaks of the E. coli bacteria have become all too frequent in recent years, but there are simple ways to prevent it.

In this week’s Mental Health Vitamin, Dr. Deb Wade shares her views about why vacations are so important to our mental and physical health — and studies back that up. She lists five distinct benefits that vacations provide.

The entertainment just keeps building for employees in the Student Life and College of Humanities and Social Sciences buildings — they get to watch the new Student Advising Services building go up next door. The process has fascinated people so much, GCU Today decided to explain in more detail what they’re watching.

GCU’s professors stepped away from the whiteboards and threw themselves into the world of Harry Potter, “Game of Thrones,” “Pokemon,” “Star Wars and the like as they infiltrated Phoenix Fan Fusion as guest panelists over Memorial Day weekend. They delved into everything from the science of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” to the biology in the film “Bird Box” to the ethics behind integrating technology and the brain in the film “Ghost in the Shell.” “The audience engagement – that’s the best part about it – and really communicating science with the public in a more fun and entertaining and engaging way,” said biology professor Dr. Darien Hall.

There are three chances for kids ages 6-14 to attend a GCU Men’s Basketball Camp in June. GCU employees receive a $25 discount for the June 3-6, June 17-20 and June 24-27 camps — the first two will be on campus, and the late June camp is tentatively scheduled for Mesa Community College. Lopes head coach Dan Majerle, his staff and his current and former players lead camp instruction. There are also two team camps, May 31-June 1 and June 13-15, for high school teams.

Most counselors and therapists want to be able to “do good” by their clients, but what does “doing good” really mean? That was the main topic of discussion at Thursday’s continuing education ethics workshop hosted by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Speakers from GCU and NAU offered professionals working in the field of counseling and social services a free way of receiving their CEUs (Continuing Education Units) that they are required to renew every two years.

Suzy Guarino-Hall, a tap instructor for the dance program, is producing “Murder at the TAP’Ocho,” which will incorporate tap dancing with singing and a storyline and debuts Sunday in Mesa. The show will feature several GCU students and alumni as well as Director of Dance Susannah Keita. “This is literally going to be the best show we’ve ever done,” Guarino-Hall said.

Vanessa Romeo volunteered at Salute Our Troops for the first time on the Wednesday before Memorial Day. “This is everything to me,” said Romeo, a university counselor in the military division, of the GCU signature event as she spoke with one veteran at the Arizona State Veteran Home about family, his hometown in Mississippi and a favorite topic of his — cookies. This year marked the ninth year for Salute Our Troops. About 50 GCU and GCE volunteers spent the morning visiting with veterans, playing games, singing Armed Forces songs and sharing stories.