Archive for December, 2019

The second decade of the new millennium has come to an end, and it was a big decade of explosive grown for Grand Canyon University — not that the University isn’t continuing to evolve. The new decade begins with the opening of the new five-story Student Advising Services Building, the largest post-tension structure on campus, along with the introduction of the Herd Stop mini-mart on the first floor of the Antelope Apartments. The semester also will see the return of the usual suspects, from TEDxGCU to Mr. GCU, the College of Fine Arts and Production’s presentation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” and, of course, men’s basketball at the WAC tournament. Here’s a look of what’s coming up this first semester of 2020.

GCU News Bureau The first 10 years of the millennium have seen explosive growth at GCU. The new decade promises even more, with the debut of 2020 bringing the opening of the new Student Advising Services Building as well as the Herd Stop mini-mart in the Antelope Apartments. And then there are a slew of events on the horizon. Here are a few of them. January Jan. 3-4: Promotional tables set up for the new Herd Stop, which will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 4 as students return to the residence halls. Vendors will be on hand to visit with students. Jan. 3: Art Adventure Day, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Learning Lounge, College of Humanities and Social Sciences. For first through fifth graders. Free. [email protected] Register. Jan. 4-5: Move-in. Students return to the campus residence halls. Jan. 4: Women’s basketball vs. CSU Bakersfield, 2 p.m., GCU Arena. Jan. 6: Instruction begins. Jan. 6: Chapel, 11:15 a.m. Monday, GCU Arena. Speaker: Brian Mueller, GCU President. Jan. 6: GCU Engage January giveaway, noon-1 p.m., Student Union Promenade. Stop by the GCU Engage table for a free sticker on the first Monday of every month. Jan. 7: Arts and culture event, 4-6 […]

Every year, we get a few heartwarming stories that make you shake your head when you realize what people do to make the world a better place for their families and their communities. GCU Today picked 10 from the last year that stood out in our minds. Here’s an opportunity to catch up on the ones you missed … or maybe enjoy them again.

The spring semester schedule of Chapel speakers has three interesting new names, two of them from Phoenix. But there also are several returnees who have commanded the attention of the Chapel audience when they’ve come to campus before.

Thanks to a $3.2 million grant from the Kern Family Foundation, GCU is instituting a new pastoral program that will make it possible to obtain Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees in just five years — with the fifth year tuition free. Reprinted from the November issue of GCU Magazine.

GCU News Bureau A festive time was had by all at Saturday’s employee Christmas party. Carolers made a joyful noise. Christmas cookie decorating kept up the spirit of the young ones. Bounce houses abounded, along with train rides, plenty of food and an evening of basketball. ‘Twas resplendent. Here are a few images below of the event, provided by photographer David Kadlubowski.  

GCU News Bureau A special edition of the Journal of Instructional Research features several articles from Grand Canyon University faculty. JIR features theoretical and empirically-based research articles, critical reflection pieces, case studies and classroom innovations relevant to best practices in post-secondary instruction (including teaching, learning and assessment). The articles listed below are available here: “Defining Effective Online Pedagogy,” John Steele, Rick Holbeck, Jean Mendernach Ten Strategic Points: A Framework for Doctoral Dissertations Students to Conceptualize their Research Design in a Doctoral Residency Program,” Cynthia Bainbridge, Christie McClendon, June Maul “The Goldilocks Paradox: The Need for Instructor Presence but Not Too Much in an Online Discussion Forum,” Elizabeth Larson, Jacob Aroz, Eric Nordin “Virtual Professional Communities: Integrative Faculty Support to Foster Effective Teaching,” Katie Sprute, Crystal McCabe, Lynn Basko, Paul Danuser “Exploring Quiz-Style PowerPoint Games as an Innovative e-Learning and Teaching Pedagogy,” Nikki Squire “Reflective Practice through Mentorship: A Program Reflection,” Emily Pottinger, Rebekah Dyer and Jena Akard “Using OBS to Create Video Lectures for Online Counseling Students,” Daniel A. Kauffman “Active Classrooms: Great for Academic Performance, but can They Improve Student Health? A Critical Literature Review,” Mike Swoboda The Intersection of Theory and Practice in Teacher Preparation Courses,” Brandon Juarez “Alternative Mentoring for Psychology Students,” […]

Frosty, Rudolph and “Stranger Things” Demogorgons? They’re all part of a blizzard of Christmas decorations on campus, particularly at Building 71, which always keeps the season merry and bright — and spirited. As it has the past few years, the Curriculum Design and Development and Academic Web Services departments led the way with its annual Christmas decorating contest. “It’s just a fun way to sort of bond with your team and build that camaraderie — and to have that creative outlet,” said curriculum developer Jason Brown.

Christmas is the season of giving, not getting, and give is exactly what GCU’s Army ROTC cadets did earlier this month by serving breakfast to the homeless and helping create Christmas cards for military personnel overseas for the holidays. “Me, as the leader of all these cadets, I really got to see the service side of my cadets, and I was really proud of them, their humility and everything,” said Cadet Sam Innanen, task force commander.

The holidays are so busy and full of high expectations that it’s hard to see beyond the stress. But the first step in easing those burdens, says Dr. Deb Wade, is not focusing on the perfect presents or perfect decorations but on our true blessings — family, home, health and the knowledge that God is with us