GCU News Bureau
Nothing can compare to COVID-19 when it comes to putting a burr in the saddle of events planners everywhere, including at Grand Canyon University. In 2020, the virus was behind more rearranged events than a snow day ever could be.
But with the spirit of a well-planned-out calendar in mind, the GCU Today team ferreted out a few big events to add to your planner for the spring (keeping in mind, of course, that events are subject to change in the coronavirus era).
First up: Move-In.
A virtual start
Students will begin moving back into the residence halls on Saturday, just before classes gear up for the spring 2021 semester. A majority of classes will start Monday in an online format for most students for the first week of school.
Chapel
Speaking of the first week of school, the first Chapel of the semester (11:15 a.m. Monday) will help set the tone for the year. Terry Mackey of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church will address students in an online-only talk.
His appearance will be followed by 11:15 a.m. Chapel talks helmed by Dr. Tim Griffin, GCU Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students and University Pastor (Jan. 11); Dan Steffen of Pure Heart Church (Jan. 25); Jon Demeter of Redemption Church (Feb. 8); Chris Brown of North Coast Church (Feb. 22); University President Brian Mueller (March 1); Luke Simmons of Redemption Gateway Church (March 8); Donald Glenn, Director of GCU’s Multicultural, Diversity and Inclusion Office (March 15); Todd Clark of the Slingshot Group (March 22); and Danielle Rinnier, GCU Assistant Dean of Students (March 29).
Elections Week
Just two months after the presidential election, the campus will be focusing on its own elections during the Associated Students of GCU Elections Week (Jan. 26-30). It will include a presidential debate (5-7 p.m. Jan. 26, location to be determined), along with voting booths set up along the Promenade, at the Grove and at Colter Circle. Students are encouraged to vote from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan 27-29 for the next leaders of their student government.
Sports
There will be no shortage of sports this semester as a number of athletic teams saw their seasons pushed back to the spring.
But the most anticipated games will involve men's basketball, which already pumped up fans with a long-awaited match-up with Arizona State a little more than two weeks ago. That's when the Sun Devils narrowly edged out the Lopes in a close 71-70 game.
Not that fans won't have more to cheer about this spring.
The big GCU vs. New Mexico State men’s basketball game is slated for Jan. 29-30. The projected top two WAC men’s basketball teams will meet for games on successive nights at GCU Arena.
The basketball season culminates with the WAC Basketball Tournament March 10-13 in Las Vegas, where the GCU men’s and women’s basketball teams will vie for the top spot with NCAA tournament bids on the line.
The arts
The College of Fine Arts and Production quickly asked itself, “To be, or not to be?"
The answer: To be, of course, as the show must always go on in the performance world.
COFAP adapted to the coronavirus by livestreaming its events and by building an outdoor stage, where its plays and dances were performed in the fall. Expect more of the same this spring.
Look for the staging of Shakespeare’s “Henry V” (Feb. 3-7), in which The Bard celebrates one of the most renowned kings in English history. Henry V was the royal who led two successful invasions of France, and in the play, he gives one rousing, troop-inspiring speech that can’t be missed.
GCU Theatre’s second offering of the spring will be “Misanthrope” (March 10-14), Moliere’s 17th century comedy of manners.
As for the manner of dance, the Dance Department will showcase its talented dancers and choreographers in its Student Spotlight Concert (March 8-10), Spring Dance Concert (March 26-28) and the Choreo III Concert (March 30-31).
Student Market, Mr. GCU, Lip Sync
Students who create their own clothing or jewelry or who might have baking skills or other creative talents will sell their wares at the Student Market, slated for 4-7 p.m. March 23 on the Promenade. Bring a few dollars and invest in these student businesses.
The University also likes to invest some attention in Mr. GCU, the University's popular pageant that pits young gentlemen of the University against each other in a competition that showcases their talent, charisma and ability to answer a question or two.
This year, Mr. GCU is slated for 8 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Arena.
Another signature University event, Lip Sync, is 8 p.m. April 6 at the Arena. It’s when students, as the name says, lip sync to popular songs, complete with costumes and all kinds of choreography.
Wrapping it up
Spring break won’t quite be the same this year, as the University is forgoing spring break in March and opting for an April 19-25 spring break at the end of the semester.
Just as the semester started online, it will end that way, as well, with in-person instruction ending April 1 for about 80% of classes and students moving to two weeks of virtual classes April 5-16.
As always, the semester will culminate with Commencement as the University celebrates its newest graduates in an academic year that certainly won't be forgotten. Commencement will run over three days, April 19-21, as the semester winds down and officially ends April 25.
Related content:
GCU Today: GCU community was a beacon of light in dark year
GCU Today: Chapel to feature reunions with speakers from past
