GCU TODAY • 3
Features
16
6
Making School Cool
GCU is collaborating with the Rodel
Foundation of Arizona to help put
elementary school students on the
same page with their teachers.
12
‘Worshipology’ Rocks
The new Center for Worship Arts,
where students learn to produce
Christian music, has gotten off to a
resounding start.
14
A Lot to Wade Through
GCU swimmers from Ukraine and
Egypt are thankful to be here but
fearful about what their families and
friends are facing back home.
18
Finding the Right Blend
Incorporating a blended learning
format into general education classes
introduces undergraduates to a
growing trend in education.
Contents
In Every Issue
4 Lopes Up
20 Special Feature
22 Online
24 GCU Alumni
30 Parting Shot
ON THE COVER:
Anthony Pérez, who grew up in west Phoenix and earned a master’s degree from
GCU, interacts with students in his classroom at Sunset Elementary School. Pérez is a product of the
Rodel Foundation of Arizona’s Promising Student Teacher Program, which aims to refocus the futures
of children.
PHOTO BY DARRYL WEBB
GCU Today Magazine is a quarterly
publication of the Office of Communications
and Public Affairs at Grand Canyon University.
WRITTEN AND EDITED BY
JANIE MAGRUDER
Communications Manager
602-639-8018
MICHAEL FERRARESI
Senior Writer
602-639-7030
RICK VACEK
Senior Writer
602-639-8203
COOPER NELSON
Staff Writer
602-639-7511
STUDENT STAFF
JEREMY BRIDGES
TYLER MCDONALD
DESIGN BY
BILLIE WORTH
Graphic Designer
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
DARRYL WEBB
University Staff Photographer
602-639-6375
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
BOB ROMANTIC
Executive Director
Grand Canyon University
3300W. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1
Mia Bryant (bottom) is the
race starter for the fifth
annual GCU Foundation Run
to Fight Children’s Cancer
this Saturday. Surrounding
her, clockwise from left,
are her four predecessors:
Grace Kostyk (2012),
Cooper Gokee (2013), Jack
Welch (2014) and Olivia
Baumgardner (2011).
photo by darryl webb
