ENGINEERING
BUILDING
Stop 3 on our tour takes us across campus.
This project, which consists of two four-story
structures connected by elevators and stairs,
was started earlier than any of the others.
It had to be because, unlike The Grove, it’s
more complicated with eight laboratories
for students enrolled in new electrical,
mechanical and biomedical engineering
degree programs this fall. There’s also going to
be a music recording studio for the College of
Theology’s Center for Worship Arts.
THUNDER ALLEY
Our next stop is the building
with the Big Top-looking roof,
Thunder Alley. The ground
floor will be converted to a
place where students can gather to eat and
relax. That makes perfect sense because
the basement, Thunderground, is a popular
student hangout with ping-pong tables,
billiards and a bowling alley.
OFFICE BUILDING
The fifth stop on our tour: a four-story building
that will be built in a central location on
campus. The tentative plan is to put offices for
the Administration, Student Affairs, Spiritual
Life, Career Services, the Health and Wellness
Center and Athletics in that building.
SOCCER STADIUM
GCU’s monorail doesn’t have far to go for Stop 6.
When Schellas Hyndman was hired as GCU’s
new men’s soccer coach in January, Mueller said
he wanted the sport to become a basketball-like
centerpiece for the fall athletics schedule. In
the middle of that mission is the new stadium,
which will run north-south where the artificial
turf Mariposa Field currently sits in front of
Antelope Gym and Kaibab.
That means that the two buildings directly to
the south, the bookstore and the old Building 9
that has served many temporary purposes, will
be leveled to create enough space. The 3,000-
seat stadium seating won’t be ready in time for
the season opener in September, but the field
and grass berm that can accommodate 2,500
fans are expected to be in place.
The stadium, which will face east to protect
fans from the afternoon or early evening sun,
will house six classrooms that can become
team rooms during games. It is scheduled for
completion by the end of the year.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Dumas, a junior, marvels at how much has
happened in just three years.
“It’s funny because there are times I don’t
even recognize the campus,” he said.
His attitude reflects that of his student
constituency. This is Topic A in campus
conversations, and the sense of anticipation
only figures to build this summer as The Grove
gets its finishing touches and Lopes Way starts
to take shape.
“I talk with students from all over campus
every day, and I think students are pretty
excited,” Dumas said.
So does Griffin.
“I just love to walk across campus. I park
as far away from my office as I can, and it’s
on purpose,” he said. “For one, I love to walk.
But also, if I’m parking in my private parking
space, I’m missing a huge opportunity to
interact with students.”
With all that extra foot traffic this fall, he’ll
get even more opportunities, starting with
a Move-In that will be stretched to five days
from three. GCU’s Tomorrowland is almost
here, and the fireworks have just begun.
GCU TODAY • 1 9
OFF CAMPUS
The list of significant changes doesn’t end at
3300 W. Camelback Road. Also scheduled to
be open this fall are two nearby facilities that
have been brought under the GCU umbrella
with the idea of upgrading them into the
centerpieces of new programs in the Colangelo
College of Business. Maryvale Golf Course
will be the hub of the golf course management
curriculum, and Grand Canyon University
Hotel and a conference center at Camelback
Road and 27th Avenue will employ and teach
students in hospitality management.
Grand Canyon University Hotel
Thunderground
