GCU Today April Digital Issue 2018

26 • GCU MAGAZ I NE E very time Jim Carter visits the Grand Canyon University campus, he thinks about the impact it has had on his life. “It all started right here,” said Carter, who was inducted into the GCU Alumni Hall of Fame in March. “I’ve gone from a teacher to a prosecutor to an attorney to a judge – all because of what Grand Canyon University did to start with.” Carter never envisioned that career path as a teenager in the early 1950s, when he had nothing more than big dreams and a determined spirit. “I was a kid from south Phoenix who had no clue where I was going to go,” he said. “I was raised by a single mom. I had no money to go to school.” After graduating from high school, Carter was working as a laborer, wielding a 12-pound sledgehammer, when he quickly realized that “this isn’t going to be for me.” Fortunately, God had other plans, too. Carter was playing softball at his church, Southern Temple, at the same time Dr. Dave Brazell was starting a baseball team at what was then Grand Canyon College. Brazell invited Carter and his friend Sam to try out. Carter remembers the day, right down to the time (2 p.m.), date (Aug. 3, 1953) and place (Monterey Park) – emphasis on the time and date. “Boy, was it hot,” he said. He also was a hot prospect, as it turned out, and Brazell gave him a scholarship. But not only was Carter an athlete; he also was a Christian and a servant leader – perfect for Grand Canyon. As a junior and senior, he served in student government and became vice president. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1957. After graduating, Carter was a teacher and coach at Sunnyslope High School for four years GCU Alumni Evidence is clear: Carter acquitted himself well thanks to Grand Canyon, God B Y J E A N N E T T E C R U Z Easy decision JimCarter (right) is presented his Hall of Fame plaque by KevinWalling of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. photo by slaven gujic