DIGITAL GCU Today AUG issue

GCU MAGAZ I NE • 3 AUGUST 2018 ON THE COVER: Themain entrance to campus is about to be bathed in sunlight – just as it’s a new day for GCUwith its transition back to nonprofit status. PHOTO BY DAVID KADLUBOWSKI Features 6 Good neighbors When it comes towest Phoenix andGCU’s effect on it, Phoenix City Councilman Daniel Valenzuela knowswhat he’s talking about – he grewup here. 8 Smooth transition GCU’s transition back to nonprofit status means access to research grants and other opportunities. But the campus remains grounded ina student-first culture. 14 Diversity discipleship Diversity is aboutmuchmore than just ethnicity at GCU. Here, it revolves around theUniversity’s consistent devotion to its Christianworldviewandmission. 24 Apt app, living mas TheGCU INsider is backwithmore tips on what to look for this year. Anewappwill be handy, but students no doubt can’t wait to get theirmitts on… tacos! In Every Issue 4 Calendar 5 5 on 5 6 My LopeLife 28 GCU Alumni 34 Parting Shot GCU Magazine is a quarterly publication of the Office of Communications and Public Relations at Grand Canyon University. WRITTEN AND EDITED BY RICK VACEK Communications Manager 602-639-8203 [email protected] WRITERS PAUL CORO 602-639-6841 [email protected] LANA SWEETEN-SHULTS 602-639-7901 [email protected] THERESA SMITH 602-639-7457 [email protected] RYAN KRYSKA 602-639-8415 [email protected] DESIGN BY BILLIE WORTH Graphic Designer PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID KADLUBOWSKI VIDEOGRAPHY BY SCOTT MCDONALD HADDEN NEWLANDER THANH-NHI BRITTANY HA-NGUYEN JACOB SPRATLIN OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS BOB ROMANTIC Executive Director Grand Canyon University 3300W. Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85017 VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3 news.gcu.edu Facebook: /GrandCanyonU Twitter: @GCU_Today YouTube: /GCUTodayNews Con tents Nicole Powell loves basketball and being able to coach it at GCU, but she’s equally grateful that her younger days were filled with a variety of sports and other activities. photo by david kadlubowski 20