Alumni

GCU News Bureau They are the stories that make you feel good about humanity. They are stories of faith, courage and incredible determination, and they all have a connection to Grand Canyon University. Here, then, are GCU Today’s 10 most touching stories of 2017. But be forewarned: You might need some Kleenex – like maybe a whole box: “His cancer fight showed the superhero in all of us” (Jan. 19): No parents should have to go through what the Hyduchaks endured after learning that their 5-year-old son, Jace, had cancer. But they got through it, and Jace was the race starter for the 2017 Run to Fight Children’s Cancer. “First responders receive a heartfelt thank you” (April 20): Perry Harris picked the perfect place to have a heart attack – in the middle of a large crowd of people at Run to Fight Children’s Cancer. Among that crowd were a doctor and a certified athletic trainer as well as the station for the GCU Sports Medicine Club, and they all teamed up to save his life. Harris got to thank them in a special event on campus a month later. “A mom’s walk, like Karli, leaves lasting memory” (April 28): Less […]

GCU News Bureau Members of the Phoenix chapter of Grand Canyon University alumni recently completed the painting and landscaping for a Habitat for Humanity project.  

The Lopes on the Road program has become an important way for alumni, students and employees at selected GCU away games. “Being an online student, it’s hard to get a feel for the campus and the Lopes sporting events, but after my first Lopes on the Road, I was sold,” said one.

At the Dinner with Grads on Tuesday night, Honors STEMists had the opportunity to connect with a multitude of Grand Canyon University alumni and representatives from medical schools across Arizona. “Making connections, gaining information, networking – that’s going to be valuable when they go to apply for medical school,” said Emily Ghena, Honors College liaison intern. “These students are exactly the kind of students graduate schools want to have so I think it’s a win for both sides.”

The seven student designers whose behind-the-scenes brilliance created Ethington Theatre’s recent production of “Tartuffe,” plus three members of the talented cast, have been selected to compete in the second round of the prestigious Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival regional competition in February.

As graduates face down their last month as GCU students, the Career IMPACT Center and the Alumni Relations office organized a week of events to make it memorable. Soon-to-be grads took advantage of an exciting mix of career workshops, networking opportunities and festive events this week before crossing the stage in December.

It was GCU night Wednesday at Paul’s Car Wash, — celebrating its 10th year of raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Arizona — and purple-clad helpers were on the scene washing cars for a purpose. Among volunteers were women’s basketball players and their coach, Nicole Powell, the Cheer, Dance and Pep Bands, and plenty of student and staff volunteers.

With more than 2,500 registrations for Family Weekend, expect the GCU campus to be bustling Friday to Sunday. Just some of the highlights? How about a 60-second shopping spree at the Lopes Shop, where a grand prize winner can grab as much as they can (with Thunder by their side for inspiration), along with a fall festival, bowling, Thunder Run 5K, cheer clinic and, of course, Midnight Madness.

This week’s edition of Antelope Intros features a horse lover with an interesting name history and a board-game player who was on a New York City talk show.

Gianno Caldwell, a 2010 GCU graduate, was named this week to the post of political analyst for Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network. Born on Chicago’s Southside, Caldwell cut his teeth in the school of hard knocks and thanks God for his opportunities.