ASGCU

The idea was lodged in the mind of senior Sam Yonan long before the COVID-19 pandemic upended the world: GCU should have a cross to represent who we are as a Christian university. The project moved forward even during the health crisis as three crosses were assembled in a shop on campus this week. Their message of hope for the future resonated even more.

GCU’s first student director of sustainability has a lot of good ideas for students to help make the campus better during Green Week. Just don’t expect Austin Rockwell to get on his high horse. He prefers to say, “It is very much our responsibility to steward what God has given us …”

GCU students pledged to stop sexual assaults during It’s On Us week-long awareness campaign. The national organization that leads the event on campuses across the country reports that 11.2 percent of all college students have been raped or assaulted. “So we are trying to motivate students to intervene when they have a chance to,” said Josue Olivas, Associated Students Program Coordinator at GCU.

ASGCU President Sam Yonan and his student government team have been busy already this year, working to improve campus shuttle routes and organizing events to encourage recycling and raise awareness about harassment. “We want to keep an open ear to students on anything they need to be changed,” Yonan said. “We do represent students.”

The international and out of state student social brought together students from far away or far, far away and made them feel a little more at home at GCU. “The time that they get to spend here, whether it’s four years, whether it’s two years, we want them to cherish the memories, we want them to cherish the friends and the moments that they make here,” ASGCU President Samuel Yonan said. “I hope that they take away that they’re welcomed here, that we’re excited to have them here, that we want to make this the best opportunity of their life.”

There’s a reason GCU’s signature event, Move-In, runs smoothly. Event Services, Student Affairs, Residence Life and other teams work hard to make it the most memorable experience possible for first-time Lopes, and they often do it from behind the scenes … and with Uncrustables at the ready.

Students and faculty made their way to the Colangelo College of Business lobby Friday to watch the inauguration of ASGCU’s new leadership, led by President Samuel Yonan and Executive Vice President Bret Malkin, and bid farewell to 2018-19 President Noah Wolfe. “I’m excited for what they’re going to do. They’re going to do a great job,” Wolfe said. “We’ve had a great run and got a lot of stuff done, so I feel confident to hand the baton off to some wonderful people. I’m looking forward to what’s in the future.”

The creativity of the Samuel Yonan-Bret Malkin campaign paid dividends when all the votes were counted late Friday night. Yonan-Malkin were elected as president and vice president, respectively, of the Associated Students of Grand Canyon University (ASGCU) over the team of Jacob Montgomery and Anthony Clark. Along with humorous posters, the winning pair used an interactive billboard to exchange ideas with potential voters, asking them to write down what they “Don’t Stop Believing in …’’. Among their proposed initiatives for the 2019-2020 academic year: a Church Fair and adding a House of Representatives to ASGCU to include more students. One member from each of the approximately 150 clubs on campus would comprise the HOR.

The platforms are prepared, the debate topics are polished and the flyers are posted for the next election cycle for the president and vice president of the Associated Students at Grand Canyon University (ASGCU). In one corner, Samuel Yonan is running for president with v.p. running mate Bret Malkin versus Jacob Montgomery, an aspiring president, and Anthony Clark, his v.p. choice. The debate will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, on the first floor of the Student Union, North Dining Hall. Refreshments will be served as the candidates share their vision for the 2019-2020 academic year.

It’s been a big year so far, but there’s more to come in 2018-19. The spring semester will kick off with the grand opening of the new 150,000-plus-square foot Colangelo College of Business Building on Jan. 9 and will barrel forward through April and May with signature events such as the Canyon Challenge, Mr. GCU, the Theatre Department’s presentation of Holocaust drama “Who Will Carry the Word,” Serve the City in February, the Roadshow Tour at GCU Arena, basketball and much more. Check out some highlights from GCU Today’s 2019 Winter-Spring Calendar.