Campus Life

The November issue of GCU Magazine, available digitally here, explains in detail how the University’s Christian worldview governs its approach to teaching science. Senior writer Lana Sweeten-Shults’ in-depth report includes two other stories, on a virtual-reality project students are doing to bring the Bible to life and on students’ responses to an end-of-course survey asking how GCU’s integration of faith and science affected their personal faith. Other stories in this issue include inside looks at a growing trend in the Worship Arts program, basketball star Alessandro Lever’s improbable transition from Italy to GCU, the popularity of the new esports facility in the Technology Building, and how the College of Humanities and Social Sciences helped a student earn and then prosper in a major New York internship. 

GCU Magazine Biology professor Dr. Daisy Savarirajan asked students in an end-of-course survey about the impact of faith-science integration on their personal faith. Here are a few of the answers: “I feel that, as a Christian school, it is very comforting to know that GCU does not object to integrating its Christian worldview into its curriculum. I feel this is especially important for a science course, like this class specifically. As a basic science course, I feel that it is very important to have a biblical foundation, as this course will provide a baseline for future science courses. I can also appreciate the fact that a prayer was said before most classes. This is something that does not happen in most schools and is very comforting to see here at GCU. Overall, I found the integration of faith and Scripture into the course to be an excellent idea and very beneficial for me personally all throughout the entire semester.” **** “This course showed me how God and science go together. There was a time where I felt like I lost my faith. And since, right now, we are learning about all the diseases, it reminded me of how I started […]

Cancer has challenged the family of former ASGCU President Slate Herman in ways that defy belief. Not only did he lose his father and an older sister to the disease; he was diagnosed with leukemia in September — and then his sister Isabelle was, too. The news was shocking to the many people on campus who fondly recall his time at GCU.

In the shadow of Veterans Day, GCU’s Wind Ensemble will perform a hero-themed concert called “Summon the Heroes,” featuring works that celebrate heroes of all kinds, from those who served in World War II to riders of the Pony Express and 18th-century fur trappers and traders. The concert, to be presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday at First Southern Baptist Church of Phoenix, also will mark the debut of the Black Canyon Chamber Winds.

Dylan Nigh reads everywhere on the GCU campus. He reads while walking to class. He reads while eating Chick-fil-A. He reads while cooking Mexican food in his residence hall kitchen. After all that reading, classmates, friends and professors find that Dylan can talk about anything.

Speakers have brought props to Chapel before, but Robert Watson took it to the next level Monday — he brought a grill. One lucky student got a free grilled cheese sandwich out of it, and his audience got a strong message about how much God values us.

Students tutored by the Academic and Career Excellence centers don’t have to worry about missing out on instruction from adjunct professor Martin (Dion) Benes. Morning, night and day — Monday through Sunday — Benes dedicates his time to tutoring while he’s outside the classroom. He’s been around students for 40 years and loves being a Lope. One administrator called Benes a staple of the University’s tutoring efforts. “I plan on staying until they kick me out of here,” Benes said. “I think the people around her are outstanding.”

For Latino Student Union president Leonardo Quintero, the Día de los Muertos celebrations on campus are all about presenting Latino culture to GCU students and staff and implementing it into the culture of the Lopes.

This is getting to be a habit: For the third straight year, a Grand Canyon team won the University division of the Stock Market Challenge, an annual fundraiser in which teams build a fictitious portfolio by reacting to market news and fluctuations. But this time the GCU teams finished 1-2 in the event.

The Leap to Teach & Lead Career Expo and Networking Event, a collaborative effort by Grand Canyon University’s College of Education, Career IMPACT Center and Strategic Educational Alliances was mutually beneficial. “Lopes Leap to Teach is a win-win for both our students and the school districts,” said Dean of the COE, Dr. Kimberly LaPrade as she walked among dozens of employers and potential employees along the Promenade.