Campus Life

The leaders of the Associated Students of GCU (ASGCU) are running a small business this summer. In preparation for the school year, they are planning events, budgeting, hiring vendors and student leaders, and publicizing their efforts to maximize student engagement. Each of the four leaders brings leadership experience to their collaborative effort, thanks to their campus jobs.

The new chefs at Canyon 49 Grill know a thing or two about working with each other. They met more than a decade ago at a resort, where they cooked together for six years in multiple restaurants. They say their past experience has made the transition to GCU a fun one, and they agree with the herd: There’s something different about this place. “Here, it’s like a family,” Sous Chef Mike Willison said.

Members of the GCU community — a student, a faculty member, an online staff member, a campus staff member and an academic leader — reflect on the meaning of Independence Day and describe how they will celebrate with family and friends.

Under the terms of a transaction that closed on July 1, 2018, Grand Canyon Education sold Grand Canyon University to a nonprofit entity that will retain the GCU name. The transaction returns GCU to its historical roots as a nonprofit university and ensures the long-term legacy of both GCU and GCE.

Campus construction projects are barreling forward this summer, from the addition of 1,000 field-level seats at GCU Ballpark that will put spectators right in the action, to a new Lope Shop, two new residence halls, a soon-to-be-completed parking garage, a new Colangelo College of Business building, a new Canyon Activities Center, and perhaps the most exciting addition for students — a long-anticipated Taco Bell. The projects are on track, many of them expected to be completed by the time students arrive for the fall semester.

  Grand Canyon University employee Wacey Ray Hancock shows his Lopes spirit on a trip to the famous Blarney Castle in the Republic of Ireland, near the city of Cork.  Hancock traveled there with his wife, Jenny. Hancock lived in Ireland from 2008-10 on a mission for his church, so he was eager to revisit friends and see new sites. Traveling around the United States or to a distant land? Wear purple, pose in front of a famous site and email the photo to GCU Today.  Contact Theresa Smith at (602) 639-7457 or theresa.smith@gcu.edu.

GCU fans love their pets and adorn them in Lopes spirit wear.

The story of Grand Canyon University’s growth and accomplishments added a new chapter this week when its chapter in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars earned Platinum Star Status and was deemed the largest in the country. Here’s the catch: The chapter was formed only four years ago.

Story by Theresa Smith Photos by David Kadlubowski  GCU News Bureau The ball is hoisted by the 6-year-old to the sure-handed 6-foot-7 athlete who playfully dekes the duo of pint-sized campers earnestly trying to guard him. It is a moment among millions at the individual youth session of the Dan Majerle boy’s basketball camp, and it symbolizes the cycle of the Grand Canyon University men’s basketball program. The hustling youngsters improve their skills, connect with the coaches — student-athletes and coaching staff of the 2018-19 men’s basketball team — develop an interest in and love for Lopes basketball, and become fans of the program, if not future members of the team. Exhibit A: the five friends, including two sets of brothers laughing and learning on Tuesday morning at the Lopes Performance Center. Lesson No. 1, according to Ashton Hollenberg, “Do not be a ball hog. Do not shoot if you’re not open.’’ His friend, Evan Engstrom, expressed a similar sentiment. “I’ve learned how to be a good teammate,’’ said Engstrom. “Coach is basically teaching everyone how to be a good teammate and how to share the ball.’’ Brothers T.J. Lyons and Connor Lyons are digging the shooting drills. “It feels […]

Dan Majerle remembers his first basketball camp: “I want to pass that same valuable experience along to more kids who love the game like me.” Youth will get that experience at the Dan Majerle Boys Basketball Camps, the first of which begins Monday.