Campus Life

Emma Mondello had never had a song on Canyon Worship before — because she never had submitted one. But she decided to give it a go before she graduated in April, and “In Brokenness” was chosen for the 2021 album. It’s the perfect finish to her time at GCU, which was marked by personal growth and remarkable friendships. “I’ve made some friends for a lifetime and experienced some things that are going to live with me forever,” she said.

GCU marketing and advertising major Tayler Alonzo-Taggart grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, but found herself touting the wonders of Phoenix as an intern at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, where she is in charge of the organization’s blog, “What Makes Greater Phoenix So Great,” among other duties. Fellow senior James Fritz also interned at GPEC this summer and had a lot of free reign on his projects. The computer science major with an emphasis in big data developed an alert app for the GPEC team and put together market sentiment analyses. “It’s been a really nice environment to work in,” he said.

Nicole Jasperse brings a folksy element to Canyon Worship 2021 with “You My God,” a song about waiting on the Lord that was inspired by the uncertainty of the pandemic. It’s her first time on the album, but songwriting is nothing new for her — she estimates she has put together more than 150. “Her writing is that of a storyteller with metaphorical stylings like a poet,” said Eric Johnson, Manager of the GCU Recording Studio.

Emma Blair thought she wanted to pursue a career in education, but she discovered a love of politics after the Honors College introduced her to internships. Blair is working as a research intern for Speech First, a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., that focuses on free speech on college campuses. It has given her a renewed appreciation for GCU’s emphasis on civil discourse and the First Amendment. “I think that’s one of the things that makes GCU’s campus so incredible,” she said.

It’s a season of celebration as College of Fine Arts and Production performances make their grand return to Ethington Theatre. Audiences will be welcomed back with an array of musicals, comedies and dramas as well as the return of indoor dance concerts. “I think it’s going to be just a really enjoyable season,” COFAP Assistant Dean of Theatre and Dance William Symington said. “I can’t wait to get back in the theatre and feel that energy between the cast and the audience.”

GCU News Bureau Here are the artist renderings for what the Quad, the area in front of GCU Arena, will look like when work is completed in August. There will be artificial turf on the south three-quarters, and the northern end will be paved for multi-use and will have multiple tiers for catering, seating, fire pits and an area that can double as a stage. Also included is a photo by David Kadlubowski from the start of construction.  

Starting any new program is difficult. Starting one during a pandemic is more difficult. Add in the importance of face-to-face conversations in the new Barnabas pastoral program, and it makes what the College of Theology pulled off that much more impressive. Students found great value in taking a deeper dive into ministry topics and learning about how various faiths compare. “I think I’ve learned more about the importance of spiritual disciplines in one semester than I did my whole life being raised as a Christian,” said Abbigale Burdett.

The bond between a doctoral learner and their dissertation chair is one like no other. This was especially true for Dr. Laurica Yancey, who recently completed her doctoral program. Throughout her program, Yancey had to take on caretaking responsibilities for both of her parent, all while working full-time and going to school. When things got challenging and she was on the verge of calling it quits, her dissertation chair Dr. Theodus Luckett helped motivate and support her through out the remainder of the program. “I wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for Dr. Luckett,” Yancey said. “He was an example in terms of I’m paying it forward to other people because of what he’s done for me.”

Dr. Randall Downs, Coordinator of the Worship Arts program, calls Nicole Swartz “a great songwriter” but is most impressed by the fact that she asks for songwriting advice and then acts on it. So Downs was pleased when Swartz’s song, “In the Waiting,” became her first solo on a Canyon Worship album. Fifth in a series on Canyon Worship 2021, scheduled to be released in September.

It’s not every day that a 10-year-old’s artwork is showcased in a published book. But College of Doctoral Studies chair Dr. Wanda Fernandopulle wanted to set up her daughter, Angelica Gary, for future success in the art world. Thus, the book “Exploring Angelica’s Art” was born. “When I’m not looking at dissertations, doing dissertation defenses and helping all my doctoral Learners out at Grand Canyon, this is my other life in terms of her academics and also honing in on her gift,” Fernandopulle said.