Campus Life

Don’t consider it a coincidence that one of the Queen’s subjects would ascend to the throne as 2012 Mr. GCU. British-born, junior sports management major Nick Punter charmed the capacity crowd with an accent and dance moves sure to make his favorite monarch proud. Punter represented GCU’s men’s soccer and his teammates returned the favor with rowdy support through the pageant’s various competitions. In the end, the judges’ clear choice was the humble Brit. “I’m ecstatic,” said Punter. “I am proud to live up to the queen’s expectations. I hope to connect with her this year so we can compare crowns.”

Toga-clad students, including the nursing delegation from Chanchung, China, packed North Gym to capacity last night for the annual Mr. GCU pageant. Nothing could prepare our Chinese visitors for what they were about to see, but they jumped into the festivities with glee. “Mr. GCU is very inspiring,” said Pastor Tim Griffin, GCU Dean of Students. “But kinda creepy at times.” It wouldn’t be an ASGCU event without a heavy dose of lip-syncing, cross-dressing and man flesh. These are some of the best and brightest young men on campus and those in attendance will never be able to look at them the same way again.

Thursday, February 2, at 8 p.m. in the Coliseum (a.k.a. North Gym) 12 men will battle for glory, beauty and pride. But only one will rise to take the crown of Mr. GCU. The humans in attendance must dress for the occasion. Togas all around. For more information and toga tips, contact Sarah in Student Life at 639.6127. Allow us to introduce some of this year’s Greek gods. At least the ones that would lower themselves to respond to us mere mortals.

GCU celebrated the topping out of the new four story College of Arts and Sciences building Tuesday morning under a beautiful sunny sky. “It’s been fun to watch the progress,” said CAS Dean Mark Wooden. “When they first started on it, I was impressed by the footprint. Now, I am amazed by its shadow.”

Faith Based Marketing Specialist Spencer Fehrenbacher is hitting the road for another Rock and Worship Roadshow, only this time he’s got a new travel partner in Stephanie Cashin — and the effort will be bigger and better. “It’s all about the power of the sun and our beautiful campus,” says Cashin, who will be with Fehrenbacher on a seven-week, 26-city tour covering 17,000 miles, starting Thursday in Biloxi, Miss. “We want to show prospective students how nice it is here (in Phoenix). While students in Chicago and Spokane are freezing in January and February, we have a beautiful, sunny campus to offer them.”

Join fellow students for GCU Safety Week, January 17-20, with events in the Student Union and the Quad lawn north of the GCU Arena. Activities and presenters will be available on campus all week to provide information on crime awareness, drug abuse, sexual assault and other personal and campus safety issues. For more info, call Student Life at 602.639.6892 or [email protected]

How to reserve bowling lanes and game room equipment in Thunder Alley. Hours are 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 2 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. There are 6 lanes, 3 pool tables, 2 ping pong tables, A Golden Tee arcade game, air hockey table, and more.

By Jennifer Willis Communications Staff  GCU sophomore Andrew Arndt of Gilbert was a junior in high school when his world was turned upside down, and Sunday’s Third Day concert at the Arena will have special meaning for him.  Andrew’s 11-year-old brother, Aaron, was hit on the head with a basketball the day before Thanksgiving in 2007. What originally was thought to be a headache soon became something much more serious. Aaron’s headaches got worse. His heart beat at a runner’s pace even while asleep, and he couldn’t hold any food down. After many frustrating visits to the doctor, the Arndt family started to get some answers. Aaron was found to have a chiari malformation, meaning that part of his brain was protruding downward. When he was hit on the head, a nerve was struck. He also had idiopathic intracranial hypertension, also known as a pseudotumor cerebri. Basically, the brain had built up a lot of pressure, as if  there were a tumor. Yet no tumor was present. Aaron went through several medications and two separate surgeries. The medication helped ease his heart and stomach problems, but in turn he became weak and lost his ability to walk. “He’s a tough kid,” Andrew says. “He’s a real trouper.” While most kids […]

Home to more than 130 international students representing more than 46 countries, Grand Canyon University has a diverse student population worth celebrating. Beginning Monday, November 14, the Center for International Education is collaborating with both ASGCU and the International Student Club to celebrate the diverse GCU campus with International Education Week. Students are invited to a different event each day of the week.

The blond wigs were out in force for Monday’s meeting of College of Nursing faculty, with Dean Anne McNamara overseeing a wild and crazy Halloween costume competition between graduate and undergraduate instructors. “There’s a little bit of frivolity going on here,” McNamara acknowledged as things got under way at the Howerton lecture hall.