Campus Life

One of the concluding events of Money Week featured a panel of longtime financial services professionals talking to students about the future of the industry, and their insights included interesting observations about the direction of personal banking. Students entering the profession can expect to see a movement toward helping educate consumers.

Dr. Tim Griffin’s talk about the Bible and wealth Monday was very informative — for both him and his audience. There are so many biblical references to money, the Pastor and Dean of Students had a hard time narrowing his selections to a manageable number. And it reminded him of all the skills he has learned about managing his finances.

Chapel talks get personal sometimes, and adopting children is about as personal as it gets. But Danielle Rinnier, GCU’s Director of Spiritual Life, had a good reason for making that her focus Monday — she wanted students to think about what it really means to participate in what God’s doing. “If we don’t say yes, we settle for a life that’s mediocre,” she said.

Colangelo College of Business students aren’t the only ones who need to learn how to handle personal finances, of course, so Money Week was expanded this year to College of Education classrooms. Dr. Suzanne Zentner, Assistant Superintendent of Strategy and Business Development for Gilbert Public Schools, is sharing her district’s holistic approach to its employees.

Evelyn Racette, an instructor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, has a couple of interesting ways of making her students feel welcome and making sure they know what’s important. Check out what students say about her connection to the “Parks and Recreation” television show.

Money Week, the annual Colangelo College of Business event designed to teach students more about financial literacy, begins Monday and will be bigger than ever. A wide range of financial professionals will speak to classes, and there will be several hiring events.

Kara Becton practically grew up at GCU, so it was no surprise when she chose to attend the University. But what has surprised her during her campus experience has been her biggest takeaway — the community. Now she realizes that this community is a permanent part of her life.

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 …”

The culture of GCU often has a profound effect on students. Here’s one of them: Madeline Thielke says she was “comfortable just remaining comfortable” when she arrived for her first Welcome Week. Three years later, she is a new person. She shares her journey in My LopeLife.

It took an impromptu visit to The Gathering on a Tuesday night for Izabela Fogarasi to realize that amid all the heartache she felt in coming to the United States from Serbia, God was right by her side the whole time. She was so inspired, she submitted a “My LopeLife” that was featured in the November issue of GCU Magazine.