Campus Life

The leaders of the Associated Students of Grand Canyon University are taking “It’s On Us” Week beyond the important emphasis of preventing sexual assault. They aim to help StreetLightUSA build a school for victims of child sex trafficking, by planning a fundraiser designed to yield $10,000 in student donations that will be matched by the University. The fun part of the fundraiser is the Stampede button.

A trio of Grand Canyon University students are accelerating their dream of eliminating the middle man for impoverished Peruvian coffee farmers. They will take their ideas to the Clinton Global Initiative University, a conference this weekend at the University of Chicago. “I think it is awesome to be able to see future world leaders, entrepreneurs and changers in one central location,’’ said Noah Wolfe, who has combined with Tim McGill and Aly Halbakken to form a nonprofit, Novella.

Photos by Gillian Rea GCU News Bureau The Thunder Bolt shopping spree winner, Dave Argo, and his startled wife, Susan, were among the happiest members of the extended Lopes clan on Family Weekend. The campus was transformed Saturday into a dynamic display of family love, including a chance for homesick Lopes students to reconnect with their parents and siblings. Laughter, hugs, leisurely lunches and Lopes spirit ruled Family Weekend, and no amount of rain could douse the feeling. Families connected on the bowling alleys and billiards tables in Thunderground, among other events.

Priscilla Shirer drew a huge crowd to her appearance Saturday at GCU Arena, and it’s no wonder: Her down-to-earth talk shows why so many women have tuned into her work. “I love her transparency. I love how she’s a normal mom. She’s folding her own clothes,” one attendee said.

GCU’s ROTC program has more students than ever and a new leader who is focused on getting the cadets more involved in University events. “ROTC is a development program that trains people to be adaptive leaders of character,” said Capt. Mia Odom, who started at GCU this fall. “There are a lot of opportunities within ROTC. It’s a place for people who want to learn and grow and become leaders and critical thinkers.”

The largest Family Weekend in GCU history runs Friday through Sunday and is chock full of activities. Here is a partial list: Chapel, performances of Macbeth, competitive and casual golf at the GCU Golf Course, Parent Hospitality in Thunder Alley, a showing of “Incredibles2” on the Grove Lawn, performances by students from the College of Fine Arts and Production, performances by Spirit teams, competitive games or matches by the softball, men’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming teams, a Thunder Bolt shopping spree, family sand volleyball and a family service project.

A record 846 students camped out in 168 tents in preparation for Midnight Madness and for the opportunity to create a unique college experience. “I wanted to be part of the crowd,” said freshman Trent Bowman. “I wanted to be part of the community.”

Cybersecurity expert Mark Pribish said that retired Gen. Michael Hayden, the former director of the CIA, told an international cyber audience in 2017 that when it comes to cyber threats: “Here’s a fact. You can’t stop it,” at least not 100 percent. With the news of data breaches, identity theft and the like always making headlines, the possibilities of building a career in the cybersecurity industry are strong. He was the first speaker in the Dean’s Speaker Series in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, talking this week to technology students about “Cybersecurity Career Opportunities Outside of IT.”

GCU students use multiple modes of transportation to traverse campus, from new-age electric bikes to swift skateboards to colorful beach cruiser bikes to old-fashioned lace up roller skates — the Lopes know how to get around.

This is the time of year when students start getting into the thick of school, when they will hear many voices telling them it’s really important to be engaged in this activity and that activity, and that they need to make those groups or events or projects a part of their life. But Dr. Tim Griffin, GCU Pastor and Dean of Students, said, “Next thing you know, Jesus will be pushed to the end of the day — to the edges of our life — and we can’t hear his voice because we’re so busy.” At Chapel on Monday, Griffin urged students to take a step back from the business of life, be mindful, find a quiet spot and think about how important it is to hear from Jesus. “Sit in front of Him and let Him speak to your heart,” he said.