Campus Life

“Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure,” the first play of the 2014-15 Ethington Theatre Series by GCU’s College of Fine Arts and Production, had it all: spectacular sets, charming costumes, solid story and ace acting performances all around. Tickets are sold out, but there is a waiting list. Call 602-639-8880.

What will it take to bring the world’s greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes, back into the spotlight? Will Holmes prevail against the evil mastermind, Professor Moriarty, and resist the dangerous allure of Irene Adler? Will Holmes survive one last test of his wits? Will you be able to get a ticket for the show? That’s the biggest mystery, as the College of Fine Arts and Production kicks off the 2014-15 Ethington Theatre Series with “Sherlock Holmes: The FInal Adventure” this weekend. Tickets for Friday and Saturday’s shows are gone, but there are a limited number of seats for Sunday afternoon’s performance and for Sept. 5-7. GCU Today has a preview here.

Day 3 of Grand Canyon University’s Move-In 2014 included new students setting up their homes at Papago Apartments, Mesquite Apartments, North Rim Apartments, and Ocotillo Hall.

Compiled by the GCU News Bureau Would Day 2 of Move-In on Grand Canyon University’s main campus be as spirited as Day 1? The wild Sedona Hall scene Thursday morning provided a rather loud answer. You would have thought you were at a basketball game. In fact, the men’s and women’s basketball teams both were there — and things really got wild when Coach Dan Majerle and his players mugged for the television cameras. It was Move-In Madness, one of best recruiting tools GCU has, but with even more intensity. Volunteers jam-packed on the curb cheered wildly as each car drove in. Moms and dads took videos of the bedlam as they drove in and even jumped out to keep filming as the Luggage Luggers emptied vehicles in record time (more on that later). New students said they felt like celebrities as they were escorted to their rooms. Everyone, it seemed, was smiling — especially Brian Mueller, GCU’s president and CEO, gazing at the hundreds of volunteers. “They’ve done it really well before, but now they’ve really got it down,” he said. “It’s a community-building experience like no other.” Thankfully, the looming rain held off for most of the morning, and […]

Story by Rick Vacek Photos by Darryl Webb GCU News Bureau When Grand Canyon University President/CEO Brian Mueller began Chapel Monday morning by sharing his heartfelt talk two days earlier with a student-turned-employee named “Jenna,” Jenna Pearson was as surprised as anyone. But it shouldn’t have been surprising to anyone who knows her that she has such strong feelings about bringing some sunshine to an ever-darkening world and that what she told Mueller would provide such a perfect opener for the “Making a Difference” theme in Chapel this fall. The occasion was a big moment for the University — the largest crowd (6,500) ever for Chapel in the newly expanded Arena. Anyone who doubts the ability of a Christian university to get students to come voluntarily to a Chapel service needed to see the packed floor seating and lower bowl and the nearly full upper deck. Before he drew from the story of Joseph’s ups and downs, which begins in chapter 37 of the book of Genesis, and laid out his five-point plan for the University, Mueller talked about his Saturday morning business meeting with Pearson on the second floor of the Student Union. Pearson said she felt upset when she woke up […]

Compiled by the GCU News Bureau You couldn’t have asked for a better morning to introduce the first of 6,203 students — who this week are moving into 11 residence halls on Grand Canyon University’s main campus — to their new homes. Wednesday’s weather — crystal clear skies but for a dotting of lavender and golden sun-kissed clouds in the east and cool temperatures the likes of which have not been seen on this date since 1995 — was a God thing. At 6:30 a.m., as the first of hundreds of vehicles carrying excited students and parents suppressing lumps in their throats was unloaded, the mercury edged 75 degrees. It felt like … 75 degrees. “God showed up in a big way,” said Pastor Dean of Students Tim Griffin, referring to the climate, atmospheric and campus-wide. The first of a three-day Move-In, GCU’s mega-purple, super-loud, off-the-charts welcome wagon for new students, was driven by nearly 1,300 volunteers – staff, spiritual life leaders, ASGCU leaders, residential assistant leaders and a student welcome crew of 425. The student army asked to be on the front lines, cheering, unloading and hauling boxes, bags, mirrors, televisions and other items from the vehicles, up multiple flights of […]

With all of the changes to campus this summer, GCU Today is your source for the top ten things all campus students and staff should know this fall.

GCU Arena is back in business, and it showed well Saturday when a free concert featuring Switchfoot provided a spirited finale to Move-In.

Smoking and any other kind of tobacco use, including chewing tobacco and e-cigs, will be banned on GCU property and in University-owned vehicles beginning Jan. 1.

Peet’s Coffee & Tea, the premier specialty coffee and tea company in the U.S., is coming to Grand Canyon University with multiple locations on campus. Peet’s will move into the second floor of the Student Union, replacing Starbucks after the contract with that vendor was not renewed. Another Peet’s location is planned for GCU Arena in the concession area of the first floor. “We are excited about making Peet’s our coffee provider with multiple locations on campus and to offer students and employees lower prices — about 10 percent less, on average,” said Kristen Fraley, GCU’s food services manager. “Multiple locations mean shorter lines and the ability to grab coffee at convenient locations across our growing campus.” Both GCU locations are expected to open Monday, Aug. 25, for the first day of classes. The Student Union location initially will offer brewed coffee and tea while the space is being renovated, and is expected to be full-service by Monday, Sept. 8. The Arena location will carry the majority of Peet’s hand-crafted beverages, including hand-roasted coffee, espresso, tea and specialty blended drinks. Between now and Monday, employees and students can stop by any of the Simply to Go stores on campus or […]