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The Commuter Lounge is one of the busiest places on the Grand Canyon University campus during summer school, but the students who use it love its more relaxed ambiance this time of year. As Ruben Garcia said, “I have more time to talk to some of the students I see in the lounge. Now that it is summer, we dive and delve.’’

The story of Grand Canyon University’s growth and accomplishments added a new chapter this week when its chapter in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars earned Platinum Star Status and was deemed the largest in the country. Here’s the catch: The chapter was formed only four years ago.

Professors Crystal McCabe and Lynn Basko are accustomed to teaching future teachers in GCU’s College of Education, but teaching high school students who aspire to be teachers is a fairly infrequent experience, yet one they passionately embrace. Including McCabe and Basko, six GCU professors travel to Orlando this week for the 2018 Educators Rising National Conference, a gathering of over 1,000 high school students who are interested in teaching careers.

Story by Theresa Smith Photos by David Kadlubowski   GCU News Bureau With teacher shortages in several parts of the country and the spotlight on low teacher pay, including the #RedforEd movement in Arizona, it is heartwarming for Grand Canyon University College of Education leaders to make an impact on the newest generation of potential teachers. COE Dean Dr. Kimberly LaPrade and Dr. Marjaneh Gilpatrick, COE’s Executive Director of Educational Outreach, will be working with teenaged prospective educators at the 2018 Educators Rising National Conference on Thursday-Sunday in Orlando, Fla. Both GCU stalwarts were selected as judges of the national competition that will take place at the conference. High school students from all across the country won state competitions in order to qualify for nationals. “It is uplifting for educator leaders to see young people who know they want to be teachers,’’ Gilpatrick said. “They have already demonstrated excellence at the state level, so the entries at the national level are usually quite impressive.’’ There are 19 high school competition categories, including children’s literature, creative lecture TED Talk, ethical dilemma, impromptu lesson, lesson planning and leadership in action. Dr. LaPrade is judging the ethical dilemma category in which students log numerous preparation hours […]

A survey on Grand Canyon University’s distinct Christian worldview and integration of faith showed that more than 80 percent of campus, online and evening students identified as Christians. Almost 85 percent of campus students had a positive perception of faith integration and almost 87 percent of online students had a positive one.

There’s a new GCU-wrapped bus roaming the streets of the Valley, and its driver, Kenny Deitch, says it has gotten a lot of approving honks from motorists. “It stands out in the crowd, man,” Deitch said.

“There’s nothing like it,” Dr. Juan de Dios Hernandez says of performing at Carnegie Hall, which he and 120 GCU vocalists will do April 23. The campus community has one last chance to see those vocalists in concert before their big trip. The Canyon Choral Society will tackle Morten Lauridsen’s “Lux Aeterna” and Dan Forrest’s “Jubilate Deo” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at First Southern Baptist Church.

The Colangelo School of Sports Business brought in another prominent speaker Wednesday, but it wasn’t someone directly from the sports world. Ed Huber, Vice President/General Manager of The Clorox Company, talked about the successful advertising campaign for Brita water-filtering pitchers that he launched with basketball star Steph Curry.

The Colangelo College of Business will be host to two major entrepreneurial events Wednesday afternoon — an educational seminar for angel investors and then the AZ Conscious Capitalism Collegiate Challenge, which will feature two Grand Canyon University entries competing against teams from six other Arizona universities and community colleges. Both events are free and open to everyone.

The Canyon Worship Songwriters Showcase will have a new look for its Spring 2018 version — it will be on the outdoor patio of the Canyon 49 Grill. Everyone on campus is invited to listen to songs written and performed by Center for Worship Arts students.