Community

Hundreds of people across campus clustered outside of GCU Arena on Monday to watch the partial eclipse of the sun. The viewing party, hosted by the newly formed Astronomy Club, was a big hit even though Phoenix got only 60 percent coverage. People watched in wonder through telescopes and protective glasses. Witnessing the total eclipse was “surreal and a little scary,” said Stephanie Paluch, a COE faculty member.

Whether parents are mournful at the thought of no longer living with their GCU freshman or cheered because they can finally convert the bedroom into a study, the milestone of a child going away to a college or university is significant for all involved. At a Parent Hospitality Corner on Monday, some family members discussed what they were feeling and how they were responding.

The cheers of volunteers welcoming early arrivals could be heard across campus Friday morning as students, faculty and staff moved students into residence halls. Those arriving Friday will, in turn, welcome the bulk of the students during Welcome Week, which kicks off Monday. GCU Today has the story.

It has been only three months since Andrea Northup got her Business Management degree, but she already is working for Habitat for Humanity and also is launching an interesting and extremely humane entrepreneurial venture. How she got to GCU and then turned this into all that is quite a story.

FBI conducted two training sessions for GCU Public Safety employees
The Federal Bureau of Investigations spent two days on GCU’s main campus this past month conducting Basic Active Shooter Response Training for GCU Public Safety employees. “Due to this training, (the) Public Safety Department is better prepared to address an active shooter situation,” said Director of Public Safety Joseph Yahner.

The next class of Students Inspiring Students scholarship recipients is on campus this week for a new orientation session called LEAD In. “When classes start, it’s a bit like drinking out of a fire hose. We want them to be prepared for the challenges they will face before their first class,” said Shari Stagner, GCU’s Program Manager for K-12 Student Development and Outreach.

More than 5,000 community youth and their families were on campus Saturday for the 13th annual Niños Seguros back to school fair in Antelope Gym. The event included backpack giveaways, safety demonstrations, songs, ballet folklorico and families were able to prepare for the first day of school.

More than 130 Chief Science Officers from middle and high schools across Arizona are learning leadership, communication and team-building skills this week at the second annual GCU-hosted CSO Training Institute. In just two years, the program has spread not only across the state but also nationally with 13 states following Arizona’s example. CSOs are elected by their peers to act as STEM ambassadors at their schools and communities.

GCU volunteers brought vim and verve Tuesday to the annual Back to School Clothing Drive at GCU Arena as University staff, athletes and other students participated in the first specially designated GCU Day. Of course, Thunder stole the show with his zany antics, but the Cheer and Dance team members and soccer and volleyball players added spark to the already electric atmosphere. More than 5,000 students received clothing and other goodies in time for the start of school.

GCU recently received a Hunger Heroes Award from St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance for its major contributions of donations and volunteer hours. But the partnership has benefited local students, too: St. Mary’s has shipped more than 21,000 meals to the Learning Lounge in the last four years.