Community

Seven years of teaching and facilitating Bible Study for residents of Phoenix Rescue Mission earned GCU sociology professor Dr. Timothy Larkin the Outstanding Teaching Award for 2018 from the Changing Lives Center for Women & Children, a shelter at PRM. “Such activity for me keeps me seeing with Christ-centered spiritual eyes and experiencing joy,” said Larkin, who provided insight in a Q&A with GCU Today.

One of the impressive early graduates at winter commencement Friday morning was Payton Kuhnel, who needed just 2 1/2 years of college to get his Sports Management degree. But that’s only part of the story. Not only was he summa cum laude; he also worked the whole time he was on campus and already has a job in Major League Baseball.

The Eta Chi chapter of Delta Mu Delta, which achieved Star status (top 5 percent of all chapters) in August, added 132 members Wednesday, 24 of whom were on hand for the induction ceremony. “Delta Mu Delta confirms that you have a proven track record of academic achievement,” said Conner Teich, the chapter’s president.

A partnership between GCU and Phoenix Rescue Mission produced toys, games and household goods for needy children and hope for recovering adults, residents of PRM who attended the Lopes women’s basketball game Tuesday night at GCU Arena. “It is crazy to think I am coming to something like this, a GCU basketball game,’’ said PRM resident Kassandra Elson. “This is how I am spending my free time rather than doing things that put me in prison.’’

Photos by Theresa Smith and Lana Sweeten-Shults GCU News Bureau Hungry and stressed students sipped hot chocolate and munched on granola bars along the Promenade on Wednesday. They were eager to take advantage of Fuel for Finals, courtesy of the Grand Canyon University Welcome Programs and parents from the GCU Parent Council. “I was very satisfied with my granola bar,” said Joshua Onwordi.  “And I took one when I went to class as well, so I have eaten two granola bars today. I am fueled for finals.” The sophomore from Chandler took his first final on Tuesday and a second one on Wednesday. Along with providing snacks, drinks and encouragement, the semiannual event featured a prayer request board, prompting students to publicize their prayers, including asking God for successful final exam experiences.  The two-day event ended on Thursday at 2 p.m.  

The growth of the Center for Worship Arts program at GCU is being felt in churches in Arizona and beyond. Aaron Bolton and Mallory Denson are just two of the students who have graduated and gone on to worship ministry careers at local churches. “We’re thrilled,” said Dr. Jason Hiles, Dean of the College of Theology.

The GCU Recording Studio usually is a busy place, and part of the reason is the relationship that has been built with the high school community. Concert bands, choirs, jazz bands and other musical groups have gotten an opportunity to come to the studio and make professional-sounding recordings, and Valley Christian Schools took it to the next level by turning it into a video.

Dr. Howard Carlson, an adjunct GCU professor in the College of Education and the reigning Arizona Superintendents Association Superintendent of the Year, shares experience and insight in his new book, “Accelerated Wisdom: 50 Practical Insights for Today’s Superintendent.” Carlson, the superintendent of the Wickenburg Unified School District, shared several of the book’s main points in a question-and-answer session with GCU Today.

Photos by Theresa Smith and Debbie Accomazzo GCU News Bureau Members of the GCU community helped hand out Thanksgiving meals Monday at the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance Turkey Distribution event.

On many fronts, GCU is striving to ease food insecurity in the Valley by partnering with the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. Thunder, the women’s basketball and volleyball teams, along with members of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences made an impact on Monday. “Everyone wants to feel special and there is nothing better at Thanksgiving than to have the community rally to make sure everybody has a good meal and enjoys the time with their families,” said GCU women’s basketball coach Nicole Powell.