Colleges

Erik Yost, Nathan Olsen and Noah Krepela were expecting to compete in the poster presentation portion of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research conference recently in Baltimore. It’s where undergraduates present their work to the scientists in attendance. But the team, all members of GCU’s STELLAR group, found out it was hand-picked, instead, to give a professional oral presentation about their microbial fuel cell research. “This is a huge honor and, basically, unheard of,” said Erik Yost, president and founder of STELLAR, a club/research group that is getting ready to send its microbial fuel cells to the International Space Station in May.

Ruben Hernandez once ran the streets near GCU, getting into trouble and painting graffiti late into the night. But then he was sentenced to serve community service. His assignment was at a church, and his redemption began. He went from high school dropout, to art school graduate before arriving at GCU. Here, he practiced his art in Thunderground and learned business acumen as an entrepreneurial studies major. He was hired to paint a large mural in the lobby of the Antelope Canyon Center, and his creation is fitting: the Grand Canyon.

Dorothy Galiger’s role as a military spouse didn’t end when her husband retired from the Army. It didn’t even end after he died in 2018. She continues to pay homage to him by pursuing a doctorate from GCU, focusing her dissertation topic on the challenges female Army reserve combat veterans face in trying to reintegrate into civilian life.. Oh, and there’s one other thing: Dorothy Galiger is 80 years old.

Shay Quitno was terrified. She couldn’t sleep. It was her first day ever of teaching a class after graduating from GCU last spring. Quitno shared those feelings on Instagram, a project by the College of Education to chronicle the first year of a COE graduate in hopes that aspiring teachers and others can see what it’s like and learn from it. “Life with Shay” has been a social media hit. Quitno had more to say (and film) on a recent day in her classroom at Hermosa Vista Elementary School in Mesa, where it was evident her training overcame rookie teacher anxiety.

Craig Detweiler has had a long career in the arts. He wrote, directed and produced The Disney Channel’s “The Duke,” and he’s the author of several books, including his latest, “Deep Focus: Film and Theology in Dialogue.” But his life in the arts is only half of his story. GCU’s new dean of the College of Fine Arts and Production also is dedicated to his Christian faith and has spent the last few decades trying to bring those two passions together. Said his wife, Dr. Caroline Cicero: “He was told when he decided to become a Christian that he had to throw his artistic interests away, that he had to shove those in a drawer, and that is not true.”

GCU Engineering, which debuted just six years ago, has been making big strides lately. Several of its degree tracks received ABET accreditation, considered the gold standard in engineering and computing accreditation, and now the department is getting set to launch three new programs: industrial engineering, computer engineering and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with an Emphasis in Aerospace.

Jason Cantanese, a math teacher at Pueblo Del Sol Elementary School in Phoenix, learned early in his career that the school didn’t offer algebra. He knew his students needed it to succeed, and he came up with a creative way to make it happen. Cantanese was one of four panelists at the College of Education’s Virtual Dean Speakers Series Wednesday, and his story revealed why he wanted to teach, a theme of the event. “If you are in a classroom and see a problem, don’t wait. You can be part of that change,” he said.

With so many different iterations of “The Addams Family” over the years, it’s no surprise that the Theatre Department was excited about making it the third play of the season. But the excitement extends beyond the iconic characters taking the Ethington Theatre stage — it also will be GCU’s first musical since before the pandemic. “I think there is just so much joy that comes along with a musical, so I think it’s just really a great atmosphere to bring back to GCU,” said Christian Shepard, who plays Wednesday Addams’ fiancé.

Most of the Promenade was lined with tables set up by school district representatives Tuesday, eager to hire GCU’s aspiring teachers. Nearly all of the recruiters were at the Lopes Leap to Teach & Lead career expo were from Arizona, but Mark Vingoe stood behind his table covered with a map of Alaska. Sure, the temperature was 4 degrees below zero there on Tuesday, an 85-degree difference from the GCU campus. But they need teachers, and he was promising adventure.

The first meeting of the new Women in Business Club drew more than 130 attendees. Pretty impressive, right? Actually, it was just getting started. Within two days, it had 400 members, and the Colangelo College of Business Building lobby figures to be packed with many of them Tuesday night for its second meeting. The idea is to provide knowledge and mentorship to women no matter what their major, but guys are welcome, too. “It’s just a great opportunity for students to meet each other,” said CCOB Assistant Dean Dr. Allison Mason, the club’s advisor.