Colangelo College of Business

GCU’s chapter in Delta Mu Delta, the international business honor society, just keeps growing in numbers and stature, and this fall that meant growing its leadership group as well. Because the three top officers all will be gone after this week, new leaders had to be recruited and trained. Thanks to President Shannon Walker, it got done.

Five student groups presented their research at the Undergraduate Learning Community and Research Symposium Friday. “It’s very clear to me that what used to be done at the graduate level is now being done at the undergraduate level and with significant excellence,” said GCU President Brian Mueller. Those interesting findings cover everything from heart rates to something called Ugly Gerry.

The first Canyon Challenge entrepreneurial competition held in December was won, appropriately, by a Christmas-oriented business, Santa Calls. What appealed to the judges was the fact that the idea could be expanded beyond this time of year.

It didn’t take long for the new Innovation Center to get noticed by entrepreneurs across the Valley — it attracted 25 businesses in its first 2 1/2 months. The reason is simple: It has many aspects that make it an attractive deal, especially the fact that hiring GCU students is part of the package.

One of the concluding events of Money Week featured a panel of longtime financial services professionals talking to students about the future of the industry, and their insights included interesting observations about the direction of personal banking. Students entering the profession can expect to see a movement toward helping educate consumers.

GCU senior Gavin Thompson liked to shop in thrift stores. He knew other people didn’t like to spend the time but liked the merchandise. That’s how his Wear Old secondhand clothes business was launched. His story highlights the path more students are taking in addition to classes — hustling to start their own business.

Dr. Tim Griffin’s talk about the Bible and wealth Monday was very informative — for both him and his audience. There are so many biblical references to money, the Pastor and Dean of Students had a hard time narrowing his selections to a manageable number. And it reminded him of all the skills he has learned about managing his finances.

Colangelo College of Business students aren’t the only ones who need to learn how to handle personal finances, of course, so Money Week was expanded this year to College of Education classrooms. Dr. Suzanne Zentner, Assistant Superintendent of Strategy and Business Development for Gilbert Public Schools, is sharing her district’s holistic approach to its employees.

Money Week, the annual Colangelo College of Business event designed to teach students more about financial literacy, begins Monday and will be bigger than ever. A wide range of financial professionals will speak to classes, and there will be several hiring events.

To say that Bethlehem Schwab already has lived an amazing life is an understatement. She was born in Ethiopia and orphaned at a young age, then adopted by a Colorado couple who wanted to double the size of their family. Now she’s in the hospitality program at GCU, and her Canyon 49 Grill manager, Brett Cortright, calls her a “rock star.”