College of Education

The College of Education’s Educators Rising club aired “The Raising of America,” a PBS documentary about the importance of early childhood education, and presented a panel discussion on the topic Thursday on the Quad. “It speaks a lot to what we do here at GCU because what we are doing is trying to educate and prepare our future leaders into becoming advocates in their field,” said Katie Sprute, one of the event’s organizers.

A College of Education professor borrows God’s glasses to take her students beyond the surface of knowledge in the classroom. Lisa Bernier is all about connecting faith through everyday life and encouraging students to go on mission trips.

The 2016 Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony Saturday afternoon, the high point of the homecoming weekend, featured crisp speeches and many plaudits for the University — both what it was like when the inductees were here and how it still makes them feel today. But two, in particular, have an especially interesting perspective on what they see on campus because they still have important roles at GCU.

What would you have to change about yourself in the workplace if your employer was God? You might need to pray more often for the ability to do what’s right, to be more forgiving and do walk humbly, and you might do a “heart check” to ensure we are loving and serving others. That was the message at Friday’s Integration of Faith, Learning and Work “Lunch and Learn” faculty program, entitled, “Work That Honors God.”

On the heels of a staff Christmas party earlier in the week that included the best barbecue in Phoenix and a rousing good time at the men’s basketball game, GCU President Brian Mueller put a bow on the University’s 2015 accomplishments during the all-employee meeting Thursday in GCU Arena. Moving testimony from current and future students, a prayer for the family of two employees who recently passed away and a slew of statistics about growth in buildings, academics and student quality were all part of the package.

Photos by Darryl Webb GCU News Bureau GCU Arena was packed and festive for winter commencement Friday night as more than 600 traditional graduates received their diplomas. So many great stories equals so many great photos, filled with joy and anticipation.  

There was a slight chill in the air Friday, but things quickly warmed up inside a full GCU Arena as more than 600 members of the Class of 2015 and thousands of their closest family members and friends celebrated a variety of incredible accomplishments. Keynote speaker Erik Wahl speed-painted two interesting pieces of art during his talk, which reflected on his own mistakes in life of listening too closely to critics and being afraid to find and live his purpose. He encouraged the new alumni to never be afraid to fail and to think differently than anyone has before.

The latest edition of GCU Today Magazine tees up a cover story on the newly renovated Grand Canyon University Golf Course and what it means to west Phoenix and to the University. See why it’s such a big victory, and watch a video that shows off the transformation from Maryvale Golf Course. The December magazine also features an inside look at how GCU students are being the hands and feet of Jesus in the community, introduces you to five recent graduates of the College of Fine Arts and Production who are having lots of success in the working world, traces the University’s origins as the Antelopes and the evolution of its popular mascot, Thunder, and offers a behind-the scenes look at our own Thunder Dan Majerle.   

It was a win-win-win day Thursday for GCU’s College of Education when alumna Christine Marsh was named the 2016 Arizona Teacher of the Year, and two other alumni placed in the top five finalists for the prestigious award. Marsh, an English teacher at Chaparral High in Scottsdale, was joined in the winner’s circle at the Arizona Educational Foundation’s awards ceremony at the Arizona Biltmore by Angelia Ebner and Beth Snyder. All three have master’s degrees from GCU.

Neither rain nor lightning nor dust storm nor traffic could detract from Grand Canyon University’s online commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday. Once the attendees were safely inside GCU Arena, which took some doing when the dust started blowing Friday, there were congratulations for a job well done and triumphantly raised fists to signify an impressive achievement.