College of Humanities and Social Sciences

The culture of GCU often has a profound effect on students. Here’s one of them: Madeline Thielke says she was “comfortable just remaining comfortable” when she arrived for her first Welcome Week. Three years later, she is a new person. She shares her journey in My LopeLife.

It took an impromptu visit to The Gathering on a Tuesday night for Izabela Fogarasi to realize that amid all the heartache she felt in coming to the United States from Serbia, God was right by her side the whole time. She was so inspired, she submitted a “My LopeLife” that was featured in the November issue of GCU Magazine.

Parents can shame a child to make them stop bad behavior. It might work in the short term but can have long-term negative consequences. As behavioral health professionals, the challenge is telling clients how to stop shaming, and that’s what Ryan Sheade and Erica Tatum-Sheade explored with clinicians at GCU’s Third Annual Behavioral Health Conference Friday.

Saturday was a day of celebration as Grand Canyon University’s Alpha Chi chapter inducted 1,212 new members into the prestigious honors society. Only students within the top 10% of their graduating class in each of their individual colleges are eligible. “GCU does attract a lot of exceptional learners,” Honors College Associate Dean Breanna Naegeli said.

A colorful display on the third floor of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences building isn’t just about flowers and candy. The Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, display has deeper meaning to those who visit it today.

Students got a chance to hear about the everyday life of therapists at the Behavioral Health Science Career Panel on Thursday. It was inspiring to those who want to help others. “You get to bear witness to the journeys they are on. You get to validate that you get to assure your clients that, guess what, you are not alone,” said Seth Strawn, a GCU alumnus who returned to talk to students about his work as a therapist.

The Association of Christian Schools International’s first international job fair at GCU brought representatives from 28 countries to campus Tuesday. “We have a variety of job fairs and career fairs, but mostly they’re local and national. This is opening up the door in a large way to the number of professions in that international sphere,” said Dr. Tacy Ashby, Senior Vice President of K12 Educational Development. “The College of Education is really excited about this because it affords incredible ministry opportunities while allowing their students the opportunity to serve in Christian schools abroad.”

GCU students wrote six-word autobiographies and short stories for the National Day on Writing. The day, launched by the National Council of Teachers of English, celebrates writing and the reasons we write. English Department faculty and student writing clubs hosted the event. I find inspiration in writing,” said student Yaritza Hernandez,. “I find comfort in writing. I find strength.

Kirk Cameron’s Fall Commencement keynote address underlines the importance of perseverance. The former “Growing Pains” star and now prominent Christian actor addressed GCU’s most recent group of graduates with congratulations and a powerful message of overcoming fear, fulfilling their mission and finishing the race. “This was really exciting,” Cameron said. “I was a little nervous, I’ve never done it before … I knew with all these Christian families, it was just really a special blessing to be part of this day that they’ll remember for their whole life.”

Photos by David Kadlubowski GCU News Bureau The 9 a.m. Commencement ceremony Thursday featured online students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. For a full replay of the ceremony, click here.     Related content: GCU Today: Slideshow: Fall Commencement, Friday evening ceremony GCU Today: My LopeLife: Passion for education drives teachers GCU Today: My LopeLife: Nurses know all about hanging tough GCU Today: My LopeLife: Tales of doctoral, nursing challenges GCU Today: Slideshow: Fall Commencement, Friday afternoon ceremony GCU Today: Slideshow: Fall Commencement, Friday morning ceremony GCU Today: My LopeLife: Stories from Thursday evening session GCU Today: Slideshow: Fall Commencement, Thursday evening ceremony GCU Today: Jamaican graduate hopes degree will impact others GCU Today: Kirk Cameron delivers powerful message to grads GCU Today: My LopeLife: They had to be all business to succeed GCU Today: Slideshow: Fall Commencement, Thursday afternoon ceremony GCU Today: GCU reaches 1,000 signed doctoral dissertations GCU Today: My LopeLife: Humanities grads share their joy