College of Humanities and Social Sciences

It’s been a big year so far, but there’s more to come in 2018-19. The spring semester will kick off with the grand opening of the new 150,000-plus-square foot Colangelo College of Business Building on Jan. 9 and will barrel forward through April and May with signature events such as the Canyon Challenge, Mr. GCU, the Theatre Department’s presentation of Holocaust drama “Who Will Carry the Word,” Serve the City in February, the Roadshow Tour at GCU Arena, basketball and much more. Check out some highlights from GCU Today’s 2019 Winter-Spring Calendar.

Kelsie Sebreros’ internship last summer in New York with Clear Channel Outdoor was the result of her hard work and ingenuity. But it also was a testimonial to the help she received from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The college’s dean, Dr. Sherman Elliott, said of her experience, “It is very inspirational for all learners.”

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.

Photos by Slaven Gujic GCU News Bureau The Friday afternoon ceremony at Grand Canyon University winter commencement featured graduates of the College of Education, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, and College of Theology.    

God’s plan was set on warp speed for Rachel Robinson, which is why she accepted her diploma at Friday afternoon’s winter commencement just 2 1/2 years after enrolling at Grand Canyon University. Pairing efficiency with excellence, the Honors College member earned a 4.0 grade point average, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology.

With a 3.9 grade point average, two internships and short stories and poems published in four literary journals, Cymelle Edwards is an exceptional member of the winter commencement graduating class. She developed her phenomenal writing gifts under the tutelage of several GCU professors, including Dr. Andrea Alden, assistant professor Brian Raftery and author Dr. Diane Goodman, who proclaimed, “I am confident that when Cymelle completes her MFA (Master of Fine Arts), she will emerge as a voice for her generation.’’

Playing poker not only can be fun, it can provide a learning opportunity. And the bonus lesson for GCU math students amid their semi-annual Poker Day was seeing their instructors in a different environment. “It is fun to see the professor as a person instead of a teacher,’’ said Computer Science major Jeremy Mog.

Eight students performed on Wednesday evening in the Speech and Debate Showcase. The event was highlighted by an emotional speech by Keliann Nash about her brother, and it featured the quick preparation skills of Tommee Gleason. “Several members of the audience were moved by the performances they saw, and that speaks to the power the students have in conveying emotions via their performance,” Director of Forensics Michael Dvorak said.

GCU senior Xanthia Clow shined a light on the opioid crisis en route to winning first place in persuasive speech at the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensic Association Fall Championships  on Sunday at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. Teammate Tommee Gleason placed third in three events and Keliann Nash finished third in impromptu speaking at a tournament featuring 38 college and university teams.

“There’s real science going on … there’s real innovation,” Provost Dr. Hank Radda said during Wednesday’s Undergraduate Learning Community and Research Symposium. Student presenters spoke to the audience about everything from the Desert Owl Population Improvement Project to the Bible Virtual Reality Project and one team’s attempt to help nonprofits digitize their paper surveys.