College of Nursing & Health Care Professions

Welcome Week 2017 promises to be another busy and festive time for students as they return to campus. But it’s extremely important, too. “The week says to all, ‘You belong here,’” said Charity Norman, manager of GCU’s Student and Family Program.

Richard Busby, a professor in the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions, has worked in the medical field for 40 years and has traveled to 28 countries to aid those with limited access to medical care and to serve struggling communities. He shared stories about his recent experience in Kathmandu, Nepal, and his passionate view on integrating faith into the classroom.

Here’s a family that has taken devotion to Grand Canyon University to a new level: Not only does Renee Taillon work and study at GCU, so do her three children — twins Christian and Jared and daughter Kirie. “We really do bleed purple in our family,” Renee said.

An Amazon software engineer described her colorful career path Thursday to a Code.org cohort of 25 Arizona educators. The K-12 teachers are at GCU this week to learn AP Science Principles, part of the GCU Strategic Educational Alliances mission to spread love of STEM through the teachers.

Students from Osborn Middle School toured the nursing simulation lab Tuesday as part of a summer career camp, and getting a first-hand look at SimMan definitely had an effect. “He seems so real, and working with him gets me excited about being a surgeon,” one of the students said.

Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe visited GCU on Friday to share her purpose with GCU employees: to heal, mend and love the ‘lost girls’ of Northern Uganda. “I am a dreamer. I dream of making lives a little better. I dream of healing their pain. I dream of mending their brokenness,” she said, bringing her warmth, humor and inspiration to a university where finding one’s purpose is what it’s all about.

This week’s edition of Antelope Intros features a counselor with an unusual first name (and nickname) and a police officer with an unusual collection.

Photos by Slaven Gujic  GCU News Bureau Online students in the College of Doctoral Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences and College of Nursing and Health Care Professions received their degrees Friday in two separate ceremonies at GCU Arena. Classic pianist Jade Simmons delivered the keynote address for each ceremony, and Dr. Tim Griffin, GCU’s pastor and dean of students, and GCU President Brian Mueller were among the speakers.  

Online students have many amazing stories of overcoming obstacles to earn their degrees. Some of them make you wonder how they ever did it — until you talk with them and listen to their determination.

More than 5,000 graduates and their 30,000 guests will be on the Grand Canyon University campus this week for spring commencement. There will be six ceremonies — two each, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., on Thursday through Saturday.