College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Erik Yost, Nathan Olsen and Noah Krepela were expecting to compete in the poster presentation portion of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research conference recently in Baltimore. It’s where undergraduates present their work to the scientists in attendance. But the team, all members of GCU’s STELLAR group, found out it was hand-picked, instead, to give a professional oral presentation about their microbial fuel cell research. “This is a huge honor and, basically, unheard of,” said Erik Yost, president and founder of STELLAR, a club/research group that is getting ready to send its microbial fuel cells to the International Space Station in May.

GCU Engineering, which debuted just six years ago, has been making big strides lately. Several of its degree tracks received ABET accreditation, considered the gold standard in engineering and computing accreditation, and now the department is getting set to launch three new programs: industrial engineering, computer engineering and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with an Emphasis in Aerospace.

Photos by Ralph Freso GCU News Bureau The sixth of seven makeup Commencements was staged Monday at Grand Canyon University Arena. Here’s a story on the featured speaker for the makeup ceremonies, Dr. Breanna Naegeli.   

Like everything else during the pandemic, the Academic Career & Excellence Centers — the go-to spots on campus for free peer-to-peer tutoring — went virtual, offering up academic support via a cable and computer screen. But the ACE Centers have returned to offering in-person academic help at its six locations, including a new location at the Colangelo College of Business.

Robots moved and grooved in one room Saturday in the Technology Building. Across the hallway, another group shared their research into pediatric brain cancer. In still another room, high school students could hear what GCU’s students were doing to help design and prototype medical products. The breakout sessions were just one part of the STEM Research and Design Workshop.

For a university that places such a high emphasis on giving back to the community, adding GCU’s first annual Day of Giving to the calendar just made sense. More than 2,000 donations were made during the 24-hour blitz and will help fund a number of valuable causes on campus. “I’m really impressed with how many donors are interested in giving back to the community here,” Director of Annual Giving Cherylann Galdi said. “As Christians, we have a heart for others, and it really showed today.”

Photos by Rick D’Elia GCU News Bureau The Thursday morning of Fall Commencement featured graduates of the College of Education (bachelor’s); College of Fine Arts and Production; College of Humanities and Social Sciences (bachelor’s); College of Nursing and Health Care Professions (bachelor’s); College of Science, Engineering and Technology; and College of Theology.       

It’s not every day that college students come face to face with a real astronaut, but at GCU it’s just another Monday. During this week’s “A Day in the Life of an Astronaut” panel, Honors students not only got to learn about what life is like in the space exploration field, but also received some valuable advice from panelist and first Korean astronaut Dr. Soyeon Yi. “I can feel how active and passionate for science and space the GCU students are,” she said.

The second of seven makeup Commencement ceremonies Monday proved once again that graduates will travel long distances to celebrate earning their degree. “I just felt that desire to walk across the stage,” said Anthony Jackson Jr., who came all the way from New Orleans. “I wanted to feel that same intensity that the locals feel. I just had to do it.”

Mechanical engineering junior Savannah Moffitt dreams of becoming an automotive engineer, though when she first started classes at GCU, she was wary of working in the engineering shops. But after gaining experience on various machines available to students in the hands-on Lopes Live Labs, she said she also has gained a lot of confidence. “I LOVE working in the shops,” said Moffitt, who led tours of the shops at an open house on Tuesday that also spotlighted various engineering clubs.