College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Nearly 1,500 students from 83 high schools across Arizona learned about crime scene evidence, toured DNA and cadaver labs and listened to forensic experts speak during Grand Canyon University’s annual Forensic Science Day. They also got to take a crack at solving a “murder” set up for their benefit.

Nearly 1,000 people gathered Thursday at GCU Arena to hear 18 speakers and watch a full day’s worth of thought-provoking, emotional and inspirational TEDx talks. GCU students Austin Mosher and Jedidiah Woods, who conceived and organized the event, believe this year’s inaugural TEDx Grand Canyon University production will become an annual staple.

GCU’s new Robotics Club, one of six new engineering clubs approved last month, got off to a racing start when its Derby Kart entry, a brightly painted Lego-mobile, won the “Most Creative” award in the homecoming weekend event.

The fifth installment of Grand Canyon University’s “Lunch and Learn” speaker series discussed personal and biblical identities that each of us must seek out and find. GCU Speech and Debate coach Barry Regan along with COFAP assistant professor Sheila Schumacher shared stories and discussed the need to forge an identity both as a person and through Jesus.

A wide array of professionals, executives, students and interesting stories comprise the 20 finalists chosen to give talks in the TEDx event March 2 at GCU Arena. Organizers hope to draw a crowd of at least 4,000.

Grand Canyon University’s latest gathering in the Integration of Faith, Learning and Work “Lunch and Learn” speaker series focused on the idea that love is all encompassing and, at times, difficult. Biblical definitions and interpretations of love include goodwill and forgiveness to those who have done you harm.

GCU’s second STEM Innovation Breakfast was a tremendous success, both for presenters who offered a range of opportunities and K-12 educators wishing to bolster STEM programs. “Schools are recognizing that they need to change the way they teach to meet the changing demands of the workforce,” said Amanda Hughens, GCU’s K-12 STEM outreach manager.

As GCU’s first engineering students enter their fourth semester of classes, they are greeted with a new, hands-on curriculum that makes engineering a lot more fun. Just ask the sophomores and juniors in Dina Higgins’ Statics and Dynamics & Lab class.

The relationships between GCU career services, students and a variety of local and national organizations continues to strengthen. Pipelines are being formed between GCU and companies such as Enterprise, ADP, Vanguard and many more across all business sectors. “When someone attends or graduates from GCU, they have a higher standard,” said Katie Berry, a talent acquisition specialist for Enterprise.

Brandon Juarez first walked the grounds of Grand Canyon University 15 years ago as an out-of-state student. Today, he is a full-time assistant professor and the best part about his story at GCU is that his office now sits across the hall from the professor who helped shape his future.