College of Science, Engineering and Technology

By Laurie Merrill GCU News Bureau Separating faith from work is no easier than separating gender or ethnicity from work, Dr. Daisy Savarirajan told about 75 Grand Canyon University faculty during a “Lunch and Learn” session Friday. “I can’t separate one from the other,” said Savarirajan, a College of Science, Engineering and Technology microbiology instructor. “When I’m serving the students, I’m serving Christ.” Savarirajan discussed “Christ in the Classroom” during one of a series of peer-led talks about assimilating faith into teaching. The sessions are part of GCU’s Integration of Faith, Learning and Work initiative under Dr. Jason Hiles, College of Theology dean. She referenced John 4:35, which reads, “ … look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” This refers to people who would have eternal life in His kingdom, she said. “I see this campus as a field that is ready for harvest.” Teaching microbiology gives her the context for God’s calling, which is to save lives. Focusing on one’s true calling, or the big picture, gives work meaning, Savarirajan said. Otherwise it can feel demeaning, discouraging or draining. She believes her purpose in the classroom is to represent Christ and allow God’s spirit to work in her. She also uses […]

Story by Laurie Merrill Photos by Darryl Webb GCU News Bureau Aruba Siddikqi and Jazlyn Leon are only in 10th grade, but they already know they want careers in the health sciences. That’s why they traveled four hours Friday morning from Douglas, Ariz.,  to Phoenix for Grand Canyon University’s Health Sciences, Engineering and Technology Day 2015. “We came to get more information about the medical fields,” said Leon, who attends Douglas High with Siddikqi. “I’m interested in studying to be a pharmacist, or some kind of forensic career.” Siddikqi is also considering a career as pharmacist, in addition to wanting to be a physician. They were among nearly 2,500 high school and junior high school students who descended on campus to learn more about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and nursing. They toured science labs, listened to lectures from impressive speakers, participated in hands-on experiments and visited booths ranging from the GCU Sports Medicine Club and Honors College–Honors STEMists to Dignity Health and the AZ SciTech Festival. “The students come out with a much stronger idea of what they wanted to go into,” said Teri Varley, who teaches at Ray High School in Kearny. “It opens up broader ideas to them.” […]

Neither rain nor lightning nor dust storm nor traffic could detract from Grand Canyon University’s online commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday. Once the attendees were safely inside GCU Arena, which took some doing when the dust started blowing Friday, there were congratulations for a job well done and triumphantly raised fists to signify an impressive achievement.

Among the thousands of people who plan to participate a walk to benefit breast cancer patients, families and research later this month are GCU employees Woody and Allison Mason, who have been on a long cancer journey of their own. Woody’s identical twin, Dilon, is a three-time cancer survivor who got a new lease on life, thanks to his brother’s donation of stem cells, and Allison has been there every step of the way. GCU Today has a story about them that includes GCU’s heart for the walk and how you can sign up.

CSET’s faculty grew by nine members this fall as its student enrollment rose to more than 2,800 students. Dr. Jon Valla, the new assistant dean, is playing a role in transitioning GCU to a strong research facility. GCU Today has the story.

This year for the first time, high school students enrolled as GCU STEM Scholars are experimenting with human cadavers as part of their curriculum. On Friday, Peoria’s Medical Engineering and Technology Professional Academy students, many of whom are considering enrolling at GCU for its medical program, were at first squeamish but then enthralled by the unusual activity. GCU Today has the story.

Dr. Galyna Kufryk, a professor of biological sciences in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, was invited by the Institut Pasteur in Paris to continue her research of tiny photosynthetic organisms that someday could help solve the world’s energy crisis. You can read more about Kufryk, who received the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award last year from CSET, and her work in this GCU Today story.

One of the many bright new freshmen who started classes three weeks ago is Yousif Al Dulaimi, a pre-med biology major who grew up in Baghdad, Iraq, amid Saddam Hussein’s ouster and his country’s war. Yousif arrived in Chandler with his family about 14 months ago, enrolled in and graduated from Hamilton High and now is taking five courses and working two jobs.

The number of GCU students doing internships just keeps growing — up to more than 300 for the 2014-15 school year. The types of opportunities they’re getting also are expanding, and several found themselves getting to do far more than they expected.

The tools to succeed as a student at GCU have never before been so intentional and integrated throughout the colleges and curriculum. From the time they step onto campus until their commencement, students are continuously exposed to purposeful planning, advising and other guidance to make the most of their programs of study, academics, career aspirations and spirituality. And soon, a new First Year Center of academic excellence will open in Juniper Hall, which is home to 250 of GCU’s 750 Honors College students. Click here to read more in GCU Today.