College of Theology

Dr. Randall Downs loves music, so it’s easy to see why he loves his role as Worship Arts Coordinator for the College of Theology. He has been a worship pastor for more than two decades and also plays in a folk group. And then there’s the hobby that he finds entertaining.

How does a guy go from working retail to a CEO of one of Arizona’s largest behavioral health organizations. GCU graduate Steven Sheets, President and CEO of Southwest Behavioral and Health Services, said GCU set him up for success with “unique and individual learning.”

Dr. Valerie De La Torre, Instructor of Theology for Grand Canyon Theological Seminary, is a Grand Canyon alumna and is thrilled to be back on campus in an online teaching capacity. She loves it when students get a concept, and check out her little secret about Ethington Theatre.

Thanks to a $3.2 million grant from the Kern Family Foundation, GCU is instituting a new pastoral program that will make it possible to obtain Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees in just five years — with the fifth year tuition free. Reprinted from the November issue of GCU Magazine.

GCU News Bureau A special edition of the Journal of Instructional Research features several articles from Grand Canyon University faculty. JIR features theoretical and empirically-based research articles, critical reflection pieces, case studies and classroom innovations relevant to best practices in post-secondary instruction (including teaching, learning and assessment). The articles listed below are available here: “Defining Effective Online Pedagogy,” John Steele, Rick Holbeck, Jean Mendernach Ten Strategic Points: A Framework for Doctoral Dissertations Students to Conceptualize their Research Design in a Doctoral Residency Program,” Cynthia Bainbridge, Christie McClendon, June Maul “The Goldilocks Paradox: The Need for Instructor Presence but Not Too Much in an Online Discussion Forum,” Elizabeth Larson, Jacob Aroz, Eric Nordin “Virtual Professional Communities: Integrative Faculty Support to Foster Effective Teaching,” Katie Sprute, Crystal McCabe, Lynn Basko, Paul Danuser “Exploring Quiz-Style PowerPoint Games as an Innovative e-Learning and Teaching Pedagogy,” Nikki Squire “Reflective Practice through Mentorship: A Program Reflection,” Emily Pottinger, Rebekah Dyer and Jena Akard “Using OBS to Create Video Lectures for Online Counseling Students,” Daniel A. Kauffman “Active Classrooms: Great for Academic Performance, but can They Improve Student Health? A Critical Literature Review,” Mike Swoboda The Intersection of Theory and Practice in Teacher Preparation Courses,” Brandon Juarez “Alternative Mentoring for Psychology Students,” […]

Photos by Ralph Freso and Elizabeth Tinajero GCU News Bureau The 2 p.m. ceremony Friday in Winter Commencement at Grand Canyon University featured graduates of the College of Education, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Technology and the College of Theology.  

Mary Van Vleck, the student speaker for the Winter Commencement ceremony Friday afternoon at GCU, remained under the radar in the Worship Arts program for a while. But then her peers and professors saw her talent and attitude and the love she brought to the Recording Studio.

The Songwriters Showcase, a twice-a-year gathering on the Canyon 49 Grill patio to hear the latest songs Worship Arts students have written, once again featured several who have been regulars on the Canyon Worship albums, but there were plenty of new faces and sounds Monday night. “It’s so neat to see people rising right up and filling spots when people leave,” said Dr. Randall Downs, Coordinator of the Worship Arts program.

Photos by David Kadlubowski GCU News Bureau The Worship Arts programs’ Songwriters Showcase convened again Monday night on the Canyon 49 Grill patio. Students performed the songs they hope will make the Canyon Worship album.      

Dr. Jonathan Sharpe, Assistant Professor and Christian Worldview Course Lead for the College of Theology, likes to tell stories and use film clips in his classes. That’s no accident. In fact, he says, he carefully chooses them for specific moments in the course.