College of Theology

Three days of commencement ceremonies at GCU ended Saturday afternoon, and there were enough cheers to fill a stadium and enough tears to use up a box of Kleenex. Amid all the emotions were more stories of grit and determination — and not just among the graduates.

By GCU News Bureau Thursday morning’s commencement, the first of six to be held this week for the Grand Canyon University’s Class of 2015 in the Arena, had all the usual pomp — grinning parents using cellphones and Canons, elaborately decorated mortarboards balanced on graduates’ heads and purple in every corner of the Arena, on flowers, stoles and drapes. (Click here to see a slideshow.) But the 80-minute ceremony attended by 528 undergraduates in five colleges — Theology, Fine Arts and Production, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences and Science, Engineering and Technology — also was punctuated by poignant circumstances. For one, several graduates in the first CSET class adorned their mortarboards in ways unique to their career paths, such as outlines of bodies and crime scene tape. And there was not one but two student speakers, identical twin sisters Joy and Claire Flatz, who earned degrees in theatre from the College of Fine Arts and Production. The duo, who are as close to America’s sweethearts as you can get, did a lovely tag-team bit about how the University’s campus has changed in four years. (Then: no lines, no Chick-fil-A and the worst parking spot was behind Hegel Hall next to […]

GCU Today Magazine  Photos by Darryl Webb There was no shortage of news at Grand Canyon University during the 2014-15 academic year. And it was no easy decision picking the Top 10 stories from the dozens that were produced by GCU Today. But those that emphasized community, growth and reputation quickly rose to the top. Here they are: 1. GCU revs economic engine in west Phoenix The University announced a five-point plan to revitalize the neighborhood, continued expanding its campus along the Canyon Corridor, agreed to operate and began renovating Maryvale Golf Course, and opened a hotel to train students in hospitality management and employ local residents. A study credited GCU with an annual economic impact of $1.1 billion that generates 10,490 jobs, with wages approaching $500 million per year. 2. What’s in a name? A lot, when it’s Colangelo GCU’s business school was renamed for Phoenix icon Jerry Colangelo, whose principles of servant leadership, ethics and entrepreneurship became as ingrained into campus life as he did in just a few short months. As part of the hospitality curriculum, the college also announced plans for golf course and tennis management programs. 3. It’s full STEM ahead as 8th college opens Determined to fill high-tech […]

By Janie Magruder GCU Today Magazine As a student at Canby High in northwestern Oregon, Bryce Beatty filled his days with chemistry, honors biology, advanced placement physics and playing shortstop for the baseball team. But when he came to Grand Canyon University in 2012, Beatty traded his mitt and jersey for latex gloves and an apron. For the then freshman, focusing on his major — biology with an emphasis in pre-med — required protection for his hands and clothing in GCU’s cadaver lab. Despite his considerable high school science background, Beatty knew he would need some help in chemistry as he pursued a career in spine surgery. As soon as he arrived on campus, he requested tutoring help from the Center for Learning & Advancement (CLA). Now a junior in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Beatty is one of GCU’s top science tutors. He helped inspire University leaders to restructure the tutoring system and is assisting with its success. There’s extra credit, of course: “If you can teach it, you know it,” he said. Narrowing the focus Tutoring has evolved over the past 18 months during a perfect storm of change at GCU. The administration wanted to boost […]

Photos by Darryl Webb GCU News Bureau Students from the Center for Worship Arts at Grand Canyon University gathered Monday night in Thunderground for the second Worship Songwriters Showcase, which featured eight new songs. The performers and their song titles: Katie Schmitz: “My Dear One” Angel Morris: “Over and Over” Seth Gosch: “Lord Have Your Way” Chloe Langford: “I’m Set Free” Haley Hodge and Hannah Mount: “Eden” Sarynne Earls: “Waves” Karina Torres with Sarynne Earls: “Coming Closer” Ben Sweet: “Desolation”    

The College of Theology’s Center for Worship Arts program is releasing its first EP on Tuesday, and the story behind one of the songs, “Follow You,” is one of great collaboration and divine intervention. The fact that Desiree Aguilar and Jessi Sams both wound up at GCU is amazing; the way they landed in the Worship Arts program and became friends is almost beyond comprehension.

The first Senior Night at GCU was a big moment Thursday for nine students and eight faculty/staff members, who were among a crowd of 450 in the Arena. The student award recipients were selected by University leadership in the areas of academics, athletics and student affairs and for their service, faith and spirit. The faculty and staff received awards for positively impacting students.

Faculty and students both turned out in large numbers Tuesday and Wednesday to hear Dr. J.P. Moreland, a prominent Christian philosopher from Biola University who takes delight in refuting neuroscience’s claims about the soul.

Grand Canyon University’s award-winning speech and debate team will perform its top student speeches, including those that champion stronger awareness of child sex slavery and mental illness, at the second annual campus Speech Showcase on April 15.

Dr. Pete Charpentier, an assistant professor in the College of Theology, has published a new book, “Truth from the Trenches — Using God’s Word to Illustrate Timeless Truths.” GCU Today has the story of how Charpentier was inspired to write it, why COT faculty is encouraged to do this kind of work and what the book is designed to accomplish.