College of Theology

GCU’s new recording studio was unveiled for local church leaders Monday, and it was like being lost in space — there’s a lot of square footage in all those rooms on the fourth floor of the new engineering building. And Center for Worship Arts students won’t just have room to maneuver, they’ll also have a great view of the Valley from their new perch.

The first Integration of Faith, Learning and Work “Lunch and Learn” for Grand Canyon University faculty featured two teachers who have an important perspective of “Work as Divine Calling.” The session drew an overflow crowd Friday to Howerton Hall.

The College of Theology has a lot going on Friday: the first “Lunch and Learn” at 11:15 a.m. and then an open house for Center for Worship Arts students in the new recording studio late that evening. The Lunch and Learns are for all faculty members and will take place three times per semester.

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.

Record-breaking high temperatures Friday in Phoenix couldn’t hold a candle to the enthusiasm of President/CEO Brian Mueller and other GCU leaders during the all-employee meeting in the Arena. Mueller delivered his own take on a “State of the University” address by hosting a Q-and-A with more than a dozen representatives of the faculty, colleges, programs, enrollment, student body, community outreach and staff.

The cover story in the latest edition of GCU Today Magazine introduces you to 10 new faces on campus who are shining representatives of this fall’s incoming freshmen class. Check out the students’ stellar academics, servant qualities and deep faith and watch a cool video about their first-year expectations. The September magazine also has full coverage of a beach get-together for new GCU students from Southern California as well as a story about the University’s new engineering degrees, a feature and video about its promising soccer program and an article about a unique collaboration between GCU and Arizona hospitals to train and employ new nursing graduates. Other content: a look at where GCU students spread the Gospel during summer mission trips, a story and video about new alumnus Zenon Castro, who is moving from school janitor to teacher thanks to GCU’s s online program and a profile of alumna/future doctor Erica Wadas, plus alumni class notes.  

GCU is planning the biggest welcome for the biggest entering class in its history next week, as thousands of freshmen move onto campus into seven residence halls, four of them brand new. Meet 10 members of the Class of 2019 who bring a grand diversity of skills, interests, plans, passions, backgrounds and geography to GCU and will surely make their mark on the world.

The first residency for the new master of divinity program in the College of Theology was a resounding success as 21 online students from all over the country met in Phoenix to share life stories and build new relationships. Some of the participants were amazed by how the group bonded in such a short time.

By Cooper Nelson GCU News Bureau After spending last summer in the Tell Science Building, the summer Chapel series will return to Ethington Theatre next week for a more intimate weekly worship experience than those held in GCU Arena during the school year. Summer Chapel begins Monday with a message from Nathan Hale, GCU’s life leader manager, at 11:15 a.m. in Ethington and will continue each Monday through July 27. This summer’s Chapel speakers are University employees primarily from the Office of Spiritual Life and the College of Theology. Jared Ulrich, GCU worship manager, will lead acoustic worship services before each message. Danielle Rinnier, director of spiritual life, said the Chapel messages will not follow a specific theme, allowing speakers to share what God has put on their hearts. She hopes speakers will focus their messages on ways for employees to remain diligent through the slower summer months and encourage them to stay enthusiastic during a time of great change at the University with multiple construction projects. “The majority of people who attend summer Chapel are employees, so we wanted to have speakers who understand what they’re going through over the summer and can encourage and uplift them,” Rinnier said. Employees hopefully will use Chapel to reconnect with […]

The longest-tenured employee at Grand Canyon University, Dr. Michael Baird of the College of Theology, is retiring after 36 years, and he will leave behind a long list of grateful students and fellow faculty members. Baird was so good at his job for a simple reason — he loves to teach.