College of Theology

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.

Students in the University’s new Center for Worship Arts have had a memorable first year — and so have the center’s director, Bart Millard, and worship coordinator, John Frederick. “There is a deeper spiritual governance to this,” Frederick said. “That’s the cool thing about teaching theology — you’re on the journey yourself.”

As part of its Homecoming/Canyon Day festivities, GCU will induct eight new members into its Alumni Hall of Fame during a ceremony Saturday on campus. The alumni, who were selected from each of the University’s colleges and athletics department, have dedicated their lives to helping others through education, nursing, counseling, science, coaching and the law, while reflecting GCU’s spirit and Christian ideals. Saturday’s ceremony, at 3:30 p.m. in the Student Union, second floor, is open to the GCU community and their guests and also will be live streamed here. GCU Today has a story about the inductees and what makes them tick.

When prominent Christian songwriter Mark Harris lectured Center for Worship Arts students Monday night about his craft, they got an inside look from someone who isn’t just good at it, he loves it, too. Harris shared some tricks he uses to put songs together and then make them better.