College of Theology

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.

Saturday’s celebration of the eight newest members of the GCU Alumni Hall of Fame featured passionate speeches, none more emotional than that of Michael Kary, who teaches in the College of Fine Arts and Production. But all eight had something important to say.

New blog sites for Spiritual Life and the College of Theology debuted this week, giving faculty and staff another way to connect with students. Blogs for other colleges at the University are in the works.

Fall semester at GCU was a time of great growth — in students, courses, programs and learning — and as GCU hosts its first winter commencement this afternoon for about 700 traditional graduates, GCU Today takes the opportunity to celebrate the University’s stellar faculty. They have gone beyond the call of duty to assist students inside their classrooms and outside of them, too, dedicating many extra hours, evenings and weekends to student success. Click here to read stories about several of them.

So many things happened at Grand Canyon University in 2014, it’s hard to pick the 10 most important.