College of Theology

Photos by David Kadlubowski and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau Students from the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions, the College of Theology and the College of Science, Engineering and Technology participated in commencement Thursday afternoon in GCU Arena. To watch the ceremony, click here.  

The first major graduating class from the Center for Worship Arts was celebrated in the afternoon commencement session Thursday, and leading the way — as she has done so often — was Desiree Aguilar, who was the student speaker for a ceremony that included the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions and the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. She told of how she came to GCU after a serious illness and then was able to produce a song that reached No. 1 in the indie charts — all because she said yes to God.

“We’re here tonight to hopefully, not only mourn together and remember together, but to celebrate their lives together,” Dr. Tim Griffin, Dean of Students, said at Tuesday night’s Celebration of Life ceremony. The GCU community honored the lives of Christian Applegate, Roy Pietrek, Keisha Nicole Oyola Perales, Dr. Tiffany Mealman and Taylor White.

The Evangelical Theological Society brought its Far West Regional Meeting to Grand Canyon University for the first time Friday, and the College of Theology took advantage of it to expose students to world-famous scholars. The message: There’s a lot more to learn.

Moving the Canyon Worship Songwriters Showcase to the outdoor patio of the Canyon 49 Grill was a big hit, and so was the music Monday night — one outstanding performance after another. It was especially gratifying for one visitor who has gotten a chance to see what life in the GCU Recording Studio is all about.

The cover story of the April issue of GCU Magazine features students who got here in a roundabout way and then made the most of their opportunities on campus. It’s fascinating to see the commonalities — and yet the wide range of diversity — in what they say, but it all comes back to one thing: They love it here.

The Canyon Worship Songwriters Showcase will have a new look for its Spring 2018 version — it will be on the outdoor patio of the Canyon 49 Grill. Everyone on campus is invited to listen to songs written and performed by Center for Worship Arts students.

When it comes to online learning, GCU’s faculty have established a reputation of being some of the most sought-after thought-leaders in presenting and publishing their scholarly work. Between 2012 and 2017, they led 163 presentations, and their work was featured in 138 publications. GCU are the innovators, said Rick Holbeck, Executive Director of Online Full-Time Faculty.

A National Center for Missing and Exploited Children app, a video game about a time-traveling cop just trying to retrieve his stolen Slushee, and a Days of Prayer app — they were just three of the projects presented at the Technology Capstone Showcase. About 40 students mingled with industry leaders to present the projects they’ve been working on over the past few months.

The College of Theology and Grand Canyon Theological Seminary tried something new this year: Pastors Roundtable is designed to give access to church leaders doing the very missions students hope to fill someday. The midday timing has a been a hit — every session has been full.