College of Theology

Photos by Ralph Freso GCU News Bureau The sixth of seven makeup Commencements was staged Monday at Grand Canyon University Arena. Here’s a story on the featured speaker for the makeup ceremonies, Dr. Breanna Naegeli.   

Like everything else during the pandemic, the Academic Career & Excellence Centers — the go-to spots on campus for free peer-to-peer tutoring — went virtual, offering up academic support via a cable and computer screen. But the ACE Centers have returned to offering in-person academic help at its six locations, including a new location at the Colangelo College of Business.

Photos by Rick D’Elia GCU News Bureau Student artists performed their songs from Canyon Worship 2021 in the Canyon Worship Night concert on Thursday on the Quad. Here’s the story.  

For a university that places such a high emphasis on giving back to the community, adding GCU’s first annual Day of Giving to the calendar just made sense. More than 2,000 donations were made during the 24-hour blitz and will help fund a number of valuable causes on campus. “I’m really impressed with how many donors are interested in giving back to the community here,” Director of Annual Giving Cherylann Galdi said. “As Christians, we have a heart for others, and it really showed today.”

Canyon Worship Night wrapped up a big day for the College of Theology, which led the fund-raising efforts among colleges on Day of Giving. But the main thing for the college was giving students an opportunity to hear in person the Canyon Worship 2021 songs, sung by student artists who went through quite a journey to reach the stage on the Quad.

Photos by Rick D’Elia GCU News Bureau The Thursday morning of Fall Commencement featured graduates of the College of Education (bachelor’s); College of Fine Arts and Production; College of Humanities and Social Sciences (bachelor’s); College of Nursing and Health Care Professions (bachelor’s); College of Science, Engineering and Technology; and College of Theology.       

The second of seven makeup Commencement ceremonies Monday proved once again that graduates will travel long distances to celebrate earning their degree. “I just felt that desire to walk across the stage,” said Anthony Jackson Jr., who came all the way from New Orleans. “I wanted to feel that same intensity that the locals feel. I just had to do it.”

The first One Foundation Lunch and Learn of the 2021-22 academic year is scheduled for Monday, and this year’s topic offers faculty a topic ripe for discussion: “Human Flourishing: Embracing Our Purpose.” Monday’s session will focus on the greatest sermon ever, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

The official release of Canyon Worship 2021 on Monday was cause for celebration, but the student artists have long been celebrating their opportunity to work with producers Geoff Hunker and Dave Willey. But Hunker has news for them: He loves it, too. “The students are in a place in their life where they’re ready to learn and they’re open to hear,” he said, “and so it’s always a blast to be part of that.”

There are many things to like about The Grand Collective, the album produced by the GCU Recording Studio and released this summer. It has a variety of genres, including a fascinating rendition of “How Great Thou Art” that includes The Lord’s Prayer and a chorus in Hawaiian. But most important of all is that it was formulated and driven by students.