Online Life

Alberta May flew into Phoenix to visit the campus during a Destination GCU event but ended up doing much more than that. She also used her skills as a nurse to help out in, not one, but two medical situations that arose on the flight. May, who is from Marshall, Texas, is furthering her education as an online student, hoping to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Kimberly Rabanal was five months pregnant when she decided to go back to school. Just three months later, her father was diagnosed with brain cancer. But that didn’t deter her; it motivated her to work even harder. Rabanal was one of the candidates for a master’s degree in nursing at Friday’s afternoon commencement ceremony.

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.

This week’s edition of Antelope Intros features an AP specialist and a university development counselor. One is passionate about serving in music ministry. The other is a retired Army veteran passionate about higher learning.

Kristian Falkenstein, a Grand Canyon University admissions counselor based in New Jersey, is dedicated to helping people, but he went above and beyond earlier this fall: He saved a man from drowning in an ocean riptide.

The six members of GCU’s eSports Overwatch varsity team met in January, but a striking synergy helped meld six minds into one Cinderalla team that made it to the Sweet 16 out of 220 teams and was the only Arizona team to make it to this far.

Photos by Travis Neely GCU News Bureau Nontraditional (online) students from the Colangelo College of Business, the College of Theology, the College of Education and the College of Fine Arts and Production received their diplomas Saturday at Grand Canyon University fall commencement.    

Photos by Slaven Gujic GCU News Bureau Nontraditional (online) students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions and the College of Doctoral Studies received their diplomas Friday at Grand Canyon University fall commencement.    

Graduates juggle raising children and balancing jobs with their studies. GCU Today talked to several graduates about the road to receiving their degrees during fall commencement Friday.

The first of four online commencement ceremonies convened Friday morning in GCU Arena, and Pam Aydelott sure stood out — she was wearing a 1940s-era nursing outfit. It took her nearly a year to put it together.