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Photos by David Kadlubowski and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The Saturday morning ceremony at Grand Canyon University fall commencement featured 858 graduates from the College of Doctoral Studies and the Colangelo College of Business.  

Photos by Slaven Gujic and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The Friday evening ceremony of fall commencement at Grand Canyon University featured 637 nontraditional graduates in the College of Education and College of Nursing and Health Care Professions (bachelor’s level).      

Photos by Slaven Gujic, David Kadlubowski and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The Friday afternoon ceremony of fall commencement at Grand Canyon University included 675 nontraditional graduates of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions (doctoral and master’s level) and the College of Science, Engineering and Technology.  

Photos by Slaven Gujic, David Kadlubowski and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The first ceremony of fall commencement Friday morning at Grand Canyon University included 752 nontraditional graduates of the College of Fine Arts and Production, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Theology.      

Ray Carawan’s path to GCU wasn’t without obstacles. This online student pursing a bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies hopes one day to be a pastor for people like him — people who have disabilities. “In our weaknesses, His glory is revealed,” Carawan says.

GCU online nursing student Nowman Karram was no shrinking violet when it came to putting in several hours of research to make sure a patient’s pacemaker was compatible with an MRI. His efforts led to him being recognized as a Daisy Award winner for exceptional patient care.

Jeff Orr chose Grand Canyon University’s master’s program because he had a good experience as an undergrad on campus in the 1980s. “That’s what drew me back, was that experience,” he said. Reprinted from the April issue of GCU Magazine.

A survey on Grand Canyon University’s distinct Christian worldview and integration of faith showed that more than 80 percent of campus, online and evening students identified as Christians. Almost 85 percent of campus students had a positive perception of faith integration and almost 87 percent of online students had a positive one.

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.