Online Life

The November issue of GCU Magazine, available digitally here, explains in detail how the University’s Christian worldview governs its approach to teaching science. Senior writer Lana Sweeten-Shults’ in-depth report includes two other stories, on a virtual-reality project students are doing to bring the Bible to life and on students’ responses to an end-of-course survey asking how GCU’s integration of faith and science affected their personal faith. Other stories in this issue include inside looks at a growing trend in the Worship Arts program, basketball star Alessandro Lever’s improbable transition from Italy to GCU, the popularity of the new esports facility in the Technology Building, and how the College of Humanities and Social Sciences helped a student earn and then prosper in a major New York internship. 

Graduates of the online program at Grand Canyon University always have inspirational stories to tell, and this year they were equally inspired by keynote speaker Gian-Paul Gonzalez’s talk — and by the celebration that is a GCU commencement ceremony.

If the graduates at fall commencement didn’t know about ninth-grade world history teacher and New York Giants chaplain Gian-Paul Gonzalez before they got to GCU Arena, they sure do now. Gonzalez’s keynote addresses at the five ceremonies were a hit every time, and in addition to all the standing ovations he also was descended upon by a sea of thankful listeners when he came out to watch the “tunnel walk” after the Saturday morning ceremony.

Photos by David Kadlubowski and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The final fall commencement ceremony at Grand Canyon University was solely for the College of Education. There were 725 graduates participating Saturday afternoon.  

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.