Online Life

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.

Meloney Jefferson always wanted to be a teacher, but she knew the path to getting her online degree from Grand Canyon University would be difficult. Then her son, Jace, got cancer and died. But at Jace’s insistence, Meloney persevered, and she will graduate Friday with the memory of Jace in her heart.

Nurse Carma Erickson-Hurt, a GCU online faculty member, recently returned from the Houston area, where she gave more than 200 tetanus shots to those who needed it. But traveling to disaster areas is more than just giving shots, she said. It’s connecting with people.

One of the unique features of Grand Canyon University’s online program is the fact that students — many of them in their 40s and 50s — can get academic help from learning advocates (LEADs) less than half their age. A great example is the story of how Felicia Roberts, 20, aided 58-year-old Sheila Miller. “I get emotional talking about GCU and Felicia,” Miller said. “They are like family to me.”

Ryan Pinney rolled his wheelchair onstage Saturday at spring commencement with the same force he has used to overcome the bicycling injury that paralyzed him. But the Air Force veteran is philosophical about getting his Sports Management degree and the other accomplishments he has achieved in his journey.

Online students have many amazing stories of overcoming obstacles to earn their degrees. Some of them make you wonder how they ever did it — until you talk with them and listen to their determination.

The commencement ceremonies this week are big days for families. And when there are two graduates in the family — especially when they’ve motivated each other to earn the degree — there’s even more to celebrate.

Grand Canyon University’s innovative online program houses all 163 full-time instructors on the same floor of the new administrative building at the corner of 27th Avenue and Camelback Road. It creates bonds among the faculty and also between faculty and students, dramatically improving communication. “It’s a very different model, and other universities are looking closely at what we do,” said Rick Holbeck, executive director of full-time online faculty.

“Ralph Finds His Place In The Universe,” a futuristic film by Elliott de Neve featuring a world with alternative selves, won Best of Festival in the GCU 2017 Film Festival. Nearly 30 videos were nominated in eight categories. “2017 Racestarter Jace Hydachuak,” by Tyler McDonald, is a poignant story from despair to hope about a six-year-old boy’s battle against cancer.