Press releases

Grand Canyon University will confer 9,009 degrees this semester for its traditional-aged and working adult students, with many of those participating in eight commencement ceremonies April 26-28 at GCU Arena.

PHOENIX (March 6, 2018) – The Higher Learning Commission has approved Grand Canyon University’s application to become a non-profit institution — a major step in the process to return the University to its historical roots. “We appreciate the Higher Learning Commission’s due diligence in thoroughly examining our proposal,” said GCU President Brian Mueller. “This is consistent with GCU’s history and puts us on a level playing field with other traditional universities with regard to tax status and, among other things, the ability to accept philanthropic contributions, pursue research grant opportunities, and participate in NCAA governance.” As part of the transition, GCE will sell certain academic-related assets to a non-profit entity that will carry the Grand Canyon University name. Following the sale, GCE will operate as a third-party provider of educational and related services to GCU and potentially, in the future, to other universities. The structure is similar to that at hundreds of non-profit universities in the country that outsource services to third-party providers. “HLC approval is the major step in this process,” Mueller said. “We’re now working toward finishing up the final details that will allow us to complete the transition by the end of the second quarter of 2018.” […]

PHOENIX (Feb. 14, 2017) – Grand Canyon University is set to debut its brand new baseball stadium, Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark, on Friday when the baseball program opens its 2018 season against No. 4/7 TCU at 6 p.m. The opening of the facility coincides with the Lopes’ return to Division I postseason eligibility. The ballpark caps off GCU’s “10 in 2” initiative, an unprecedented plan to build 10 new athletic facilities in a two-year span as the university completed its transition to NCAA Division I athletics. Along the way, GCU also has debuted a new soccer stadium, softball stadium, beach volleyball stadium, tennis complex, basketball practice facility, student-athlete academic center, golf practice facility, equipment room and athlete performance center. The new facilities enhance the campus experience for all students and are just one component of the university’s rapid campus expansion. Over the past decade, GCU has invested $1 billion in new facilities and technologies to accommodate a boom in enrollment. Since 2008, GCU has added 20 new suite-style residence halls, more than 1 million square feet of classrooms and laboratories, four parking garages and 22 retail dining options. GCU also has completed major renovations of a 152-room hotel and […]

Grand Canyon University has submitted an updated application to the Higher Learning Commission to re-establish the institution as a non-profit university upon its purchase of certain academic-related assets from Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (GCE). Following the sale, GCE would operate as a for-profit third-party provider of educational and related services to GCU and potentially, in the future, to other universities.

Why is GCU pursuing a return to its non-profit status? The proposal with the Higher Learning Commission is being considered as a way to return to the University’s historical non-profit roots. It is in the best long-term interests of our students, faculty and staff, the community and our investors, in that it would: Provide faculty and students equitable opportunities to participate in academic and co-curricular opportunities with our peer institutions without being segregated based on tax-status. Open up the world of non-profit philanthropic giving, grant writing and research opportunities. Better enable the University to continue to hold the line on tuition – which has been frozen on the ground campus for 10 years – and keep higher education affordable for all socioeconomic classes of Americans. Allow the University to continue to invest in infrastructure and maximize opportunities for faculty/staff growth. Maximize opportunities for continued investments in the community. Provide the opportunity for the University to become a full voting member of the NCAA. Allow Grand Canyon Education, Inc. to continue as publicly traded educational services company that has the potential to provide services to other institutions in addition to GCU. In short, this return to our historical non-profit status conveys […]

GCU holds the line on tuition for 10th straight year. “Ten years without raising tuition on our ground campus, with only minimal increases in online tuition… that’s unheard of in higher education,” said GCU President Brian Mueller.

GCU’s Students Inspiring Students program each year awards 100 full-tuition scholarship to students in inner-city Phoenix and Glendale schools.

GCU Press Release With 11 original songs reflecting the Christian music movement of the modern era, students from Grand Canyon University’s Center for Worship Arts have released their second full album, Canyon Worship 2017, on iTunes. The album is a collaboration between the university’s students and guest producers Billy Smiley, formerly of Whiteheart and The Gaithers, and Geoff Hunker of Satellites and Sirens. “The songs are an eclectic mix of musical styles – from southern rock to gospel, pop and smooth jazz – but each of them honors God and points the listener to Him,” said Eric Johnson, recording studio manager in GCU’s College of Theology. Among the album’s highlights is “Prodigal’s Lullaby,” recorded by GCU freshman Courtney Welker, who wrote the song when she was just 17 years old. There’s also “Keep Prayin’,” “which sounds like something you would hear while traveling through a Southern Bayou along the Mississippi River,” Johnson said. “And ‘Never Give Up’ has a groovy disco vibe reminiscent of the resurgence of ‘80s funk.” The album also features several guest artists, including David Ellefson, bass player with the rock band Megadeth and now Mega Life Ministries; Jonathan Crone, producer, engineer and guitarist; and Joel Vaughn, […]

GCU has opened the 2,200-square-foot Jerry Colangelo Museum to honor an outstanding servant leader who cemented himself in Arizona’s sports and business history.

The accreditation of GCU’s Colangeo College of Business has been reaffirmed by ACBSP. “The reaccreditation by ACBSP is a testament to the hard work of our CCOB faculty and staff as well as the advisory board members who are integral to the direction of our business college,” said Brian Mueller, president of GCU.