Recent News

Thousands of school-age children visited GCU this week during the Back to School Clothing Drive, an annual event that gives each child every possible supply imaginable and a few extras, such as bracelets, beanies and bookmarks. Hundreds of volunteers helped children select their sizes and loaded their bags and arms with goodies.

About 200 Chief Science Officers from junior schools and high schools from across Arizona are attending a summer institute through Wednesday hosted by GCU. Lawmakers, representatives from several states and White House officials are also on hand to catch the excitement about the spread of science, technology, engineering and math education. Arizona’s CSO program, launched in 2015, is so successful that White House officials hope to see it expanded across the country.

There are big things happening in GCU’s Career Services department. Not only did it host, for the first time, the Arizona Statewide Career Services Conference on Thursday, it also is being assimilated into every college at the University. “We really want to make sure that the students are prepared not just academically, but also spiritually, socially and professionally,” adviser Marette Hahn said.

Dr. Randy Gibb, dean of the Colangelo College of Business, is addressing master’s students this week about Conscious Capitalism, which he has made the centerpiece of the CCOB philosophy. It’s important that they hear the message, he said, before they go out into the business world.

STEM campers at GCU this summer are building their own guitars in a class called, “Amp up! Electric Guitars and STEM.” One of two STEM summer camps this week — the other is “Robots, Web Design and Gaming” — both camps allow students to explore in creative ways the many ways that STEM applies to daily life. The campers also had a tour of one of GCU’s gems, the new recording studio.

Four children in foster care got to experience a lot of happiness and sunshine when they received fully paid scholarships to attend the GCU Goalkeeper Camp, hosted by GCU men’s soccer coach Schellas Hyndman.

The 2016-17 Ministry Forum schedule was announced, and it contains some hotly debated subjects — everything from social justice to religious liberty to immigration. “Students continue to wrestle with the challenging issues of our day, so we’ve decided to join the struggle by engaging tough topics,” said Dr. Jason Hiles, dean of the College of Theology.

When Ashlyn Tupper was a freshman in 2012, Grand Canyon University didn’t have a speech and debate team, and even though she had been on the team at North Pointe Preparatory high school in Phoenix, she didn’t think she wanted to continue in college. Boy, was she wrong, Tupper, who graduated this year, said joining GCU’s Speech and Debate team was one of her best decisions, and the team has become so strong it will surely attract families to the University.

 By Jeannette Cruz GCU News Bureau Dr. Beverly Hurley, academic alliances director for Grand Canyon University’s Strategic Educational Alliances, has been named vice chair of The Education Coalition (TEC) of Arizona, which is dedicated to raising student achievement across the state. TEC has worked on various legislative and state board issues since it was founded in 1990. Through TEC, organizations and leaders meet and discuss current issues and programs and hear outside speakers on education-related topics. Hurley said she was proud to be asked to serve as coalition vice chair. “The education coalition provides advocacy for improving learning for all students through the combined expertise and leadership of diverse representatives from around the state,” Hurley said. “It is a privilege to provide leadership in support of the vision and the mission of this most important organization.” Hurley has spent 40 years in education and has served as a teacher, counselor, athletic director, assistant principal, principal and superintendent. She currently also serves on the WestEd Board of Directors and on numerous state and national education committees. Contact Jeannette Cruz at (602) 639-6631 or [email protected]

Kelly Schindler, a December graduate of the Colangelo College of Business, used an extremely educational internship with the Fiesta Bowl as a springboard to a full-time job with a nonprofit. It’s yet another example of how students benefit from working for major employers while attending the University.