Slideshow

GCU News Bureau Grand Canyon University and Grand Canyon Education employees did not want to let the 10th anniversary of Salute Our Troops pass them by. So they joined in a parade of family and friends at the Arizona State Veteran Home on Thursday morning, observing social distancing protocols. The residents of the facility have not seen family or friends in person for 11 weeks because of COVID-19 precautions. Employees of the facility also were treated to a sack lunch provided by Canyon 49 Grill.

Photos by David Kadlubowski GCU News Bureau The COVID-19 pandemic has created eerie scenes across the world: Normally jam-packed landmarks are empty as people stay home and large public gatherings are discouraged or outright banned. The Grand Canyon University campus also is a quiet place these days, with fewer students still living there. But there is peace, serenity and beauty in its stillness.    

Photos by John Spooner GCU News Bureau The Spring Student Spotlight Dance Concert is an opportunity for students to showcase their choreography to the GCU community. 

Photos By David Kadlubowski, Garrett Ohrenberg, Gillian Rae, Melissa Papulski, Katie Severns and John Spooner  GCU News Bureau Grand Canyon University’s Homecoming Weekend was full of tradition as well as some new events to help build connections between different generations of alumni. This year welcomed Campfire and Cocktails, a Reunion Mixer and the Golden Lope Ceremony to the list of events, which regularly includes the Derby kart races and Brunch with Thunder.    

Photos by John Spooner GCU News Bureau Seven contestants will say it was a wild ride from beginning to end of Mr. GCU, the campus’ popular male pageant, which attracted some 6,000 attendees to GCU Arena on Thursday night. Those contestants — Ryan Oxley, Josiah Brown, Ryan Salerno, Zach Sheldon, Robby Yamaguchi, JC Kroupa and Gabe Rodgers — spent months learning choreography, preparing their talent routine and practicing for the harrowing interview questions from “The Host” himself, Caleb Duarte. Emerging victorious was Zach Sheldon, who entertained the crowd with his harmonica-playing prowess.  

Photos by David Kadlubowski GCU News Bureau Saturday was a big night for Operation Revival, GCU’s signature neighborhood revitalization initiative. More than 200 Habitat champions attended the Lopes vs. UT Rio Grande Valley men’s basketball game, and a handful of volunteers and their guests were heralded by Lopes fans as they stood at midcourt after having received special recognition for their contributions.

Photos by Mathew McGraw GCU News Bureau Grand Canyon University’s Theatre Department is presenting a modernized interpretation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” on Feb. 7-9 and 14-16 at Ethington Theatre.  

Photos by Gillian Rea GCU News Bureau The grand opening of the Canyon Ventures Center, located on 27th Avenue between Camelback Road and Colter Avenue, drew a crowd of more than 300 Wednesday afternoon. Attendees heard pitches by four companies that have space in Canyon Ventures as well as students’ analysis of those companies and synopses of two student ventures.      

GCU News Bureau This was the second year employees participated in an art show in Building 71 on 27th Avenue. Employees  from the Marketing, Curriculum Design and Development and Academic Web Services departments at Grand Canyon Education contributed paintings, photography, mixed media and collage. Participating were Suzy Belonga, Denise Cheek, Diana Cheek, Ruth A. Douthitt, Nancy Gehle-Persons, Tim Gehle, Victoria Karr, Jackie Pelegrin and David Pinter.

Grand Canyon University celebrated 200-300 pediatric cancer-fighting families at Run to Fight Night 2020 on Jan. 11 at GCU Arena. Families spent quality time together watching men’s basketball vs. California Baptist. Run to Fight Night traditionally kicks off the season for Run to Fight, the largest event of its kind dedicated to the fight against children’s cancer. The 5K and 10K runs are moving from GCU to a new location this year, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale on April 5.