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Photos by Travis Neely GCU News Bureau A herd of purple-clad GCU staff, professors and students were among the many volunteers who participated on the second day of the annual Back to School Clothing Drive. Some volunteers at GCU Arena helped children fill enormous bags with clothing and other goodies while Thunder, Dance and Cheer team members and GCU soccer and volleyball players revved up the crowd. Upstairs, GCU College of Education Dean Kim LaPrade signed copies of her book, “Thunder’s Vision,” and everywhere, people smiled warmly at shy children and grinned with every glimmer of joy.   

Summer Dance Intensive ended at GCU with a final performance in Thunderground.

Photos by Travis Neely GCU News Bureau “Dine and Paint with a Sunset View,” a chance to enjoy dinner together and then take an instructor-led art class, took place for the second time Tuesday night in the Lope House Restaurant at Grand Canyon University Golf Course. The event was sold out.  

Photos by Travis Neely GCU News Bureau If it felt strange for Grand Canyon University employees to be practicing for a round of golf as the sun was setting Friday evening, it was even stranger when they started trying to navigate GCU Golf Course once the sun went down. It was the first Glow Golf tournament at the course, and for more than two hours lit-up balls streaked across the night sky. Several of the images use time-lapse photography to show what it looked like as the ball moved.                

Photos by Travis Neely GCU News Bureau For the second time in three years, Grand Canyon University is the Division I champion of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association. The Lopes defeated defending champion Chapman 12-8 Saturday at Orange, Calif., in the title game.  

Photos by Slaven Gujic GCU News Bureau Online students in the Colangelo College of Business, College of Education, College of Fine Arts and Production, and College of Theology received their diplomas Saturday in two separate ceremonies at Grand Canyon University Arena.   

Photos by Slaven Gujic  GCU News Bureau Online students in the College of Doctoral Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences and College of Nursing and Health Care Professions received their degrees Friday in two separate ceremonies at GCU Arena. Classic pianist Jade Simmons delivered the keynote address for each ceremony, and Dr. Tim Griffin, GCU’s pastor and dean of students, and GCU President Brian Mueller were among the speakers.  

Photos by Slaven Gujic and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau Thousands of Grand Canyon University students on Thursday walked across the stage to pick up their diplomas on at two commencement ceremonies. The rite of passage represents both their final walk as students and the first walk as graduates. As noted by Dr. Tim Griffin, GCU’s pastor and dean of students, commencement is the culmination of an experience that students will not soon forget. “The rhythm of university life at GCU is just incredible,” he said. “You start the year with Move-In, which is a highlight to the collegiate experience, and you end with commencement. It’s an enormous celebration. In the normal rhythm of the school year, this is a great time, and it’s great to watch the families celebrate with their children or their moms or dads or whoever’s graduating. “It’s a very emotional time, and I’ve got a great seat for all of it, sitting on the platform watching people come up the stairs, getting ready to hear their name announced before they receive their diploma. It’s an incredible time.”  There were 863 graduates and 5,198 attendees in Thursday’s morning session and 706 and 4,823 in the afternoon.

The end-of-year Digital Design Senior Portfolio Review Showcase has become an annual rite of passage for students graduating from the Grand Canyon University College of Fine Arts and Production. This year’s seniors, many of whom already have jobs, will display their creativity and marketability at a showcase from 6:30–8:30 p.m. in Building 6, rooms 139-140. “Please invite all your classes, friends, parents and people from industry to come join us for this awesome event,” said Sheila Schumacher, GCU’s Digital Design director. “The students have created a really wonderful reputation for GCU with their portfolios and their enthusiasm.”  The photos below are a sneak preview from the students’ April 12 showcase at Symphony Hall, the same night the GCU Music Department presented Brahms Requiem.      

The GCU Foundation Run to Fight Children’s Cancer held a celebration Thursday night at Canyon 49 Grill for the cancer-fighting superheroes whose heartfelt love, devotion and dedication are so essential in the ongoing battle for a cure for pediatric cancer. Race Director Debbie Accomazzo graciously extended her gratitude to everyone who ran, helped, cheered on or otherwise participated in making the race possible. More than $90,000 was raised, and those proceeds in turn were given to Phoenix Children’s Hospital and the Chidren’s Cancer Network.