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GCU celebrated the opening of its second dormitory in as many years on Wednesday morning with a ceremonial topping-off of Prescott Hall, east of the Student Union. The dorm will be the University’s third. Canyon Hall opened last August to help accommodate record campus enrollment of nearly 3,000 students. The fall semester could see as many as 4,500.

Superintendent Neal Baker and Project Manager Dennis Nelson of Perini Construction led a tour of the Arena construction site on Tuesday afternoon. In the next week, work will begin on the “eyebrow” acoustical feature along the top of the bowl. By the end of April, we can expect to see the all-glass main entrance on the north side start to take shape.

Athletes and coaches from GCU’s five winter sports teams were recognized Thursday evening at an event at the home of Chief Executive Officer Brian Mueller. Members of the Antelope cheer and dance teams also were honored at the reception, which wrapped up a highly successful season for GCU. Television sports personality Brad Cesmat served as master of ceremonies, briefly interviewing each coach and a few of the athletes.

A crowd of nearly 100 well-wishers turned out Wednesday afternoon to see the GCU women’s basketball team off to Pomona, Calif., for the NCAA Division II West Regional. “This is sweet!” said Antelope freshman Jenna Pearson, impressed by the support as the team boarded the bus outside Antelope Gym. Accounting professor Cathryn Meegan and instructor Sarah Zelhart held a sign, “We’re accounting on you! ’Lopes up!” Members of the men’s basketball, men’s volleyball and softball teams also were on hand.

On Saturday, GCU turned out in force for the Climb to Conquer Cancer at South Mountain Park in Phoenix, which drew more than 4,000 participants. GCU’s team of 47 raised $5,902, which surpassed its goal by nearly 20 percent. The University also sponsored a tent, distributing T-shirts to cancer survivors. Two quilts were raffled, and a banner signed by survivors will soon be displayed on campus.

Despite the rain forcing much of the festivities indoors, Grand Canyon University celebrated Homecoming with a weekend of events and athletics. The University inducted Dr. Jim Rice and Dr. Gill Stafford into the GCU Athletics Hall of Fame. The University also honored senior student-athletes including FYP cover subject Samantha Murphy, Rosalyn Nelson, Kristi Girdley, Katie Johnson, Rony Tchatchoua and Gaby Ngoundjo. The weekend marked the final games for men’s basketball in Antelope Gymnasium. The team will be moving to the Grand Canyon University Arena next season. For more information on GCU Athletics visit gculopes.com.

GCU Men’s and Women’s basketball hosted Hawai’i Pacific University last night. Festivities included honors for GCU men’s soccer as well as the senior GCU Cheer and Dance team members. The Boys & Girls Club dance team – d.a.i.n.o.w. – performed during halftime of the men’s game.

With the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, the Sol Patrol and artist Erik Wahl performing, halftime at last Saturday’s men’s basketball game was as good as it gets. Wahl’s on-the-fly portrait of Michael Jordan was won by Emilia Smith, who works at Casa de Suenos, an independent-living facility for at-risk youth. The artwork will be displayed at Casa’s group home in central Phoenix.

Despite the cold weather, hundreds of students made the chilly walk from their dorms and apartments to pack the North Gym on Wednesday night for this year’s “Mr. GCU” competition. The show, presented by ASGCU and organized by activities director Mallory Freeman, went off without a hitch, with several students saying that it was the best competition they had seen.

‘Lopes basketball racked up two victories yesterday with the Lady ‘Lopes defeated Chaminade with the largest winning percentage in school history (69 points) and the men defeated Chaminade to earn second place in the Pacific West Conference. None of this could prepare you for the halftime festivies – the GCU Dancing Deans.