Student Engagement

Excited students brought life back to the GCU campus on a Saturday night of celebration. Welcome Fest was filled with activities all across campus. What the new students learned was the overwhelming sense of community that can still exist six feet apart and wearing masks. “You are not alone,” host Caleb Duarte told a group of freshman gathering on the fields in The Grove. “We are one Lope. We are one herd.”

Many incoming students transitioned from high school without a prom or graduation and spent the summer in their parents’ basement because of the pandemic. But GCU’s Welcome Programs is making up for it. A spirited yet safe Welcome Week starts Monday with Move-In and runs through Sunday, Sept. 27. “More than ever, this is the class that needs to be told that we are glad you are here, and it’s going to be a good semester for you,” said Charity Norman, Director of Welcome Programs.

Three crosses rose on the GCU campus recently just before students return after a summer of national challenges. The crosses symbolize hope in difficult times and a faith that is front and center at GCU. The beautiful location just outside GCU Arena and flanking the Academic Administration Building will become a contemplative location, marking an idea launched by students last year and constructed by students over the summer.

GCU is known for its vibrant campus life. To maintain that spirit was a big challenge that University and student leaders tackled this summer. Here’s how the adaptions they launched — everything from residence hall living to intramural sports and events — will preserve that sense of community.

Caleb Duarte was growing a beard, playing video games and petting his dog in California during the pandemic quarantine when GCU called the new graduate. Campus leaders ask the popular emcee of major GCU events to come back and do his own GCU talk show. He shaved. He filmed. And every Friday, a new episode of “The GCU Lope Show with Caleb Duarte” drops on YouTube.

GCU’s newly elected student government leaders say they want to lead with love. That means helping students who don’t have a lot of money get food and clothes, and giving food waste to the wider community of refugees outside campus. Dylan Mahoney, president, and Noah Logan have other ideas to lead ASGCU, too.

Danielle Rinnier’s promotion to GCU’s first Assistant Dean of Students is among three staff changes in Student Affairs. Rinnier was the Director of Spiritual Life, and her position will be filled by Braelyn Armenta, who was Life Leader Manager. In addition, Christine Pemberton was named the new Director of Student Care.

Donald Glenn wanted the GCU community to hear the words Martin Luther King Jr. penned to church leaders while sitting in jail in 1963. So the Multicultural Manager, played them over the speaker on the Promenade Friday to note Monday’s national holiday. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

The top 25 students in the Honors College’s PAC Professional Development Program were invited to an etiquette dinner Tuesday night to find out the top 10 while also brushing up on their formal dinner etiquette. Although students were challenged to collect the most PAC points, Honors College Associate Dean Breanna Naegeli said the program is less about competition and more about students bettering themselves.

GCU senior Gavin Thompson liked to shop in thrift stores. He knew other people didn’t like to spend the time but liked the merchandise. That’s how his Wear Old secondhand clothes business was launched. His story highlights the path more students are taking in addition to classes — hustling to start their own business.