Student Engagement

GCU students pledged to stop sexual assaults during It’s On Us week-long awareness campaign. The national organization that leads the event on campuses across the country reports that 11.2 percent of all college students have been raped or assaulted. “So we are trying to motivate students to intervene when they have a chance to,” said Josue Olivas, Associated Students Program Coordinator at GCU.

Donald Trump Jr. came out firing at opponents Monday night in the “Culture War” event by Turning Point USA at Antelope Gymnasium, and an enthusiastic crowd cheered his message of less government and more free markets. Some GCU students who didn’t agree with his message still came to listen, but most appeared to be enthusiastic supporters who wanted to selfies afterwards with Trump Jr. and Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point. It was billed as the largest crowd for a campus event for the organization, drawing 1,300.

Family Weekend at GCU keeps growing and growing. This year, 7,000 have registered for three days of fun that will include some new events, such as Tour de Thunder Bolt and Guided Prayer Tours. “We put out the welcome mat for them, per say, to just have a great time,” said Robyn Hord of the Office of Welcome Programs.

Move-In gets the year started off right for incoming GCU students, but it has the same effect on the volunteers who help them. Whether they’re helping for the first time or are seniors and have done it every year, they treasure the excitement. “It’s my third year, and it’s always the same energy,” said one.

There’s a reason GCU’s signature event, Move-In, runs smoothly. Event Services, Student Affairs, Residence Life and other teams work hard to make it the most memorable experience possible for first-time Lopes, and they often do it from behind the scenes … and with Uncrustables at the ready.

At last Lopes have found the Jedi Master that will restore peace to the galaxy. Thursday night, students flocked to GCU Arena to witness one of the biggest events of the year on campus, the Mr. GCU contest. Contestants danced, sang and made the crowd go wild with talents that showcased what the contestants had to offer. It was a tough competition but at last, after bringing the crowd to tears of both laughter and emotion with his song about being parked by a lake, senior Brock Frew was crowned the 2019 Mr. GCU. “I feel, one, I’m kind of shaken, two, I’m really tired,” Frew said after being crowned.

Photos by Theresa Smith and Lana Sweeten-Shults GCU News Bureau Hungry and stressed students sipped hot chocolate and munched on granola bars along the Promenade on Wednesday. They were eager to take advantage of Fuel for Finals, courtesy of the Grand Canyon University Welcome Programs and parents from the GCU Parent Council. “I was very satisfied with my granola bar,” said Joshua Onwordi.  “And I took one when I went to class as well, so I have eaten two granola bars today. I am fueled for finals.” The sophomore from Chandler took his first final on Tuesday and a second one on Wednesday. Along with providing snacks, drinks and encouragement, the semiannual event featured a prayer request board, prompting students to publicize their prayers, including asking God for successful final exam experiences.  The two-day event ended on Thursday at 2 p.m.  

More than 3,000 students turned out for the winter formal, Hanging of the Greens, featuring dining, dancing, crafting snow globes, savoring GCBC hot chocolate in four flavors, letter writing to home with postage paid by the Canyon Activities Board (CAB), and notes to the homeless for the Can you Spare a Story initiative. “It is beautiful how they didn’t just make it a dance,’’ said senior Stephanie Fairchild. “They incorporated the arts and crafts and Can You Spare a Story. That is heartwarming.’’

Why I write was the question. The array of answers demonstrated the need for the question: “To relieve my stress and reconnect with myself” was one reply, along with “To show others that they are not alone.’’ The GCU community offered hundreds of answers at the National Day of Writing Celebration near the Promenade. Faculty and students, including the campus chapter of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), Friends of the Pen, and the Professional Writing Workshop sponsored the event.

The leaders of the Associated Students of Grand Canyon University are taking “It’s On Us” Week beyond the important emphasis of preventing sexual assault. They aim to help StreetLightUSA build a school for victims of child sex trafficking, by planning a fundraiser designed to yield $10,000 in student donations that will be matched by the University. The fun part of the fundraiser is the Stampede button.