GCU Magazine

April 2026

New chapter

It's a new dawn for the Honors College, which not only unveiled its new name, after Sheila and Mike Ingram, but in the fall will move into a 55,000-square-foot, flagship space at the entryway to the university. Land developer Mike Ingram and his wife, Sheila, are hoping to help the college as it aims to become one of the nation’s premier honors colleges.

Decade of inspiration

“A little more than 10 years ago, the College of Theology wanted to find a way to support students who wanted to become music pastors or Christian music artists. So it launched the Canyon Worship series of albums, featuring GCU student musicians and vocalists. The series’ 10^th album, Canyon Worship X, will be released this spring.

Thundering throwback

Social media went nostalgic this year, with influencers and the not-so-influential posting their favorite memories from 2016. GCU Magazine thought it would do the same, taking a look back at the university’s big events (Mr. GCU, anyone?), big construction projects and big traditions.

It was the best of times

What was new this year? So much. GCU entered the Mountain West Conference, the Honors College changed its name, the university won big in its battle to be recognized as a nonprofit, and a lot more.

AI acceleration

In 2023, GCU introduced its first AI tool for students, a chatbot for nursing and science students called Mira. Since then, the university has introduced more than a dozen AI tools, several of them student-facing, from Bloom and Aiden in the College of Education to virtual patients that are helping counseling students practice their skills.

A new purpose

George Nolan said as long as he could remember, he was a broken person. He spent 17 years in prison because of the choices he made. But now the online student has found a new path, helping others who went down the wrong path, like he did, re-enter civilian life.

His prescription: community

Dr. Matt Shores’ first love was English. He wanted to be a teacher. But he instead chose medicine. He just wanted to help people and embed himself in his community. Shores was one of four alumni recently inducted into GCU’s Alumni Hall of Fame.