Antelope Intros is a recurring GCU Today feature that introduces some of our new employees to the people around them in a way that is fun and informative. Employees are eligible to be featured in the month following their orientation.
CHARLES WALLIN
Job title: Enrollment counselor
Job location Peoria, 27th Avenue
What attracted you to GCU? The encouraging work environment.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? Interacting with people.
What are you passionate about? Sports, politics, family, dogs and now GCU. I’m from Michigan, so I am a Detroit fan and also like both Michigan and Michigan State. I played Division III baseball and mainly was a pitcher, but my fastball was only a little more than 80 mph — a fun speed to hit against. I gave up a home run against Central Michigan University that still hasn’t landed.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? Tortilla Flats and Beaglefest. We have been going to Beaglefest for 11 years. The first time we went, we adopted a beagle we named Leo. He had a tough year before we adopted him and took awhile to come around, but he was crowned King of Beaglefest the first time he was entered. He passed away two years ago, and it still hurts to write about him.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I got engaged on top of Piestewa Peak, and I once stopped an argument between Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford. They were signing autographs, and some guy handed Ford a beer just as it was my turn in line. Mantle noticed it, stopped signing and said, “Not in front of the kid, Whitey.” Whitey threw up his arms and said, “It’s just a beer.” Mickey yelled that it didn’t matter. But then I said, “Mr. Mantle, it’s all right. I just appreciate the autograph,” and Mantle sat back down and they both resumed signing. When I got to Mickey, he apologized for the incident.
What are you most proud of? I have a wonderful wife, Nan, and we enjoy adopting dogs. We still have two beagles. We’ve had Ernie since he was puppy, and he will turn 14 in March. Barney has really attached himself to us. They found him out in the desert near Tucson — they figured he was left out there for a week or two. They are our children.
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TEVIN EDDY
Job title: Enrollment counselor
Job location: Peoria
What attracted you to GCU? I’m a big fan of worshipping Jesus and doing community service, and GCU is good at both.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I sing/play guitar, and I actually recorded with my sister an album of original music we wrote together.
What are you passionate about? Jesus, my wife, sports, music and most things at least semi-edible (in that order).
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? Any swimming pool with a diving board because those two things together are just a thing of beauty.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I have had a lifelong love of reptiles and amphibians and actually dreamed of being the next Steve Irwin as a kid. I’ve owned everything from chameleons to anoles but don’t have any reptiles currently. My brother and I liked to go wading in ponds and creeks catching turtles, frogs, snakes, lizards and the like. We even used to photograph and document our finds in a logbook.
What are you most proud of? I can make friends with almost anyone within just a few minutes of meeting them.
