Photos by Ralph Freso
The Office of Alumni Relations made sure all alumni felt right at home during Homecoming weekend at Grand Canyon University on Friday and Saturday. But some got an extra large welcome mat.
Four esteemed alumni were inducted into the GCU Hall of Fame on Saturday.
GCU President Brian Mueller opened the ceremony by reflecting on the growth of the University over the years and the impact he has personally experienced along with students and community.
“I never intended to be a college president,” President Mueller shared. “Much less be the University president of the largest Christian university in the country, so you have to ask yourself what is happening here? What is God doing here?”
Honoring its Christian foundation, Mueller encouraged the attendees to view all that growth and achievement as God’s work and give Him thanks for it.
“We are teaching everything from a Christian worldview perspective. All ten colleges and 300 programs have been infused with a Christian worldview perspective, and we are making sure that perspective is the one that puts everything else in the right context. We are testifying to the truth every day. What is going to happen if you do that?
“We are getting larger, there is more tension, but that single thing is never going to change. So, it is only appropriate that we now honor people that helped us build what is here today.”
Colangelo College of Business Dean John Kaites introduced the honorees by highlighting their remarkable accomplishments.
Shawn Boskie, a 2018 graduate with a bachelor’s in finance and economics, is the founder and CEO of Canyon Productions, an independent Christ-centered film company. He is an advisory board member for a several groups: GCU’s Colangelo College of Business and College of Arts and Media, Elevate Phoenix and the Arizona's Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
A former professional baseball player, Boskie dedicated 15 years to the sport, nine in the Major Leagues. He completed over 10 years as vice president of development at Alliance Defending Freedom and has over 25 years of experience in executive leadership specializing in culminating teams, mentoring strategic growth and financially supporting both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
“When I look at some of the other names that have been inducted, I would have never imagined that I would even get on the radar screen,” said Boskie. “This is really humbling and a tremendous honor.”
Wendy Greenland, who earned her master’s in business administration in 2016, is chief executive officer of Openforce and has more than 30 years of experience in leading fast-growing technology companies. She is a board member for Alliance of Technology and Women and the National Home Delivery Association. With 25 years of experience in organizational work, Greenland formerly served as the chief operating officer InfinityHR and is a certified master trainer with the Miller Heiman Group.
“It is an amazing honor to be selected,” Greenland said. “I am proud to say that I got my degree here at GCU. It was a wonderful experience (being a student) and I would absolutely do it again.”
Courtney Ophaug, who earned her master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in leadership in 2009, has been the chief executive officer of Banner Estrella Medical Center since 2015. Prior to that role, she served in various positions at Banner Health, including: hospital administrator at Banner Boswell and Banner Thunderbird Medical Centers and a process engineer with the Quality and Organizational Performance team.
Ophaug maintains her fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives and also is an active member of several community boards.
“This is such a privilege,” Ophaug said. “Like many leaders, we just do what we do, so to be recognized just for continuing our own personal and professional journey is really humbling.”
Dr. Steven Valero, who earn a doctoral degree in philosophy in general psychology with an emphasis in industrial and organizational psychology in 2021, began his academic journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Arizona State University before earning a master's degree in leadership development at GCU.
Valero serves as a senior director of platform, data, reliability and engineering at Keap and is the founder and chief executive officer of The Move Forward, a coaching enterprise. He is also an industry advisor for GCU’s College of Engineering.
“It’s an honor to be inducted,” Valero said. “I don’t feel deserving but in the end I gotta give back to GCU.”
Inductees proudly held their plaques as they showed them off to their family members and posed for photos to commemorate the moment.
“Glory to God that we have such wonderful inductees,” said Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Cherylann Galdi. “These are good humans, they are not just alumni, but they are really doing some amazing things to represent GCU.”
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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GCU News: Alumni are all smiles in campus return for Homecoming weekend
