The Lopes are back on the Grand Canyon University campus and are ready to dive into their studies – and the events that will make their spring semester memorable. Here are some of the semester's most anticipated events:
Chapel
The spring semester kicked off Monday with Chapel. Campus leaders and guest pastors will address the GCU community at 11 a.m. on Mondays and will focus on the Hall of Faith theme from the book of Hebrews.
University President Brian Mueller was the first semester speaker. He spoke about the importance of celebrating God in your daily life while turning away from greed and power. In case you missed it, check out the spring semester Chapel schedule here.
First Mountain West basketball season
Nothing electrifies the Global Credit Union Arena like a GCU basketball game. This year, students, staff and families are excited to fill seats as they cheer on the Lopes in their first Mountain West season.
The Lopes have a rigorous schedule, and the student spirit section, the Havocs, are ready to bring on the “biggest party in college basketball.” Click here to view the men's and women's conference schedule.
Casino Night
Dress to impress, poker tables, dice and decks of cards? It sounds like a chance for students to test their luck at the Canyon Activities Board’s Casino Night. No money is exchanged at the event, but there are prizes to be won. It will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Global Credit Union Arena.
"Romeo and Juliet"
Love is in the air at Ethington Theatre.
Right in time for Valentine’s Day, the theatre program will present Shakespeare classic “Romeo and Juliet,” which tells the tale of two young lovers torn apart by their feuding families.
The two-weekend show will run Jan. 23-25 and Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Buy tickets here.
GCU Homecoming Weekend
Big smiles, big hugs and walks down memory lane will warm the campus when alumni return for homecoming Feb. 20-21.
The Alumni Relations Office is organizing the event where alumni can reconnect with old roommates and school leadership. Expect a family breakfast with Thunder, a golf tournament, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony and a men’s basketball game.
Forensic Science Day
GCU loves connecting with the community, like for Forensic Science Day. The annual event, which started in 2012, will return to campus from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 26. The campus will welcome high school and junior college students from the across the Valley.
They will participate in various crime-scene activities that will test their forensics knowledge, explore campus cadaver and DNA labs and connect with professors and industry professionals.
GCU’s Got Talent
The popular GCU's Got Talent will hit the Global Credit Union Arena stage at 8 p.m. March 3.
The Canyon Activities Board organizes the annual competition, when students show off their singing, dancing, yo-yoing, comedy and magic talents.
They will vie for a shiny trophy and, of course, everlasting bragging rights.
“Unscripted” Student Spotlight Concert
The dance program will dazzle the Ethington Theatre stage with student choreography at 7:30 p.m. March 24 -25.
Students’ creativity, originality and collaboration will be celebrated as the culmination of their semesterlong preparation and hard work.
TEDxGCU
TEDxGCU will return to campus at 6 p.m. April 10 in Global Credit Union Arena. The student-produced event has been going strong for several years, and the Lopes’ excitement to listen to motivating leaders has not waned. The evening will feature speakers presenting on topics that stir thought-provoking conversation.
Spring commencement
The culmination of hard work, stress and late nights will pay off for seniors in April when they walk across the Global Credit Union Arena stage to receive their degrees. GCU will host its final 2025-26 commencement ceremonies, sending thousands of graduates into the workforce.
Check out news.gcu.edu for a detailed calendar and latest news throughout the semester.
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
