By Doug Carroll
GCU News Bureau
An impressive run of corporate awards has continued into 2014 for Grand Canyon University.
Last year, the University won Business of the Year from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Company of the Year (Diversified Services category) at the American Business Awards. It also was named No. 2 small company by Forbes magazine.
On Thursday night, it was recognized as Education Leader of the Year by AZ BIG Media, the publisher of AzBusiness Magazine, as part of the Industry Leaders of Arizona Awards.
“The way that school has been turned around epitomizes what these awards are all about,” said Michael Gossie, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, as the education award was presented to GCU.
A short, pre-recorded video interview with GCU’s president and chief executive officer, Brian Mueller, preceded the presentation. GCU’s vice president for strategic educational alliances, Dr. Tacy Ashby, accepted on behalf of the University.
“Just 10 years ago, GCU was … on the brink of financial insolvency,” Ashby told a banquet crowd at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in central Phoenix. “To reach our potential as a university and a business leader in Arizona, a reinvention was in order.
“Our leadership literally transformed our nearly bankrupt school into a world-class institution with a reputation of helping students achieve their full potential.”
In addition to Ashby, GCU was represented by Dr. Joe Veres and Arlin Guadian of K-12 outreach; Dr. Ted Coe, assistant dean of the College of Education; Jason Barlow, executive director of digital marketing; Bob Romantic, executive director of communications and public affairs; and Randy Bellah, director of academic alliances support.
Awards in other categories were won by Microchip (technology), Caliente Construction (commercial real estate), the Phoenix Suns (entertainment), Entrepix (manufacturing) and WebPT (Maverick Award). More information on the awards is available at www.azbusinessmagazine.com.
Contact Doug Carroll at 639.8011 or [email protected].
