As Grand Canyon University continues to grow, so does our commitment and responsibility to positively impacting the communities in which we attend school, live and work. Throughout our 60-year history, GCU has steadily gained a reputation for changing lives all over the world through education and community outreach.
To help document our commitment, the University has created a new Canyon Cares 2009 Community Impact Report, which is being distributed this week to Valley leaders. The report highlights just a few of the ways GCU positively contributes to the communities we serve through campus-wide outreach efforts, individual contributions of our faculty, staff and students, and as an employer. (Click here to see a copy of the report, which will be updated annually.)
“Our purpose in sharing this information is to demonstrate GCU’s longstanding servant leadership-based culture,” said GCI CEO Brian Mueller. “This culture drives us as an organization and as individuals to seek our opportunities to positively impact and contribute to the communities in which we live and work. Less obvious but equally as important is the impact GCU has on our community’s economy and growth, both as an employer and as the training ground for some of the most sought-after graduates in the state.”
In addition to guiding eager learners across the country toward finding their purpose and achieving their goals, GCU significantly enhances the lives of others in many life-changing ways. From traveling to remote villages to share our time and resources to hosting outreach events on our campus, GCU volunteers have donated more than 50,000 hours last year to local churches and non-profit organizations and another 75,000 hours to charitable causes outside their regular work schedule.
“Your commitment to sharing your time and many talents with others sets us apart from other universities and helps establish and strengthen our image as a faith-based school that attracts people who really care about others,” Brian added. “I would like to thank each of your for your many contributions throughout the year, and encourage you to continue sharing your special gifts with the individuals, families and organizations that count on Grand Canyon University to make a difference.”
GCU has many exciting plans to expand out community outreach efforts in 2010 and beyond through Canyon Cares volunteer opportunities, corporate sponsorships and special events hosted on our campus. Watch for more details soon!
