Excellence in business at Grand Canyon University has reached new heights.
GCU’s Eta Chi chapter of Delta Mu Delta, the international business honor society, recently earned the prestigious 2025 Anthony J. Jablonsky Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award at the organization's recent annual conference in Phoenix.
It is the second time the GCU chapter has received the honor, having first received it in 2020. The award, presented once every five years, recognizes chapters that exceed society standards and create outstanding programs that serve members while enhancing visibility, development and growth.
Faculty advisors credit Eta Chi’s strong performance to its leadership and dedicated mentorship.
“Dr. (Moronke) Oke deserves a lot of credit for that recognition that we’ve been getting, and she really is the one who pushes the students and, honestly, pushes me to really go above and beyond,” said Dr. Alexander Theisen, faculty member and co-advisor of Eta Chi.
The Colangelo College of Business professor and faculty chair – and the longtime advisor for GCU’s Delta Mu Delta chapter – also was named advisor of the year at the conference, which brought together chapters from across the nation and internationally to exchange ideas and celebrate top-performing members.
It also featured GCU speakers, including Dr. Breanna Naegeli, dean of the Honors College, and Greg Lucas, online faculty chair in the Colangelo College of Business. Both were named honorary members of Eta Chi at the event.
Oke said of earning the advisor of the year honor, “It’s very humbling, and I feel like it should be split into five. I would not have been able to and could not have done it without Dr. (Helen) Hammond, Dr. Alycia Harris, Dr. (Praveena) Jayaraman and Dr. Theisen. Absolutely no way. With the scale of things that we do, one person cannot do it. I know what I can do, but I also know what I cannot do, and that's where I’m blessed. Where I am weak, they are strong.”
Established in February 1996, GCU’s Eta Chi chapter has consistently excelled. Since 2018, it has earned Star Chapter status every year, signifying it has met or exceeded the national standards for operation and administration.
Today, the chapter includes more than 3,150 lifetime members.
“It’s a testament to the hard work that students have put in,” Oke said. “Students are proactive, dynamic, engaged and fully locked in. I have really been amazed at their creativity and their initiative, and the ideas they come up with have been very effective.”
Said GCU Eta Chi President MacKenzie Newton, “I believe this award will inspire our members and help them recognize that they are part of a significant and distinguished chapter. I want them to feel proud for being a member. Perhaps more chapter members will be motivated to step into a position on the leadership board.
“My hope is that our student leaders will continue to grow and develop our chapter, while creating new and exciting opportunities for the business community of GCU.”
At the conference, other Delta Mu Delta chapters from around the country and internationally gathered to learn from GCU’s student leaders and advisors.
Eta Chi was highlighted for its innovative programs, including the annual Kevin McClean Research Colloquium, an entirely student-run research conference that displays undergraduate research and leadership.
The chapter also hosts community service projects, networking events and joint inductions with other honor societies on campus.
“I hope that seeing that award gives future members a sense of what they’re joining,” said Theisen, “They’re joining into a chapter that really has become an institution here at the business school. It helps put on so many of these events and is such a key part of student life here.”
Other notable GCU faculty and executive honorary members of Eta Chi include GCU President Brian Mueller; Provost Randy Gibb; Vice Provost Jennifer Lech; John Kaites, dean of the Colangelo College of Business; and Chief Financial Officer Daniel Bachus.
Additionally, sports icon and businessman Jerry Colangelo and former FBI agent John Iannarelli are honorary members of the Eta Chi Chapter.
Founded in 1913, Delta Mu Delta recognizes academic excellence in business administration programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The society has 204 active chapters worldwide and invites juniors and seniors in the top 20% of their class to join.
