By Anissa Rowe
Although senior psychology major Tim Jones graduated on Friday, he won’t be leaving Grand Canyon University just yet.
Jones, a campus finance counselor known for his carefree manner and sense of humor, will be starting a master’s program with the goal of becoming a sports psychologist.
He bleeds purple as a fan of the Antelopes and the Los Angeles Lakers, and the latter might be in need of a psychologist after their elimination from the NBA playoffs.
“I would one day like to work for the Lakers as a sports psychologist,” Jones says. “But working for GCU and doing that would be almost as fantastic.”
Jones lives by the mottos “Just Keep Livin’” and “No Manure, No Magic.” In other words, without going through the mud of life, you can never appreciate the beauty that comes from it.
As a finance counselor, he often has gone the extra mile to make sure his students receive the attention they deserve. Finances are a big deal to them, and he does all he can to keep students and parents calm.
“Tim is always in a good mood, regardless of the situation,” says Academic Counselor Noelle Clark. “He will do anything to help the student or his coworkers, and he takes time to make people feel special. He definitely makes the work environment more fun, and I admire his dedication.”
Regarding his experience at the University, Jones says, “I really enjoy working at GCU. I care about my coworkers and being on the campus and seeing the development. I’ve been here since April 2008, and a lot of things have improved. The growth is amazing.”
Jones has juggled the responsibilities of parenting along with his studies.
“The choice to finish my degree and be a college graduate was decided by my son, Landon,” he says. “I felt I couldn’t tell him how important school was if I didn’t show the way first.”
It wasn’t an easy path. After working a full day on campus, Jones would pick up Landon and it would be 9 or 10 p.m. before he could get to his studies.
“There are millions of people who have it tougher than me,” he says. “This was to me a blessing. To be at a place where I have school, work and Landon’s preschool and have the opportunity to do better for my family was my fuel to push through.”
Instead of feeling weighed down, Jones says he realized “how blessed I was that God had given me a chance to learn, to grow and to be a father who graduated from college.”
The hard work and positive attitude paid off. He graduated with a 3.47 grade-point average and honors.
His advice to students: “Seek the truth — don’t accept what you hear or read from one source. Read, watch, learn and make your own decision of truth.”
