Photos by Ralph Freso
Many students this week said they came to Grand Canyon University for the weather.
Oh, we’ve got weather.
Monday’s 117 degrees was the hottest August temperature in Phoenix – ever. Which means there’s never been a more scorching August Move-In, although there were a few occasions in the past 10 years of the next highest of 108 degrees (2022, 2019, 2015). That didn't even beat this Tuesday (116) or Wednesday (111).
In 2014, there even was a Welcome Week event called The Mash Up that included a skit called “You know it’s hot when ...” But the temp on Move-In Monday that year? A cool 97.
Then on Thursday night, in whipped a haboob, introducing state newcomers to the unusual word for dust storms.
This year’s students have some real bragging rights.
And so do the GCU staff who put this on.
"We've been intentional to put more of our resources into shade for volunteers, which is a huge factor, especially in a place like Phoenix where it's such a dry heat," said Welcome Progams Manager Alden Sia. "We purchased large tents, fans, misters – more than ever. We also were more diligent with training our zone captains to mobilize water, Gatorade, snacks on golf carts to volunteers."
Other numbers of Welcome Week (as of Thursday), nor directly related to weather:
122,000 water bottles supplied
13,678 snacks consumed
16 different varieties of snacks offered
900 packs of Cheez-Its eaten
1,008 Zbars became most consumed
7,000 Gatorade drinks slammed
1,063 volunteers for Welcome Week
22 golf carts used by Welcome Programs
13,995 students moved in during Welcome Week
