Ingram Honors College sends off first graduating class

Grand Canyon University is launching its first graduating class of Ingram Honors College students into the world this week, with 938 graduates in the 2025-26 academic year representing the breadth of the university's programs.

Here are a few stand-out honors graduates celebrated during this week's spring commencement ceremonies:

Alexandra Dixon

Alexandra Dixon has been an honors student all four years of college. She was involved with GRAD CAP, Ingram Honors College’s graduate school comprehensive advising program, and has gone on several mission trips to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, with Well Child International through the Global Studies program.

She was also the president of HOSA - Future Health Professionals. After graduating from GCU, Dixon will begin her studies at the School of Medicine at Loma Linda University to pursue her dream of becoming a physician.

“I think one of the biggest reasons I got into medical school is because of the opportunities that I had in the Honors College,” Dixon said. “I didn’t know what went into applying for medical school, but the Honors Symposium with Dr. Bre (Naegeli, Ingram Honors College dean) prepared me super early on to make the most out of college."

MacKenzie Newton

MacKenzie Newton spent two years in the Ingram Honors College after transferring from College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California. She completed the PAC Professional Development and Peer Mentoring program offered by the college. Newton served as a student leader on the Canyon Activities Board and is a former president and social media coordinator for international business honor society Delta Mu Delta.

Newton interned at the Goldwater Institute as a Ronald Reagan Fellow, and after graduation, she will intern at U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs' office in Washington, D.C.

“Ingram Honors College has really challenged me in taking harder courses, pursuing opportunities and learning from different people,” Newton said. “It’s really helped me develop professionally – resumes, cover letters, interview skills, very practical things like that.

"I was raised in a family that prioritized work ethic and academic excellence. Being able to further pursue that and push myself these two years in Honors has been really good.”

Abbi Arleth

Abbi Arleth, in her four years as an honors student, participated in the PAC Professional Development and Peer Mentoring program and later joined the Young Athena Leadership Development program. After completing PAC and Young Athena, Arleth served in the Leadership in Action Fellowship, in which she helped organize and host the annual Next Generation Leadership Conference.

Arleth was a regular member of the Women in Business club in the business college and was a student worker, working as a project manager for university’s Student Engagement department.

The Washington native will stay in Arizona after graduation, where she will work as an area manager for Amazon.

“Honors gives you a lot of opportunities, and they equip you with the correct resources,” Arleth said. “It has definitely enhanced my portfolio professionally, my LinkedIn, interview skills, elevator pitch and more. By joining the Honors College, I got the opportunity to have an externship with Amazon as a student.”

Tori Thorne

Tori Thorne has served as a student leader in Local Outreach and was a member of the Risk Management Club.

She has spent four years in the Ingram Honors College, and after graduation, she will begin her professional career at Deloitte Accounting Firm as a business process controls auditor.

“Ingram Honors College has taught me some very valuable advice and helped me grow a lot professionally. It has set me up really well to step into the workforce," Thorne said.

"I loved all the honors classes. They really pushed me and challenged me more in my assignments. Also, it brought me some really great people. First semester of freshman year in an honors class, I met some of my very best friends that I am still really close with today.”

Stone Wolfgang

The Ingram Honors College made a powerful impact on Stone Wolfgang in his freshman year. After a spotlight series event featuring entertainment industry professionals as guest speakers, he was inspired to pursue the same field.

The Washington native completed the Disney College Program and, after graduation, is headed back to Florida as a communications and events intern for Walt Disney World.

At GCU, Wolfgang served as a student leader for the Canyon Activities Board and was on the speaker acquisition team for TEDxGCU.  

“I love Ingram Honors College,” Wolfgang said. “Having that spotlight series event freshman year is something that really helped me. Also, taking honors classes as a freshman and pushing me early on was definitely helpful for me in preparing me for the future.

GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]

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