Photos by Ralph Freso
Welcome Week is coming to a close, and it’s time for students to say goodbye to their families.
Though this is a big step for students, it is a big change for parents also, as they navigate their emotions and the reality that their children will be far from home.
Grand Canyon University’s Parent Council – known for giving out free hugs and snacks at Fuel for Finals and for their presence at Family Weekend – supports parents in that big life transition by hosting hangouts and other opportunities for families to connect with the school during move-in and learn about available resources throughout the year.
“We are here to help and encourage parents as they go through the process of their students going to college,” Parent Council President Todd Kinley said. “Parents are in the college experience just as much, even if it’s all about the student. They have deep feelings, and this is a hard transition for them. Whether it's the first child going off to college or it’s the last child going off to college and they are going to be empty nesters, they are kind of freaking out about what’s the next steps and where they are headed.
“It’s all very unique and different to each family. We just want to be there to support and encourage them in the process and make sure that someone is looking out for them too.”
Welcome Programs and the Parent Council, whose members live all over the country and return to campus for big events, partnered for Welcome Week to host socials, such as daily Coffee with the Parent Council meetups, a Lope Family Sendoff, a prayer walk around campus and more. The council has used these opportunities to connect parents and help them discover ways they can be a part of the GCU family.
From Monday to Wednesday, the Parent Council gathered on the Promenade to chat with parents over doughnuts and coffee. They spoke about how to get involved with the university, invited them to Family Weekend in October, and distributed GCU swag to show off their purple pride.
“The mission of the Parent Council is very clear: It’s to help parents and the students,” the head of Parent Council’s social media, Trish Pullin, said. “I asked my son, who is a sophomore now, before I interviewed with the council, if he is OK with this, and he said yes, so he is just as excited for me as I am for him.
“We are from North Carolina, and I love being involved because it makes me feel closer to my son without actually being close.”
Comprised of up to 18 members, the council seeks to serve parents all year long and create an encouraging community throughout the country.
Parents can join Lope Family and Soul Care groups through the council. The intention is to bring a piece of GCU to everyone’s home states. The groups are opportunities for parents to meet other Lope families and create a sense of belonging and involvement without being on the university’s campus.
“Our son is a freshman now and the first one off to college. This is a very exciting moment, and we are going to miss him a lot, but that is what the mission is,” Brandi Binkley said. “We are from Illinois, and to send your kid across the country to have an opportunity like this is major.
“The Parent Council has been a really great resource for us. The support for me and my husband has made us feel comfortable allowing our son to come here. With the Christian values of GCU and knowing that people are going to watch out for your child is really helpful."
The most emotional moment of the week unfolded at the Lope Family Sendoff on Thursday morning. Parents and students gathered in Antelope Gymnasium for an hour of worship, prayer and encouragement from University Pastor and Dean of Students Dr. Tim Griffin and Director of Spiritual Life Erik Nelsen.
A group of GCU alumni and past and current Worship team leaders led the crowd in songs of praise, thanking God for the big milestone that students are embarking on and giving peace to parents that He will keep them safe.
Griffin encouraged parents with Proverbs 3:5-6, reminding them to trust and surrender to God completely, while Nelsen led families in a time of individual and group prayer.
“I am just blessed that this is a Christian university, and I was really blessed by the surrender to the Lord,” said Michele Iddings, who dropped off her daughter for her freshman year. “I am trusting that this is the next step in her journey.”
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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