The campus skyline may look a lot different these days – new buildings, bigger crowds, more purple everywhere. But if you look a little closer, you’ll see plenty that hasn’t changed: the same spirited events, the same school pride and the same sense of community that have been part of GCU since day one. These then-and-now photos show while the campus keeps growing, the heart of GCU remains the same.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This slideshow is part of GCU's history page. All the stories can be found here:
GCU History Page | The GCU story | Grand 'Construction' University | A campus culture like no other | GCU timeline | Then and now | Did you know…? | Brian Mueller and the 'Phoenix 50' | Pioneering online education | Rise of athletics | The next 75 years
-
The small, white clapboard building (top right) was the home of the Prayer Chapel in the 1960s. It now includes a beautiful brick cross detail and remains a refuge for students. -
Featuring two antelopes, the front entrance sign in the 1960s has evolved into an expansive new entrance embodying the university’s growth, vision and welcoming spirit. -
In 2015, GCU and the city of Phoenix announced a partnership for the university to take over the management of Maryvale Golf Course, now Grand Canyon University Championship Golf Course. GCU invested $11 million into the facility, which was losing $250,000 a year. It’s now a thriving golf destination in the Valley. -
Once a Quality Inn and Suites, GCU Hotel and Cañón 49 Restaurant sit on the east side of campus and provide hands-on, real-world experience to hospitality students. -
GCU has grown from nine modest buildings in 1951 to a bustling campus of 32 residence halls, 32 dining options, contemporary classrooms, labs and athletic facilities. -
While The Choralaires in the 1960s look a lot different from today's Canyon Choral Society, both continue the school's tradition of performing George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" at Christmas time. -
When GCU moved to Phoenix, only a handful of residence halls dotted campus. Now 32 span the university and are rated No.5 out of 1,371 colleges in the country by niche.com. -
While many things on campus have changed, the thoughtful community spirit has remained. The simple act of holding a door open in the 1960s echoes through the years. -
From an intimate showcase of talent in the 1970s to an electrifying performance of GCU’s Got Talent in 2023, events continue to connect the campus community. -
Since GCU opened in 1949, the arts always have been an integral part of the university, as showcased by this 1956 theatre production of “I Have Five Daughters” and this 2023 production of “Big Fish.” -
There’s nothing like Family Weekend at GCU! From the 1960s to now, families have been traveling to Phoenix from all over the country to visit and see what life is like on campus. -
Chapel services have exploded from intimate gatherings in the 1960s to powerful worship and sermon ceremonies of 7,000 faithful students in GCU Arena. -
GCU’s Thundering Heard Pep Band looks a little different today than it did in the ‘60s, but what remains the same are the stellar performances designed to hype up any crowd. -
The humble commencement ceremonies of the 1960s have grown into a monumental spectacle, filling GCU Arena with new graduates and their proud families. -
From a decorative Grand Canyon College license plate to an official Arizona specialty plate, GCU’s growth has impacted all of Arizona. -
Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark has evolved from a few bleachers behind home plate in the 1960s to a venue touting 4,000 chairback seats, multiroom press box and contemporary video board. -
What was once the Antelope Awards is now called the Lopey Awards. It’s a chance to honor GCU’s hard-working student-athletes for all they do, in and out of competition. -
The crowds they cheer for may have grown exponentially, but the spirit and energy the GCU Cheerleaders bring have remained the same. -
GCU’s spirited fan base has evolved, as seen in these photos of the 1962 men’s basketball team in Antelope Gymnasium and the 2023 team in GCU Arena.
