Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
The sun is starting to set on the second day of Welcome Week, and it’s time to take a break from moving and unpacking.
While Welcome Week at Grand Canyon University is the busiest week of the year, it’s the thoughtfully planned events that set the first impression, welcome students to the herd and give them a chance to connect.
Welcome Programs, in partnership with multiple departments, knew just the right thing to do: Give students a small taste of everything in one event-packed Tuesday evening.
Welcome back at the CAC
The Canyon Activity Center unlocked its doors at 6 p.m. Tuesday, and it did not take long for students to flood its 10 courts. Who wouldn’t want to let out some steam after a hard-working day in the Arizona heat?
The repetitive sound of tapping pingpong balls and fast-paced games played by out-of-breath, flushed students drew attention. Volleyballs and basketballs soared high in the air behind them, and when all the courts were occupied, two students got creative and found their own space to toss a football.
The real crowd-pleaser was the upbeat demo of a fitness class, giving a fun glimpse of one of the options students can expect to receive from GCU Fitness.
“This is a great opportunity to meet people,” said sophomore fitness instructor Abby Huld. “Freshman year is so intimidating, but coming in knowing you have a space to work out, have one hour of your day where you can be with people you know are ready to work out and prioritize their health is awesome.”
LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” and Rihanna’s “Pon de Replay” had students getting their sweat on, doing high knees, jumping jacks, shaking hips, two-step turns and lots of cheering.
“It’s a new thing we are introducing called dance fit. It’s like a combination of Zumba and strength,” said Huld.
Project L
With no time to waste, 7 p.m. marked the start of another event: the Multicultural Office’s Project Lope.
Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” blasting through speakers, inflatable throwing darts, ax throwing and cornhole games, a photobooth, ice pops and watermelon created a fun combination of festival and carnival activities.
Students flashing glow-in-the-dark sticks and sunglasses swarmed Prescott Field. They showed off their purple pride with GCU-branded T-shirts, hair sparkles and fanny packs. Some gathered around tables, some relaxed on the grass and some never left the games stations.
But when Rednex’ “Cotton Eye Joe” started playing, everyone got up on their feet and ran to the other side of the field, where line dancing commenced.
“Everyone is everywhere, and I think it’s cool that there is a lot of people around,” said junior Abigail Philips. “I like the liveliness of campus.”
It was a perfect last summer kickback before classes start that helped freshman Ayla Atkins already feel that she was a part of the Lopes community.
“My favorite part has been meeting people and actually being on campus,” Atkins said. “It’s like up until you actually move to college, it doesn’t feel real, but now we are here.”
The night was not over yet.
Silent Disco
When 8 p.m. struck, students ran through the Global Credit Union Arena doors for a silent, yet raucous party.
Green, pink and blue headphones on, volume all the way up and waving their arms like they just didn't care, students were lost in the beat of Abba’s “Dancing Queen,” Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” Flo Rida’s “Low” and more.
“Silent Disco is me and my friends’ favorite Welcome Week event every single year,” said senior Rylee Green. “We get crazy and go hard, we dress up funny and silly every time.”
Funny and silly outfits made an appearance, too.
Students got creative with matching PJs, red karate costume, a sparkling suit from head to toe, cow onesies, an elf costume, a few Havocs jerseys and left-over glow-in-the-dark sticks and sunglasses from Project L
“We were waiting in line since 5:40 p.m., anything for Silent Disco,” said sophomore Vanessa Houar.
At the start time of the event, the line of students waiting to get in went from the right side of the GCU Arena doors, down to the main campus entrance, wrapped around classroom buildings and even reached the soccer stadium. By 9 p.m., the Quad field was still full of students waiting and hoping to get a taste of Silent Disco.
“GCU is great, I really love it so far,” said freshman Brock Barth.
GCU staff writer can be reached at [email protected]
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