Education Secretary praised the university’s servant leadership, calling the institution an example to the world
Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
The Thundering Herd Pep Band struck up the national anthem as U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon entered Global Credit Union Arena, where students and video messages welcomed her to Grand Canyon University. They were eager to show her what the university has built.
An afternoon of conversations, student stories and a tour of GCU’s campus and business incubator left the education secretary with a strong impression.
“A-1, A-plus,” she said.
The historic visit on Thursday gave GCU an opportunity to showcase to a senior federal official how its Christian mission, student experience and workforce programs are transforming lives and communities. U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, who represents Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, also attended. For GCU President Brian Mueller, McMahon’s visit was a chance to show the university’s work firsthand.
McMahon left praising the campus culture and its approach to preparing students for work in fields facing shortages, from nursing to education to such industries as construction, the semiconductor sector, manufacturing and the electrical field.
“I’m coming away from Grand Canyon really understanding servant leadership,” McMahon said. “But also the understanding that there is certainly a very Christ-centered theme that you hear throughout the university, which I think is incredibly refreshing.
“I've now been to 47 states. I've been to many universities and schools. You get a feel pretty quickly from the general vibe and culture of campus, and this is A-1, A-plus.”
Over lunch in the glass-walled lobby of GCU’s nearly completed Sheila and Mike Ingram Honors College building, Mueller introduced the university’s deans and several students, who shared insights into their academic programs. Their accounts offered McMahon a closer look at the way GCU bridges classroom learning with practical experience.
McMahon highlighted the alignment between the university’s mission and the critical needs of the nation.
“We certainly want to make sure that more and more colleges are affordable, and that we really are addressing the needs of the country,” she said, citing teacher and nursing shortages as well as the skilled-workforce shortage.
Mueller called McMahon’s visit “reinforcing” – a moment to celebrate the positive impact and growth of the university that will return to Washington, D.C., and the White House.
“You can’t explain that to people when you’re 2,000 miles away. You have to be here, and you have to experience that,” Mueller said. “For her to take the time to do this and then to recognize us the way that she did at the end, we'll always remember that.”
Dana Drew Shaw, GCU’s vice president of government relations, said McMahon’s in-person visit made the recognition especially meaningful.
“To have somebody of her level – who understands the impact and the importance of higher education across the nation – come see what we’re doing firsthand and recognize it as being A-plus work is amazing,” Shaw said.
For Judah Floyd, GCU’s student body president, and Jordan Ward, an honors student, the visit was a chance to show what the community values. They highlighted how the community pairs ambition with collaboration and a desire to see others succeed.
McMahon took time to speak with students and faculty and shook hands before departing, though she wished she could have stayed longer to sing more with Critical Mass.
After being greeted on campus by GCU cheerleaders and the Thundering Herd Pep Band, Critical Mass led the arena in “God Bless America.”
McMahon sang along.
A video about the university’s beginnings and growth over the past 15 years followed. As it played, she leaned toward Mueller to ask questions. McMahon gave students two thumbs up and praised their welcome, calling out “Bravo.”
Their campus tour continued with Mueller driving the cart and students waving as they headed for Building 66 to visit Canyon Ventures and Lux Precision Manufacturing.
The shift from ceremony to working spaces offered a glimpse of the university’s entrepreneurship and trades programs. Inside Lux Precision, machines hummed as work continued.
Canyon Ventures Director Connor Vicary, CityServe Director Nathan Cooper and Lux Precision Manufacturing Founder/CEO Weston Smith showed McMahon the incubator and described the student-founded companies that have generated millions in revenue and opportunities for students to work in the businesses.
“Her comment was, ‘Wow, this is so impressive,’” Vicary recalled, describing McMahon’s reaction to the space. “Being able to show off the strength of the American economy right here at GCU is such a blessing.”
That message is headed back to Washington.
“There wasn't anything I wanted to add at all here (at GCU). … This is an incredibly marvelous institution. I'm very happy,” McMahon said. “Thank you very, very much for being an example for other universities throughout the country and throughout the world.”
GCU News senior writer Jason Gonzalez can be reached at [email protected].
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