Grand Canyon University was buzzing during Welcome Week as parents assisted first-year students move into their residence halls, while returning students traveled back to campus after a four-month recess.
GCU welcomed more than 24,000 students, including 16,000 who are moving into the campus's 33 residence halls.
A spectrum of events helped acclimate newcomers and offered new opportunities to returning students.
As always, GCU Welcome Programs and other groups were prepared for the masses. Here’s a look at the numbers:
Welcome Programs
101,000+ – Water bottles ordered
17,000+ – Snacks purchased for move-in volunteers
11,154 – Guests at the New Student & Family Commissioning
800+ – Volunteer shifts filled, covering more than 14,000 hours in 2 1/2 days
59 – Additional roll-off dumpsters brought to campus for trash and unpacking
ASGCU
238 – Attended the Returner Roundup (new event)
339 – Attended the First Gen Social (brought back from 2024)
369 – Open House Check-Ins (increase by nearly 200)
561 – Stopped by the new Student Social (increase of more than 200 from 2025)
945 – Showed up for Sweet Life of ASGCU (increase of more than 300)
70%+ – Increase in overall attendance for all ASGCU events from 2025
GCU Dining
41 – Dozens of doughnuts served during Thursday’s Lope Family Sendoff
154 – Events executed by the catering department from Monday to Sunday
Sheila and Mike Ingram Honors College
1,300 – Record number of new students enrolled in the college
3,400 – Total students enrolled for 2026-27
Clubs & organizations
138 – New members who signed up for the Women In Business Club during Friday’s Fall Club and Community Fair
45 – New members who signed up for the IDEA Club during Friday's Fall Club and Community Fair
Lope Shop
85 – Percent of upside-down Lopes logo hats sold that were in stock
8 – Percent increase in Monday sales compared to 2025
Best-selling item – Champion-brand hoodies and crew sweatshirts
Best-selling category – Unisex T-shirts
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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Related Welcome Week content:
GCU News: Lopes' faith ignited at Welcome Week's traditional worship event
GCU News: Volunteers' passion powers GCU Welcome Week
GCU News: Emotion sticks at pinning ceremony welcoming new GCU students
GCU News: New Havocs leaders are ready to kick off 'The biggest party in college basketball'
GCU News: Lope Family Sendoff brings tears – for others, eager smiles
