Story by Ryan Kryska
Photos by Travis Neely
GCU News Bureau
The grapevine is purple for a reason. It’s how sophomore Isiah Brown heard about the way Lopes do things, ultimately leading to his decision to join the herd this year on Grand Canyon University’s men’s basketball team.
He said in April, "I can't wait to meet them. I've heard great things ...” and on Friday, faculty, staff, alumni and students showed him great things.
“They are really about what they say they’re about,” Brown said. “It’s great helping the people that will be out supporting our team at the games.”
Men's basketball coach Dan Majerle said the team tries to make it out to volunteer during Welcome Week every year.
"We want to be a big part of this university and the guys love being out here," he said.
The team was just one of the many groups of Lopes out before the sun to move in 1,100 Welcome Crew members, who in return will move in the remainder of on-campus student next week.
Nine members of the University’s qualifying specialists department were among the Lopes moving in student volunteers. Qualifying specialist and alumna Hannah Miller was one of them, covering all the bases of Welcome Week. She has moved in during the organized chaos as a freshman before volunteering in later years as a Welcome Crew member.
We’ll call it a natural cycle.
“I remember being a freshman. We want to give them that great experience,” Miller said.
Qualifying specialist Caden Wakefield is a Move-in newcomer like Brown. He has been a GCU employee for almost a year and said it was great to "see everyone smile getting to school" while volunteering Friday morning.
"It’s been awesome working here," he said.
Fritz Bordes, a College of Education university counselor, has volunteered to move students in each of the four years he’s been working at GCU. He says he’s bled purple since day one. His 3- and 4-year-old children are in the Junior Lopes Club.
“I love doing this,” Bordes said. “I love giving back. GCU is not just a school to me, it’s family.”
Evonne Perez and Caleb Glennie were COE volunteers as well. They shared a similar sentiment – that the look on parents’ faces makes it all worth it.
Glennie says it’s important that parents feel comfortable leaving their children on campus, and having them watch staff and fellow students take care of their child’s move-in is a joy.
Rob Oskey was one of those parents. He dropped his daughter off on Friday for her senior year at GCU.
“This is beautiful, the fact that the kids come down early,” Oskey said. “It’s a chance for a Christian education that will prepare her for the rest of her life. It’s amazing. The kids are unbelievably efficient.”
That’s all Oskey had time to say before his SUV was unloaded -- time for the next car in line to pull up.
The fun continues Monday. Here is a list of the major nightly events of Welcome Week:
Monday: Canyon Cool Down (slippery slides, water fights) on Juniper Field
Tuesday: Night at the Movies (“Avengers: Infinity War”) at GCU Arena
Wednesday: Ignite Worship at GCU Arena
Thursday: Lope-A-Palooza (pep rally with Thunder, Dance team, Cheer team, Thundering Heard Pep Band and Havocs) at GCU Arena, followed by a concert (mystery artist)
Friday: Women’s soccer match, followed by a men’s soccer match at GCU Stadium; opening of the theatre production “Ring Round the Moon’’
Saturday: Glow Party at GCU Arena
Sunday: Students are encouraged to attend church services with their Life Leader
| MONDAY, AUGUST 20 | ||
| 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Express Move-in | Willow Hall, Canyon Hall |
| 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Express Move-in | Ironwood Hall |
| 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Self Move-in | Willow, Canyon, & Ironwood Halls |
| Lope Life 101 (See guide on GCU Engage) | Willow, Canyon, Ironwood: Day 1 | |
| 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Bed, Bath, & Beyond Tent | Kaibab |
| 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Family Hospitality Center | GCBC Student Union |
| 10 a.m - 4 p.m. | Orientation Expo | Student Union |
| 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. | Featured Club Event: | |
| Welcome Week Dance-Off | Hip-Hop Club | Lopes Way | |
| 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. | Check-in for New Student Orientation | GCU Arena |
| 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. | New Student Orientation | GCU Arena |
| 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. | Canyon Cool Down | Juniper Field |
| TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 | ||
| 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Express Move-in | Juniper Hall, Agave Apts |
| 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Express Move-in | Acacia Hall, Cactus Apts |
| 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Self Move-in | Juniper & Acacia Halls, Agave & Cactus Apts |
| Lope Life 101 (See guide on GCU Engage) | Juniper, Acacia: Day 1 | |
| Willow, Cypress, Ironwood: Day 2 | ||
| 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Bed, Bath, & Beyond Tent | Kaibab |
| 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Family Hospitality Center | GCBC Student Union |
| 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Orientation Expo | Student Union |
| 12:30 - 2 p.m. | Featured Club Event: | |
| Beach Resort Party | Hospitality Management Club | Quad | |
| 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. | Check-in for New Student Orientation | GCU Arena |
| 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. | New Student Orientation | GCU Arena |
| 4 - 6 p.m. | Featured Club Events: | |
| eSports (TBD) & Arcade Tournaments | Innovative Computing Club | Building 57-130 | |
| Game Night | Modern Boardgamers' Guild | Thunderground Lounge | |
| 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. | Night at the Movies | |
| Avengers: Infinity War | GCU Arena | |
| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 | ||
| 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Express Move-in | Ocotillo Hall, Chaparral Hall, Jerome Apts |
| 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Express Move-in | Saguaro Hall, Sedona Hall, Diamondback Apts |
| 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Self Move-in | Ocotillo, Chaparral, Saguaro, & Sedona Halls, Jerome & Diamondback Apts |
| Jerome and Diamondback Apts | ||
| Lope Life 101 (See guide on GCU Engage) | Ocotillo, Chaparral, Saguaro, Sedona: Day 1 | |
| Juniper, Acacia: Day 2 | ||
| Willow, Cypress, Ironwood: Day 3 | ||
| 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Bed, Bath, & Beyond Tent | Kaibab |
| 9 a.m. - 4p.m. | Family Hospitality Center | GCBC Student Union |
| 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Orientation Expo | Student Union |
| 12:30 - 2 p.m. | Featured Club Event Fair | Lopes Way |
| Planning and Time Management Table I Sociology and Social Work Club | ||
| Mock Crime Scene Forensic Science Society | ||
| Interactive Marketing Activity American Marketing Association | ||
| T-Shirt Fundraiser I Circle K International | ||
| Hawaiian Gift Baskets I Hui Aloha Club | ||
| 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. | Check-in for New Student Orientation | GCU Arena |
| 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. | New Student Orientation | GCU Arena |
| 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Out of State Student Social | Thunder Alley |
| 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. | ROTC New Student Orientation | North Lecture Halls (22-101, 22-102, 22-103, and 22-104) |
| 4 - 6 p.m. | Featured Club Event: | |
| Multicultural Festival I Philippine American Student Association | Quad | |
| 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Welcome Back Worship Arts Bash | Worship Arts Center Studio (Building 57) |
| 8 - 9:30 p.m. | Ignite Worship Night | GCU Arena & Quad |
| THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 | ||
| 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Express Move-in | Camelback Hall, Papago 47 Apts |
| 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Express Move-in | Roadrunner Apts, Papago 48 Apts |
| 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Self Move-in | Camelback Hall, Roadrunner & Papago Apts |
| Lope Life 101 (See guide on GCU Engage) | Ocotillo, Chaparral, Saguaro, Sedona: Day 2 | |
| Juniper, Acacia: Day 3 | ||
| 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Family Hospitality Center | GCBC Student Union |
| 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Orientation Expo | Student Union |
| 12:30 - 2 p.m. | Featured Club Event: | |
| Color Your Summer Fundraiser I Pre-Vet Club | Bldg 18 Lawn | |
| SAGA Mixer | SAGA Club | Natural Science Building 6-139/140 | |
| 12:30 - 2 p.m. | ROTC Welcome Barbecue | Bldg 18 Quad |
| 2- 3:30 p.m. | LLC Kickoff | GCU Arena |
| 3 p.m. - 4p.m. | Transfer Student Social | Thunder Alley |
| 4 - 7 p.m. | Featured Club Event: | |
| Hospitality Carnival I Hospitality Management Club | Quad | |
| 7:49 p.m. | LOPE-A-PALOOZA | GCU Arena |
| 8:45 p.m. | Welcome Week Concert | GCU Arena |
| FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 | ||
| 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Express Move-in | Prescott Hall, Encanto Apts |
| 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Express Move-in | North Rim Apts |
| 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Self Move-in | Prescott Hall, Encanto & North Rim Apts |
| Lope Life 101 (See guide on GCU Engage) | Commuters, Prescott, Camelback: All Day | |
| Ocotillo, Chaparral, Saguaro, Sedona: Day 3 | ||
| 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Family Hospitality Center | GCBC Student Union |
| 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Orientation Expo | Student Union |
| 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Career Impact Center Info Session | Arena |
| 12:30 - 2 p.m. | Featured Club Event: | |
| Gaming Workshop I Innovative Computing | Engineering 1-139 | |
| Mock Crime Scene Demo I Lopes Justice Society, Mock Trial Team | Natural Science Building 6-105/107 | |
| African Student Association Mixer | Natural Science Building 6-139/140 | |
| 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. | International Student Orientation | N Lecture Halls |
| 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. | New Student Orientation | Antelope Gym |
| 4 - 6 p.m. | Featured Club Event: | |
| This Is Us Cultural Celebration I Black Student Union | Quad | |
| 4 p.m. | Women's Soccer Game | Soccer Stadium |
| 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. | Sand Volleyball Tournament | All Outdoor Courts |
| 7 p.m. | Men's Soccer Game | GCU Soccer Stadium |
| 7:30 p.m. | Ring Round the Moon | Ethington Theater |
| To reserve tickets, contact the Box Office at [email protected] or 602-639-8880 | ||
| Post-Game | Purple Pancake Party | Lopes Way |
| SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 | ||
| 8 a.m. - noon | Returning Student Self Move-in by Appointment | Returning Student Living Areas |
| 6 a.m. | The Ultimate LopeVenture Check-In | Student Union Promenade |
| 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. | The Ultimate LopeVenture | Various |
| 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | New Student Orientation | Antelope Gym |
| 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Honors College Orientation | GCU Arena |
| 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Orientation Expo | GCU Student Union |
| 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Veteran Student Welcome Session and Lunch | N Lecture Halls |
| 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Native American Student Welcome Session and Lunch | N Lecture Halls-102 |
| 7:30 p.m. | Ring Round the Moon | Ethington Theater |
| To reserve tickets, contact the Box Office at [email protected] or 602-639-8880 | ||
| 8 p.m. | Glow Party | GCU Arena, Quad Lawn |
| SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 | ||
| No move-in times are available on this day. | ||
| Morning | Check with your Life Leader about attending a local church | |
| 2 p.m. | Ring Round the Moon | Ethington Theater |
| To reserve tickets, contact the Box Office at [email protected] or 602-639-8880 | ||
| 6 p.m. | Women's Soccer Game | Soccer Stadium |
Contact Ryan Kryska at (602) 639-8415 or [email protected].
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