Photos by Ralph Freso/GCU News
Brothers and sisters share a lot of things – parents, genes, hand-me-downs. But at Grand Canyon University, a few siblings have something else in common: They're part of the Sheila and Mike Ingram Honors College.
Here’s a closer look at four students – including a set of twin sisters – who are continuing GCU's honors tradition.
Jonathan Landes
Jonathan Landes, one of seven children from south Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, follows in the footsteps of sisters Jessica Landes, Global Studies program manager in the Ingram Honors College; Melissa Xiong, director of academics in the College of Arts and Media; and Madeline Yount, project manager for Build American A.I. in Washington, D.C., in the Honors College.
“Some big shoes to fill, definitely,” Jonathan said with a smile. “But I'm loving it so far. I love being held to that slightly higher standard.”
Jonathan, who plans to major in accounting in the Colangelo College of Business, knew he was coming to GCU 2 ½ years ago and heavily on his sisters for their experiences.
He has joined the college's signature leadership program, the Leadership in Action Fellowship, and received a Servant Leadership Scholarship.
“There really was no reason for me to look anywhere else,” said Jonathan, who said he was encouraged, but not pressured, at home to attend college outside of Oklahoma. “Having these connections really helped me get to know some of the faculty here. I had three different sources of information from different aspects of the college experience.”
Jonathan was determined to be accepted into the Honors College, and his familiarity with Dean Dr. Breanna Naegeli and program manager Anya Cofrancesco helped project what scholarship aid he could earn.
Melissa wanted him to make his own college decision and not feel pressured to come to GCU because of her and her sister (another sister attended a college in Oklahoma, and a brother briefly attended GCU). Jessica said Madeline hoped that Jonathan would enroll at a college closer to her in Washington, D.C., but “we would have supported whatever he chose.”
Having two sisters working at GCU provides additional comfort for Jonathan, who was homeschooled but has not been intimidated by the size of the campus or the student population.
“I'm very excited to have all this opportunity to meet new people and to kind of be part of something that's much larger than myself and much larger than I'm used to,” Jonathan said. “I'm very involved in my church and my faith. I went to a decent-sized church, which kind of helped me get used to a larger youth group, a larger friend group, and just being around a lot of people, so that really, I think, helped with the integration process.
“But crowds definitely don't scare me, so I'm very excited to always have someone to be talking to.”
Jonathan’s arrival at GCU brought back memories for Melissa, who moved to GCU 11 years ago.
“We would never have guessed we would all still be here,” Melissa said. “We're all so grateful to GCU and all the experiences that it has brought us, and we're excited for what's to come.”
Jessica arrived at GCU in 2018 and started working in the Honors College two months later. She landed a full-time position a few months after earning her bachelor’s degree.
Melissa had no inkling about where she would go to college until she attended a Kari Jobe concert, heard a presentation on GCU and immediately applied and took a Discover GCU trip.
Jonathan looks forward to “spread my wings and live on my own” at GCU.
“But I still get Sunday lunch with my sisters. That's super great.”
Kihana Sawyer
As the daughter of missionary parents in Taiwan, Kihana attended a prestigious international school for 13 years. She would return to Escondido, California, for a couple of months each summer but remembers accompanying her older brother, Malakai, on a tour of GCU before his senior year in high school.
That trip left an indelible impression, even after Kihana applied to three other private schools in Southern California.
“The atmosphere seems more lively at Grand Canyon, with so many more opportunities, like the missions (trips), study abroad programs, Honors College and the price (of tuition), and so much more,” Sawyer said.
Attending an international school her entire life reinforced her desire to be pushed academically.
“I always enjoyed learning, and I figured the Honors College would be a cool experience to continue being challenged and learning in a Christian environment, and especially with such a big school, to get involved in a smaller community that has similar values and desires to be challenged,” Kihana said.
Kihana, who plans to major in elementary education, earned a Servant Leadership Scholarship and is joining the Honors College’s Leadership in Action Fellowship.
“It’s very special, a very great opportunity to be a part of the Leadership in Action community, the Wednesday night meetings,” Sawyer said. “And also, to be involved in the community of leaders, and I think, for me, just to be able to grow and learn more of leadership and how to be a servant for Christ.”
She believes being part of a close-knit community of fellow believers who want to be challenged will help her acclimate from a school with an enrollment of only 300 to GCU, a university of more than 24,000 on its Phoenix campus.
She did not envision herself pursuing a degree in education, despite her father’s background as a teacher in Taiwan. She loved working with children and started to be swayed by people telling her she would be a great elementary school teacher.
“I saw GCU is in kind of a mission field itself, like placed in a challenging community,” Kihana said. “And I've always been raised overseas in the missions, and so I actually wanted to become an elementary education major to continue pursuing missions and possibly use it to travel overseas.”
Malachi, a senior psychology major, accompanied his sister and mother, Hillary, to Thursday’s Honors College orientation at Global Credit Union Arena.
“I wanted her to come here,” Malachi said. “But at the end of the day, it was her choice. But I definitely wanted her here because I love GCU, and I think it's a great school. And I'm a senior now, and she's a freshman. I get to welcome her in.”
Where does Kihana see herself after graduating from GCU?
“Anywhere that God leads. I love Asia, though, because I've spent my last 13 years there.”
Savannah and Sierra Burgara
Familiarity was extremely important to the Burgara twins, who were dual-enrollment students for the last two years at GCU and North Valley Christian Academy in North Phoenix. They're entering the Honors College as juniors and two of only 40 recipients of the Canyon Rising Ambassador Scholarships.
“We really didn't want to be far away from our parents,” Sierra said. “We lived 30 minutes away from campus, so it was just kind of like perfect where we were at.”
Also, Savannah and Sierra took many field trips to GCU as North Valley Christian students, and Savannah sold her baking products at the GCU IDEA Club Marketplaces.
“We've always kind of been ambitious,” said Savannah, who plans to major in finance. “We always participated in clubs, sports and service projects. We like to be a part of things and to go the extra mile to do stuff.”
Said Sierra, a business administration major: “We also like the idea of being in smaller classes, too, but we're also being challenged more with our assignments to have more critical thinking and to think more outside of the box in a way that you wouldn't normally get to do in your classes, which I really enjoy.”
The Burgara twins were sad that they would enjoy the new Honors College building for only two years. But they are grateful for the opportunity to represent GCU and the Honors College as scholarship recipients.
“It opens up so many more possibilities, like the missions trips to Ireland and Greece I’ve looked at, and those are only possible through the Honors College,” Savannah said. “Just to be an ambassador is so cool, to be able to show my love for the college.”
Sierra was moved by the financial and personal investments made by Honors College leaders led by Naegeli.
“I think that was definitely God,” Sierra said. “I'm super excited about the option of studying abroad and having internships. I'm super excited to make connections and get to know people because, really, in the business and finance world, your connections are really what that whole world is about, because those are the people that are going to help you and give you advice and give you connections and just further your life.”
Savannah and Sierra said the scholarships give them more incentive to continue community service duties, in addition to attending church.
“I just love serving the community and making a difference and sharing God's love,” Sierra said.
Savannah said having a twin sister as a roommate takes away any nerves and removes any uncertainty.
“We're great friends,” Savannah said. “We like going out and doing things together.”
Sierra agreed, adding that having a roommate is like having a built-in best friend.
“It will be a little different for us, though, as we're not going to be in classes together anymore,” Sierra said. “So it's going be a little different to see how that looks for us. But I'm still so excited, and I love the fact that she's here.”
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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