Spring Commencement 2023, LOPES Academy

By Ralph Freso

The LOPES Academy at the Cardon Center celebrated the first students to complete the two-year, nondegree program. Participants received certificates of completion and were celebrated at the Friday afternoon Commencement ceremony at GCU Arena. Story

  • Emma Cardon leads the LOPES Academy participants through check-in and end-of-program photos during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Vicky Richardson takes photos in her cap and gown at Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Emma Cardon gets her photo taken during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Matthew Adams gets his photo taken during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Chase Baird gets his photo taken during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Alexa Herriman gets her photo taken during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Matthew Adams waves to family in the crowd during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Emma Cardon is congratulated by university Provost Dr. Randy Gibb before the start of Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Vicky Richardson (center) talks with other program participants during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Chase Baird (left) fist bumps Parker Manitsas (right) and Matthew Adams before the start of Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy’s Emma Cardon (center) gets a photo taken before the start of Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Kyle Bragelman and Jaden Lowery (from left) with Dr. Heidi Boldway, LOPES Academy Director, before the start of Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • LOPES Academy participants (from left) Alexa Herriman, Chase Baird and Matthew Adams with Program Manager Allison Mancinelli Kolanko and Parker Manitsas during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • LOPES Academy participant Emma Cardon waves to family in the crowd during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Don and Kim Cardon watch during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Dr. Sherman Elliott addresses the nine LOPES Academy participants during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Emma Cardon receives her certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Vicky Richardson receives her certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Lindsey Eaton with Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Kyle Bragelman receives his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Jaden Lowery receives his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Ray Chiago receives his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Alexa Herriman receives her certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Chase Baird receives his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Chase Baird reacts after receiving his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Matthew Adams receives his certificate from Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • The LOPES Academy's Matthew Adams with Dr. Sherman Elliott during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • (From left) Emma Cardon, Vicky Richardson and Lindsey Eaton react to the confetti streamers at the end of the ceremony during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Emma Cardon (left) and Vicky Richardson high-five during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Matthew Adams, Chase Baird and Jaden Lowery (from left) embrace at the end of the ceremony during Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Don Cardon, along with wife Kim (right), speaks at a reception following the LOPES Academy ceremony at Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • LOPES Academy alumna Emma Cardon looks over her gifts during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • LOPES Academy alumna Vicky Richardson with gifts during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Chase Baird (second from left) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Ray Chiago (left) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Emma Cardon (left) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Matthew Adams (second from right) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Jaden Lowery (left) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Serena Lowery, mother of LOPES Academy graduate Jaden Lowery, proudly looks on during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Alumna Alexa Herriman (left) with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Alumna Lindsey Eaton with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.
  • Alumnus Kyle Bragelman with LOPES Academy faculty and staff during a reception following Friday afternoon’s Spring Commencement on April 28, 2023.

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GCU Magazine

August 2026

Bible Verse

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (2 Timothy 1:13-14)

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