75th anniversary Amethyst Gala

By Ralph Freso

Grand Canyon University celebrated its Amethyst Gala on Friday night at the Canyon Activity Center. It was the culminating event of the university's 75th anniversary observances and celebrated GCU's Five-Point Plan to support the community. The event featured a dinner, dancing and presentations about the Five-Point Plan and also honored President Brian Mueller with the first Amethyst Award. Approximately $1.5 million was pledged to the Five-Point Plan at the event. Story

  • Guests to the Amethyst Gala check in at the courtyard outside the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Thunder is dressed to impress as he hangs out at the Amethyst Gala on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests begin to arrive at the Amethyst Gala at the courtyard outside the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Thunder is dressed to impress as he hangs out at the Amethyst Gala on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests at the welcome reception in the Canyon Activity Center courtyard during the Amethyst Gala on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Sneakers were in high fashion during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests look over the gourmet appetizers during the Amethyst Gala reception at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • GCU President Brian Mueller talks with guests during the Amethyst Gala reception at the Canyon Activity Center courtyard on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • A jazz ensemble plays during the Amethyst Gala reception at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Thunder mingles with guests during the Amethyst Gala reception at the Canyon Activity Center courtyard on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests arrive at the Amethyst Gala reception at the Canyon Activity Center courtyard on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Displays documenting the different decades of the university line the entranceway to the Amethyst Gala on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests arrive at the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Sports executive and university trustee Jerry Colangelo makes his way into the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Honors College Dean Dr. Breanna Naegeli makes her way into the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • College of Arts and Media Dean Dr. Craig Detweiler (right) and university trustee Dr. Jim Rice make their way into the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Table settings during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • University Provost Dr. Randy Gibb and guests during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • The Thundering Heard Pep Band plays during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Critical Mass performs the national anthem during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Emcee and host Lin Sue Flood, director of community engagement for Hospice of the Valley, welcomes guests to the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • GCU President Brian Mueller welcomes guests to the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Jerry Colangelo is recognized during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • GCU President Brian Mueller welcomes Pono Construction owner Butch Glispie to the stage of the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Pono Construction's Butch Glispie addresses the crowd during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Phoenix Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien talks about GCU’s Five-Point Plan during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • GCU’s Five-Point Plan during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Tommy Espinoza, president and CEO of Espinoza Community Development, talks about GCU’s Five-Point Plan during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Tommy Espinoza, president and CEO of Espinoza Community Development, talks about GCU’s Five-Point Plan during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • GCU alumnus Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Chicago Bears, talks about GCU’s Five-Point Plan during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Dr. Lupita Hightower, superintendent of the Tolleson Elementary School District, talks about GCU’s Five-Point Plan during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • CityServe co-founder Dave Donaldson talks about GCU’s Five-Point Plan during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • GCU President Brian Mueller during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • CityServe co-founder Dave Donaldson talks about GCU’s Five-Point Plan during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Jerry Colangelo acknowledges GCU President Brian Mueller for his tireless work and leadership during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Jerry Colangelo (left) presents GCU President Brian Mueller with an award during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests look on in enjoyment during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • GCU Vice President for Advancement Kale Gober speaks during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests raise their paddle number to pledge money during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Kale Gober conducts a paddle pledge session during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests raise their paddle number to pledge money during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Jerry Colangelo during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests raise their paddle number to pledge money during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Jerry Colangelo, a member of GCU's board of trustees, greets Helen Bleach, former vice president of Campus Events and Arena Operations, during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests prepare to dance the night away during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests hit the dance floor during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • The band Neon plays during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • A guest listens to the music of the band Neon during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests dance into the night during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • The party is just starting for some guests as they hit the dance floor during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests dance into the night during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • This couple dips into their dance moves during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests dance into the night during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests dance to the music of the band Neon during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests show off their dance moves during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests dance into the night during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests show off their dance moves during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.
  • Guests hit the dance floor during the Amethyst Gala at the Canyon Activity Center on Feb. 21, 2025.

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GCU Magazine

ViewCurrent February 2026

Bible Verse

O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. (Isaiah 25:1)

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