Family Weekend

By Ralph Freso

Moms, dads, siblings, grandparents and other relatives made their way to campus Friday and Saturday for Family Weekend. The two-day event included campus and lab tours, a family barbecue, charcuterie class, Cheer and Dance clinics, a student market and more.

  • Students and family members take in the campus and the day's scheduled events on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Students and family members browse at the Student Market on Prescott Field on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Amy Parks, of Minnesota, and her son, freshman Dolan Kirkpatrick-Parks, look for T-shirts at the Student Market on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Thunder sizes up a new friend on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Thunder looks for some assistance after falling out of his chair on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Seven-year-old Brinley Taylor leaps as she learns a routine at Saturday’s Lil Lopes Cheer Clinic during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Six-year-old Karolina Villegas (left) and 5-year-old Aubrey Evans call out, "Lopes Up!" in a routine at Saturday’s Lil Lopes Cheer Clinic during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Six-year-old Shayne Yeaton performs a stunt with the GCU cheerleaders at Saturday’s Lil Lopes Cheer Clinic during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • The GCU Dance team parade down the promenade with the Lil Lopes Dance Clinic participants Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Lil Lopes Dance Clinic participants perform with the GCU Dance team on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Students and family members participate in a charcuterie board class Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Christine Morrison takes a picture of daughter Anya Morrison and her charcuterie board creation at a charcuterie board class on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Students and family members participate in a charcuterie board class Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Christine Morrison gets a hug from daughter Anya Morrison as they take part in a charcuterie board class together on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Christine Morrison (right) and daughter Anya Morrison show off their creations at a Charcuterie Board class on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • The GCU Dance team performs in front of the Lope Shop before the Thunderbolt drawing on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Director of Welcome Programs Charity Norman watches the festivities on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Welcome Programs’ Garrett Abeyta (right), alongside Thunder and the Lope Shop’s Garrett Miller, calls out the name of the winner of the Thunderbolt drawing on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Welcome Programs’ Garrett Abeyta (right), Thunder and the Lope Shop’s Garrett Miller celebrate the winner of the Thunderbolt drawing on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Winner of the Thunderbolt drawing, freshman Ava Sunkel, takes off on her 37.5 second shopping spree at the Lope Shop on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • With Thunder in tow, winner of the Thunderbolt drawing, freshman Ava Sunkel, dashes to grab merchandise in her 37.5-second shopping spree at the Lope Shop on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • With Thunder in tow, winner of the Thunderbolt drawing, freshman Ava Sunkel, dashes to grab merchandise in her 37.5-second shopping spree at the Lope Shop on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Freshman Ava Sunkel and Thunder make their way back to the checkout counter with their haul from the Thunderbolt shopping spree at the Lope Shop on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Students and family members enjoy the offerings at the Lope Family Barbecue at Prescott Field on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Thunder gets photo-bombed at the Lope Family Barbecue on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Students and family members enjoy the offerings from the Lope Family Barbecue at Prescott Field on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.
  • Thunder and new friends give a Lopes Up at the Lope Family Barbecue on Saturday during Family Weekend. Oct. 12, 2024.

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GCU Magazine

ViewCurrent February 2026

Bible Verse

Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will turn Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day He will be raised to life!" (Matthew 20:17-19)

To Read More: www.verseoftheday.com/