First day of Welcome Week

By Ralph Freso

The Grand Canyon University community showed its unity and spirit in many ways during the first day of Welcome Week on Monday.

  • A pair of Welcome Crew student volunteers cheer on incoming families as they arrive on campus during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Freshman Laela Hardung and her mother Danielle Hardung loads up a moving cart as she begins her move into Cactus Apartments during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Parents help their kids move into their student residence during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • A student pushes a cart full of personal items during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • A Welcome Crew student volunteer directs traffic into a parking spot during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • A group of Welcome Crew student volunteers cheer on incoming families as they arrive at the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • A family member flashes Lopes Up and holds out a GCU hat as he arrives on campus during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Thunder greets student volunteers as he arrives at the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • GCU Cheerleader Jeremiah Park cheers at the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Sophomore and Thundering Herd Pep Band member Natalie Bourne performs with the band at the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Thunder with Arizona Family television reporter Gibby Parra as they broadcast live from the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • A GCU cheerleader flashes Lopes Up at the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Thunder attempts to help a student with her belongings at the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • A student gives the Welcome Crew a thumbs up for their help during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Parents of a student attempt to load a large dresser during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • A student carries some personal items to her residence during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Students move into the new Santa Cruz Apartments during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Junior Welcome Crew volunteer Riley Kollbaum flashes Lopes Up during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • A pair of Welcome Crew student volunteers chest bump during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Thunder lends a hand to help a parent with a large item at the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • GCU President Brian Mueller speak with Arizona Family television reporter Gibby Parra as they broadcast live from the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Thunder pitches in to help move students belongings at the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Welcome Crew student volunteers help carry boxes for incoming students at the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Thunder with new Havocs leaders Wilson Neitzel (left) and Luke Stoffel during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Thundering Herd Pep Band members, from left, Hannah Duke, Natalie Bourne and Samantha Shumway take a selfie during Welcome Week move-in day at the Groves on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Parents help their kids move into their student residence during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Parents help their kids move into their student residence during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • A member of a storage company carries a student’s chair during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Students moving during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Parents and students browse a crowded promenade in front of the Student Union during a Welcome Week tabling event on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Members of ASGCU hand out stickers and other goodies as they drive around campus in a golf cart during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Parents and students make their way to the Welcome Week Welcome Session in the arena on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • ASGCU student body vice president Amaya De La Cruz wants to hear from the crowd during the Welcome Session at GCU Arena on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Freshman Lauren Philips (center) uses her smartphone to take part in an exercise during the Welcome Session at GCU Arena on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • A GCU cheerleader tosses t-shirts into the crowd during the Welcome Session at GCU Arena on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Campus police chief James Jackson answers questions from parents during a Q&A session at the Parent Orientation at GCU Arena on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Parent & Family Programs’ Robyn Hord during the Parent Orientation at GCU Arena on Aug. 28, 2023.
  • Never to miss a photo op, Thunder poses for a picture with members of the spirit team at the Groves during Welcome Week move-in day on Aug. 28, 2023.

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GCU Magazine

ViewCurrent February 2026

Bible Verse

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

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