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

August 2026

Bible Verse

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ, the righteous one. (1 John 2:1)

To Read More: www.verseoftheday.com/