Lope Family Sendoff

By Ralph Freso

After three days of Welcome Week move-in, students got to say goodbye to their parents at the Lope Family Sendoff on Thursday in Antelope Gymnasium.

GCU alumna Vanessa Torres and Aaron Bolton perform worship songs during the Welcome Program’s Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymnasium on Sept. 3, 2026.
Incoming freshman Collin Smotherman with his mother, Jenny, and father, Josh Smotherman, during the Welcome Program’s Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymansium on Sept. 3, 2026.
Incoming freshman Promise Jacobs (center), along with sister Lilly and mother Angela Jacobs, sing in praise during Welcome Programs' Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymnasium on Sept. 3, 2026.
Some families found it hard to let go during the Welcome Programs' Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymnasium on Sept. 3, 2026.
Families joined together to sing in praise during the Welcome Programs' Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymnasium on Sept. 3, 2026.
Dean of Students and University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin talks about the challenges of leaving your child to attend college during the Welcome Programs' Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymnasium on Sept. 3, 2026.
Incoming students and their families listen to Dean of Students and University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin during the Welcome Programs' Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymasium on Sept. 3, 2026.
Spiritual Life Director Erik Nelsen reads a passage from Pslam 25:4-5 during the Welcome Programs' Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymnasium on Sept. 3, 2026.
Families take a moment to say goodbye during the Welcome Programs' Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymnasium on Sept. 3, 2026.
The Jacobs family, including freshman Promise Jacobs (center), sister Lilly and mother Angela Jacobs, take a moment to pray and say goodbye during the Welcome Programs' Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymnasium on Sept. 3, 2026.
A family huddles together to say goodbye during the Welcome Programs' Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymnasium on Sept. 3, 2026.
Incoming students spend some quiet parting moments with their family members during the Welcome Programs' Lope Family Sendoff in Antelope Gymnasium on Sept. 3, 2026.

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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)

To Read More: www.verseoftheday.com/