Family Weekend

By Ralph Freso

It was a bustling Family Weekend on Friday and Saturday on the GCU campus. It included more than 30 events, from a student market, to the Lil Lopes Dance and Cheer Clinic, to a women's volleyball game, to a carnival. The event was organized by Welcome Programs, which partnered with the Parent Council. Story

  • Welcome Programs' Brooke Carlson (left) and Sawyer Kofoid hand out Family Weekend T-shirts to parents and family members as they sign in during Saturday’s festivities. Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Students and family members mill about the campus during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Students and family members visit the student market at the Canyon Activity Center during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Students and family members visit the student market at the Canyon Activity Center during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Some overnight rain didn’t dampen the spirits of Saturday’s Family Weekend events on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Lil Lopes run onto the floor to perform a routine for their parents during the Lil Lopes Cheer and Dance Clinic at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • A participant performs a stunt during the GCU Cheer and Dance clinic at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Macie Kerlin and fellow Lil Lopes participants perform a routine for their parents during the GCU Cheer and Dance Clinic at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Thunder takes photos with the Lil Lopes participants during the GCU Cheer and Dance clinic at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Students and family members look over the limited edition Family Weekend T-shirt at the Lope Shop on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Thunder dances with a Lope Shop employee during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • A family member takes a photo during an event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • A young Lope finds a comfortable spot in the GCU letters outside Global Credit Union Arena during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • After a long day on campus during Family Weekend, dad carries the family load. Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Lil Lopes join the GCU Cheer and Dance teams as they parade down the Promenade to Global Credit Union Arena during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Thunder joins the Lil Lopes as they parade toward Global Credit Union Arena during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • The Thundering Heard Pep Band performs at a mini pep rally in front of Global Credit Union Arena before the women’s volleyball game during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • The Thundering Heard Pep Band performs at a mini pep rally in front of Global Credit Union Arena before the women’s volleyball game during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Thunder works the crowd in front of the Lope Shop before the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Thunder works the crowd in front of the Lope Shop before the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Thunder poses for pictures with students and their families before the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Welcome Programs Manager Garrett Abeyta (right) and Lope Shop manager Garrett Miller announce the winning name for the Thunderbolt shopping spree event during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Welcome Programs Manager Garrett Abeyta and Thunder search the crowd for the winner of the Thunderbolt shopping spree event during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Emma Hogan is greeted by Thunder, as she was the winning name drawn for the Thunderbolt shopping spree during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Emma Hogan readies herself with Thunder for her 30-second shopping spree in the Lope Shop during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Emma Hogan takes off with Thunder in tow on her 30-second shopping spree in the Lope Shop during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Emma Hogan loads up Thunder with items from the Lope Shop during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Emma Hogan dashes through the Lope Shop with Thunder in tow, grabbing items during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Emma Hogan dashes through the Lope Shop with Thunder in tow during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Thunder looks for help as Emma Hogan loads him up with items from the Lope Shop during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Emma Hogan with all of her items at checkout during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Lope Shop employees total all the items Emma Hogan grabbed during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Emma Hogan and family, including her niece (second from left), who is a GCU student, with her $1,594 worth of Lope Shop merchandise following the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Student family members during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • A family member tries to navigate the All Star inflatable obstacle course during the Family Weekend Carnival on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Students get their picture taken at photo booth during the Family Weekend Carnival on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • A young Lope tries to knock down clowns with a bean bag in a game during the Family Weekend Carnival on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • Family members show you're never too old to enjoy an amusement ride during the Family Weekend Carnival on Oct. 11, 2025.
  • A young Lope sticks his landing as he exits an inflatable obstacle course during the Family Weekend Carnival on Oct. 11, 2025.

Calendar

Calendar of Events

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

S Sun

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

2 events,

2 events,

3 events,

3 events,

2 events,

1 event,

0 events,

1 event,

4 events,

4 events,

2 events,

0 events,

2 events,

0 events,

0 events,

1 event,

3 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

1 event,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

0 events,

View Calendar

GCU Magazine

https://indd.adobe.com/view/a536d94e-2195-4052-8e40-5267550ad893ViewCurrentApril 2026April 2026

Bible Verse

Sing to God, sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds — His name is the Lord — and rejoice before Him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. (Psalm 68:4-5)

To Read More: www.verseoftheday.com/