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.

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GCU Magazine

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Bible Verse

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

To Read More: www.verseoftheday.com/