ASGCU

There’s a reason GCU’s signature event, Move-In, runs smoothly. Event Services, Student Affairs, Residence Life and other teams work hard to make it the most memorable experience possible for first-time Lopes, and they often do it from behind the scenes … and with Uncrustables at the ready.

Students and faculty made their way to the Colangelo College of Business lobby Friday to watch the inauguration of ASGCU’s new leadership, led by President Samuel Yonan and Executive Vice President Bret Malkin, and bid farewell to 2018-19 President Noah Wolfe. “I’m excited for what they’re going to do. They’re going to do a great job,” Wolfe said. “We’ve had a great run and got a lot of stuff done, so I feel confident to hand the baton off to some wonderful people. I’m looking forward to what’s in the future.”

The creativity of the Samuel Yonan-Bret Malkin campaign paid dividends when all the votes were counted late Friday night. Yonan-Malkin were elected as president and vice president, respectively, of the Associated Students of Grand Canyon University (ASGCU) over the team of Jacob Montgomery and Anthony Clark. Along with humorous posters, the winning pair used an interactive billboard to exchange ideas with potential voters, asking them to write down what they “Don’t Stop Believing in …’’. Among their proposed initiatives for the 2019-2020 academic year: a Church Fair and adding a House of Representatives to ASGCU to include more students. One member from each of the approximately 150 clubs on campus would comprise the HOR.

The platforms are prepared, the debate topics are polished and the flyers are posted for the next election cycle for the president and vice president of the Associated Students at Grand Canyon University (ASGCU). In one corner, Samuel Yonan is running for president with v.p. running mate Bret Malkin versus Jacob Montgomery, an aspiring president, and Anthony Clark, his v.p. choice. The debate will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, on the first floor of the Student Union, North Dining Hall. Refreshments will be served as the candidates share their vision for the 2019-2020 academic year.

It’s on Us conversations can be difficult, if not heart-wrenching. Yet GCU students are willing to discuss issues surrounding the prevention of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Along with the emphasis on being an active bystander, the Associated Students of GCU have raised over $3,000 for StreetLightUSA, an organization committed to helping young girls at risk for or victims of child sex trafficking.

The leaders of the Associated Students of Grand Canyon University are taking “It’s On Us” Week beyond the important emphasis of preventing sexual assault. They aim to help StreetLightUSA build a school for victims of child sex trafficking, by planning a fundraiser designed to yield $10,000 in student donations that will be matched by the University. The fun part of the fundraiser is the Stampede button.

The roar of voices in hundreds of conversations permeated Thunderground on Wednesday afternoon, a testament to the success of the Out-of-State Social. Students from Maryland to Minnesota to Miami met and talked, creating new bonds. Over 400 students attended and stayed double the scheduled time, thanks to a willingness to meet each other amid an assortment of dynamic activities, including Uno card games, bowling, billiards, Foosball, ring game and Jenga.

GCU’s Move-In tradition continues with the ultimate warm welcome, beginning Friday when Welcome Crew members arrive on campus. As students, faculty and staff once again personally move students into their rooms, it sets the tone for a pay-it-forward campus culture. Move-In kicks into high gear on Monday, Aug. 20, and the entire week is filled with activities designed to help freshmen and transfer students make friends and settle in while returning students catch up with friendships and dive into leadership roles.

The leaders of the Associated Students of GCU (ASGCU) are running a small business this summer. In preparation for the school year, they are planning events, budgeting, hiring vendors and student leaders, and publicizing their efforts to maximize student engagement. Each of the four leaders brings leadership experience to their collaborative effort, thanks to their campus jobs.

It might appear to be time for summer chill instead of summer sweat, yet with hundreds of events and activities to plan the mode is busy for the 14-member staff of GCU’s Office of Student Engagement. Nearly 600 activities were planned and executed under the umbrella of Student Engagement last school year, not including hundreds of events managed by the 126 clubs. “It’s not the volume [of events] but the engagement,’’ said Jeremy Mack, director of Student Engagement. “We want to make students feel welcome on campus while making friends.’’