ASGCU

Camden Marasco and Tyson Cantrell ventured out on campus at 3 a.m. one night last week to campaign for student body leadership. To their surprise, election opponents had already grabbed the prime spots on Lopes Way. But instead of folding up the tent, they erected one, camping out the next night on Lopes Way to get the spot they wanted, launching Marasco’s election to Associated Students of GCU president and Cantrell to vice president. After catching some sleep, the dynamic duo is already shaping plans for the 2022-23 academic year.

Candidates for student government laid out ways to improve the lives of students Monday in a Meet the Candidates forum at Ethington Theatre. The two teams of candidates for Associated Students of GCU student body president and their running mates — Camden Marasco and Tyson Cantrell, and George Munguia and Maddie Landes — both focused on handling growth by using technology to solve problems and ways to connect students with one another and the larger community. Now it’s up to students to choose their new leaders. Voting begins Wednesday and continues through Friday.

GCU is known for its culture of cool transportation. Students zip through campus on boards and scooters, but that sometimes results in spills that can lead to injuries. That’s why student government leaders put together an initiative called Wheels Week, which starts Monday. The focus will be on safety on those wheeled wonders and new rules that prohibit riding them on Lopes Way. “We believe that wheels, boards and scooters, are such a big part of campus culture here. We don’t want to dampen that, but just do it safely,” Associated Students of GCU President Darion Padilla said.

Bazwell Mwale arrived at GCU during Welcome Week as a southeast Africa native who didn’t have college-educated parents to tell him how to navigate the challenges. So he joined around 50 first-gen students Thursday in the Student Union in a social hosted by Associated Students of GCU to learn from each other and from those who had been through the initial stages. Mwale wants to be a doctor one day. Many at the social have goals their parents could only dream to attain.

Darion Padilla and Ben Claypool were speechless when they found out the results of the record-setting election, when the pair became leaders of the Associated Students of GCU. But they aren’t tongue-tied in sharing their goals for the organization which represents students. Chief among them is improved communication.

This semester has been like no other. But GCU’s leaders and students adapted to the pandemic. They went to class in face coverings, gathered outdoors for Bible study and took part in fun events specially designed to avoid close contact. Campus life endured. And these creative examples are proof positive. Reprinted from the November issue of GCU Magazine.

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.