College of Science Engineering and Technology

Briana Muñoz and Kyla Chavez have been friends since they started their studies at GCU, serving as officers together in the University’s Pre-Vet Club. Now they’re heading to the same veterinary school. The two friends will start their program in the fall at Midwestern University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and are just the latest GCU students to land spots in vet school, which is notoriously more competitive and difficult to get into than medical school.

Students haven’t just been dealing in theory this year but have brought their capstone projects to life. They presented those culminating assignments at the annual Engineering Capstone Showcase. On display was everything from an automated indoor greenhouse to a warehouse delivery robot prototype to a drone that gathers and records data on water samples, to a high-accuracy fluid printer. “I am just so proud of all of our students and coming back after – it’s been two years. To NOT have had that face-to-face presentation of the capstone projects, and to see the students, their professionalism, in presenting all the things that they’ve learned, it’s a proud moment,” said CSET Associate Dean of Engineering Dr. Janet Brelin Fornari.

It was technology overload at the Cyber Center of Excellence on Thursday, where more than 100 students presented almost 50 projects at the Technology Capstone Showcase. Tech-lovers saw everything from a low cost, artificially intelligent robot, to a virtual piano that can scour the internet to find a seemingly endless amount of songs to play, to an app that alerts multitaskers in faraway rooms in their house that their dryer is done. “It’s an incredible variety of projects, which is wonderful,” said Assistant Dean of Technology Dr. Brandy Harris at the event, which also included guests from industry who were invited to see what GCU’s tech students can do.

The Honors College has begun two major programs that help students network and gain skills that will positively impact their future: the Pre-Health Medical and Graduate School Preparation Program and the new Young Athena: Valley of the Sun Leadership Program. One will help prepare students for the medical school and graduate school application process, while the other will help infuse women with leadership skills. “These are the types of programs that really give our GCU students that competitive edge as they enter the workforce,” Honors College Associate Dean Dr. Breanna Naegeli said.

Dyllan Taylor captivated a crowd of graduates, families and friends at Friday’s Winter Commencement ceremony. Discussing everything from his experience as a Lope to all the life lessons he learned along the way, Taylor hopes his speech helped others focus on the things that are most important. “I want to encourage all of you to hang onto those relationships that matter,” he said to the crowd. “When we take off these goofy costumes, some of us may never set foot on this campus again, but it is the unique people that you intentionally form bonds with that will carry you on to the next step.”

Mechanical engineering junior Savannah Moffitt dreams of becoming an automotive engineer, though when she first started classes at GCU, she was wary of working in the engineering shops. But after gaining experience on various machines available to students in the hands-on Lopes Live Labs, she said she also has gained a lot of confidence. “I LOVE working in the shops,” said Moffitt, who led tours of the shops at an open house on Tuesday that also spotlighted various engineering clubs.

Dr. Pam Rowland studied economics. Dr. Brandy Harris’ bachelor’s degree is in music and theatre. But they followed opportunity after opportunity that led them to technology and to their new leadership roles in the Technology Department of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. Rowland, who comes from Dakota State University, is the new Associate Dean and Harris, who was the department’s Program Director, steps into the role of Assistant Dean.

Wildland firefighters often traverse rigorous terrain, hike long distances, breathe in smoke, and don’t eat or sleep well, among other stresses. They also are at risk of heart attacks. One study found that the risk for acute myocardial infarction during active fire suppression increased anywhere from 12 to 136 fold. It’s why a group of researchers, including GCU’s Dr. Zach Zeigler and students-now-alumni Payton Greer and Laura Verduzco, conducted a study to look at the effects of wildland firefighting on cardiovascular health.

Dante DeSimone was never a stranger to taking on a challenge, and that’s what made him perfect for his new role as a project manager for Intel. After graduating in April with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, DeSimone has transitioned from an intern at the company to a full-time employee who strives to make a difference in the field. But he also has strived to take part in a lot of different activities and learn many new skills.

For some, it takes a life time for their wildest dreams to come true. For recent Honors college Graduate Quyen Phan, his dream of landing a job with SpaceX came to fruition straight out of college. As a new Associate Engineer Phan hopes to be a trail blazer for fellow engineers graduating from the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. “I want to do good so I can prove that a GCU student can provide this much impact on the company,” Phan said. “I’m hoping that other future GCU students can come on board with me as well.”