Grand Canyon University

God’s plan was set on warp speed for Rachel Robinson, which is why she accepted her diploma at Friday afternoon’s winter commencement just 2 1/2 years after enrolling at Grand Canyon University. Pairing efficiency with excellence, the Honors College member earned a 4.0 grade point average, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology.

What makes a great teacher? It starts with a great education, and Aimee Frank, Victoria Monk and Jessica Gajewski all spoke highly of their experience at Grand Canyon University. They were three of the College of Education graduates Friday in winter commencement.

With a 3.9 grade point average, two internships and short stories and poems published in four literary journals, Cymelle Edwards is an exceptional member of the winter commencement graduating class. She developed her phenomenal writing gifts under the tutelage of several GCU professors, including Dr. Andrea Alden, assistant professor Brian Raftery and author Dr. Diane Goodman, who proclaimed, “I am confident that when Cymelle completes her MFA (Master of Fine Arts), she will emerge as a voice for her generation.’’

A partnership between GCU and Phoenix Rescue Mission produced toys, games and household goods for needy children and hope for recovering adults, residents of PRM who attended the Lopes women’s basketball game Tuesday night at GCU Arena. “It is crazy to think I am coming to something like this, a GCU basketball game,’’ said PRM resident Kassandra Elson. “This is how I am spending my free time rather than doing things that put me in prison.’’

Playing poker not only can be fun, it can provide a learning opportunity. And the bonus lesson for GCU math students amid their semi-annual Poker Day was seeing their instructors in a different environment. “It is fun to see the professor as a person instead of a teacher,’’ said Computer Science major Jeremy Mog.

Eight students performed on Wednesday evening in the Speech and Debate Showcase. The event was highlighted by an emotional speech by Keliann Nash about her brother, and it featured the quick preparation skills of Tommee Gleason. “Several members of the audience were moved by the performances they saw, and that speaks to the power the students have in conveying emotions via their performance,” Director of Forensics Michael Dvorak said.

GCU senior Xanthia Clow shined a light on the opioid crisis en route to winning first place in persuasive speech at the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensic Association Fall Championships  on Sunday at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. Teammate Tommee Gleason placed third in three events and Keliann Nash finished third in impromptu speaking at a tournament featuring 38 college and university teams.

More than 3,000 students turned out for the winter formal, Hanging of the Greens, featuring dining, dancing, crafting snow globes, savoring GCBC hot chocolate in four flavors, letter writing to home with postage paid by the Canyon Activities Board (CAB), and notes to the homeless for the Can you Spare a Story initiative. “It is beautiful how they didn’t just make it a dance,’’ said senior Stephanie Fairchild. “They incorporated the arts and crafts and Can You Spare a Story. That is heartwarming.’’

Dr. Howard Carlson, an adjunct GCU professor in the College of Education and the reigning Arizona Superintendents Association Superintendent of the Year, shares experience and insight in his new book, “Accelerated Wisdom: 50 Practical Insights for Today’s Superintendent.” Carlson, the superintendent of the Wickenburg Unified School District, shared several of the book’s main points in a question-and-answer session with GCU Today.

On many fronts, GCU is striving to ease food insecurity in the Valley by partnering with the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. Thunder, the women’s basketball and volleyball teams, along with members of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences made an impact on Monday. “Everyone wants to feel special and there is nothing better at Thanksgiving than to have the community rally to make sure everybody has a good meal and enjoys the time with their families,” said GCU women’s basketball coach Nicole Powell.