Military

  By Ryan Kryska GCU News Bureau Two thousand miles separate Delores McLaughlin from her sons, Brandon and Joshua Williams. But for the past few years, Grand Canyon University’s online schooling has made them feel much closer. The mother from North Carolina and her sons out west graduated days apart from each other in April. McLaughlin received a doctorate of education in Organizational Leadership. Brandon Williams, 38, living in Las Vegas, earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Joshua Williams, 30, earned a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies. “It was one of those rare events,” said Joshua Williams, who has been working as an Army recruiter in Gilbert, Ariz. “I know this journey is not over yet. But to have my brother and mother alongside me, not too many people can say they’ve done that.” The brothers are both on active duty in the Army. They grew up in North Carolina, with their father also serving in the military. Brandon Williams, the oldest of four siblings, said he became the first college graduate in his immediate family in 2002, when he earned his bachelor’s degree. But ever since then, McLaughlin has been the one to carry the family’s educational […]

Tuesday’s event marked the third year that GCU’s Military Division led a Memorial Day event to give back to veterans. The veterans home near Indian School Road and Third Street was an ideal place for GCU staff to have time to visit and interact with veterans through crafts, video games, walks in the park and other activities.

For T.J. Montoya, a finance counselor in GCU’s Military Division, visiting the VA Medical Center and Arizona State Veteran Home is close to his heart. Montoya’s grandfather was a veteran who spent time there, and he would bring his daughters to visit him often. “It’s my way of giving back to those who have served,” Montoya says. “I came with GCU last year for Memorial Day and I’d like to come again next year — make it a tradition. These people have given us so much, and they deserve so much more.”

GCU’s Military Division turned out in force Wednesday morning for a pre-Memorial Day visit to the VA Medical Center in central Phoenix, distributing coffee, doughnuts and American flags to veterans.
Memorial Day recognition of veterans has become a tradition at GCU, and Senior Vice President Bart Burkert said it’s a highlight for the division.

For many, Memorial Day is just another holiday. A day to barbecue, hang out at the pool and enjoy not having to be at work. But for those who have served in the armed forces, the day means something else.
GCU has a variety of active and veteran military students taking classes on campus and online. For two online master’s students, husband and wife Chris and Janice Voeller of Kansas, Memorial Day has a special meaning that only those who have put their lives on the line could possibly understand.

GCU honored Army Pfc. Josh Bullis of north Phoenix with a $5,000 annual scholarship and a sustained standing ovation at Thursday’s men’s basketball game in Antelope Gym. The occasion was Military Appreciation Night, and Bullis attended with several members of his family. He lost both legs at the knee on Sept. 19 in Afghanistan when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) and it detonated.