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GCU MAGAZ I NE • 5
F
aith Weese has
worn many hats
in 30 years of
service and education
at Grand Canyon
University. Today, she is
responsible for overseeing
community advancement
and development after
previously serving as
registrar, leading a half-
dozen GCU departments
and teaching classes. She
earned her bachelor's and
master’s degrees at GCU
and also has co-authored
several publications. Weese
shared her thoughts about
her “happy place.”
1
What is your favorite
memory of GCU?
I
remember a graduation in
2006 when many of our
loved ones were serving
in the military in Iraq and
Afghanistan. A master’s
student was chosen as the
class speaker, and we found
out that her husband had
been in Afghanistan for
almost a year. Time was
short and commencement
“pomp” was upon us, so I
had to work quickly and
quietly. That day, once
she finished her speech,
spotlights came on way in
the back of the arena. Her
children were escorted
to the stage as a man was
escorted up the aisle. The
man’s walk became a jog
and the audience began to
roar as our student realized
who was coming: the love
of her life and the father of
her children, the man they
missed so much. I’ll never
forget it, and neither will
many who attended.
2
What do you think
about todaywhen you
walk around campus,
considering howmuch
has changed?
Oh, my …
I think how blessed we
are here at GCU! God just
continues to bless us on
all fronts.
3
Howdo you feel
about GCU’s can-do
spirit?
We've always had
a can-do spirit — that's
nothing new — but it has
grown deeper over the
years with amazing and
inspired leadership, vision,
passion for people and
community, experience,
spirit, teamwork
and partnerships. As
enrollment increases we
clearly are inspired to lift
up our community in new
ways and through new
methods. God continues
to use us in ways we never
thought possible.
4
Howhave the things
that attracted you to
GCU changed?
We were
mom-and-pop. We started
with a group of pastors who
had a heart, and my dad
was one of them. We were
small, close-knit, Christian
and determined. It takes
people power, it takes a
lot of teamwork and it
takes a lot of passion.
Those who do not lose
spirit and are not afraid
to move forward during
the tough years will
survive. We have. We do.
Every day, we stand on
the shoulders of those
who went before us. Rich
heritage, for sure!
5
Howdo you feel about
being the unofficial
University historian?
Walking history book?
Really? Ha! Never really
thought of it that way. The
truth is, I just plain love
GCU and what it means.
It’s more than a job — it’s
a mission. It’s more than
just the pages in the book
you memorize — it’s what
you learn between the
pages that really counts.
Over the years, my passion
and love for the University
and our surrounding
community grew. Canyon
is my happy place. I found
my purpose here.
— Laurie Merrill
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5 Q U E S T I ON S W I T H
FaithWeese
Chief University Relations Officer
FaithWeese has worked
at GCU in various
capacities for 30 years
and is known around
campus as the unofficial
University historian.