APRIL 2016
GCU alumnus and former College of Theology Professor Dr. Mike Baird has been named the 17th professor emeritus in the history of GCU! Read more on Dr. Baird's far-reaching impact on the university through his 36 years of involvement.
"He’s now professor emeritus, but just call him Mike" by Rick Vacek
Dr. Mike Baird recently was named the 17th professor emeritus in GCU history. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
GCU News Bureau
What we have here is failure to pontificate.
Dr. Mike Baird doesn’t consider himself a big deal even though he recently was named the 17th professor emeritus in Grand Canyon University history (see chart). He takes what he does very seriously, but his self-deprecating sense of humor would never him allow him to look at himself that way.
GCU’s professors emeriti
2001: Roland Beck, Betty Beck, J. Niles Puckett, Dave Brazell, Mildred Brazell
2002: Ralph T. Bryan, Clarice Maben, D.C. Martin
2004: John Howerton, Paul Paige, Ron Phillips, Paul Youngs
2006: Dr. Jim Witherspoon, Dr. Barbara Hoffman
2008: Dr. Rob Jones, Jeanne Siebenman
2016: Dr. Mike Baird
Especially when he now has the same title that two other legendary College of Theology professors, Dr. J. Niles Puckett and Dr. D.C. Martin, once did.
“Those guys are my idols — seriously,” Baird said. “After D.C. passed away in 1995, we declared him ‘St. Martin,’ and we’ve been meeting ever since then with our ‘St. Martin Society.’ He was my mentor when I first came, and Dr. Puckett was my teacher. I actually studied Greek and the New Testament, which became my career, under Dr. Puckett, and then he was there when I came to teach, and Dr. Martin was there, too.
“I don’t see myself in that league, obviously. I mean, I know I stayed 36 years and that’s not a small thing to be able to do, but there are a lot of other people who stayed many, many years. So I am just honored, very honored.”
Dr. Jason Hiles, the COT dean, humbly disagrees. He sees a man who still writes curriculum and teaches online classes and calls Baird “a pillar within the College of Theology throughout his tenure at GCU.” That, said Hiles, made it an easy call for him and GCU’s provost, Dr. Hank Radda:
Dr. Baird’s retirement party last year showed how much he is beloved and respected in the College of Theology.
“I said, ‘Dr. Radda, there’s an opportunity here with Mike. He’s been around for 36 years. This is a person who continues to teach, but he brings more to the table. He’s like part of the family still, and students look up to him and they’re gaining from him and he’s shaping a curriculum as well.’
“I said, ‘Would you like to promote him to professor emeritus as opposed to just a regular adjunct? He’s still involved in conversations with our full-time faculty, for heaven’s sake.’ It didn’t take any convincing. In fact, Dr. Radda said, ‘Why don’t you give me something hard to decide? That’s pretty easy.'”
Radda had seen how beloved and respected Baird is when he attended the longtime professor’s retirement party last year.
“His impact on many generations of students was clear,” Radda said. “From current students to alumni who now themselves were faculty, he mentored, guided and encouraged the Christian mission of the University. His impact was experienced and appreciated as a teacher, colleague, leader, follower and friend.”
Baird’s retirement preceded another major event in his life — he underwent surgery to have his left knee replaced. He’s not the first member of his family to have knee trouble. So many of the Bairds have undergone the procedure, he said, “I’m thinking it’s just DNA.”
Baird has remained very much involved in the College of Theology since his retirement. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
“About a year ago, I finally realized my life was not going to be anywhere near normal with my knee the way it was. It was just bad. It was bone on bone — pain all the time. Before I retired, I said, ‘It’s got to be done this summer.'”
Baird continued to write curriculum for the University’s master of divinity (M.Div.) program during the 2½ months he was recuperating, and once he healed he took advantage of his newfound free time to start hiking two days a week.
But that hardly means he’s not still heavily involved in the College of Theology. He still likes to get up in the morning and write curriculum while the coffee is brewing, and he meets regularly with curriculum designers. But he has a typically humble approach to the concept of other instructors teaching the curriculum he devised.
“It’s very tricky,” he said. “In fact, I’ve told my colleagues more than once, ‘Guys, I’m sorry that you’re having to teach a class that I wrote.’ Even in my mind, I thought, ‘Is this going to be something that’s going to work for them?’
“I’ve just always thought that I’ve got to do the best I can to make it something they can use or adapt, and nobody’s ever thrown any tomatoes at me, so I guess it hasn’t been too bad.”
Tomatoes? How about bouquets? Said Dr. Joshua Greever, one of the instructors tasked with following through on Baird’s curriculum, “They were easy to understand for instructors and students alike as well as easy to implement in the online modality. From the students’ perspective, the assignments are not always easy to complete, though.”
Being an adjunct has helped him, Baird said, “because it gave me a chance to see how what I write treats the teacher.” And Baird also puts himself in the shoes of others when he considers his new professor emeritus role.
“I certainly do trust Jason and Hank’s judgment, but I want to stress that there are an awful lot of faculty members who have done every bit as much as me who may or not be declared emeritus but deserve it,” he said. “I think I would say I’m not emeritus, but I represent faculty members who are truly emeritus. And I’m sure that’s true of J. Niles Puckett and D.C. Martin — we just represent the great contributions of faculty members all through the decades.”
And that’s the biggest deal of all.
Contact Rick Vacek at (602) 639-8203 or rick.vacek@gcu.edu.
Have you spent hours updating your resume yet find yourself still waiting for an interview call? Dave Stakebake of GCU Career Services wants to help! Find out five critical points of improvement to your resume that will make the phone ring.
"Resumés that make the phone ring" by janie.magruder by Dave Stakebake
GCU Career Services
Dave Stakebake and Lily Schwartz of GCU’s Career Services office take a look at a resumé.
After almost a decade of experience working as a recruiter and now career adviser, I have seen a fair share of resumés cross my desk. After all this time, it is still difficult to hear a job seeker say he or she has spent hours on their resumé, but isn’t attracting interview offers. Hopefully, my top five tips will get you on the right track and keep your phone ringing.
Tip #1: Organize and make the resumé easy to read
Recruiters only spend 10 to 20 seconds scanning a resumé looking for specific pieces of information pertinent to the position for which they are hiring.
Headings should be clearly defined and the content informative (especially the top one-third of the document).
Bullet points are good, but no more than three different styles. Recruiters are more likely to read a few bullets than a lengthy paragraph.
Certain words, such as your name, headings, university attended, companies or position titles, should be in boldface to guide the reader through the document.
Tip #2: Summary over objective
Use a summary statement rather than an objective. An objective is a statement of the position you want and the employer you for which you want to work — a moot point. The employer already knows you want to work there by your application. The summary statement is all about the reader — you’re appealing or selling yourself to the hiring manager.
Summary statements highlight your greatest attributes. Include information such as your top two or three strengths and tell the reader what the company will gain by reading the rest of your résumé andhiring you.
Tip #3: Accomplishments and achievements
The resumé is a marketing tool and should be focused on your accomplishments and achievements:
Focus on what you have done and can do for the employer. Simply stating what your duties were or are at a position doesn’t get the job done.
Use strong verbs and adjectives to draw attention, “developed,” “increased,” “initiated,” “effectively,” “promoted,” and “consistently,” are a few examples.
Tip #4: One resumé does not fit all
Resumés should be catered or tailored towards a specific position or a specific organization. Gone are the days of completing one resumé and sending it out to numerous different companies. Each resumé should be customized.
Research the company — what are their mission, vision and values? What are the key skills requested in the job description? The more your resumé sounds like the organization the better off you will be.
Modify your summary statement to include key words used by the company and identify significant accomplishments in past positions that match the desired job description.
Taking the time to focus the resumé before sending it out greatly increases your chances of being noticed during their initial scan.
Tip #5: Review the resumé and then do it again
I cannot stress the importance of proofreading your resumé enough. One typo and your chances of being invited to an interview can drastically decrease. Making sure that your resumé is free of grammatical errors also is crucial. The quality of a resumé says a lot about you — attention to detail, the quality of work to be expected, your interest in the position. After completing your document, go through it a few times and then walk away. Take some time away from it and then review it a few hours or even a day later, you may be surprised when you look at it again with fresh eyes. You’re not in this job search alone, so reach out to family, friends and the GCU Career Advisors as an extra set of eyes. The one thing everyone agrees on is that misspellings and errors on resumés don’t make a phone ring.
Getting interviews is hard work, and it’s just not good enough to list your past jobs and duties on your resumé. It takes time, research and creative writing. If you do not have a resumé and would like to create one, our Resumé Architect is a great tool to help you get started. You also may view our resumé tip videos. They’re all just a click away at www.gcu.edu/careerservices, or you can stop by the Career Services office in Camelback Hall or call 602-639-6606 to connect. Please use any of our tools to identify your career path, build your resumé, research career options or apply to current job postings.
GCU's alumni community has exceeded 100,000 strong! None could imagine their alma mater would ever mark such an occasion, one that speaks volumes about seven decades of hard work, tough decisions and an unwavering love for and trust in God.
"Grand total, grander feats of 100,000+ alumni" by Rick Vacek
The large number of graduates in the last five years has thrust GCU over the 100,000 mark — and counting.
(Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the March 2016 issue of GCU Today Magazine. To view the e-version of the entire magazine, click here.)
Story by Janie Magruder
Photos by Darryl Webb
GCU Today Magazine
They didn’t see it coming.
Not Martha Davis, who was among the nine graduates in Grand Canyon College’s Class of 1952. Not Dr. Tim Sieges, who sampled three other colleges in three years, then finally found his calling at Grand Canyon in the ’70s. Not Dr. David Engstrom, the valedictorian of his medical school class, whose undergraduate experience in the ’90s gave him a strong science foundation.
Not even Grand Canyon University senior Jocsan Tamayo, who landed a job teaching high school math on the strength of his resumé and the College of Education’s reputation. This, before he’d done a single semester of student teaching.
GCU graduates say that their experiences at the University have benefited them greatly in their careers.
None could imagine their alma mater would ever mark such an occasion, one that speaks volumes about seven decades of hard work, tough decisions and an unwavering love for and trust in God.
“One hundred thousand alumni? Goodness, how can that be?” said Sieges, who has counseled Christian missionaries around the world for 30 years. “Extremely cool.”
GCU’s alumni community became 100,000 strong in December with the graduation of the last Class of 2015. (And in February, it hit 103,284.) It’s a number Alumni Relations director Kimberlee Marlow had been watching expectantly for months.
“It’s a monumental milestone,” said Marlow, herself an alum (MBA, ’15). “We are a community of 100,000 people who have established the University beyond its walls. Our alumni cross country borders, ages, modalities, and they represent a diverse and really caring network of individuals.”
They are bold entrepreneurs at the helm of technology companies, compassionate doctors and nurses who trot the globe on their own dime to heal the bodies and souls of the world’s most marginalized populations, and teachers who give their time, talents and treasures to educate children in trying times. They are brilliant preachers and worship leaders living out John 3:16 every day of their lives and performers who were well-trained not on the coasts, but in the Arizona desert.
“Employers continually seek out our graduates because they represent the academic integrity, strong faith and servant leadership upon which the university is grounded,” GCU President Brian Mueller said. “Our alumni have a rich history as Biblical scholars, teachers, nurses and business leaders and are now moving into medical fields, engineering, computer science and information technology.”
They have made their mark.
A track record for the ages
Davis, a sophomore at Grand Canyon when it opened in Prescott, Ariz., in 1949, studied English and Bible. She was joined by a few other young women and many men, fresh off duty in World War II going to school on the G.I. Bill.
The college moved in 1951 to a wide-open space on Camelback Road in west Phoenix, and Davis’ class was the first to graduate there the following spring.
Two years later, Jim Carter arrived on basketball and baseball scholarships, met and married his wife,Ginger, and graduated in 1957 with a physical education diploma. “My professors were interested in Jim Carter as a person, not a matriculation number,” he said.
He went on to earn a master’s in educational administration from Arizona State University and a law degree from The University of Arizona. “My degree from Canyon means more than the other two,” said Carter, a longtime Phoenix city prosecutor, assistant city attorney and Phoenix Municipal Court judge. “I’m absolutely proud. Everybody at the courthouse knows where I graduated from, and my law school class knows, too.”
Tim Sieges
Sieges is one of those people for whom “find your purpose” is more than just an inspirational slogan. His classes with religion teachers, among them Dr. J. Niles Puckett and Dr. D.C. Martin, helped him earn a behavioral science degree in 1975 and set the table for his career in ministerial counseling.
“I learned about God’s plan for me, and I really fell in love with God’s word there,” he said.
As clinical director of Wycliffe USA Counseling Ministries, Sieges has worked in 20 countries with missionaries who struggle with mental health issues. His contributions earned him a place in GCU’s 2015 Alumni Hall of Fame.
Alumnus Brian Stout (’91) worked for more than a decade in the homebuilding industry before becoming a full-time missionary eight years ago and helping to start Thousand Hills Ministry. Based in Lake Mary, Fla., the nonprofit provides tools and training in agriculture, irrigation and livestock care to church-based projects in Haiti.
Brian Stout
“This vocation God has me in certainly did not come from a book on how to be a missionary,” said Stout, crediting Grand Canyon with teaching him to “think and not just memorize” and to dream big.
Uganda, not Haiti, captured the hearts of Engstrom and his wife,Jamie, who graduated from GCU with human biology degrees in 1999. They both went on to Midwestern University, where he graduated from medical school and she got her degree as a physician’s assistant, then opened Pinnacle Family Medicine in Litchfield Park, Ariz.
Along with other medical professionals whom they met at GCU, the couple has traveled several times to Uganda to bring health care and God’s love to people desperate for both. In January, the Engstroms, who have three daughters ages 11 to 6, brought home a 4-year-old Ugandan boy whom they adopted. Just as he prayed over the decision to expand his family, Engstrom prays with and over his patients at his practice and only gives medical advice that aligns with his Christian values.
GCU is in their DNA
Engstrom also has hired GCU alumni. “I feel very comfortable and confident with their science foundation,” he said, “but equally important, I know their values and integrity because a Christian background is interwoven in them.
“The seed was planted in all of us who went to GCU — learning to incorporate our schooling, our science and our faith and knowing that all three can blend together. It was in our DNA.”
Recent commencement ceremonies have packed GCU Arena.
And it’s in the University’s, saidLamont Yoder, CEO of Banner Gateway Medical Center and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, Ariz.
“You can see it in GCU’s nursing students and its nurses,” said Yoder, a member of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions community advisory board. “The consistency of their behavior and their attitude truly sets them apart from other programs. In the real world of health care, there are a lot of skill sets and knowledge that are critical for clinical care and patient care, and GCU has always been at the top of that.”
Because of the college’s reputation, Banner employees working on advanced nursing degrees at GCU automatically have Yoder’s attention. Students in residency at Banner as part of the college’s Transition to Professional Nursing Practice program are on his radar, too.
“We talk a lot in the workplace about transition into practice, and that transition for GCU graduates has been extremely smooth,” he said. “They are well prepared — the level of critical thinking, the ability to learn but to ask when there are things to be asked and not assumed. They are very highly skilled.”
Every time Dr. Betsy Hargrove interacts with GCU-trained teachers in her school district or encounters University faculty and staff while on campus for professional development and other opportunities, her impressions are the same.
“The piece that comes through is a true sense of purpose and a true sense of service,” said Hargrove, superintendent of the Avondale Elementary School District. “From the first person you encounter, the security guard at the gate, to the groups of educators who are sitting down to talk about the teacher shortage in Arizona and what to do about it, there’s a positive, constructive vibe that’s happening all over campus.
“We could build an organization around GCU. GCU attracts a certain type of kid, and an added bonus is that many are local kids who already are established somewhere in the Valley.”
Casey Miller, Enterprise Holdings
“Members of the GCU education community come to the table every time with solutions: ‘How can we work together to build programs for community members? How can we get collaborative conversations started with partnering school districts to help support the teacher shortage?’”
Hargrove also appreciates the College of Education’s Promise, in which assistance to graduates of the educator and administrator preparation programs is provided during their first year of teaching or leading.
“GCU is saying to its graduates, ‘We’re still here with you,’” she said. “And that is such a wonderful, powerful opportunity for GCU graduates to know they have the full support, not only of their school district, but of their preparation school. I don’t know of another teacher or leader preparation program that does that.”
GCU alumni employed by Enterprise Holdings, which operates three rental-car brands, excel at aligning themselves with the company’s morals and business practices, said Casey Miller, group talent acquisitions manager. They also are self-driven and not hesitant to ask questions, Miller said.
“We give a great measure of autonomy and decision making, and GCU candidates are able to take that and run with it,” she said. “Their problem-solving skills, weighing what’s best for the consumer and the business, is advanced.” Enterprise also has noticed that GCU alumni have GCU DNA.
“The benefit to an applicant coming from GCU is us understanding what kind of a university they are coming from — the culture, the training, the academic attention they receive,” Miller said. “It’s really those things that make GCU alumni more attractive candidates.”
Northwestern Mutual, Southwest, which offers financial planning services in Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas, recruits employees from the six major state universities in that region and from GCU. The quality of its graduates, their work and business ethics, and its ties to the community have made GCU a go-to campus for managing partner Ben Miller.
“We could build an organization around GCU,” Miller said. “GCU attracts a certain type of kid, and an added bonus is that many are local kids who already are established somewhere in the Valley. They’re better in communication skills and relationship skills, too, and for us it’s not all resumé building, it’s about community building.”
So when he’s flooded with hundreds of resumes for one position, the GCU resumes land in the “yes” pile, he said.
“If you’re from another school, you’re just another candidate,” Miller said. “But a GCU kid? It’s like if I see someone was an Eagle Scout. Right away, that’s goes in the ‘yes’ pile. It’s the same with GCU.”
Building the future
Through its applied management degree, GCU gave Phil Colon the leadership skills to take his career in technology to the next level. Today, the 1997 graduate is senior director of IT, Global Infrastructure Services at ON Semiconductor, an international company headquartered in Phoenix.
Colon joined the President’s STEM Advisory Board at GCU last fall and is working to develop an internship program at ON Semiconductor for students in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. They would learn and work in operations and infrastructure design, he said.
“Being on campus and seeing the enthusiasm of the kids motivated me to want to give back to the school I love and enjoy so much,” Colon said.
That’s music to Paul Rodriguez’s ears. The GCU sophomore, an information technology major with an emphasis in health IT, is the founder and president of Innovative Computing, a campus club. He and other students are developing an internship program with club adviser Steve Powelson, a CSET faculty member.
The students are hungry to immediately start applying in the real world what they learned in their classes, Rodriguez said.
“I absolutely love GCU, the one-on-one with faculty and the fact that most of them are more mentors than people who just regurgitate information at me,” the 19-year-old said. “Experience matters the most, and there’s no reason not to get a jump on it.”
Jocsan Tamayo
That’s what Jocsan Tamayo, 23, was thinking when he approached COE faculty member Jim Mostofolast year about getting a teaching job before student teaching. Mostofo was supportive, and not long after Tamayo had a job interview with Holly Foged, principal at Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics in Phoenix. And a job offer, on the spot.
“I feel great, confident, the students respect me and I really love them,” said Tamayo, who is employed at ACAA as a teacher-in-residence. He is teaching geometry and pre-calculus while taking his last semester of GCU courses online and plans to graduate in April.
“They (ACAA) knew GCU had the greatest program in the state when it comes to preparing teachers,” said Tamayo, grinning.
You won’t get much of an argument from Foged, who had a position she was unable to fill last fall. “I can rotate substitute teachers while I continue my search for a teacher that meets the highly qualified status,” she said, “or I can hire a teacher-in-residence now who has a passion, who wants to be a teacher and will accept the position.”
More recently, an unexpected opening for an English teacher arose. After an extensive search for a highly qualified teacher who would accept the position, Foged called Tamayo, who reached out to GCU and got a recommendation: senior Lindsay Bledsoe. Bledsoe was interviewed by the administration, got the position and started her teacher-in-residence in January.
“I walk into Jocsan’s and Lindsay’s classrooms, and there’s a good energy,” she said. “My students are in good hands with them. They get a lot of support from the teachers here at ACAA. They know they can walk into the classrooms next door, at any time, to get answers to their questions.”
In December, Jen Smestad addressed her fellow Class of 2015 graduates from the dais in GCU Arena. As a student, she had benefited from GCU’s small class sizes, its welcoming environment and myriad opportunities to grow her faith. As an alumna, she wants to stay connected.
“I feel we made history,” Smestad said of the 100,000 milestone. “And at the rate it’s growing, we’re going to be at 200,000 in just a few years, not another 60.”
Dr. Brian Bucina
College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Class of 1998.
Dr. Bucina is Chairperson of the Department of Surgery at Little Colorado Medical Center in Winslow, Arizona, where he is also the founder and medical director for the center's Wound Care Clinic. Board Certified in General Surgery, Dr. Bucina serves as Clinical Faculty at Midwestern University, A.T. Still University, Michigan State University and the University of Arizona. Prior to beginning his decorated career, Dr. Bucina graduated summa cum laude from GCU in 1998 and went to attend the medical school of Midwestern University. While attending GCU, he served as president of the Pre-Medical Club while also working in the campus health clinic.
APR
8 SoftballFri., April 8
Seattle University APR
22-23 SoftballApril 22 - 23
Utah Valley
APR
10 Men’s TennisSun., April 10
UMKC APR
22, 25 Spring Commencement 2016
April 22 - 25
Various Times - GCU Arena
APR
16 Lopes on the Road - Baseball
Sat., April 16
Seattle University MAY
11, 14 Men’s Track & FieldWestern Athletic Conference Meet
May 11 - May 14, Lawrence, Kansas
The Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission, the accrediting body for Grand Canyon University, has voted not to approve GCU's conversion to a nonprofit entity. As a result of that decision, GCU's current efforts to transition to not-for-profit status have come to an end.
"GCU ends current effort to convert to nonprofit" by Rick Vacek
A large crowd was in the Student Union for the announcement Friday morning that GCU is terminating its current effort to return to nonprofit status. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: LOPE), a comprehensive regionally accredited university that offers approximately 200 graduate and undergraduate degree programs and certificates across eight colleges both online and on ground at its approximately 250 acre campus in Phoenix, Arizona today announced that it has terminated its current effort to convert Grand Canyon University to a nonprofit entity. In connection with that announcement, it issued the following statement:
GCU President Brian Mueller makes the announcement. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
“In 1949, Grand Canyon University was founded as a nonprofit institution of higher education. In 2004, on the verge of bankruptcy and without any other options to survive, the University converted from a nonprofit institution to a for profit institution in order to raise the capital necessary for it to continue to serve its students. Since that time, although operating as a for-profit institution, the company has been able successfully to balance the needs of its students, faculty, community, investors and over 100,000 alumni. In nearly eight years as a public company, the company has never paid a dividend to its investors and has invested more capital into its campus and technology infrastructure than its entire after tax profits over that period – all without ever raising tuition on its ground campus during that period. After having conducted a highly successful initial public offering in 2008, achieving financial stability and success and no longer in need of outside capital, the University and its management began to consider the possibility of returning the University to its roots and converting back to a nonprofit entity. These considerations took concrete form nearly 18 months ago, when the company’s Board of Directors publicly announced an effort to explore the possibility of effecting a conversion of the University to a nonprofit entity – a move focused on enabling the University to conduct itself as a traditional nonprofit university, consistent with its history and on a level playing field with other traditional universities with regard to tax status, the ability to accept philanthropic contributions, the ability to pursue research grant opportunities, and participation in NCAA governance.
Yesterday, after the passage of these 18 months, the expenditure of thousands upon thousands of hours of effort by our senior leadership team, faculty and staff, and a nearly unprecedented effort to accomplish a goal that, we believe, would have benefitted our students, faculty, staff and community, as well as our investors, we learned that the Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission, the University’s institutional accreditor, voted not to approve the conversion of Grand Canyon University to a nonprofit entity. As a result of that decision, these current efforts must now come to an end.
Before delving into the specifics of this decision, we first want to acknowledge and thank certain key groups whose tremendous efforts and key contributions almost made the conversion a reality:
The faculty and staff of Grand Canyon University. The conversion to nonprofit form required us to apply to the HLC for a Change in Control, Structure or Organization. This application process is substantive, serious, document intensive and challenging. Led by our Provost, Dr. Hank Radda, our faculty and staff were more than up to the challenge, making apparent to all involved in the process the high quality of Grand Canyon University’s faculty, its forward-thinking curriculum development processes and education programs, and its first-rate educational facilities and other resources. No one who has ever taken the time to come visit our campus, including the HLC review team, has ever walked away without being fully impressed and amazed with what we are achieving here at Grand Canyon University.
The HLC Review Team. A key component of the HLC application process is the onsite review conducted by a team composed of HLC staff and peer reviewers. This team – which was led by senior HLC staff members and representatives of peer institutions – not only reviewed the voluminous documentation filed with the application but also came to our campus to conduct two full days of onsite review. This review included in person meetings with our senior leadership team; the independent board of trustees of the 501(c)(3) entity that was to acquire and operate Grand Canyon University; the board of directors of Grand Canyon Education; the deans of our eight academic colleges and our academic program directors; our admissions and financial aid staff; and our student affairs and academic support staff. The team also conducted independent meetings with our faculty, students, finance team, and outside counsel and other advisors involved in the effort, and also reviewed drafts of the legal documents that would have been executed to implement the conversion. This review effort resulted in an HLC Staff Summary Report to the HLC Board of Trustees that included the following in its conclusion: “This transaction is complex and unique, and it would be unusual if some questions did not emerge from this review. Nevertheless, despite the varied concerns identified in this report, the institution is extremely well positioned to conduct this transaction successfully.”
Internal Revenue Service. One of the unique aspects of this conversion transaction is the additional oversight and review conducted by the Internal Revenue Service. In this case, the IRS not only had to review the bona fide nature of the nonprofit entity that would have acquired Grand Canyon University – which it blessed when it issued the nonprofit entity a 501(c)(3) determination letter – but also key aspects of a management services agreement that would have gone into effect between Grand Canyon University and Grand Canyon Education following the transaction and under which GCE would have provided various outsourced services to the university. This latter review which was done in conjunction with a request for a private letter ruling (PLR) which was a necessary condition to the nonprofit entity’s ability to raise capital through a tax-exempt bond offering. Similar to the HLC staff, the IRS team worked iteratively with the University and its tax and legal advisors to address concerns that were raised regarding the structure and governance and after months of review and regular interaction with our management and advisors we believe would have determined that the issuance of a PLR was appropriate as to permit the transaction to go forward.
Arizona Leaders. Finally, we are very thankful for the bi-partisan support for Grand Canyon University throughout the State of Arizona from industry leaders, as well as local, state and federal officials, all of whom recognize the critical role that Grand Canyon University is playing in ensuring that Arizona’s residents have as many options as possible to obtain an affordable, high-quality, post-secondary education.
Based on all of the above, when we last discussed the progress of the conversion on our earnings call on February 17, 2016, we were, at that time, feeling reasonably confident that this difficult but beneficial transaction could be accomplished. This confidence was based not only upon the above regulatory efforts, but from the overwhelming and objectively incredible accomplishments that Grand Canyon University has achieved in the past few years to the benefit of our faculty and students, our neighbors and surrounding community, the City of Phoenix and the State of Arizona – a State that does not have any history of significant private traditional educational institutions.
To say that we were stunned at the HLC Board’s decision is both an overstatement and an understatement. Operating as a for-profit university, we are made aware daily of the adverse views many people have about for-profit institutions – views that we believe, as it relates to Grand Canyon University, are most often expressed out of ignorance for what is going on at our university as well as out of competitive envy by those who feel threatened by our presence here and our undisputed success as a comprehensive university. We therefore knew that there was a possibility that all of the positive attributes of this university and this transaction would not be able to carry the day when initially presented to the HLC Board. We certainly thought it possible that the Board might take issue with aspects of the proposal, and, as is commonly the case, afford us an opportunity to present a revised proposal for subsequent consideration.
Given the very strong statement of support from the HLC staff members and peer reviewers who conducted the review, and in light of the fact that the HLC Board had the ability to defer our application and seek additional dialogue and information regarding our proposal if it had questions or concerns, we were extremely surprised that the HLC Board – none of whose members, to our knowledge, has ever visited our campus, met with our faculty, administration or students, talked to our neighbors in the surrounding community or the thousands upon thousands of West Valley residents we employ – chose instead to deny our application outright, without any opportunity to address any stated concerns. The form of the HLC Board’s decisions means that we would be required to start this entire process over from scratch should we seek to continue this effort. Simply stated, we are stunned at how far apart the views of those who have spent time with us, including the HLC staff, appear to be from the views of the HLC Board.
In its denial letter, the HLC Board raises issues related to the proposed structure and governance of the nonprofit entity and the company. These issues were not materially different than concerns raised by the IRS during its review. With the IRS, however, we worked iteratively to find solutions to its concerns and the agreed upon changes were reflected in updated drafts of the master services agreement and constitutional documents of the nonprofit entity, all of which were provided to the HLC staff and Board prior to the board meeting. Yet, these changes, although we have reason to believe were sufficient to meet the concerns of the IRS on structure and governance, seem to have not even been considered by the HLC Board.
Perhaps even more surprising, however, is the following conclusion reached by the HLC Board: “In addition, the Board concluded that the current Eligibility Requirements and Criteria do not allow for an institution to outsource all or the majority of its basic functions related to academic and student support services and curriculum development, even where the contract between the parties indicates that the accredited institution provides oversight of those services.” What we understand this to mean is that, according to the HLC Board, an institution that outsources these types of support services to a third party provider is currently in violation of the HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation and that new rules of the HLC are required before any accredited institution may engage in such outsourcing efforts. This statement is incredible for several reasons:
It is well known that hundreds of nonprofit and public universities in the United States, including universities accredited by the HLC, outsource the same functions as we proposed, and have been doing so for at least a decade or more. Yet, the HLC appears not to have challenged or even questioned these agreements as impermissibly outsourcing “basic functions.”
More importantly, their conclusion we believe paints a distorted picture of our proposed transaction. It is not even remotely the case that the “accredited institution” (the nonprofit entity) would have provided only “oversight” of “academic and student support services and curriculum.” Under our proposed transaction structure, over 1,500 current full-time employees of the University, consisting of the entire academic infrastructure – including not only every one of its 335 full time and over 4,200 adjunct faculty members but also the provost and his staff, the deans of our eight colleges and their staffs, academic affairs personnel, the office of academic records, and our institutional effectiveness operations – would have been employed by and under the absolute control of the accredited institution – precisely as it is today. Indeed, under the proposed services agreement, the accredited institution and its faculty and academic leadership would continue to have direct responsibility for, and full and absolute authority over:
The development of all educational content for all courses and programs;
The selection of every program offered and all of the content to be included in those programs;
The development of every course and program and related course materials; and
The assessment of student learning and initiatives to increase persistence and completion.
The division of duties between the nonprofit entity and the company was very clearly and explicitly spelled out in our application and in the draft legal documents, and substantively discussed at great length with the HLC staff and peer reviewers during their visit.
The bottom line is that the inference that the division of duties between the non-profit university and the company would outsource “all or the majority of its “basic functions related to academic and student support services and curriculum development” simply bears no relationship whatsoever to the proposed relationship between Grand Canyon University and Grand Canyon Education.
It is also important to note that the proposed relationship between the company and the non-profit institution was not invented out of whole cloth. When developing our proposed agreement, we did not start from scratch, in a vacuum. Rather, we reviewed other, publicly available services agreements that are currently in place between non-profit universities and for-profit services providers, and we used the same divisions of responsibility that are reflected in these long-standing and well-known relationships. Indeed, we provided copies of these agreements to the HLC staff to demonstrate that we were basing our structure on well-established, previously approved models. We are at a loss to understand why the HLC Board has chosen to reject our proposal alone, when so many of these agreements exist and are in effect, not only with other HLC-accredited schools in our local market but among top-tier regionally accredited institutions from Coast to Coast.
Sadly, the current process is now at an end. We do not intend to challenge the HLC Board’s decision or continue this current effort at this time, and, thus, have determined not to prepare a point by point recitation of other factual inaccuracies upon which the decision appears based. Rather, with great respect for the tremendous efforts of our management, faculty, and staff, and those others referenced above, we intend to direct all of our energies toward the continued success of Grand Canyon University. We want to assure all of our stakeholders that this does not change our strategy going forward. We will eventually find the right path to accomplish our objectives and ensure the long-term mission and legacy of the institution.
Thank you.”
About Grand Canyon Education, Inc.
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is a comprehensive regionally accredited university that offers approximately 200 graduate and undergraduate degree programs and certificates across eight colleges both online and on ground at our approximately 250 acre campus in Phoenix, Arizona, at leased facilities and at facilities owned by third party employers of our students. Our undergraduate programs are designed to be innovative and meet the future needs of employers while providing students with the needed critical thinking and effective communication skills developed through a Christian, liberal arts foundation. We offer master and doctoral degrees in contemporary fields that are designed to provide students with the capacity for transformational leadership in their chosen industry, emphasizing the immediate relevance of theory, application, and evaluation to promote personal and organizational change. Approximately 74,500 students were enrolled as of December 31, 2015. For more information about Grand Canyon Education, Inc., please visit http://www.gcu.edu.
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, Grand Canyon University, 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017, www.gcu.edu.
Grand Canyon University's thriving STEM Scholar program was honored with the Community Partner Award at the Peoria Education Foundation's 11th Annual Education Visionary Awards. GCU's program is unique in that it reaches out to the community and gives students the opportunity to be inspired and driven by education.
"GCU receives Community Partner Award for STEM Scholars program" by Rick Vacek by Lauren Michelsen
GCU News Bureau
Grand Canyon University’s thriving STEM Scholars program was honored Monday night at the Peoria Education Foundation’s 11th annual Education Visionary Awards at the Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria.
Sarah Boeder, senior vice president of campus operations, was on hand to receive the Community Partner Award, given to GCU for its work with the Peoria Unified School District.
Sarah Boeder, GCU’s senior vice president of campus operations, displays the award the University received for its STEM Scholars program.
The STEM Scholars program offers high school students the chance to not only have hands-on learning in the STEM fields based out of their own schools but also earn up to a year of tuition-free college credit through dual enrollment.
In addition, GCU offers a cohort class in the summer in which the STEM Scholars can interact and learn in the cadaver labs on campus. The program is “extremely innovative,” Boeder said, “(because) we are educating our neighbors for the jobs of the future.”
The STEM Scholars program is unique in that it reaches out to the community and gives students the opportunity to be inspired and driven by education, Boeder said, adding that while the program is still relatively young, it has been immensely successful in its early stages and shows no signs of slowing down.
“This is bigger than just graduating students, it’s big for the future of America,” she said.
Contact Lauren Michelsen at (602) 639-6703 or lauren.michelsen@gcu.edu.
On March 12, the Grand Canyon University Foundation hosted the 6th Annual Run to Fight Children’s Cancer. Hundreds of community members, students, alumni, family and friends gathered in support of funding research for childhood cancer. Watch and read what the run means to participants and, most importantly, those who benefit from the cause.
"GCU run shows cancer fight is community project" by Jeannette.Cruz
There was a big crowd for the sixth annual GCU Foundation Run to Fight Children’s Cancer.
Story by Jeannette Cruz
Photos by Darryl Webb
GCU News Bureau
It was a mass meeting of a community, one in which family, teachers, friends and colleagues joined together in colorful T-shirts, tutus, buttons, gold shoelaces and capes. One in which some smiled, some laughed and others cried as they shared their stories. One that brought thousands of hugs, high-fives and cheers to Grand Canyon University Saturday morning.
Race starter Emma Kerr (center) finishes in an inspirational way — by getting out of her wheelchair and pushing it — at the finish of the Cancer Survivors Walk.
The GCU Foundation Run to Fight Children’s Cancer is one of the University’s signature events. Each year since 2011, thousands of runners have lined up at the starting line to raise awareness of childhood cancer, the leading cause of death by disease among children 14 and younger, and to raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Networkand Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
This year’s race starter, Emma Kerr, a spirited, 11-year-old dancing queen, got the festivities going with a big smile and a loud blow of the horn. It has been nearly 16 months since Emma was diagnosed with leukemia and yet, despite her battle against infections that have weakened her leg muscles and confined her to a wheelchair, her mission to encourage others was there for all to see.
“This is our first time here, and it is such an inspiration because Emma is really determined and wants to get better and show everyone that she wants to beat cancer just like others who are here,” said Emma’s mom, Ildi Kerr. “We take our cues from her — she’s upbeat and it’s a good day for her, so it’s a good day for everybody.”
Members of the Havocs were among the supporters at the finish line cheering on the runners.
What thrilled Emma most was that she and her dad, James, took part in the race — a move he considered to be a side effect from the noise and the crowd.
“It was a last-minute thought,” said James, who pushed Emma in her wheelchair around the course. “We saw so many of our friends and decided to catch up, but next thing we knew we were passing everybody.”
Emma and James boldly crossed the finished line together, wheelchair and all. However, Emma didn’t finish the show there. Later, during the Cancer Survivors Walk, she pulled herself up and pushed her own wheelchair across the finish line right alongside the other radiant cancer warriors.
It was a morning full of closeness and hope.
*****
Victoria Gutierrez finishes the Cancer Survivors Walk.
Cindy Gutierrez and her family had a lot to say about cancer. One child wore a shirt that read, “My cousin kicked cancer’s butt.”
Another: “Cancer tried to bully my sister, but it messed with the wrong sister.”
And, her 7-year-old daughter,Victoria, who is battling brain cancer, shined in a sparkling T-shirt that read, “I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.”
“There were so many things that we could write about childhood cancer, but I just wanted to keep it simple,” Gutierrez said. “This shows that we are not in this alone. Cancer changes your whole meaning of life and changes your family. You see these little kids, who while they love anything and everything around them, they are also fighting to keep it.”
*****
There was a big turnout of all ages for “Team Olivia.”
Kendall Baltazar had a team of 30 rooting behind her in their “Fight Like a Girl” tees. The 11-year-old, whose lymph nodes and thyroid gland had to be removed because of thyroid cancer, said it was surprising to see how many people cared.
“I didn’t think that what I had was this bad,” Kendall said of the disease. “I thought it was the type [of cancer] that is easy to get rid of, but I was still scared. And it’s really nice to see all of the support here.”
For her dad, Paco Baltazar, the event meant tears.
“Cancer is still hard to talk about because she’s my little girl,” he said. “You don’t want to see your little girl go through this.” But Baltazar wiped off the tears as he jogged to the starting line hugging his family and friends.
*****
Rose Provincio donned her sneakers for her 5-year-old nephew Gabriel, a liver cancer survivor. Gabriel was diagnosed with cancer when he was 1. Although autism holds him back from speaking, it did not keep him from spinning in circles and leading his aunt through the crowd. “He is happy, healthy and normal, and that’s why we are here today,” Provincio said.
Colleagues wore buttons in support of Communications Manager Janie Magruder.
*****
A simple gesture of a button turned into a beautiful moment for the GCU Department of Communications and Public Affairs. Communications Manager Janie Magruder recently was diagnosed with leukemia, and colleagues and friends wore “JM” buttons in support of the redheaded Denver Broncos fan, who considers covering the race her favorite GCU assignment.
*****
Tears welled up in Delilah Bojorquez’s eyes as she remembered her 3-year-old daughter, Azalea Frankie Harper, who passed away from intrinsic pontine glioma, a cancerous brain tumor, on Jan. 3, 2015.
“It was very devastating, and it is still hard now trying to find ways to be happy and find the blessing in it,” Bojorquez said while leaning on a friend for support. “I kept waiting for the moment when I would wake up. I just felt numb, and I didn’t understand until we started going through the radiations and the doctor’s appointments — that’s when it all became real.”
GCU men’s soccer players and coaches were there in support.
Because she found it difficult to talk about her daughter, Bojorquez said she instead devoted herself to making the last seven months with her daughter the best months of her life.
“If it meant for everyone to get up and sing and dance, that’s what we did. If it meant watching ‘Frozen’ for the thousandth time, that’s what we did. We just kept her comfortable, and that’s how we found our strength,” she said.
While Bojorquez still mourns the loss of Azalea, she said she has decided to turn the experience into something good: She wants to live life to the fullest, the way her daughter would want her to.
*****
Shawnee Chanley signed up to join the cause in honor of herself and her 16-year-old daughter. While her daughter wasn’t next to her, they’ve supported each other as they face the pain of double cancer.
There were lots of inventive signs.
“Everything has happened really fast, and it’s been very exhausting,” Chanley said. “We never really had a chance to absorb any of it, but now for the most part we can begin to process it.”
Chanley was in a car accident last February, and after a CT scan in the hospital, she was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Then, in April, her daughter was diagnosed with stage three melanoma.
“We still have a few more rounds of treatment and radiation to go, but we’re sticking together,” Chanley said.
*****
Josiah enjoys the view in the Cancer Survivors Walk.
Sarah Timmons celebrated with the “Joy Squad,” a team of friends, church members and family who wore the words proudly on their gold headbands.
Timmons recalled how before the diagnosis, her son Josiah was constantly sick.
“There were fevers, congestion, he had ear tubes put in, adenoids taken out and with that, the surgery showed signs of cancer,” Timmons said. “I was relieved to find an answer because I knew something wasn’t right, but I trusted the Lord knew the plan for Josiah’s life.”
Josiah was diagnosed with cancer on Oct. 29, 2015, and finished his treatment at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in February.
Get ready, get set …
While treating cancer was difficult and energy-consuming, Timmons said she owes it to the hospital for their support.
“They were amazing,” Timmons said. “If I needed a hug or had a question about his diet or needed someone to talk to, they cared. That’s what people need — to know that there are people who care.”
*****
Yasmeen Hafez was passed down from the arms of one family member to the next. That was the moment her relatives have been waiting for — the chance to hold her all over again and to create new memories.
… GO!!
Two months ago, the 1-year-old bundle of joy beat cancer. With a head full of curls,and a tiny scar on her neck, she is as vibrant as ever.
“When a child is a cancer patient, it takes a toll on the entire family,” her aunt Stephanie Casillas said. “Right now, it’s all about holding and hugging her and watching her dance to ‘Frozen.’ “For a long time we had to get used to seeing her with her tubes and accept that we couldn’t carry her. But as soon as she starts twirling, we all stop because she deserves that.”
*****
Raiyn poked fun at her mom, Angela Meade-Pinner, as she choked up in tears. “You should record her,” she told her older sister. But Meade-Pinner’s tears were those of joy, and all she could do was squeeze Raiyn between her arms.
Raiyn is a six-year cancer survivor who had one of her kidneys removed after she was diagnosed with cancer at 17 months.
There were lots of walkers and strollers, too.
“She’s our everything,” Meade-Pinner said. “Cancer was a roller-coaster and it took a lot of making a new ‘normal’ for ourselves, but God gave us a second chance with her.”
Raiyn giggled when Meade-Pinner nudged her and asked if she was happy to be alive.
Her dad, Daniel, shared their joy. “It’s a miracle,” he said.
*****
Dominic Pachuilo, a freshman at GCU, was diagnosed with stage four acute lymphoblastic lymphoma last May, just two days before high school graduation.
Those capes said it all.
At 18 years old, the teen said that after X-rays showed a tumor in his chest, it felt surreal.
“I definitely didn’t believe it to be true,” he said. “I thought somebody my age was invincible and cancer was something I didn’t have to worry about, but three months ago I was sitting on the couch on anabolic steroids, puffy and always pushing a wheelchair, and I never thought that I would be able to walk or run again.”
Although Pachuilo’s treatment is scheduled to last two more years, he expressed joy in being able to stand on his own two feet again. He also is proud to serve as a mentor for other children facing cancer at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa.
“I’m finally at the point again where I can run again, and there’s no better way to show people than to run in this 5K race,” Pachuilo said. “It’s definitely a blessing and Godsend for me to be able to do that because the kids and I encourage each other all the time — they fight hard, and that’s what gets me through my fight.”
*****
Nicholas Coury crosses the finish line first in the men’s 10K.
First-place finishers in the 10K run were Nicholas Coury, 28, with a time of 35 minutes, 31 seconds and Lauren Humphrey, 27, with a 44:47. In the 5K, the winners were Robert Schultz, 50, with a 17:39 and Madisyn Van Sickle, 19, with a 19:50.
*****
Statistically, childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly the last few decades, and about 10,380 American children under the age of 15 are presumed to be diagnosed with cancer in 2016. If there is one major thing that GCU’s race proved, it’s that cancer occurs regularly and randomly, so it takes a community to take on the fight.
Ildi Kerr (carrying flag) was among the runners.
“The word cancer is a really big word — it’s a really scary word,” said Debbie Accomazzo, GCU’s community outreach manager and also the race director.
“I’m proud of this community because from inside the university, to all the families battling cancer, to sponsors and vendors, this is an amazing example of how a community beats cancer. If I feel anything today, it’s pride in the people around me.”
Emma and her family also were overwhelmed by the support.
“You see that there is a lot of love for our kids, and this is a great community to be a part of,” Ildi Kerr said. “This is an event that we will be a part of next year and for the rest of our lives.”
Contact Jeannette Cruz at (602) 639-6631 or jeannette.cruz@gcu.edu.
Story by Jeannette Cruz
Photos by Darryl Webb
GCU News Bureau
It was a mass meeting of a community, one in which family, teachers, friends and colleagues joined together in colorful T-shirts, tutus, buttons, gold shoelaces and capes. One in which some smiled, some laughed and others cried as they shared their stories. One that brought thousands of hugs, high-fives and cheers to Grand Canyon University Saturday morning.
Race starter Emma Kerr (center) finishes in an inspirational way — by getting out of her wheelchair and pushing it — at the finish of the Cancer Survivors Walk.
The GCU Foundation Run to Fight Children’s Cancer is one of the University’s signature events. Each year since 2011, thousands of runners have lined up at the starting line to raise awareness of childhood cancer, the leading cause of death by disease among children 14 and younger, and to raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Networkand Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
This year’s race starter, Emma Kerr, a spirited, 11-year-old dancing queen, got the festivities going with a big smile and a loud blow of the horn. It has been nearly 16 months since Emma was diagnosed with leukemia and yet, despite her battle against infections that have weakened her leg muscles and confined her to a wheelchair, her mission to encourage others was there for all to see.
“This is our first time here, and it is such an inspiration because Emma is really determined and wants to get better and show everyone that she wants to beat cancer just like others who are here,” said Emma’s mom, Ildi Kerr. “We take our cues from her — she’s upbeat and it’s a good day for her, so it’s a good day for everybody.”
Members of the Havocs were among the supporters at the finish line cheering on the runners.
What thrilled Emma most was that she and her dad, James, took part in the race — a move he considered to be a side effect from the noise and the crowd.
“It was a last-minute thought,” said James, who pushed Emma in her wheelchair around the course. “We saw so many of our friends and decided to catch up, but next thing we knew we were passing everybody.”
Emma and James boldly crossed the finished line together, wheelchair and all. However, Emma didn’t finish the show there. Later, during the Cancer Survivors Walk, she pulled herself up and pushed her own wheelchair across the finish line right alongside the other radiant cancer warriors.
It was a morning full of closeness and hope.
*****
Victoria Gutierrez finishes the Cancer Survivors Walk.
Cindy Gutierrez and her family had a lot to say about cancer. One child wore a shirt that read, “My cousin kicked cancer’s butt.”
Another: “Cancer tried to bully my sister, but it messed with the wrong sister.”
And, her 7-year-old daughter,Victoria, who is battling brain cancer, shined in a sparkling T-shirt that read, “I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.”
“There were so many things that we could write about childhood cancer, but I just wanted to keep it simple,” Gutierrez said. “This shows that we are not in this alone. Cancer changes your whole meaning of life and changes your family. You see these little kids, who while they love anything and everything around them, they are also fighting to keep it.”
*****
There was a big turnout of all ages for “Team Olivia.”
Kendall Baltazar had a team of 30 rooting behind her in their “Fight Like a Girl” tees. The 11-year-old, whose lymph nodes and thyroid gland had to be removed because of thyroid cancer, said it was surprising to see how many people cared.
“I didn’t think that what I had was this bad,” Kendall said of the disease. “I thought it was the type [of cancer] that is easy to get rid of, but I was still scared. And it’s really nice to see all of the support here.”
For her dad, Paco Baltazar, the event meant tears.
“Cancer is still hard to talk about because she’s my little girl,” he said. “You don’t want to see your little girl go through this.” But Baltazar wiped off the tears as he jogged to the starting line hugging his family and friends.
*****
Rose Provincio donned her sneakers for her 5-year-old nephew Gabriel, a liver cancer survivor. Gabriel was diagnosed with cancer when he was 1. Although autism holds him back from speaking, it did not keep him from spinning in circles and leading his aunt through the crowd. “He is happy, healthy and normal, and that’s why we are here today,” Provincio said.
Colleagues wore buttons in support of Communications Manager Janie Magruder.
*****
A simple gesture of a button turned into a beautiful moment for the GCU Department of Communications and Public Affairs. Communications Manager Janie Magruder recently was diagnosed with leukemia, and colleagues and friends wore “JM” buttons in support of the redheaded Denver Broncos fan, who considers covering the race her favorite GCU assignment.
*****
Tears welled up in Delilah Bojorquez’s eyes as she remembered her 3-year-old daughter, Azalea Frankie Harper, who passed away from intrinsic pontine glioma, a cancerous brain tumor, on Jan. 3, 2015.
“It was very devastating, and it is still hard now trying to find ways to be happy and find the blessing in it,” Bojorquez said while leaning on a friend for support. “I kept waiting for the moment when I would wake up. I just felt numb, and I didn’t understand until we started going through the radiations and the doctor’s appointments — that’s when it all became real.”
GCU men’s soccer players and coaches were there in support.
Because she found it difficult to talk about her daughter, Bojorquez said she instead devoted herself to making the last seven months with her daughter the best months of her life.
“If it meant for everyone to get up and sing and dance, that’s what we did. If it meant watching ‘Frozen’ for the thousandth time, that’s what we did. We just kept her comfortable, and that’s how we found our strength,” she said.
While Bojorquez still mourns the loss of Azalea, she said she has decided to turn the experience into something good: She wants to live life to the fullest, the way her daughter would want her to.
*****
Shawnee Chanley signed up to join the cause in honor of herself and her 16-year-old daughter. While her daughter wasn’t next to her, they’ve supported each other as they face the pain of double cancer.
There were lots of inventive signs.
“Everything has happened really fast, and it’s been very exhausting,” Chanley said. “We never really had a chance to absorb any of it, but now for the most part we can begin to process it.”
Chanley was in a car accident last February, and after a CT scan in the hospital, she was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Then, in April, her daughter was diagnosed with stage three melanoma.
“We still have a few more rounds of treatment and radiation to go, but we’re sticking together,” Chanley said.
*****
Josiah enjoys the view in the Cancer Survivors Walk.
Sarah Timmons celebrated with the “Joy Squad,” a team of friends, church members and family who wore the words proudly on their gold headbands.
Timmons recalled how before the diagnosis, her son Josiah was constantly sick.
“There were fevers, congestion, he had ear tubes put in, adenoids taken out and with that, the surgery showed signs of cancer,” Timmons said. “I was relieved to find an answer because I knew something wasn’t right, but I trusted the Lord knew the plan for Josiah’s life.”
Josiah was diagnosed with cancer on Oct. 29, 2015, and finished his treatment at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in February.
Get ready, get set …
While treating cancer was difficult and energy-consuming, Timmons said she owes it to the hospital for their support.
“They were amazing,” Timmons said. “If I needed a hug or had a question about his diet or needed someone to talk to, they cared. That’s what people need — to know that there are people who care.”
*****
Yasmeen Hafez was passed down from the arms of one family member to the next. That was the moment her relatives have been waiting for — the chance to hold her all over again and to create new memories.
… GO!!
Two months ago, the 1-year-old bundle of joy beat cancer. With a head full of curls,and a tiny scar on her neck, she is as vibrant as ever.
“When a child is a cancer patient, it takes a toll on the entire family,” her aunt Stephanie Casillas said. “Right now, it’s all about holding and hugging her and watching her dance to ‘Frozen.’ “For a long time we had to get used to seeing her with her tubes and accept that we couldn’t carry her. But as soon as she starts twirling, we all stop because she deserves that.”
*****
Raiyn poked fun at her mom, Angela Meade-Pinner, as she choked up in tears. “You should record her,” she told her older sister. But Meade-Pinner’s tears were those of joy, and all she could do was squeeze Raiyn between her arms.
Raiyn is a six-year cancer survivor who had one of her kidneys removed after she was diagnosed with cancer at 17 months.
There were lots of walkers and strollers, too.
“She’s our everything,” Meade-Pinner said. “Cancer was a roller-coaster and it took a lot of making a new ‘normal’ for ourselves, but God gave us a second chance with her.”
Raiyn giggled when Meade-Pinner nudged her and asked if she was happy to be alive.
Her dad, Daniel, shared their joy. “It’s a miracle,” he said.
*****
Dominic Pachuilo, a freshman at GCU, was diagnosed with stage four acute lymphoblastic lymphoma last May, just two days before high school graduation.
Those capes said it all.
At 18 years old, the teen said that after X-rays showed a tumor in his chest, it felt surreal.
“I definitely didn’t believe it to be true,” he said. “I thought somebody my age was invincible and cancer was something I didn’t have to worry about, but three months ago I was sitting on the couch on anabolic steroids, puffy and always pushing a wheelchair, and I never thought that I would be able to walk or run again.”
Although Pachuilo’s treatment is scheduled to last two more years, he expressed joy in being able to stand on his own two feet again. He also is proud to serve as a mentor for other children facing cancer at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa.
“I’m finally at the point again where I can run again, and there’s no better way to show people than to run in this 5K race,” Pachuilo said. “It’s definitely a blessing and Godsend for me to be able to do that because the kids and I encourage each other all the time — they fight hard, and that’s what gets me through my fight.”
*****
Nicholas Coury crosses the finish line first in the men’s 10K.
First-place finishers in the 10K run were Nicholas Coury, 28, with a time of 35 minutes, 31 seconds and Lauren Humphrey, 27, with a 44:47. In the 5K, the winners were Robert Schultz, 50, with a 17:39 and Madisyn Van Sickle, 19, with a 19:50.
*****
Statistically, childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly the last few decades, and about 10,380 American children under the age of 15 are presumed to be diagnosed with cancer in 2016. If there is one major thing that GCU’s race proved, it’s that cancer occurs regularly and randomly, so it takes a community to take on the fight.
Ildi Kerr (carrying flag) was among the runners.
“The word cancer is a really big word — it’s a really scary word,” said Debbie Accomazzo, GCU’s community outreach manager and also the race director.
“I’m proud of this community because from inside the university, to all the families battling cancer, to sponsors and vendors, this is an amazing example of how a community beats cancer. If I feel anything today, it’s pride in the people around me.”
Emma and her family also were overwhelmed by the support.
“You see that there is a lot of love for our kids, and this is a great community to be a part of,” Ildi Kerr said. “This is an event that we will be a part of next year and for the rest of our lives.”
Contact Jeannette Cruz at (602) 639-6631 or jeannette.cruz@gcu.edu.
Men's BasketballEx-Havoc Estelle has earned the cheers
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MEN'S BASKETBALL
Men's Basketball | 3/12/2016 2:18:00 PM | Rick Vacek
Ex-Havoc Estelle has earned the cheers
PLAYERS MENTIONED
This article appeared in the March 11 edition of GCU Today.
Jevon Estelle just wants to say thank you.
A lot more people at Grand Canyon University want to thank him even more. He hasn't played a lot of minutes (just 109 in 29 games spread over three seasons), but there's a reason why the Havocs student cheering section goes a little nutty every time Estelle simply sets foot on the court.
He once was one of them. He once was a Havoc.
And there's another reason why he has earned equally voluminous cheers from his teammates and coaches and even was one of the captains of the team this season despite his limited role: He has the heart of a warrior and carries himself with class on and off the court. He's a leader.
In its own unique way, it has been one of the more memorable careers in GCU basketball history, but Estelle's time as a collegiate player will end sometime this month — however long the Lopes play in the CollegeInsider.com tournament, which begins Monday night at GCU Arena. He said that makes him feel sad, but only because he has so many happy memories.
Hard-core Havoc
Four years ago, back when the Havocs were just a small group of students who wanted to bring their unique spirit to the Arena, Estelle was one of the guys taking off his shirt and painting his body to rally support for the team.
"He was a really, really good Havoc," said Brennan Williams, who handles marketing for the Havocs now that they have become nationally known and fill up almost half the Arena. "There couldn't have been more than 20 who were really consistent and really that excited about basketball at that time. He definitely played a large role in being bold, and it's turned into what it is now because of people like him."
But as new head coach Dan Majerle was preparing for GCU's first year of the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I, Estelle tried out for the Lopes even though he wasn't a serious basketball player at Winslow High School. Sure, he played, but he came to GCU intending to play first base for the baseball team.
When that didn't work out, he started playing pickup basketball and met Kyle Speed, who played for GCU from 2010 to 2012. Speed encouraged him to aim higher than just pickup games at the Rec Center, and Estelle decided he was up to the challenge of Division I hoops.
"With a lot of prayer and determination, I felt like it was something I could achieve," he said. "When coach Majerle gave me my opportunity, I just tried to do my best to run with it."
Example for teammates
Estelle even got some significant playing time in his first season — he scored five points in 11 minutes at Tennessee-Chattanooga and seven points on 3-of-3 shooting in 17 minutes at New Mexico State. And even as Majerle continued to bring in more big-name recruits, usually leaving the 6-foot-3 forward on the bench for all but the closing minutes of a lopsided game if he got in at all, Estelle continued to earn respect in other ways.
Ask his teammates what they think of him, and the compliments come as fast and furious as he does.
Ryan Majerle: "Man of the people, baby."
Gerard Martin: "The kid's got a lot of heart."
Matt Jackson: "Unlimited energy."
They were awed by the time Estelle injured his right elbow in practice, got it taped up and continued to play. His only concession to the pain: He became a left-handed shooter for a week and a half.
"He's a guy who gives 100 percent every day, the little stuff that you don't notice until he's gone," Ryan Majerle said. "Jevon was sick from practice one day and we were saying, 'Why is it so quiet here?' Even if it's a warmup drill, he's yelling, talking to guys, telling them where they should be. He's amazing with communication."
And that's something his coach appreciates.
"He was our best practice player — he came in every day, never complained," Dan Majerle said. "He ran our scout team, brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and has the mentality and the culture that we want here. He's been here the longest, and he portrays that every day.
"He's just a great kid around campus — everybody loves him. Just a perfect kid to have on the team. If you had a lot of Jevons, it would be a lot of fun."
That's why the coach made him a captain.
"It was a huge honor," Estelle said. "I was not expecting it at all. I thought it would go to someone who actually would play more, but by being captain I was able to express myself in the weight room, get people to push themselves past their limit. We all did it together as a unit."
Thanks for the memories
Estelle plans to earn his master's degree in Business Administration by December and said he hopes to start a nonprofit that helps needy basketball players get to basketball camps and then gives them tutoring help while they're there. "After going through what I went through, working that hard to get where I've been, I know it's much easier if you have someone to help you," he said.
But he will leave with great memories, including getting to start last month against Chicago State on Senior Night, in the final home game of the regular season.
"This is one of the best things I've done in my life," he said. "I've gotten a chance to travel the world thanks to this. I went to Italy, went to Greece, got a chance to play at places such as Rupp Arena, Indiana, San Diego State, compete at a high level in that tournament in Las Vegas and win that, and I had a great coaching staff and got to meet other great people — Mr. (Brian) Mueller (GCU's president), Mr. (Jerry) Colangelo. It's been a phenomenal experience."
But maybe it takes another Havoc to put Estelle's experience into proper perspective.
"He sums up GCU as a whole — very hard-working, came from just being a regular student, saw his goal, worked his butt off to get to the goal and he made it," Williams said. "I think we all, as fellow students, really can get behind someone like that, someone who's really worked hard.
"You can see it on the court, too, when he comes in. He always brings that constant energy, and when he comes in there's just that different buzz."
There's only one way to say it: Thank you. This is what college athletics should be all about.
Athletes in the Community
GCU hosts sixth annual Run to Fight Cancer
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Academics | 3/12/2016 11:59:00 AM | Steven Gonzalez
GCU hosts sixth annual Run to Fight Cancer
PLAYERS MENTIONED
PHOENIX – Grand Canyon University and the community united together on Saturday to run in the sixth annual Run to Fight Children's Cancer held by the Grand Canyon University Foundation. Various sports went out to participate in the event by sharing laughs and cheering on the participants in the 5K and 10K.
"It was great to be a part of such a worthy cause," women's volleyball player Jordyn Sanchez said. "Seeing the passion and determination in everyone's eyes to stop this horrible disease was life changing."
Women's volleyball, beach volleyball and the men's and women's soccer teams all helped out at the event, standing at the start and finish lines, supporting the racers while they ran for a great cause. Cancer survivors dawned a gold cape during the race, showing that have persevered and not let a sickness define their lives but rather showed the strength and courage they have displayed throughout their lives.
All registration fees are donated directly to the Phoenix Children's Hospital and also the Children's Cancer Network. The Phoenix Children's Hospital has been providing health care since 1983 and is now one of the largest children's hospitals in the country. To date, the Grand Canyon University Foundation has raised nearly $375,000 to assist children and families that are dealing with this disease.
Both soccer teams set up an inflatable goal, where kids were able to fire off some kicks, showing off their skills. Even a surprise goalkeeper stepped in front of the kids as Thunder tried to prevent the kids from scoring.
"It was nice to have the sports come together and give back to the community especially when it is in our own backyard," women's soccer player Rebecca Pousma said. "Events like this really puts life into perspective while bringing people of all ages and cultures together."
If you are interested in getting involved with the Grand Canyon University Foundation, click here for more information.
Student Athletes
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Academics | 3/12/2016 11:59:00 AM | Steven Gonzalez
GCU hosts sixth annual Run to Fight Cancer
PLAYERS MENTIONED
PHOENIX – Grand Canyon University and the community united together on Saturday to run in the sixth annual Run to Fight Children's Cancer held by the Grand Canyon University Foundation. Various sports went out to participate in the event by sharing laughs and cheering on the participants in the 5K and 10K.
"It was great to be a part of such a worthy cause," women's volleyball player Jordyn Sanchez said. "Seeing the passion and determination in everyone's eyes to stop this horrible disease was life changing."
Women's volleyball, beach volleyball and the men's and women's soccer teams all helped out at the event, standing at the start and finish lines, supporting the racers while they ran for a great cause. Cancer survivors dawned a gold cape during the race, showing that have persevered and not let a sickness define their lives but rather showed the strength and courage they have displayed throughout their lives.
All registration fees are donated directly to the Phoenix Children's Hospital and also the Children's Cancer Network. The Phoenix Children's Hospital has been providing health care since 1983 and is now one of the largest children's hospitals in the country. To date, the Grand Canyon University Foundation has raised nearly $375,000 to assist children and families that are dealing with this disease.
Both soccer teams set up an inflatable goal, where kids were able to fire off some kicks, showing off their skills. Even a surprise goalkeeper stepped in front of the kids as Thunder tried to prevent the kids from scoring.
"It was nice to have the sports come together and give back to the community especially when it is in our own backyard," women's soccer player Rebecca Pousma said. "Events like this really puts life into perspective while bringing people of all ages and cultures together."
If you are interested in getting involved with the Grand Canyon University Foundation, click here for more information.
Student Athletes
GCU student-athletes attend MLB Diversity Business Summit
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Academics | 3/11/2016 9:02:00 PM | Steven Gonzalez
GCU student-athletes attend MLB Diversity Business Summit
PLAYERS MENTIONED
Photo Courtesy: Tom Tingle/AZCentral Sports
PHOENIX - Not only are the student-athletes at Grand Canyon University preparing on a daily basis for practice and games, but they are also preparing for life once they cannot compete on the field or on the court. GCU women's basketball players Kiara Clark,Courtney Hayes and Dana Jones recently attended the Major League Baseball (MLB) Diversity Business Summit, held by the Arizona Diamondbacks and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
"GCU offers a lot of opportunity off the court so as student-athletes we have to take full advantage of that," Hayes said. "We met a lot of great people at the event and we were exposed to what life is like at the MLB level behind the scenes."
The trio of Lopes had the opportunity to listen and learn from high executives across the MLB and then were given the chance to sit down one-on-one in an interview setting, to talk and network with some of the best the MLB has to offer. As the event piqued the GCU student-athlete's interest, associate director of academics and student-athlete development, Jason Frank, helped gather information to get the women to attend the summit. A simple activity like sitting down and talking with someone about working in the sports world was extremely valuable that the GCU student-athletes took away from the experience.
"The summit provided these girls an opportunity to get a feel for life in professional sports while they are in college," executive director of the MLB Players Association Tony Clark said. "It gives you an idea of how businesses function and it allows students to better equip themselves once they are ready to make that next step in their life."
Tony Clark's has a personal connection with GCU as his daughter, Kiara, currently plays for the GCU women's basketball team. Kiara has created her own path and represented GCU well by listening to stories and advice from people involved within professional sports.
Not only did MLB organizations attend the event, but marketing firms and companies that are involved with sports also partook in the event. GCU players got to meet with members from the Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks to talk about life after college and advice on how to succeed in the professional world.
"People knew right off the bat we were from GCU and it automatically gave us something to talk about and connect with," Kiara Clark said. "We were able to represent ourselves well because we came from a program where we can handle academics and athletics."
A wide variety of speakers approached GCU's student-athletes from retired athletes, to current executives, to entrepreneurs.
"It was huge for the three of us to get out in the real world and network," Jones said. "I have never had an opportunity like GCU gave me opportunities like this that I never had at other colleges. Overall I am just very blessed to have had opportunity to attend the seminar."
Men's Soccer
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Academics | 3/11/2016 9:02:00 PM | Steven Gonzalez
GCU student-athletes attend MLB Diversity Business Summit
PLAYERS MENTIONED
Photo Courtesy: Tom Tingle/AZCentral Sports
PHOENIX - Not only are the student-athletes at Grand Canyon University preparing on a daily basis for practice and games, but they are also preparing for life once they cannot compete on the field or on the court. GCU women's basketball players Kiara Clark,Courtney Hayes and Dana Jones recently attended the Major League Baseball (MLB) Diversity Business Summit, held by the Arizona Diamondbacks and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
"GCU offers a lot of opportunity off the court so as student-athletes we have to take full advantage of that," Hayes said. "We met a lot of great people at the event and we were exposed to what life is like at the MLB level behind the scenes."
The trio of Lopes had the opportunity to listen and learn from high executives across the MLB and then were given the chance to sit down one-on-one in an interview setting, to talk and network with some of the best the MLB has to offer. As the event piqued the GCU student-athlete's interest, associate director of academics and student-athlete development, Jason Frank, helped gather information to get the women to attend the summit. A simple activity like sitting down and talking with someone about working in the sports world was extremely valuable that the GCU student-athletes took away from the experience.
"The summit provided these girls an opportunity to get a feel for life in professional sports while they are in college," executive director of the MLB Players Association Tony Clark said. "It gives you an idea of how businesses function and it allows students to better equip themselves once they are ready to make that next step in their life."
Tony Clark's has a personal connection with GCU as his daughter, Kiara, currently plays for the GCU women's basketball team. Kiara has created her own path and represented GCU well by listening to stories and advice from people involved within professional sports.
Not only did MLB organizations attend the event, but marketing firms and companies that are involved with sports also partook in the event. GCU players got to meet with members from the Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks to talk about life after college and advice on how to succeed in the professional world.
"People knew right off the bat we were from GCU and it automatically gave us something to talk about and connect with," Kiara Clark said. "We were able to represent ourselves well because we came from a program where we can handle academics and athletics."
A wide variety of speakers approached GCU's student-athletes from retired athletes, to current executives, to entrepreneurs.
"It was huge for the three of us to get out in the real world and network," Jones said. "I have never had an opportunity like GCU gave me opportunities like this that I never had at other colleges. Overall I am just very blessed to have had opportunity to attend the seminar."
Men's Soccer
Men's soccer brings smiles at Foster Carnival
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Men's Soccer | 3/6/2016 10:59:00 AM | Steven Gonzalez
Men's soccer brings smiles at Foster Carnival
PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon men's soccer team was out and about in the community, giving back to the people that support them on the soccer field. The Lopes helped out at the 2016 Foster Carnival where they were able to share some laughs and talk with youth kids that are currently in foster homes.
"It is extremely important to give back to the community and I could not be more proud of our players," head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "This was an event that our players wanted to help out with because they see they impact they can have on children. We are thankful for the opportunity to lend a hand with this great event."
The 2016 Foster Carnival held over 1,500 kids and gave them the chance to visit multiple booths ranging from dancing, sitting in a helicopter and also the chance to kick the ball around with GCU soccer players. The team set up an inflatable goal, giving kids the chance to kick the ball around and fire off a few shots.
"It feels really good giving back because I was in the same situation not too long ago," Musa Morris said. "Knowing that kids my age want to come out here motivates me because I was once in their shoes. I grew up around here so I know what it means to the kids to see us out here hanging out with them."
A lot of laughs and pictures were shared with the foster kids and the young men that represent GCU soccer. It also gave the chance for the team to bond off the soccer field through events that the city of Phoenix put together at Encanto Park.
"This is my first time I have done this with the team and we are jumping into with smiles all around," Morris said. "It feels great to help out the community and this event is a sign of the next great four years I will spend at Grand Canyon University."
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NIV)
Grand Canyon University
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Men's Soccer | 3/6/2016 10:59:00 AM | Steven Gonzalez
Men's soccer brings smiles at Foster Carnival
PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon men's soccer team was out and about in the community, giving back to the people that support them on the soccer field. The Lopes helped out at the 2016 Foster Carnival where they were able to share some laughs and talk with youth kids that are currently in foster homes.
"It is extremely important to give back to the community and I could not be more proud of our players," head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "This was an event that our players wanted to help out with because they see they impact they can have on children. We are thankful for the opportunity to lend a hand with this great event."
The 2016 Foster Carnival held over 1,500 kids and gave them the chance to visit multiple booths ranging from dancing, sitting in a helicopter and also the chance to kick the ball around with GCU soccer players. The team set up an inflatable goal, giving kids the chance to kick the ball around and fire off a few shots.
"It feels really good giving back because I was in the same situation not too long ago," Musa Morris said. "Knowing that kids my age want to come out here motivates me because I was once in their shoes. I grew up around here so I know what it means to the kids to see us out here hanging out with them."
A lot of laughs and pictures were shared with the foster kids and the young men that represent GCU soccer. It also gave the chance for the team to bond off the soccer field through events that the city of Phoenix put together at Encanto Park.
"This is my first time I have done this with the team and we are jumping into with smiles all around," Morris said. "It feels great to help out the community and this event is a sign of the next great four years I will spend at Grand Canyon University."
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NIV)
Grand Canyon University
3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, Aeizona 85017, United States.
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