MAY 2016
GCU College of Education graduate Anthony Perez, a RODEL scholar and second grade teacher at Sunset Elementary School in Glendale, is one of 100 winners of the 2016 Winter Engineering Elementary Teacher Scholarship award. He is also invited to a prestigious development seminar in Boston.
COE alum chosen for engineering education programMarch 23, 2016 / by Bob Romantic / 3 Comments
Anthony Perez, a local second grade teacher and GCU alumnus, has won an impressive engineering scholarship. by Peter Corbett, GCU Today Bureau
Grand Canyon University alumnus Anthony Perez has a busy summer ahead of him.
He is one of 100 U.S. teachers awarded scholarships to attend an engineering program in Boston this summer
and is awaiting word on two other scholarships.
Perez, 33, teaches second grade at Sunset Elementary School in the Cartwright School District.
He was selected by the Museum of Science in Boston to attend its Engineering is Elementary curriculum program, developed by the museum’s National Center for Technological Literacy. Teachers from 24 states will be participating in the two-day program.
“There is a lack of teacher training in science and engineering for the primary grades,” Perez said. “Most of it is geared for junior high, but this is for little students.”
The $200,000 scholarship program is designed to help teachers integrate engineering in their classrooms. It includes travel expenses, room and board and materials that Perez can use in his classroom next school year.
“We launched the Engineering is Elementary program in 2003 with the express goal of supporting high-quality engineering education for all students — not just a chosen few — and starting at an early age,” saidChristine Cunningham, Museum of Science vice president.
Perez plans to attend a session in July but that could change if he is picked for one or both of the other teacher-training scholarships.
One is a social studies program in Colonial Williamsburg, the restored 18th century village in Virginia.
The other would be joining a research project with working scientists that could take him to Costa Rica, Italy or Peru.
Those scholarships should be awarded in April, he said.
Perez earned a graduate degree from GCU in 2011 and took part in the Rodel Foundation of Arizona’s Exemplary Teacher program. He was instrumental in helping the College of Education establish a partnership with the Rodel Foundation to develop and mentor teachers.
He is now in his fifth year of teaching in the primary grades.
This school year ends May 20, and Perez said he will be challenged over the final six weeks to ensure that his students get all their lessons done by then.
Contact Peter Corbett at (602) 639-7588 or peter.corbett@gcu.edu.
Are you starting a new job, changing departments or hiring new staff? Aysha Bell from GCU Career Services wants you to learn how to build rapport and develop camaraderie with new co-workers. Click below to find the three crucial steps for thriving in a new position.
Career Services: Building rapport and developing camaraderieApril 25, 2016 / by Rick Vacek / 0 Comment by Aysha Bell, GCU Career Services
It can be stressful and overwhelming being a new employee. It is also stressful for the hiring manager and/or supervisor when a new hire enters the workplace. These next two months are dedicated to helping both the manager and employee navigate the process for successfully building rapport and developing camaraderie.
This month will focus primarily on the new employee’s transition into a new work environment. It is critical for an individual starting a new job to take the following steps to integrate into a new team.
Step 1: Remain positive
When starting a new job, positivity is important. A new employee will meet quite a few people in the first few days/weeks on the job and also might need to learn many new systems, concepts and procedures. This can be overwhelming!
Attitude is critical during this time. New personnel can, technically, still be in the interview process during the first 90 days of employment. Employers will closely monitor how fresh team members are adapting to their roles. Therefore, remain polite and calm during this stage.
Also, do not forget to exchange the typical pleasantries. Greet fellow coworkers when entering the office and do not exclude housekeeping, security or facilities staff members. Additionally, please and thank youstill go a long way in establishing a solid reputation in the workplace.
Step 2: Practice integrity
It can be tempting when beginning a new job to attempt to take on too many responsibilities. Practice open communication with a new employer by asking clarifying questions regarding job duties. Also, if there is any area of misunderstanding, be sure to communicate expeditiously to avoid errors.
Remember, this is unfamiliar territory — tread carefully and steer clear of office politics. Circumstances might not be what they appear, and to involve oneself in situations without clear understanding of the details could be career ending, or at least career limiting.
Step 3: Relax and enjoy
Though it can be a busy time with a new job opportunity, remember all the hard work it took to get to this position! But remain grateful and stay engaged in the journey. This is a time of celebration and reaping the fruits of what might have been a strenuous process.
Career Services is always happy to answer any specific questions you might have about building rapport and developing camaraderie. We also offer assistance with researching career options, building a resume and conducting mock interviews. Call us at 602-639-6606 or stop by our office in Saguaro Hall to set up an appointment with a Career Advisor. Check out www.gcu.edu/careerservices to utilize any of our online tools, which are free to you for a lifetime!
The Office of Alumni Relations teamed up with Athletics to unite Lopes fans at GCU basketball and baseball games around the country! Read how the "Lopes on the Road" campaign is expanding and how the GCU community shows nationwide support in the newest issue of GCU Today Magazine!
‘Lopes on the Road’ makes GCU’s sense of community mobileApril 25, 2016 / by Rick Vacek / 0 Comment
(Editor’s note: This story is from the May 2016 issue of GCU Today Magazine. To view the digital version of the magazine, click here.) by Lauren Michelsen, GCU Today Magazine
Ask any Lope, past or present, what they love about Grand Canyon University, and the word “community” is bound to be heard many times over. With GCU recently surpassing 100,000 graduates and spreading its reach nationwide, the need to engage alumni, online students and off-campus staff is greater than ever, and “Lopes on the Road” does just that.
Head basketball coach Dan Majerle mingles with the crowd before games at “Lopes on the Road” events. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
The Alumni Relations and Athletics departments team up to stage Lopes on the Road, a family-oriented pregame reception that brings GCU fans — including parents of ground students — together before they go wild for the team at the game. They gather for a meal, collect free swag and get in the spirit.
This was the third basketball season of Lopes on the Road events, and they were so successful the departments have expanded the program to other sports. There have been Lopes on the Road events at two baseball games this season, and another one is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3 in San Jose, Calif.
“Other schools look at us like, ‘Where did all these GCU people come from?’” Vice President of Athletics Mike Vaught said.
It’s not unusual for purple-clad GCU fans to take up a whole section in the opposing team’s arena. “As an athlete, it’s good to not feel like it’s ‘me against the world,’” Vaught said. “It’s good to have people on your side.”
While Lopes on the Road provides a support system for athletes, it also creates a sense of camaraderie between fellow alumni and non-traditional students by “bringing a piece of campus to them,” said Kimberlee Marlow, director of alumni relations. “The interest level and attendance has exceeded our expectations.”
“I’ve had the ability to meet fellow students, alumni and even GCU staff members that I would not have been able to previously meet thanks to the ‘Road’ programs,” said Nick Roberts, a former online student and the Seattle alumni chapter president. “Getting to watch the team go out there and represent our school makes such an impact when you’re so far away. It really loops you into the campus.”
The big Lopes on the Road turnouts have shown that the togetherness at GCU events is not exclusive to the west Phoenix campus. “The GCU community is amazing and improving every day,” said Erik Adams, a former online student.
No matter whether it’s on campus or far, far away.
Pastor Dionne Arceneaux
Colangelo College of Business, Classes of 2006 and 2008
Pastor Dionne N. Arceneaux, affectionately called Pastor Di' (dee) is an ordained pastor at The Living Word Bible Church. Dionne has served in ministry for over 20 years. She serves as a Senior Manager and Project Manager and currently oversees over 10 areas of ministry. Pastor Dionne's teaching style is sharp, funny, witty and authentic. Whenever she teaches, she always ask attendees "did you learn somethin' and did you have a good time?" She graduated in 2006 with a B.S. in Organizational Sociology and received her EMBA in 2008 from Grand Canyon University. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member for the Colangelo College of Business.
MAY
3 Lopes on the Road - Baseball
v. San Jose St.
6 pm MAY
11-14 Outdoor Track and Field
Rock Chalk Park
Lawrence, KS
MAY
11 Professional Development Sessions
4 pm at Davis County School District
Farmington, UT MAY
19-21 Baseball
University of Texas in Rio Grande Valley
There were significant messages amid the tears of joy as spring commencement began April 22. GCU Arena hosted six ceremonies over four days to celebrate the graduates in the Class of 2016! Find interesting stories of the newest Lope Alumni from each graduation day including the traditional campus ceremonies and daystwo and three of non-traditional campus graduates.
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Commencement Day 1: There’s a lot to shout aboutApril 22, 2016 / by Rick Vacek / 0 Comment
The reactions of graduates is always one of the best parts of commencement. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
GCU News Bureau Staff
Changes, challenges and the challenges of changes were recurring themes Friday morning in spring commencement for traditional students at Grand Canyon University.
Brittany Holen addresses the morning commencement session. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
Before a huge crowd in GCU Arena, graffiti artist and leadership guru Erik Wahldelivered a commencement address filled with important messages about changing the world. Then student speakerBrittany Holen of the Colangelo College of Business followed right after with a spirited talk that openly challenged students to make the most of what she called “adulting.”
“Transformation — we sure have a lot of it around here,” Holen said, listing all the places on campus that changed in her time here.
But those changes, she suggested, have made GCU students more able to adapt with the inevitable transformations they will encounter in their lives. And then she posed this question:
“When we find our purpose, will we have the courage to pursue it?”
That’s exactly what Wahl, back at GCU after speaking at winter 2015 commencement, was getting at as he told the story of how he never started drawing until he was 30 and was at rock bottom, his career in business popped by the bursting dot.com bubble.
Graffiti artist Erik Wahl draws a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
He said he had “intentionally repressed” his artistic ability for 20 years because of a discouraging teacher who didn’t like the way he colored outside the lines. He no doubt has found his purpose now, as he demonstrated when he quickly drew portraits of Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein — the latter upside down.
After asking the graduates to raise their hands if they liked to draw — and getting few affirmative responses, of course — Wahl pointed out that preschoolers would have a far more positive reaction. “How are you going to reawaken that beginner’s mind?” he asked the audience.
He pointed to Lincoln’s declaration that “the greatest growth is on the border between chaos and order,” and he used the Einstein portrait to urge listeners to “think like no one has ever thought before” and not be afraid to make mistakes.
“Failure is not the opposite of success,” he said. “Rather, it’s part of success.”
Just as challenge is part of change.
—Rick Vacek
Big crowds filled the Arena on Friday for both traditional commencements. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
Popular place to be
The student speaker for the afternoon session was Austen Barraclough of the College of Theology, who, like Holen, had an important message for students.
“I urge you to consider what kind of contribution you intend to make (to society),” he said, noting that it’s easy, for example, to create chaos when your intention is to bring peace.
He also warned of expecting other people to think or act like us. “Never stop seeking new perspectives,” he said.
The Arena was packed to the rafters for both sessions Friday (657 graduates and 5,596 guests in the morning, 673 and 5,779 in the afternoon), and the crowds are expected to be even bigger Saturday for nontraditional (online) commencement sessions at 1 and 6 p.m. A word to the wise: Get there early.
—Rick Vacek
Joshua Braun is congratulated by a classmate after receiving his diploma. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
Braun takes care of business off the court, too
There probably were more than a few GCU basketball fans who were alarmed to hear this name called at commencement:
Joshua Braun.
Hey, wait a minute, they might have thought — wasn’t he only a sophomore?
Don’t worry. He’s not going anywhere. Braun redshirted his first year at GCU and got his business administration degree in three years, so he still has two years of eligibility remaining. He plans to pursue his master’s degree next.
“Really, nothing will change except that,” he said, adding that he will remain on campus for summer workouts.
Kathy and Dave Braun
But it still was a proud moment for his parents, Dave and Kathy Braun of Anthem, especially considering the four knee surgeries he had to overcome in high school to realize his dream of playing college basketball.
“He kept saying, ‘Don’t give up on that,’” Kathy said. “He always had faith.”
Both of his parents were athletes — Dave played soccer, Kathy volleyball. And they also talked Friday of how much of a “blessing” their son’s achievements are. Funny … that’s the word he always uses. Now we know where he gets it.
—Rick Vacek
Dewayne Russell shows how he feels about getting his diploma. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
The sports connection didn’t stop there
Braun wasn’t the only member of the basketball team’s backcourt to receive a diploma. Point guard Dewayne Russell got his communications degree in the afternoon commencement session.
Like Braun, he’s not going anywhere. During the just completed season, he was granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA.
There also were two other graduates with nationally famous basketball names in the afternoon session — Michael Jordan andBlake Griffin. Just a coincidence, of course. We might have noticed if one of those guys was on campus.
No commencement would be complete without bubbles. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
The afternoon also featured a little frivolity. The new graduates broke out a couple of beachballs before they got ready to process out, and one of them was blowing bubbles, too. All in good fun.
Speaking of that closing procession, there’s nothing quite like one graduate after another walking tall and proud and straight-backed, waving to family and friends and just looking radiant. They are greeted in the Arena lobby by the University’s top executives and faculty leaders, applauding as they walk out. Quite a scene.
—Rick Vacek
Heidi Bailey, mother of 5, earned her GCU degree in forensic science.
GCU degree taught her how smart she really is
Heidi Bailey, 35, a forensic science major and mother of five, was in her element at GCU’s Forensic Science Day earlier this year.
Standing by a fingerprint display, she enthusiastically told onlookers that more than 65 percent of our fingertips contain “loops,” 35 percent have whorls (a pattern of spirals or concentric circles) and only 5 percent have plain or tented arches.
Off to the side, her husband, Dustin Bailey, a GCU instructional designer, and daughter, Eliana, 15, listened with admiration.
“This is the single best thing that has ever happened to my wife. It meets all her strengths of personality and interests,” said Dustin, who himself is earning a master’s of science degree in counseling at GCU. “I see her as more confident and realizing how smart she really is.”
Heidi agreed: GCU’s forensic science program “makes me rise up, completely and totally, to thinking outside of the box,” she said.
Bailey, who graduated today with her bachelor’s degree in forensic science, has come a long way from some of her prior jobs as a custodian and teacher’s aide.
“It still doesn’t feel real to me,” she said. “This school is a blessing. It’s a complete blessing.” —Laurie Merrill
Megan Flores
New grad caps a dual degree, a job and an adventure
At 16 years old, she was looking for nothing more but an exciting volunteer opportunity. During that time, Megan Flores started spending a lot of hours next to her sister, a nurse in the emergency room at Maricopa Medical Center.
As time went by, the 22-year-old discovered a high respect for her sister and a genuine passion for medicine, and she eventually pursued a double major in pre-medicine and psychology.
“Although my goal is to be a doctor, nurses make just as big of an impact,” Flores said. “I know it sounds cheesy, but what I liked most about being in the hospital setting was being able to make someone smile when it was the hardest time of their life — whether it was bring them a warm blanket or a cup of water. The small differences can really light patients up.”
After six years of volunteering at the hospital and contributing on a research project concerning snakebite medicines, Flores was hired a part-time as a research associate. Still, she worked straight through to her degree and fulfilled her role as president of the Honors College Club.
Flores said she intends to continue on to medical school, but first she’s taking a celebratory road trip to Yosemite Valley – a graduation surprise from her family.
“I threw it out in the air and I didn’t think they would do anything about it – come to find out, we’re actually going to go out there this weekend,” Flores said. “I’m excited to go hiking and camping, but I’m hoping there will be no bears.”
—Jeannette Cruz
Lemmy Gitahi (far left) is proud of the growth of the Canyon Challenge.
Business star says it’s their dean who shines
It’s pretty easy to see why the Colangelo College of Business has turned out so many top-notch graduates the last two years: It coincides with the arrival of its dean, Dr. Randy Gibb.
And don’t think the students haven’t noticed.
“Dr. Gibb is amazing,” saidLemmy Gitahi, president of the IDEA Club, which together with Gibb and Tim Kelley, assistant professor for entrepreneurship and economics, has managed the stunning development of the Canyon Challenge entrepreneurial competition. “He’s always trying to help me achieve my goals.
Dr. Randy Gibb, dean of the Colangelo College of Business, rewards a student with her diploma. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
“Every time I walk into his office, he gives me at least five minutes no matter how busy he is. And when he says he’s going to follow up, he does it. He’s very selfless — you don’t find that in a lot of people.”
Gitahi’s work has shown that he possesses many of those same qualities. The Nairobi, Kenya, native has gone from Canyon Challenge finalist in 2014 to mentor for other competitors and delights in the way the quality of the entries has kept improving.
“I’m very proud of that, to be honest,” he said. “I’m excited to see where it’s going to be five years down the line.”
Next up for Gitahi, after earning his forensic science degree from GCU, is the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, from which Kelley graduated in 2004. He also sells commercial real estate for SANTE Realty Investments in Tempe.
But he won’t be far from GCU. He’ll still mentor other budding entrepreneurs — he’s just trying to be more like his dean.
—Rick Vacek
Maya Hinojos displays her DECA plaques.
She didn’t rest until she closed the deal
Maya Hinojos has her own reason for being thankful to Gibb and Kelley: They helped her sell 1,863 beds to GCU.
How’s that? Simple. She manages Comfort-Pedic Furniture, the business her father, Guillermo, started six years ago — she worked for him from the very beginning. With help from her CCOB mentors, which included Paul Waterman, she was able to close a deal for the beds that will go into new apartment buildings on campus.
“Without them, I don’t think I would have been able to even start that sale,” she said.
But Hinojos, who majored in business administration and minored in entrepreneurial studies, showed during her time at GCU that she’s hardly a sales wallflower. She was the president of CCOB’s chapter of DECA, an international association of marketing students, and this week won first place in Professional Sales at its International Career Development Conference in Washington, D.C.
The skills she used at that conference are the same ones that have enabled her to successfully sell furniture.
“I love talking to people. I love meeting people,” she said. “I’m very passionate about owning my time.”
She plans to focus on her dad’s business for the next year, but after that she’d like to get into furniture design. But she first might need to get more comfortable with her college days being over.
“I don’t want to leave,” she said. “Without GCU, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
Don’t sleep on her future.
—Rick Vacek
David LaJeunesse, joined by Dr. Randy Gibb, the CCOB dean (left), and Jerry Colangelo, for whom the college is named, displays one of his Overflow Bottles.
Overflowing with good memories
David LaJeunesse has been thinking a lot about what this day will be like. He has been journaling extensively in recent weeks and reads some of it to the interviewer. “This is very bittersweet,” he says. “I love it here.”
But now that it’s time to go, his degree in finance and economics (with a minor in Christian studies) secured in just three years, he also is at peace with what he has accomplished.
“I feel real satisfied with what college has been for me,” he says. “I feel like I’ve given a ton.”
What he also has given is something far more valuable to some people in the world — water. During his time at GCU, LaJeunesse created a startup, Overflow Bottle, that sells water bottles. All of the proceeds go toward digging new wells in third-world countries, and he’s pleased that he was able to raise $1,200 for such a well in India.
“It’s not a lot,” he says, “but it’s something. It’s a start.”
And like so many graduates, he already has a job. He’s a client relationship specialist with Vanguard, a job he was offered in October. “Their values line up with mine,” he says.
But first he has to show his values in another way. In a week and a half he leaves on a mission trip to the Middle East — he can’t say where for security reasons. He will go there mindful of what he is leaving behind.
“Community happens naturally at GCU,” he says.
He was an important part of it.
—Rick Vacek
They call her ‘Ms. V’
Jessica Ventura, a College of Education major, is the first in her family to graduate.
Jessica Ventura has been a devoted teacher since she was in middle school. The California student found that she was constantly tutoring her classmates in math, all through high school, and later realized her calling – teaching.
Ventura graduated with a bachelor’s degree from theCollege of Education, and she praised the program to the skies. She especially credited her professors and mentors Brandon Juarez and Jim Mostafo for their genuine support.
“I wholeheartedly believe that because of professors like them, I am able to teach so much better,” Ventura said.
Originally, Ventura said she wanted to teach middle school, but after her teaching experience at Alhambra High School, she said her heart is on teaching high school students.
“I love my students,” Ventura said. “They are so influential — some have really hard home lives, and I see them really push through the classroom every single day.”
Ventura said she most enjoys hearing “Ms. V” and bumping into them around the Phoenix neighborhood.
“I can say that everything worked out for me. My students are a reassurance that my purpose is to teach,” she said.
—Jeannette Cruz
New grad has a funny kind of story
DeeSember Corrales
Through her experience at GCU over the last few years, DeeSember Corrales has learned several things — her unique name is significant to her personality, she was called to be a leader and anything is achievable.
As for her name, her parents came up with it while reading an article in a December magazine issue. It’s a story that will never get old, she said: “I’m really thankful that my name is unique because it matches my personality — optimistic and energetic.”
Some students arrive with set-in-stone plans, but Corrales spent her time searching for her passion. She changed her major three times and eventually stuck with business management and never looked back —a decision she does not regret.
She also recently accepted a full-time position as an online enrollment counselor for the Colangelo College of Business, where she hopes to share her passion with incoming students.
“I realized that I was cutting myself too short,” Corrales said. “I am confident that I can give back to the community while leading with the heart of a servant and integrating my faith. I’m excited.”
And so were the 32 of her family members rooting her.
—Jeannette Cruz
He is proud of his spontaneous move
Adriel Nuñez
Twenty-two year old Adriel Nuñez has known for years that he wanted to be a doctor someday. But what he didn’t expect was to leave his California hometown during his freshman year of college. It all happened when he was watching the Super Bowl three years ago and noticed a GCU advertisement.
“I really wanted to go to a private Christian school, and after exploring the school online, I applied that same night,” he said.
Within a week, Nuñez had his heart set. His first day on campus was also his first time ever seeing it, he said.
Although it was spontaneous, Nuñez said he is glad it happened that way. He was a resident assistant, worked several events on campus and consumed as many spiritual events on campus that he could.
“It was everything I could have ever wanted,” he said.
—Jeannette Cruz
CSET graduate proudly walks by faith
Natalie Gonzalez
Natalie Gonzalez has a very personal reason why she chose to study human biology. The new grad experienced many near death experiences as a child — from meningitis to presumed brain damage and a kidney infection.
“Basically, my parents were told to prepare my deathbed,” Gonzalez said.
But the family held on to their faith. Today, Gonzalez is alive, healthy and proud of her story. It’s no wonder when she graduated Friday, she was all smiles.
“It’s funny how life took a turn,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many times the doctors shut their doors on us, so my mother had to take me to Mexico to find treatment.”
Gonzalez would love to go into physical therapy to “build one-on-one relationships with people.” But, first, she is going to officially move from Arlington, Texas, to Tempe, where she will attend discipleship school.
“I never thought I’d leave Arlington, but Phoenix has definitely grown on me,” she said. “There’s a large, young, hipster culture here and so many beautiful mountains. Whenever I’m up there, I feel closer to God.”
—Jeannette Cruz
Concert pianist with a double major in helping others
Reisto Belovich graduated Friday with a double major in piano and counseling.
Piano? Counseling?
Reisto Belovich couldn’t decide which major he liked more, so he chose both. Friday, he graduated from GCU’s College of Fine Arts and Production with a double major in piano performance and substance-abuse counseling.
“When I first came here, I was at a crossroads. I loved the piano very much. I had my doubts about wanting to stay in a practice room four or five hours a day,” he said.
He decided to pursue a counseling degree because he has a an aptitude for helping people. But the piano continued to beckon.
“Music is such a big part of me,” he said. “I couldn’t let it go and not pursue it. When I realized I could actually do both degrees and graduate in four years, it was definitely appointed by God that it happened.”
In addition to his studies, he has a job in a substance-abuse treatment center’s marketing department, was Counseling Club president, a section leader for both the Canyon Chorale and Choral Society, and a music theory tutor.
His GCU piano teacher, Dr. Jelena Vladikovic, gave him a rave: “He’s a wonderful pianist, incredible human being, works outside the University … and as a peer tutor, participates in other music activities within the school, plays chamber music with other students, accompanies the choir, and does all of that while managing to be a straight-A student.”
Belovich, 21, a lifelong Arizonan, said he attempted to fully embrace the myriad opportunities GCU offered.
“The community of people is one of the most incredible things I’ve experienced here,” he said. “It’s amazing the quality of the faculty that are drawn to this place.”
What’s next? He hopes to translate his love of music composition into film scoring.
To hear Belovich’s piano playing, click here.
—Laurie Merrill
International student becomes more than ‘part of the crowd’
Nikita Pradhan
By now, Nikita Pradhan has done the unthinkable.
The 21-year-old moved from India to Nogales, Ariz., with her parents just five years ago and then arrived in Phoenix by herself to pursue her college education. It was her first time away from everything she had known, and Pradhan admits she was petrified about settling into her new dorm. And, as if being shy wasn’t painful enough, Pradhan said she never had a roommate.
Pradhan said she isn’t sure whether it was bad luck or fate, but she was able to find her place on campus when she joined Life Group and the Associated Students of Grand Canyon University.
“When I got to Arizona, I really had no expectations because everything was so foreign to me, but I’ve had so much growth since I got here,” Pradhan said. “I came here because I wanted to be more than someone stuck inside of a larger crowd. Somehow, this experience pulled me out of my little shell.”
And, it didn’t stop there. Pradhan instructed students in math at the Learning Lounge and volunteered at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix while finding time to complete her degree in Health Care Administration.
Now, Pradhan said that she has the confidence to continue stepping out of her comfort zone.
She has been accepted into an East Coast medical school and will have to decide soon whether to go. But her ultimate dream is to work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Georgia.
—Jeannette Cruz
From left, Megan Armstrong, Erin Jones and Britnee Van Tyle became best friends while earning their bachelors of science in counseling degrees.
Best friends for life
These three women studied together and were buddies together, and on Friday they graduated together wearing mortarboards they decorated together.
“We all took the same class, and there was a two-hour break afterward,” said Erin Jones, 22, sitting with Britnee Van Tyle, 24, and Megan Armstrong, 22.
All three earned bachelors of science in counseling degrees from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and all wore the gold cords indicating honors status.
“We started to have lunch together. Then we started hanging out outside of class together,” Van Tyle said.
They planned a Miley Cyrus-themed birthday party for Jones’ birthday and are organizing a ’90s-theme party for the summer.
You can also catch them on Instagram at #counselingcrew, Van Tyle said, adding they’re “best friends for life!”
—Laurie Merrill
From left, Ricardo Laborin, Anthony Julian and Jasmin Tomic
What rivalry?
Like oil and water, sometimes vocalists and instrumentalists don’t blend.
But tuba player and percussionistRicardo Laborin and saxophonist Anthony Julian are fast friends with vocalist Jasmin Tomic.
You may have seen Laborin and Julian in the Thundering Heard, where they met, or Tomic in the Choral Society and Canyon Chorale.
“It’s unusual for us to collaborate together,” said Laborin, who just received a job offer from a Phoenix high school. “There’s a rivalry.”
On Friday, all three graduated from the College of Fine Arts and Production. Laborin and Julian earned bachelor of arts degrees in music education, while Tomic’s was in music with an emphasis on voice performance.
Their collaboration continued as they sat near each other while waiting for graduation to begin.
—Laurie Merrill
Jasmine Shaw
It’s a ‘warm sunshine smile’
Jasmine Shaw, 22, waited serenely as the Arena filled up and she prepared to receive her bachelor’s in counseling from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
For her, GCU is the definition of happiness. The warmth of the community and the expertise and caring of the professors wraps her in a glow.
“It’s the warm sunshine smile,” she said.
She’s weighing two hospital job offers, but she already is planning on getting her master’s degree from GCU.
“I have to,” she said with a grin. “I can’t imagine going anywhere else.”
—Laurie Merrill
Olivia Gurney
It’s the real world now
After graduating Friday with a bachelor of science in justice studies from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and a minor in business administration, Olivia Gurney has plans.
First, she’s going to earn a master’s in business management from GCU. Then, she’s going to law school out of state, preferably back east.
She’s excited for the future even though it’s a change.
“I’ll miss being able to wake up, take class and do whatever I like,” Gurney said. “Now I’m in the real world.”
—Laurie Merrill
Hannah Holcheff
She wants to use her degree to open a business
Hannah Nolcheff, 21, will miss the wonderful fellowship and community of GCU, but she’s ready to move on.
“I’ve been encouraged and blessed by the entire student body,” said Nolcheff, who wears a Bible verse inside a jar in a necklace a friend made.
She plans to build a career on her bachelor of arts in digital design with an emphasis on web design from the College of Fine Arts and Production.
In the short run, she wants to find a job in marketing, web design or graphics. She was a student worker for four years in GCU’s marketing department, primarily promoting GCU to high school students.
In the long run? “I hope to start my own business.”
—Laurie Merrill
Melissa Brown
A graduate’s childhood dream comes true
You’ll giggle a bit if you ask Melissa Brown at what moment in time she knew she wanted to be a nurse. She was in kindergarten when she was cast in a play about getting over the fear of going to the doctor. Brown played the nurse.
“It just felt right,” Brown remembered.
As the daughter of a pastor, Brown said she chose GCU to practice her faith and build her future.
“I value my faith, I love science and I love to help people, so this was the perfect combination of things,” Brown said.
GCU provided the 26-year-old the friendships, encouragement and training she needed to build confidence to go out into the field, she said.
Brown already has several job offers to choose from, and she received another the morning of graduation.
Although she hasn’t made her decision yet, Brown said she already feels as if she is living her childhood dream.
—Jeannette Cruz
Couple succeeds together
Amy and Bijan Mahlouji
The day of graduation fills Bijan and Amy Mahlouji with overwhelming joy.
Bijan helps Amy put on her cap and carefully fixes her hair. They’ve been married for eight months and still can’t believe how much their lives have changed since they met four years ago.
Bijan said he found out about GCU at a concert back home in Colorado. He was convinced to visit the GCU table offering free backpacks and T-shirts, and although he was hesitant, he signed up to receive more information about the school. Just like that, after a long time of questioning his ability to make it through college, GCU happened — and it came with an even more special package.
Bijan met Amy while still living in Colorado, at a dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory hosted by GCU. The two became close friends, began dating their sophomore year at GCU and married last July.
On campus, Bijan served as a life leader, joined the Honors College and founded his own club among his group of friends. Amy pursued a degree in nursing and obtained a job at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center.
One graduate was so delighted, she broke into an impromptu dance onstage — and kept going awhile. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
Bijan said he would like to go into the seminary. His ultimate goal is to be a pastor.
“Being here at the Arena today, I feel very nostalgic because I remember the first trip Amy and I took as friends to see a Switchfoot concert in California and the memories created at each of the dorm rooms,” Bijan said.
“For me, it just reminds me of all the Chapel and basketball games,” Amy said.
After commencement, the couple celebrated with a dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory — this time, married, graduated and in Phoenix.
—Jeannette Cruz
From the classroom to the dugout
Keijiro Kitashiro, 25, will be spending his summer in Reno, Nev., doing an internship as a strength and conditioning trainer with the Reno Aces baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Class AAA affiliate. He earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science after four years at GCU.
Kitashiro, a native of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, said he enjoyed his time at GCU and learning about American culture.
“I used to play baseball,” he said. “Now I like the golf.”
—Peter Corbett
Now that’s a good combination. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
Mortarboard messages display personalities
Lauren Thompson’s mortarboard read: “She believed she could do it so she did.”
Thompson, 22, of Ranch Cucamonga, Calif., earned a bachelor of science degree with a pre-med emphasis and graduated cum laude.
Thompson said her mortarboard message is a statement about her being the youngest and first of three siblings and four cousins to graduate from college. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in California or Virginia.
Some of the other mortarboard messages included:
“Teacher — See the ability, not the disability”
“God is within her and she will not fail.”
“The Time is Meow.”
Students lined up to walk across the stage to get their diplomas in a wide variety of footwear, from purple and black tennis shoes to tall heels and even a walking-boot cast. Two grads-to-be carried their heels as they walked outside the arena in their bare feet.
—Peter Corbett
The Class of 2016 enjoyed itself at commencement. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
There’s nothing better than seeing a student’s eyes light up
Grace Malave, 23, gave two exuberant hugs to her former dorm roommate Danielle Maelleo when they met outside the arena before commencement.
“I am excited,” Malave said. “All this hard work. This is a relief and GCU made it all possible.”
She is graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education with an emphasis on English and completing her student teaching at Valley Lutheran High School in Phoenix.
A native of Puerto Rico, she moved to Gilbert when she was 15 years old.
Malave said GCU helped her complete her education with scholarships and a good placement for student teaching.
“I am passionate about teaching,” she said. “There’s nothing better than seeing a student’s eyes light up, when something clicks with them. …It’s like seeing the Holy Spirit.”
—Peter Corbett
Many new grads showed off their diplomas to family and friends during the closing procession. (Photo by Darryl Webb)
The first of five siblings to graduate from college
Edgar Rivera, 22, of Durango, Mexico, was standing with his parents, Ramon and Marfina Rivera, outside the arena before picking up his diploma. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in business administration after transferring from the University of Illinois.
“This is a significant event in my life,” said Rivera, adding that he is the first among five siblings to graduate from college.
His father, a high school history teacher, is very proud of him, said Rivera, translating for his dad.
“This is one more accomplished goal among many more to come,” Ramon Rivera said.
The Riveras planned to celebrate with a buffet lunch at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale.
Rivera said he will be spending the summer in Mexico doing an internship and hopes to pursue a master’s degree in finance.
Students from all colleges flexed their innovative minds at the fifth annual Canyon Challenge. This competition awards the best business for innovation, development and entrepreneurism. Click to read about the winner whose business model redefines the raffle business and fundraising efforts of philanthropic organizations and nonprofits. Raffle Boss wins the big prize in Canyon ChallengeApril 14, 2016 / by Rick Vacek / 0 Comment
From left: Dr. Randy Gibb, dean of the Colangelo College of Business; Tim Kelley, assistant professor for entrepreneurship and economics; Canyon Challenge judge Sheldon Harris; Raffle Boss founders Erick Roman and Katalina Inzunza; and the other judges, Dr. Lori Soukup, Brad Jannenga, Phoenix Vice Mayor Daniel Valenzuela and GCU President Brian Mueller.
Story by Rick Vacek
Photos by Darryl Webb
GCU News Bureau
The look on Katalina Inzunza’s face said it all. The president of the Psychology Club at Grand Canyon University had just won the fifth annual Canyon Challenge entrepreneurial competition Wednesday night, and she didn’t know what to think — but she sure was psyched up.
Moments before, Inzunza and her business partner, Erick Roman, had literally dropped their jaws and bulged their eyes in unison when GCU President Brian Mueller paused for a second as he was announcing the winner of the judges’ deliberations. He mentioned the possibility of the new startup forming a partnership with the University, and she was sure he was going to say the name of one of the other four finalists.
The Canyon Challenge judges deliberate before announcing the winners.
But then, finally, he said it: Raffle Boss, designed to help raffles become more profitable and accessible, had won the $7,000 first prize.
“We just turned to each other, and it was crazy,” she said.
Not crazy at all, said Mueller, who was joined on the judging panel by Brad Jannenga, cofounder of WebPT and voted one of the Top Entrepreneurs in Arizona by The Arizona Republic;Sheldon Harris, former Coldstone Creamery president and now a partner with CEO Coaching International;Dr. Lori Soukup, a longtime entrepreneur in the hospitality business; and Phoenix vice mayor and District 5 councilman Daniel Valenzuela.
“I think it was the most obvious addressable market and would fill an immediate need, especially for philanthropic organizations or nonprofits,” Mueller said. “When raffles are for nonprofits, people want to get involved. If they win, that’s great, but if they don’t win, they’re fine with that because they’re making a contribution.
GCU President Brian Mueller announces the winners.
“I think our Canyon Christian Schools Consortium would have a way to get in the raffle business in a much bigger way. I think our network could really help them.”
A lot of fledgling businesses got helped Wednesday night — by the judges, by the crowd of 1,000 at GCU Arena and by people watching the proceedings online.
TailSpace, which seeks to put customizable digital advertising boards on the backs of trucks, was voted second by the judges and received $2,000, and Near, a location-based application designed to help people connect with nearby users, got the $1,000 third prize.
But the audience also got its say in an online vote, and it had a much different opinion. Own Wood, which would put wooden emblems, such as the geographical shape of a state, on hats and other gear, was the winner, earning $2,500, and Near’s second-place finish in that contest was worth $1,500.
There also was a $1,000 award for the best lobby presentation, and that vote went to Narratus, a gaming-adventure application in which users can “play” a story.
So that means that all five finalists walked away with much needed cash to fund their ideas. And that doesn’t even include Storage Together, which didn’t make the final five in the Canyon Challenge but was the best GCU finisher in the recent Arizona Collegiate Venture Competition (ACVC) and won $3,500.
Dr. Randy Gibb, dean of the Colangelo College of Business, addresses the crowd at the start of the evening.
“I think it’s a great representation of all the different ideas, and everybody’s got some money at the end of the day,” said Tim Kelley, assistant professor for entrepreneurship and economics at GCU and the master of ceremonies Wednesday night.
Raffle Boss didn’t participate in the ACVC, “so to have them pitch right out of the gate and nail it is really impressive. I think they were able to show the judges that they had identified a clear problem and that they have a solution for it, and they inspired the judges to back them,” Kelley said.
What also made Kelley happy was that the quality and sophistication of both the entries and the presentations was so outstanding. Each 10-minute pitch began with a professional-looking video produced by students.
“It’s beginning to leverage all the different pieces we have on campus, and I think it’s exciting,” he said.
The student-created videos for the presentations added a professional-looking touch.
Dr. Randy Gibb, dean of theColangelo College of Business, also was excited about the fact that Inzunza is a psychology major, one year after one of the five finalists was a nursing student. The IDEA Club, which manages the competition, is available to all students, not just business majors, and when the Lope Lab opens in the fall there will be yet another avenue for new product development.
“Any student with an idea to solve a problem is welcome,” Gibb said. “That is the cross-campus collaboration and inclusiveness of Lope entrepreneurism.”
That sense of community extended to the makeup of the crowd Wednesday, which included members of 2015 Canyon Challenge finalists Joblyt and Prayer Packages, movers and shakers in the CCOB entrepreneurial push such as Jon Ruybalid and Paul Waterman, members of the CCOB advisory board, prominent people from the community, and, maybe most important, other students watching their peers profit from their ideas.
“This will spur more ideas,” Gibb said. “Students are sitting up there thinking, ‘That should be me.’”
But this time it was people like Inzunza and Roman, former classmates at Trevor G. Browne High School in Phoenix. Roman, who now attends St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, was having difficulty trying to raffle off some San Antonio Spurs tickets for a fraternity fundraiser late last year when he got the Raffle Boss idea. He was so excited about it, he called Inzunza in the middle of the night.
“He said, ‘Bear with me. I’m going to send you an email with these ramblings,’” she recalled. “They wereramblings, but it made sense. I thought it was something we could develop.”
Tim Kelley congratulates Erick Roman and Katalina Inzunza after they won.
So they began working on it in earnest in December. That’s how fast these things can happen — four months later, they have $7,000 in seed money from the Canyon Challenge and potentially could get a lot more.
“As we walked off the stage, I had a lot of people approach me and give me business cards — Seed Spot (the prominent Phoenix business incubator) and investment companies that want to schedule meetings with us to develop our idea or maybe potentially give us more capital to start,” she said.
“Obviously, we have some incentive to look for them now that we know that people actually value the idea. They’ll see that these esteemed judges voted for it and we won this contest, so it might give them an incentive to invest in us.”
Inzunza is set to graduate from GCU next week and hopes to go on to get a master’s in professional counseling. Roman is still a sophomore at St. Mary’s, where he majors in finance and risk management. Their plate suddenly got a little more filled up, but they’ll happily dig in.
“I still cannot believe it,” Roman said.
And they aren’t the only ones who could be getting even more help from GCU. Mueller said he scheduled a meeting Thursday with the Own Wood guys, Mack Olsen and Marcus Harvey, to talk about personally investing in their company.
“I think they’ve got a good idea and they understand what they’re doing,” he said.
The spirit of entrepreneurship just keeps flowing and growing at GCU, and, like a good raffle, a lot of people are benefiting. It’s the winning ticket.
Contact Rick Vacek at (602) 639-8203 or rick.vacek@gcu.edu.
The first full album by the Center for Worship Arts has ben released on iTunes, Amazon and Rhapsody! The album contains the three songs from last year's EP, plus seven new songs. "Some of the best songs I've ever heard are on this album," said Dr. John Frederick, the CWA manager. Read more about the writing and producing experience! <iframe width="620" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UGIgWS9LgDw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
‘Amazing’ Canyon Worship album releasedApril 08, 2016 / by Rick Vacek / 0 Comment by Rick Vacek, GCU News Bureau
As manager of the Center for Worship Arts at Grand Canyon University, Dr. John Frederick’s mission is to mentor young Christian songwriters. Clearly, he’s succeeding — just take a listen to the first Canyon Worship EP last year.
But given Frederick’s background in music and his considerable candidness, you have to pay attention when he gets absolutely lyrical about the CWA’s first full album, which has been released on iTunes,Amazon and Rhapsody.
Kylie Foster (left) and Graham Harper collaborated on “Beloved.”
“I’ve done music my whole life. I’ve worked with songwriters from every neck of the woods, every level,” he said. “And some of the best songs I’ve ever heard are on this album.”
The album folds in seven new songs produced by students in the spring semester of 2014-15 and the fall semester of this academic year, plus the three songs that were in the EP last year. While he was in the process of helping to produce it — he even played some bass with the band during rehearsals — he found that, as much as he’s a mentor, he’s also a fan.
“I’m not their peer in terms of my position, but I consider them peers in terms of their ability,” he said. “I didn’t feel the necessity to say, ‘Listen, young one, let me instill my knowledge on you.’ I just kept saying, ‘This is a great song! This is an amazing song!’”
The competition was fierce to narrow the list to seven new songs, and only one of the artists who contributed to last year’s album made the cut this time: Sophomore Maddison Harris, who sang a cover track to “Christ in Me” last year, is back with “Break Me Down,” which she co-wrote with Thaddeus Johnson and David Sviontek.
Only one student appears on two tracks this year — freshman Graham Harper, who wrote “Wholly Loved” on his own and collaborated with Kylie Foster to get “Beloved” to the finish line.
The way “Beloved” came together is special. Foster had written some verses but couldn’t get them to where she wanted, so she asked Harper for a little help. What happened next was amazing.
“I just started playing the piano and gluing it together,” Harper said. “Basically, it was all of Kylie’s ideas and just me setting music to it and breathing into it a little bit. In that moment, Kylie was overcome. We just knew right then that it was something special.”
Foster said, “I just was bawling. It was so embarrassing. It felt like I was watching my heart get played on the piano.”
Getting two songs on the album also was a high note for Harper, a freshman from San Francisco who plans to graduate within three years (he calls himself a “froshmore”). Coming to GCU has been a great experience for him, and now this.
“It’s hard to encapsulate how much I feel grateful for it,” he said. “It’s been validating. It’s been gratifying. It’s probably been one of the best weeks of my college experience, maybe rivaling one of the best weeks of my life.”
The Center for Worship Arts students who are featured on the 2016 Canyon Worship LP: top row, from left, Kylie Foster, Toni Crippen, Tanner Krenz, Desiree Aguilar, Kaitlyn Price and Katie Brown; bottom row, from left, Graham Harper, John Rowe and Angel Morris. Not pictured: Maddison Harris, Jessica Sams.
The other four new songs on this year’s album are:
● “With You” (Katie Brown)
● “Peter” (Angel Morris)
● “What It Means to Me” (Toni Crippen)
● “Scarred” (John Rowe andKaitlyn Price)
Besides Harris’ “Christ in Me,” the other two holdover songs from the 2015 EP are:
● “Follow You” (Desiree Aguilarand Jessica Sams)
● “Christ Be All Around Me” (a cover song performed by Tanner Krenz)
“I feel really strongly about the songs in the album,” Frederick said. “I feel really strongly about the collaboration. The four tracks that we (Frederick and Eric Johnson, the recording studio manager, andJohn McJunkin, the studio’s producer and engineer) recorded, the students were playing all the instruments. The band was just incredible — it was a band that had never played together, had never even rehearsed the songs.”
And there’s no doubt that they also should be thankful the opening of the new recording studio last September. Worship Arts students have made it their home, especially the roomy area where they can relax and talk and create.
“I would definitely sleep on the couch if I could,” Harper said. “I think all of us in a heartbeat would spend every day here if we could, just working on music and sharing meals and having fun.”
And this still is just the beginning. Frederick dreams of what this will be like years down the road, with each year bringing the program to new levels. What’s happened already is so stunning, such optimism is only natural.
“The album release every year is not so much about pointing to itself, it’s about pointing to the program and the artists being developed within the program,” he said. “This album is like a snapshot of the highest achievements of the previous year.”
They were pretty high, obviously. Last year, the song “Follow You” reached No. 37 on the iTunes Christian singles chart.
“I think people will take away that there’s a family of artists who all have different styles, come from different backgrounds, and it’s reflected in their music, but we all follow Jesus steadfastly,” Harper said. “We want to bring that kind of hope and inspiration to younger people, to people our age, and thank the people who have taught us and grown us.”
Frederick is thanking them even more.
Contact Rick Vacek at (602) 639-8203 or rick.vacek@gcu.edu.
Student Athlete Academics
From left: Dr. Randy Gibb, dean of the Colangelo College of Business; Tim Kelley, assistant professor for entrepreneurship and economics; Canyon Challenge judge Sheldon Harris; Raffle Boss founders Erick Roman and Katalina Inzunza; and the other judges, Dr. Lori Soukup, Brad Jannenga, Phoenix Vice Mayor Daniel Valenzuela and GCU President Brian Mueller.
Story by Rick Vacek
Photos by Darryl Webb
GCU News Bureau
The look on Katalina Inzunza’s face said it all. The president of the Psychology Club at Grand Canyon University had just won the fifth annual Canyon Challenge entrepreneurial competition Wednesday night, and she didn’t know what to think — but she sure was psyched up.
Moments before, Inzunza and her business partner, Erick Roman, had literally dropped their jaws and bulged their eyes in unison when GCU President Brian Mueller paused for a second as he was announcing the winner of the judges’ deliberations. He mentioned the possibility of the new startup forming a partnership with the University, and she was sure he was going to say the name of one of the other four finalists.
The Canyon Challenge judges deliberate before announcing the winners.
But then, finally, he said it: Raffle Boss, designed to help raffles become more profitable and accessible, had won the $7,000 first prize.
“We just turned to each other, and it was crazy,” she said.
Not crazy at all, said Mueller, who was joined on the judging panel by Brad Jannenga, cofounder of WebPT and voted one of the Top Entrepreneurs in Arizona by The Arizona Republic;Sheldon Harris, former Coldstone Creamery president and now a partner with CEO Coaching International;Dr. Lori Soukup, a longtime entrepreneur in the hospitality business; and Phoenix vice mayor and District 5 councilman Daniel Valenzuela.
“I think it was the most obvious addressable market and would fill an immediate need, especially for philanthropic organizations or nonprofits,” Mueller said. “When raffles are for nonprofits, people want to get involved. If they win, that’s great, but if they don’t win, they’re fine with that because they’re making a contribution.
GCU President Brian Mueller announces the winners.
“I think our Canyon Christian Schools Consortium would have a way to get in the raffle business in a much bigger way. I think our network could really help them.”
A lot of fledgling businesses got helped Wednesday night — by the judges, by the crowd of 1,000 at GCU Arena and by people watching the proceedings online.
TailSpace, which seeks to put customizable digital advertising boards on the backs of trucks, was voted second by the judges and received $2,000, and Near, a location-based application designed to help people connect with nearby users, got the $1,000 third prize.
But the audience also got its say in an online vote, and it had a much different opinion. Own Wood, which would put wooden emblems, such as the geographical shape of a state, on hats and other gear, was the winner, earning $2,500, and Near’s second-place finish in that contest was worth $1,500.
There also was a $1,000 award for the best lobby presentation, and that vote went to Narratus, a gaming-adventure application in which users can “play” a story.
So that means that all five finalists walked away with much needed cash to fund their ideas. And that doesn’t even include Storage Together, which didn’t make the final five in the Canyon Challenge but was the best GCU finisher in the recent Arizona Collegiate Venture Competition (ACVC) and won $3,500.
Dr. Randy Gibb, dean of the Colangelo College of Business, addresses the crowd at the start of the evening.
“I think it’s a great representation of all the different ideas, and everybody’s got some money at the end of the day,” said Tim Kelley, assistant professor for entrepreneurship and economics at GCU and the master of ceremonies Wednesday night.
Raffle Boss didn’t participate in the ACVC, “so to have them pitch right out of the gate and nail it is really impressive. I think they were able to show the judges that they had identified a clear problem and that they have a solution for it, and they inspired the judges to back them,” Kelley said.
What also made Kelley happy was that the quality and sophistication of both the entries and the presentations was so outstanding. Each 10-minute pitch began with a professional-looking video produced by students.
“It’s beginning to leverage all the different pieces we have on campus, and I think it’s exciting,” he said.
The student-created videos for the presentations added a professional-looking touch.
Dr. Randy Gibb, dean of theColangelo College of Business, also was excited about the fact that Inzunza is a psychology major, one year after one of the five finalists was a nursing student. The IDEA Club, which manages the competition, is available to all students, not just business majors, and when the Lope Lab opens in the fall there will be yet another avenue for new product development.
“Any student with an idea to solve a problem is welcome,” Gibb said. “That is the cross-campus collaboration and inclusiveness of Lope entrepreneurism.”
That sense of community extended to the makeup of the crowd Wednesday, which included members of 2015 Canyon Challenge finalists Joblyt and Prayer Packages, movers and shakers in the CCOB entrepreneurial push such as Jon Ruybalid and Paul Waterman, members of the CCOB advisory board, prominent people from the community, and, maybe most important, other students watching their peers profit from their ideas.
“This will spur more ideas,” Gibb said. “Students are sitting up there thinking, ‘That should be me.’”
But this time it was people like Inzunza and Roman, former classmates at Trevor G. Browne High School in Phoenix. Roman, who now attends St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, was having difficulty trying to raffle off some San Antonio Spurs tickets for a fraternity fundraiser late last year when he got the Raffle Boss idea. He was so excited about it, he called Inzunza in the middle of the night.
“He said, ‘Bear with me. I’m going to send you an email with these ramblings,’” she recalled. “They wereramblings, but it made sense. I thought it was something we could develop.”
Tim Kelley congratulates Erick Roman and Katalina Inzunza after they won.
So they began working on it in earnest in December. That’s how fast these things can happen — four months later, they have $7,000 in seed money from the Canyon Challenge and potentially could get a lot more.
“As we walked off the stage, I had a lot of people approach me and give me business cards — Seed Spot (the prominent Phoenix business incubator) and investment companies that want to schedule meetings with us to develop our idea or maybe potentially give us more capital to start,” she said.
“Obviously, we have some incentive to look for them now that we know that people actually value the idea. They’ll see that these esteemed judges voted for it and we won this contest, so it might give them an incentive to invest in us.”
Inzunza is set to graduate from GCU next week and hopes to go on to get a master’s in professional counseling. Roman is still a sophomore at St. Mary’s, where he majors in finance and risk management. Their plate suddenly got a little more filled up, but they’ll happily dig in.
“I still cannot believe it,” Roman said.
And they aren’t the only ones who could be getting even more help from GCU. Mueller said he scheduled a meeting Thursday with the Own Wood guys, Mack Olsen and Marcus Harvey, to talk about personally investing in their company.
“I think they’ve got a good idea and they understand what they’re doing,” he said.
The spirit of entrepreneurship just keeps flowing and growing at GCU, and, like a good raffle, a lot of people are benefiting. It’s the winning ticket.
Contact Rick Vacek at (602) 639-8203 or rick.vacek@gcu.edu.
The first full album by the Center for Worship Arts has ben released on iTunes, Amazon and Rhapsody! The album contains the three songs from last year's EP, plus seven new songs. "Some of the best songs I've ever heard are on this album," said Dr. John Frederick, the CWA manager. Read more about the writing and producing experience! <iframe width="620" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UGIgWS9LgDw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
‘Amazing’ Canyon Worship album releasedApril 08, 2016 / by Rick Vacek / 0 Comment by Rick Vacek, GCU News Bureau
As manager of the Center for Worship Arts at Grand Canyon University, Dr. John Frederick’s mission is to mentor young Christian songwriters. Clearly, he’s succeeding — just take a listen to the first Canyon Worship EP last year.
But given Frederick’s background in music and his considerable candidness, you have to pay attention when he gets absolutely lyrical about the CWA’s first full album, which has been released on iTunes,Amazon and Rhapsody.
Kylie Foster (left) and Graham Harper collaborated on “Beloved.”
“I’ve done music my whole life. I’ve worked with songwriters from every neck of the woods, every level,” he said. “And some of the best songs I’ve ever heard are on this album.”
The album folds in seven new songs produced by students in the spring semester of 2014-15 and the fall semester of this academic year, plus the three songs that were in the EP last year. While he was in the process of helping to produce it — he even played some bass with the band during rehearsals — he found that, as much as he’s a mentor, he’s also a fan.
“I’m not their peer in terms of my position, but I consider them peers in terms of their ability,” he said. “I didn’t feel the necessity to say, ‘Listen, young one, let me instill my knowledge on you.’ I just kept saying, ‘This is a great song! This is an amazing song!’”
The competition was fierce to narrow the list to seven new songs, and only one of the artists who contributed to last year’s album made the cut this time: Sophomore Maddison Harris, who sang a cover track to “Christ in Me” last year, is back with “Break Me Down,” which she co-wrote with Thaddeus Johnson and David Sviontek.
Only one student appears on two tracks this year — freshman Graham Harper, who wrote “Wholly Loved” on his own and collaborated with Kylie Foster to get “Beloved” to the finish line.
The way “Beloved” came together is special. Foster had written some verses but couldn’t get them to where she wanted, so she asked Harper for a little help. What happened next was amazing.
“I just started playing the piano and gluing it together,” Harper said. “Basically, it was all of Kylie’s ideas and just me setting music to it and breathing into it a little bit. In that moment, Kylie was overcome. We just knew right then that it was something special.”
Foster said, “I just was bawling. It was so embarrassing. It felt like I was watching my heart get played on the piano.”
Getting two songs on the album also was a high note for Harper, a freshman from San Francisco who plans to graduate within three years (he calls himself a “froshmore”). Coming to GCU has been a great experience for him, and now this.
“It’s hard to encapsulate how much I feel grateful for it,” he said. “It’s been validating. It’s been gratifying. It’s probably been one of the best weeks of my college experience, maybe rivaling one of the best weeks of my life.”
The Center for Worship Arts students who are featured on the 2016 Canyon Worship LP: top row, from left, Kylie Foster, Toni Crippen, Tanner Krenz, Desiree Aguilar, Kaitlyn Price and Katie Brown; bottom row, from left, Graham Harper, John Rowe and Angel Morris. Not pictured: Maddison Harris, Jessica Sams.
The other four new songs on this year’s album are:
● “With You” (Katie Brown)
● “Peter” (Angel Morris)
● “What It Means to Me” (Toni Crippen)
● “Scarred” (John Rowe andKaitlyn Price)
Besides Harris’ “Christ in Me,” the other two holdover songs from the 2015 EP are:
● “Follow You” (Desiree Aguilarand Jessica Sams)
● “Christ Be All Around Me” (a cover song performed by Tanner Krenz)
“I feel really strongly about the songs in the album,” Frederick said. “I feel really strongly about the collaboration. The four tracks that we (Frederick and Eric Johnson, the recording studio manager, andJohn McJunkin, the studio’s producer and engineer) recorded, the students were playing all the instruments. The band was just incredible — it was a band that had never played together, had never even rehearsed the songs.”
And there’s no doubt that they also should be thankful the opening of the new recording studio last September. Worship Arts students have made it their home, especially the roomy area where they can relax and talk and create.
“I would definitely sleep on the couch if I could,” Harper said. “I think all of us in a heartbeat would spend every day here if we could, just working on music and sharing meals and having fun.”
And this still is just the beginning. Frederick dreams of what this will be like years down the road, with each year bringing the program to new levels. What’s happened already is so stunning, such optimism is only natural.
“The album release every year is not so much about pointing to itself, it’s about pointing to the program and the artists being developed within the program,” he said. “This album is like a snapshot of the highest achievements of the previous year.”
They were pretty high, obviously. Last year, the song “Follow You” reached No. 37 on the iTunes Christian singles chart.
“I think people will take away that there’s a family of artists who all have different styles, come from different backgrounds, and it’s reflected in their music, but we all follow Jesus steadfastly,” Harper said. “We want to bring that kind of hope and inspiration to younger people, to people our age, and thank the people who have taught us and grown us.”
Frederick is thanking them even more.
Contact Rick Vacek at (602) 639-8203 or rick.vacek@gcu.edu.
Student Athlete Academics
GCU receives annual Academic Progress Rate figures
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Academics | 4/20/2016 9:27:00 PM |
GCU receives annual Academic Progress Rate figures
The NCAA released Academic Progress Rate (APR) figures for Grand Canyon and the rest of the NCAA on Wednesday. This year's data represents student-athlete's percentage of eligibility and retention rate for all sports from 2013-14 through 2014-15.
"The academic achievement, graduation, and total development of our student-athletes is central to the mission of GCU Athletics," said Jason Linders, the Lopes' Sr. Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development. "We take great pride in how our student-athletes continue to succeed in the classroom, on the field, and how they are engaged in the community. We have a fantastic team in our student-athlete development office and Learning Lounge that work tirelessly with our coaches to assist our student-athletes in achieving their goals."
The men's golf team was the top ranked golf program in the WAC with an APR score of 989. The men's tennis team ranked second in the conference with a score of 986. Men's swimming (980), men's basketball (968) and women's basketball (982) each ranked third in their respective sports in the conference rankings.
The men's cross country team had the highest score on campus with a perfect multi-year score of 1000. Four other programs joined them in having recorded a single-year (2014-15) score of 1000: men's basketball, men's golf, women's golf and women's volleyball.
APR measures eligibility and retention each semester and provides a clear picture of the academic performance for each program in each sport.
"Division I student-athletes learn to balance playing a sport they love with the pursuit of a degree, and we honor their continued success in the classroom. The APR data prove that students can achieve both academically and athletically," NCAA President Mark Emmert said. "Supporting our students as they work toward graduation is a top priority of everyone involved in college athletics."
Every Division I sports team across the nation calculates its APR each academic year, similar to a report card. Scholarship student-athletes each semester earn one point for remaining eligible and one point for staying in school or graduating.
In order to compete in the postseason play and avoid penalties, teams must achieve a 930 four-year APR. NCAA member representatives chose the 930 standard because that score predicts a 50 percent graduation rate for the team.
Each of GCU's 19 evaluated programs exceeded the NCAA's minimum APR standard score of 930. Beach Volleyball was not an official NCAA sport until 2016. Additionally, indoor and outdoor track were combined into one track and field category for ranking purposes.
Men's BasketballGlaze receives Riley Wallace Award: Named nation's top transfer
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Men's Basketball | 4/5/2016 12:17:00 PM | Steven Gonzalez
Glaze receives Riley Wallace Award: Named nation's top transfer
PLAYERS MENTIONED
HOUSTON – He was brought into the Grand Canyon men's basketball program for one year to make an impact on the court and help build a foundation for years to come and that is exactly what Grandy Glaze accomplished. The graduate senior transfer has been named as the recipient of the 2016 Riley Wallace award, given to the top transfer in Division I college basketball.
The awards have continued to file in for Glaze, picking up his fifth honor since the regular season concluded. Glaze was named Second Team All-WAC along with being named to the All-WAC Newcomer team and in the first postseason win as a member of Division I over South Carolina State, Glaze was named Most Valuable Player in the John McLendon Classic. Along with Joshua Braun, Glaze was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-Region 6 Second Team.
Glaze transferred to GCU from Saint Louis and became an instant difference maker on the court, leading the WAC in field goal percentage at 59.6 percent and ranked second in rebounds pulling down 8.8 boards a game. The native of Toronto, Ontario was a three-time WAC Player of the Week honoree, the second most in conference this season after recording a team-high 14 double-doubles this year.
It was a memorable season for GCU, with its most successful season in Division I posting a 27-7 overall record with 11 wins in the Western Athletic Conference. The Riley Wallace Award release can be found here.
Read More
Academics | 4/20/2016 9:27:00 PM |
GCU receives annual Academic Progress Rate figures
The NCAA released Academic Progress Rate (APR) figures for Grand Canyon and the rest of the NCAA on Wednesday. This year's data represents student-athlete's percentage of eligibility and retention rate for all sports from 2013-14 through 2014-15.
"The academic achievement, graduation, and total development of our student-athletes is central to the mission of GCU Athletics," said Jason Linders, the Lopes' Sr. Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development. "We take great pride in how our student-athletes continue to succeed in the classroom, on the field, and how they are engaged in the community. We have a fantastic team in our student-athlete development office and Learning Lounge that work tirelessly with our coaches to assist our student-athletes in achieving their goals."
The men's golf team was the top ranked golf program in the WAC with an APR score of 989. The men's tennis team ranked second in the conference with a score of 986. Men's swimming (980), men's basketball (968) and women's basketball (982) each ranked third in their respective sports in the conference rankings.
The men's cross country team had the highest score on campus with a perfect multi-year score of 1000. Four other programs joined them in having recorded a single-year (2014-15) score of 1000: men's basketball, men's golf, women's golf and women's volleyball.
APR measures eligibility and retention each semester and provides a clear picture of the academic performance for each program in each sport.
"Division I student-athletes learn to balance playing a sport they love with the pursuit of a degree, and we honor their continued success in the classroom. The APR data prove that students can achieve both academically and athletically," NCAA President Mark Emmert said. "Supporting our students as they work toward graduation is a top priority of everyone involved in college athletics."
Every Division I sports team across the nation calculates its APR each academic year, similar to a report card. Scholarship student-athletes each semester earn one point for remaining eligible and one point for staying in school or graduating.
In order to compete in the postseason play and avoid penalties, teams must achieve a 930 four-year APR. NCAA member representatives chose the 930 standard because that score predicts a 50 percent graduation rate for the team.
Each of GCU's 19 evaluated programs exceeded the NCAA's minimum APR standard score of 930. Beach Volleyball was not an official NCAA sport until 2016. Additionally, indoor and outdoor track were combined into one track and field category for ranking purposes.
Men's BasketballGlaze receives Riley Wallace Award: Named nation's top transfer
Read More
Men's Basketball | 4/5/2016 12:17:00 PM | Steven Gonzalez
Glaze receives Riley Wallace Award: Named nation's top transfer
PLAYERS MENTIONED
HOUSTON – He was brought into the Grand Canyon men's basketball program for one year to make an impact on the court and help build a foundation for years to come and that is exactly what Grandy Glaze accomplished. The graduate senior transfer has been named as the recipient of the 2016 Riley Wallace award, given to the top transfer in Division I college basketball.
The awards have continued to file in for Glaze, picking up his fifth honor since the regular season concluded. Glaze was named Second Team All-WAC along with being named to the All-WAC Newcomer team and in the first postseason win as a member of Division I over South Carolina State, Glaze was named Most Valuable Player in the John McLendon Classic. Along with Joshua Braun, Glaze was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-Region 6 Second Team.
Glaze transferred to GCU from Saint Louis and became an instant difference maker on the court, leading the WAC in field goal percentage at 59.6 percent and ranked second in rebounds pulling down 8.8 boards a game. The native of Toronto, Ontario was a three-time WAC Player of the Week honoree, the second most in conference this season after recording a team-high 14 double-doubles this year.
It was a memorable season for GCU, with its most successful season in Division I posting a 27-7 overall record with 11 wins in the Western Athletic Conference. The Riley Wallace Award release can be found here.
Women's Track & Field
Two more records fall as Lopes wrap up Mt. Sac Relays and Beach Invite
Read More
Women's Track and Field | 4/16/2016 11:46:00 PM | Charles Hampton
Two more records fall as Lopes wrap up Mt. Sac Relays and Beach Invite
PLAYERS MENTIONED
The Grand Canyon men's and women's track teams wrapped up a long weekend of competition at the Mt. Sac Relays and Beach Invitational in California.
"With our student-athletes minds on finals next week and competing in two very long and difficult meets I thought we performed and competed very well," head coach Tom Floodsaid. "We set four school record in the distance races over the two days and several other outstanding performances."
Tarasue Barnett continued her fantastic spring, winning the women's elite discus with a mark of 58.08, just shy of her season best, winning by a margin of just over two feet. Barnett had placed fourth in the collegiate/open shot put the day before.
Brandon Kocmoud broke his own school record by three seconds in the men's 1500 as he placed 10th overall with a time of 3:51.70. Kocmoud's previous best mark of 3:54.70 came at the Steve Scott Invitational in 2014. Kocmoud's time currently ranks him No. 4 in the WAC.
Bailie Jones also added a school record of her own in the women's 800. The sophomore from Pueblo West, Colo., ran the second fastest time in the WAC this season with a time of 2:13.54. Jones' time was 1.02 seconds faster than Jelena Andjelkovic's previous school record from the Aztec Invitational in 2014.
Kocmoud and Jones' school records on Saturday added to the two set on Friday night from Jose Retana (3000m steeplechase) and Kelsi Klotter (5000m).
In addition to the school records, the Lopes had a number of great performances. The women's 4x100 team of Jessy Eatmon, Martina Cernochova, Kevina Godfrey and Tope Williams placed third overall with a time of 46.68, the fastest mark in the WAC this season.Briana Myers had a season-best time of 14.09 in the women's 100 high hurdles to move to No. 2 in the WAC rankings.
"These performances continue to put us in great positions to battle for a couple of conference titles a month from now in Kansas City," Flood added. "We will have a light practice week this week during finals and then get back after it."
The Lopes will return to the track on Friday, April 29 in the Steve Scott Invitational, hosted by the University of California-Irvine.
Men's Tennis
Women's Track and Field | 4/16/2016 11:46:00 PM | Charles Hampton
Two more records fall as Lopes wrap up Mt. Sac Relays and Beach Invite
PLAYERS MENTIONED
The Grand Canyon men's and women's track teams wrapped up a long weekend of competition at the Mt. Sac Relays and Beach Invitational in California.
"With our student-athletes minds on finals next week and competing in two very long and difficult meets I thought we performed and competed very well," head coach Tom Floodsaid. "We set four school record in the distance races over the two days and several other outstanding performances."
Tarasue Barnett continued her fantastic spring, winning the women's elite discus with a mark of 58.08, just shy of her season best, winning by a margin of just over two feet. Barnett had placed fourth in the collegiate/open shot put the day before.
Brandon Kocmoud broke his own school record by three seconds in the men's 1500 as he placed 10th overall with a time of 3:51.70. Kocmoud's previous best mark of 3:54.70 came at the Steve Scott Invitational in 2014. Kocmoud's time currently ranks him No. 4 in the WAC.
Bailie Jones also added a school record of her own in the women's 800. The sophomore from Pueblo West, Colo., ran the second fastest time in the WAC this season with a time of 2:13.54. Jones' time was 1.02 seconds faster than Jelena Andjelkovic's previous school record from the Aztec Invitational in 2014.
Kocmoud and Jones' school records on Saturday added to the two set on Friday night from Jose Retana (3000m steeplechase) and Kelsi Klotter (5000m).
In addition to the school records, the Lopes had a number of great performances. The women's 4x100 team of Jessy Eatmon, Martina Cernochova, Kevina Godfrey and Tope Williams placed third overall with a time of 46.68, the fastest mark in the WAC this season.Briana Myers had a season-best time of 14.09 in the women's 100 high hurdles to move to No. 2 in the WAC rankings.
"These performances continue to put us in great positions to battle for a couple of conference titles a month from now in Kansas City," Flood added. "We will have a light practice week this week during finals and then get back after it."
The Lopes will return to the track on Friday, April 29 in the Steve Scott Invitational, hosted by the University of California-Irvine.
Men's Tennis
Schueller caps off career with win at Ojai Tournament
Read More
Men's Tennis | 4/24/2016 1:09:00 PM | Samantha Fell
Schueller caps off career with win at Ojai Tournament
PLAYERS MENTIONED
OJAI, Calif. – On the final day of the Ojai Tournament, two GCU men's tennis players met for an all-Grand Canyon final in the independent singles bracket. Senior Felix Scheuller emerged with the 6-4, 6-2 victory over teammate Adrian Legarreta to claim the trophy.
"It's not often that college athletes with the most illustrious careers can finish on such a high note like Felix Schueller did today," head coach Greg Prudhomme commented. "Felix played a great match today. He played like the captain of the team and the senior that he is."
After earning a bye in the first round, Schueller proceeded to win his way through to the tournament finals. He is the lone senior to make the trip to Ojai and ended up making it very worthwhile.
"Felix has put a great career effort into the GCU men's tennis program." Prudhomme praised. "He has really helped us get on the Division I map with winning records in our first three years of Division I tennis. We're really happy for him and really proud of the work he's put in to be able to finish his last career match with a singles victory."
Grand Canyon is entering their final year of transition into a Division I program. Schueller was instrumental to the establishment of the program and has made great contributions over his four-year career. He is a captain for the Lopes and has played consistently at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles all season long.
Junior Legarreta also had a great tournament run. After finishing runner-up in the independent singles bracket last season, he again fell just short of the title. Legarreta is one of the most inspiring leaders and players on the court and will return for one more season at GCU.
"Adrian put in a great effort and he had a great tournament, getting the finals," Prudhomme added. "We're happy that he'll be back for his senior year to put in another good effort for the GCU men's team."
The Ojai Tournament was the season finale for both the men's and the women's teams. Both teams will take the summer months off and return during the fall.
Men's Independent Singles
F (3) Felix Schueller d. Adrian Legarreta, 6-4, 6-2
"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 NIV)
Grand Canyon University
Read More
Men's Tennis | 4/24/2016 1:09:00 PM | Samantha Fell
Schueller caps off career with win at Ojai Tournament
PLAYERS MENTIONED
OJAI, Calif. – On the final day of the Ojai Tournament, two GCU men's tennis players met for an all-Grand Canyon final in the independent singles bracket. Senior Felix Scheuller emerged with the 6-4, 6-2 victory over teammate Adrian Legarreta to claim the trophy.
"It's not often that college athletes with the most illustrious careers can finish on such a high note like Felix Schueller did today," head coach Greg Prudhomme commented. "Felix played a great match today. He played like the captain of the team and the senior that he is."
After earning a bye in the first round, Schueller proceeded to win his way through to the tournament finals. He is the lone senior to make the trip to Ojai and ended up making it very worthwhile.
"Felix has put a great career effort into the GCU men's tennis program." Prudhomme praised. "He has really helped us get on the Division I map with winning records in our first three years of Division I tennis. We're really happy for him and really proud of the work he's put in to be able to finish his last career match with a singles victory."
Grand Canyon is entering their final year of transition into a Division I program. Schueller was instrumental to the establishment of the program and has made great contributions over his four-year career. He is a captain for the Lopes and has played consistently at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles all season long.
Junior Legarreta also had a great tournament run. After finishing runner-up in the independent singles bracket last season, he again fell just short of the title. Legarreta is one of the most inspiring leaders and players on the court and will return for one more season at GCU.
"Adrian put in a great effort and he had a great tournament, getting the finals," Prudhomme added. "We're happy that he'll be back for his senior year to put in another good effort for the GCU men's team."
The Ojai Tournament was the season finale for both the men's and the women's teams. Both teams will take the summer months off and return during the fall.
Men's Independent Singles
F (3) Felix Schueller d. Adrian Legarreta, 6-4, 6-2
"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 NIV)
Grand Canyon University
3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85017, United States.
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Missionary Renegade: Grand Canyon University Alumni E-Newsletter From Phoenix, Arizona, United States: May 2016 >>>>> Download Now
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