Grand Canyon University Alumni E-Newsletter: November 2016 from GCU Office of Alumni Relations of Phoenix, Arizona, United States "November 2016 GCU Alumni News."
NOVEMBER 2016
One graduate at commencement considered the process of getting a master's degree a walk in the park, compared to what he had to do at a very young age. Bol Bior Kur was one of the "Lost Boys of Sudan," but he found his way to America and is making the most of the opportunity.
Dr. Tim Griffin, GCU's pastor and dean of students, officially received his doctoral degree. It wasn't an ostentatious presentation at commencement. He was merely first in line when diplomas were handed out. He returned to his seat - and that was how he wanted it. His doctoral team, however, did get a little attention.
Have you taken advantage of your organization's professional development opportunities? Or maybe said, "Someday, when I have time..." Stop! Carve out the time to enhance your own career development. Network with others across the organization, build allies in other departments and learn new skills.
FEATURED VIDEO:
GCU Alumna Battled Cancer & Earns MBA to Grow Personally and Professionally
Kristina Anderson, MBA, '14, MSA, '16, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013, but she didn't let cancer define her. She competed in Miss Arizona USA as a way to heal and co-founded the "Save Her Life" foundation to raise awareness. Empowered to grow, Anderson attended GCU believing that business knowledge leads to success in any field. Watch the video to learn more about Kristina's story and how her GCU experience served as an asset for her personal journey and career.
NOV. 3 1st Basketball Alumni Tailgate
GCU Arena Quad NOV. 16
Ben and Matt's Million Can Concert
GCU Arena
NOV. 13 Christmas with Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith
GCU Arena NOV. 22 Lopes on the Road in Houston
Rice University
NOV. 15 Free Professional Development
GCU, Building 16-201 NOV.
18-20 Our Town
Ethington Theatre
The new "Students Inspiring Students" initiative brought together 100 scholarship recipients for an emotional evening to celebrate their many achievements. Here are two of the most inspirational stories.
A large crowd turned out at Ethington Theatre to hear Dr. Wayne Grudem of Phoenix Seminary share his views on "Faith and Politics." Not only did Grudem urge everyone in the audience to get out and vote, but he encouraged students to run for office if they are motivated to do so.
Fall commencement for non-traditional campus students was filled with great stories of determination and perseverance. But it's also about tremendous hopes for the future. GCU has the story, which includes advice that graduates have for other online students.
Alumni & AthleticsLopes on the Road Returns
Introduced to Grand Canyon fans last year, Lopes on the Road is back with more events in more cities than ever before.
As part of a successful first year, many GCU alumni, students, faculty and fans had the chance to cheer on the Lopes at multiple men's basketball and baseball games. The events featured pregame tailgates and reception, allowing opportunities for attendees to meet and mingle with fellow Lopes.
This year, Lopes on the Road will showcase four sports, with the addition of women's basketball and men's soccer, in 12 cities across the nation. This extraordinary opportunity features four games in California and a 17-mile drive to the Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz., as the Grand Canyon baseball team takes on the Arizona Diamondbacks on Feb. 22 in a friendly exhibition game during the MLB Spring Training season.
First stop: Seattle, Wash., to catch the men's soccer team take on WAC-foe Seattle U on Oct. 16. Lopes on the Road will also feature its first women's basketball game at Rice (Nov. 22) before taking on UC Riverside a week later (Nov. 29). The lady Lopes will look to continue their success on the road after an 8-4 away record last season, their best record since going undefeated (11-0) on the road during the 2011-12 season.
With one of the best home-court advantages in the nation and a 27-7 overall record during the 2015-16 season, head coach Dan Majerle and the men's basketball team hope to have a sea of purple support on the road when the Lopes travel to play four WAC opponents. Attendees will have the chance to catch games against conference rivals New Mexico State (Jan. 12), Chicago State (Jan. 28), Seattle U (Feb. 16) and CSU Bakersfield (Mar. 4).
Lopes on the Road will also feature four baseball games in addition to exhibition with the Diamondbacks, starting with UNLV on March 14, following by contests at Pepperdine (March 17), New Mexico (March 21) and Sacramento (April 7) as the team had their second winning record on the road since 2014 when GCU transitioned to Division I.
Each registered attendee will receive a complimentary ticket, concessions stand voucher and free GCU swag at check-in. To join the excitement, register here.
2016-17 Lopes on the Road Schedule:
Date Sport Opponent Location Time
Oct. 16, 2016 Soccer (M) Seattle U Seattle, WA 6:00 PM
Nov. 22, 2016 Basketball (W) Rice Houston, TX TBA
Nov. 29, 2016 Basketball (W) UC Riverside Riverside, CA TBA
Jan. 12, 2017 Basketball (M) New Mexico State Las Cruces, NM 7:00 PM
Jan. 28, 2017 Basketball (M) Chicago State Chicago, IL 7:00 PM
Feb. 16, 2017 Basketball (M) Seattle U Seattle, WA 7:00 PM
Feb. 22, 2017 Baseball Diamondbacks Salt River Fields TBA
Mar. 4, 2017 Basketball (M) CSU Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA 7:00 PM
Mar. 14, 2017 Baseball UNLV Las Vegas, NV TBA
Mar. 17, 2017 Baseball Pepperdine Malibu, CA TBA
Mar. 21, 2017 Baseball New Mexico Albuquerque, NM TBA
Apr. 7, 2017 Baseball Sacramento State Sacramento, CA TBA
Read More
Men's
BasketballBraun Named WAC Preseason Player of the Year
Men's Basketball | 10/12/2016 9:00:00 AM | Charles Hampton
Braun named WAC Preseason Player of the Year
PLAYERS MENTIONED
DENVER -- Grand Canyon guard Joshua Braun was selected as the WAC Preseason Player of the Year and named to the Preseason All-WAC First Team by both the coaches and media, the league office announced on Wednesday.
Braun (6-4, 220), who earned All-WAC First Team honors a year ago, emerged as one of the top players in the conference after leading the WAC in free throw percentage (.868), while ranking second in scoring (16.5) and third in 3-point field goal percentage (.392). The junior from Anthem, Ariz., saw action in all 34 games and scored 20-plus points 12 times. In addition to his achievements on the court last season, Braun was named to the 2015-16 CoSIDA first-team Academic All-America Division I men's basketball team.
For the second consecutive season, the Lopes were picked to finish second behind New Mexico State. The Aggies received four first-place votes in the coaches' poll and 45 total points, while earning nine first-place votes in the media poll and 167 points overall. GCU received three first-place votes in the coaches' poll and eight first-place votes in the media poll.
Guard DeWayne Russell was selected by the WAC coaches to the Preseason All-WAC Second Team. The senior from Peoria, Ariz., led the WAC in assists (182) and finished third in steals (46) in 2015-16. Russell played in all 34 games and averaged 9.7 points, 5.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
The five-person Preseason All-WAC First Team was the same for both the coaches and media. Joining Braun on the first team were Ian Baker (NM State), Dedrick Basile (CSU Bakersfield), Martez Harrison (UMKC) and Brandon Westendorf (Seattle U).
Grand Canyon tips off the 2016-17 season with a home exhibition contest against Adams State on Thursday, Nov. 3. Tip is set for 7 p.m. at Grand Canyon University Arena. GCU opens the regular season versus Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium as part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament.
2016-17 Preseason All-WAC Team (Coaches)
First Team (Player, School) Second Team (Player, School)
Ian Baker, New Mexico State LaVell Boyd, UMKC
Dedrick Basile, CSU Bakersfield Antonio Green, UTRGV
Joshua Braun, Grand Canyon Zach Nelson, Utah Valley
Martez Harrison, UMKC William Powell, Seattle U
Brandon Westendorf, Seattle U DeWayne Russell, Grand Canyon
x
2016-17 Preseason All-WAC Team (Media)
First Team (Player, School) Second Team (Player, School)
Ian Baker, New Mexico State Jaylin Airington, CSU Bakersfield
Dedrick Basile, CSU Bakersfield Antonio Green, UTRGV
Joshua Braun, Grand Canyon Dan Kimasa, UTRGV
Martez Harrison, UMKC Zach Nelson, Utah Valley
Brandon Westendorf, Seattle U Deshaun Sunderhause, Seattle U
2016-17 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank Team (First-place votes) Points
1. New Mexico State (4) 45
2. Grand Canyon (3) 44
3. CSU Bakersfield (1) 38
4. Utah Valley 27
T-5. Seattle U 25
T-5. UMKC 25
7. UTRGV 13
8. Chicago State 7
x
2016-17 Preseason Men's Basketball Media Poll
Rank Team (First-place votes) Points
1. New Mexico State (9) 167
2. Grand Canyon (8) 165
3. CSU Bakersfield (2) 147
4. Seattle U (1) 108
5. Utah Valley (2) 100
6. UMKC (2) 96
7. UTRGV 56
8. Chicago State 25
Lopes
View
Milstein: Representing My Country
Men's Basketball | 10/12/2016 9:00:00 AM | Charles Hampton
Braun named WAC Preseason Player of the Year
PLAYERS MENTIONED
DENVER -- Grand Canyon guard Joshua Braun was selected as the WAC Preseason Player of the Year and named to the Preseason All-WAC First Team by both the coaches and media, the league office announced on Wednesday.
Braun (6-4, 220), who earned All-WAC First Team honors a year ago, emerged as one of the top players in the conference after leading the WAC in free throw percentage (.868), while ranking second in scoring (16.5) and third in 3-point field goal percentage (.392). The junior from Anthem, Ariz., saw action in all 34 games and scored 20-plus points 12 times. In addition to his achievements on the court last season, Braun was named to the 2015-16 CoSIDA first-team Academic All-America Division I men's basketball team.
For the second consecutive season, the Lopes were picked to finish second behind New Mexico State. The Aggies received four first-place votes in the coaches' poll and 45 total points, while earning nine first-place votes in the media poll and 167 points overall. GCU received three first-place votes in the coaches' poll and eight first-place votes in the media poll.
Guard DeWayne Russell was selected by the WAC coaches to the Preseason All-WAC Second Team. The senior from Peoria, Ariz., led the WAC in assists (182) and finished third in steals (46) in 2015-16. Russell played in all 34 games and averaged 9.7 points, 5.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
The five-person Preseason All-WAC First Team was the same for both the coaches and media. Joining Braun on the first team were Ian Baker (NM State), Dedrick Basile (CSU Bakersfield), Martez Harrison (UMKC) and Brandon Westendorf (Seattle U).
Grand Canyon tips off the 2016-17 season with a home exhibition contest against Adams State on Thursday, Nov. 3. Tip is set for 7 p.m. at Grand Canyon University Arena. GCU opens the regular season versus Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium as part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament.
2016-17 Preseason All-WAC Team (Coaches)
First Team (Player, School) Second Team (Player, School)
Ian Baker, New Mexico State LaVell Boyd, UMKC
Dedrick Basile, CSU Bakersfield Antonio Green, UTRGV
Joshua Braun, Grand Canyon Zach Nelson, Utah Valley
Martez Harrison, UMKC William Powell, Seattle U
Brandon Westendorf, Seattle U DeWayne Russell, Grand Canyon
x
2016-17 Preseason All-WAC Team (Media)
First Team (Player, School) Second Team (Player, School)
Ian Baker, New Mexico State Jaylin Airington, CSU Bakersfield
Dedrick Basile, CSU Bakersfield Antonio Green, UTRGV
Joshua Braun, Grand Canyon Dan Kimasa, UTRGV
Martez Harrison, UMKC Zach Nelson, Utah Valley
Brandon Westendorf, Seattle U Deshaun Sunderhause, Seattle U
2016-17 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank Team (First-place votes) Points
1. New Mexico State (4) 45
2. Grand Canyon (3) 44
3. CSU Bakersfield (1) 38
4. Utah Valley 27
T-5. Seattle U 25
T-5. UMKC 25
7. UTRGV 13
8. Chicago State 7
x
2016-17 Preseason Men's Basketball Media Poll
Rank Team (First-place votes) Points
1. New Mexico State (9) 167
2. Grand Canyon (8) 165
3. CSU Bakersfield (2) 147
4. Seattle U (1) 108
5. Utah Valley (2) 100
6. UMKC (2) 96
7. UTRGV 56
8. Chicago State 25
Read More
Women's
Soccer
View
Milstein: Representing My Country
Men's Basketball | 10/12/2016 9:00:00 AM | Charles Hampton
Braun named WAC Preseason Player of the Year
PLAYERS MENTIONED
DENVER -- Grand Canyon guard Joshua Braun was selected as the WAC Preseason Player of the Year and named to the Preseason All-WAC First Team by both the coaches and media, the league office announced on Wednesday.
Braun (6-4, 220), who earned All-WAC First Team honors a year ago, emerged as one of the top players in the conference after leading the WAC in free throw percentage (.868), while ranking second in scoring (16.5) and third in 3-point field goal percentage (.392). The junior from Anthem, Ariz., saw action in all 34 games and scored 20-plus points 12 times. In addition to his achievements on the court last season, Braun was named to the 2015-16 CoSIDA first-team Academic All-America Division I men's basketball team.
For the second consecutive season, the Lopes were picked to finish second behind New Mexico State. The Aggies received four first-place votes in the coaches' poll and 45 total points, while earning nine first-place votes in the media poll and 167 points overall. GCU received three first-place votes in the coaches' poll and eight first-place votes in the media poll.
Guard DeWayne Russell was selected by the WAC coaches to the Preseason All-WAC Second Team. The senior from Peoria, Ariz., led the WAC in assists (182) and finished third in steals (46) in 2015-16. Russell played in all 34 games and averaged 9.7 points, 5.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
The five-person Preseason All-WAC First Team was the same for both the coaches and media. Joining Braun on the first team were Ian Baker (NM State), Dedrick Basile (CSU Bakersfield), Martez Harrison (UMKC) and Brandon Westendorf (Seattle U).
Grand Canyon tips off the 2016-17 season with a home exhibition contest against Adams State on Thursday, Nov. 3. Tip is set for 7 p.m. at Grand Canyon University Arena. GCU opens the regular season versus Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium as part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament.
2016-17 Preseason All-WAC Team (Coaches)
First Team (Player, School) Second Team (Player, School)
Ian Baker, New Mexico State LaVell Boyd, UMKC
Dedrick Basile, CSU Bakersfield Antonio Green, UTRGV
Joshua Braun, Grand Canyon Zach Nelson, Utah Valley
Martez Harrison, UMKC William Powell, Seattle U
Brandon Westendorf, Seattle U DeWayne Russell, Grand Canyon
x
2016-17 Preseason All-WAC Team (Media)
First Team (Player, School) Second Team (Player, School)
Ian Baker, New Mexico State Jaylin Airington, CSU Bakersfield
Dedrick Basile, CSU Bakersfield Antonio Green, UTRGV
Joshua Braun, Grand Canyon Dan Kimasa, UTRGV
Martez Harrison, UMKC Zach Nelson, Utah Valley
Brandon Westendorf, Seattle U Deshaun Sunderhause, Seattle U
2016-17 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank Team (First-place votes) Points
1. New Mexico State (4) 45
2. Grand Canyon (3) 44
3. CSU Bakersfield (1) 38
4. Utah Valley 27
T-5. Seattle U 25
T-5. UMKC 25
7. UTRGV 13
8. Chicago State 7
x
2016-17 Preseason Men's Basketball Media Poll
Rank Team (First-place votes) Points
1. New Mexico State (9) 167
2. Grand Canyon (8) 165
3. CSU Bakersfield (2) 147
4. Seattle U (1) 108
5. Utah Valley (2) 100
6. UMKC (2) 96
7. UTRGV 56
8. Chicago State 25
Read More
Women's
Soccer
Benedetti Ranks Atop Top Drawer Soccer Conference Rankings
PHOENIX -- GCU women's soccer standout Milla Benedetti earned the No. 1 spot in the Western Athletic Conference Top-20 Midseason list, released by TopDrawerSoccer.com. The Lopes had a total of three student-athletes named to the group of 20 as Blakely Fraasch and Madison Cox joined Benedetti in the rankings.
Benedetti continues to lead the team, ranking first for goals (5) and points (13), and tied for first in assists (3). The junior from Vancouver, Wash. has garnered 33 shots on the year with 18 on goal.
Joining Benedetti, goalkeeper Fraasch and defender Cox rank 16th and 17th, respectively. Fraasch has started all 13 games, owning a 1.43 goals against average with 36 saves on the season.
Cox, a junior from Tampa, Fla., is tied for second on the team with three goals, taking 11 shots with six on goal. The defender ranks third on the team with six points, trailing teammates Benedetti and McKenzie Cook (9).
TopDrawerSoccer's WAC Top-20 Midseason list:
1 Milla Benedetti Forward Grand Canyon
2 Andreya Barrera Forward UTRGV
3 Sabrina Delgado Midfielder CSU Bakersfield
4 Kalli Suesue Defender Utah Valley
5 Maja Green Midfielder CSU Bakersfield
6 Stephanie Spiekerman Forward Seattle
7 Reighan Childers Midfielder UMKC
8 Karli White Forward Seattle
9 Taylor Kirk Forward Utah Valley
10 Isabelle Butterfield Forward Seattle
11 Aminah Settles Forward CSU Bakersfield
12 Brie Hooks Forward Seattle
13 Kelsey Mothershead Forward UMKC
14 Ayana Robles Midfielder Seattle
15 Libby Weber Midfielder Utah Valley
16 Blakely Fraasch Goalkeeper Grand Canyon
17 Madison Cox Defender Grand Canyon
18 Jordin Bartel Forward CSU Bakersfield
19 Brooklyn Nielsen Goalkeeper Utah Valley
20 Ashley Routh Goalkeeper SeattleRead More
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"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Grand Canyon University
PHOENIX -- GCU women's soccer standout Milla Benedetti earned the No. 1 spot in the Western Athletic Conference Top-20 Midseason list, released by TopDrawerSoccer.com. The Lopes had a total of three student-athletes named to the group of 20 as Blakely Fraasch and Madison Cox joined Benedetti in the rankings.
Benedetti continues to lead the team, ranking first for goals (5) and points (13), and tied for first in assists (3). The junior from Vancouver, Wash. has garnered 33 shots on the year with 18 on goal.
Joining Benedetti, goalkeeper Fraasch and defender Cox rank 16th and 17th, respectively. Fraasch has started all 13 games, owning a 1.43 goals against average with 36 saves on the season.
Cox, a junior from Tampa, Fla., is tied for second on the team with three goals, taking 11 shots with six on goal. The defender ranks third on the team with six points, trailing teammates Benedetti and McKenzie Cook (9).
TopDrawerSoccer's WAC Top-20 Midseason list:
1 Milla Benedetti Forward Grand Canyon
2 Andreya Barrera Forward UTRGV
3 Sabrina Delgado Midfielder CSU Bakersfield
4 Kalli Suesue Defender Utah Valley
5 Maja Green Midfielder CSU Bakersfield
6 Stephanie Spiekerman Forward Seattle
7 Reighan Childers Midfielder UMKC
8 Karli White Forward Seattle
9 Taylor Kirk Forward Utah Valley
10 Isabelle Butterfield Forward Seattle
11 Aminah Settles Forward CSU Bakersfield
12 Brie Hooks Forward Seattle
13 Kelsey Mothershead Forward UMKC
14 Ayana Robles Midfielder Seattle
15 Libby Weber Midfielder Utah Valley
16 Blakely Fraasch Goalkeeper Grand Canyon
17 Madison Cox Defender Grand Canyon
18 Jordin Bartel Forward CSU Bakersfield
19 Brooklyn Nielsen Goalkeeper Utah Valley
20 Ashley Routh Goalkeeper SeattleRead More
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"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Grand Canyon University
3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85017, United States.
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