Spring 2017 Commencement
Online and Cohort
Spring Commencement 2017
Through four ceremonies in two days, we celebrated our online and cohort graduates. They tell us why it was important for them to make the trip to Phoenix to commemorate this educational milestone.
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Ground Traditional
Spring Commencement 2017
The ground traditional graduates take a look back at their time on the GCU campus and tell us what made their experience so special.
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Online and Cohort
Spring Commencement 2017
Through four ceremonies in two days, we celebrated our online and cohort graduates. They tell us why it was important for them to make the trip to Phoenix to commemorate this educational milestone.
>> VIEW VIDEO
Ground Traditional
Spring Commencement 2017
The ground traditional graduates take a look back at their time on the GCU campus and tell us what made their experience so special.
>> VIEW VIDEO
Lauri Burgett, a 29-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department, is commander of the Community Relations Bureau — and a 2002 GCU graduate. (Photo by Ralph Freso)Lauri Burgett, GCU alumna and Community Relations Bureau commander, credits her degree for moving her career forward.
During her dizzying career with the Phoenix Police Department, Commander Lauri Burgett has fought her share of crimes — but one of her favorite roles is talking to the public about it.
After becoming a police officer in 1987, Burgett became the department’s first woman public information officer in 2001, a post she held until 2006. It was a position in which she found herself giving interviews to media around the world.
Burgett’s career has continued its ascent. Today, with 29 years of police experience, many awards and numerous expert certifications under her belt, she is commander of the Community Relations Bureau and oversees 175 officers. But she still counts earning her 2002 bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Grand Canyon University as one of her proudest achievements.
“It was a personal goal,” Burgett said. “Getting a bachelor’s degree was something I wanted to accomplish, and it was something I needed to move ahead.”
With a father in the military, Burgett and her family had moved frequently during her childhood, making it difficult to maintain attachments and nurture friendships.
That all changed when, in 1980, her family moved to west Phoenix and she entered Glendale’s Independence High School as a freshman. Burgett’s roots grew so deep that she has been firmly planted ever since and is now raising her own family there.
“I decided I had moved a lot of places and I wanted to be stable,” she said.
There were few women on the police force when Burgett applied at age 20. Influenced by her father’s military career, she was drawn to the police department’s paramilitary structure.
Among Burgett’s most notable assignments were the Public Information Office, Violent Crimes Bureau, Drug Enforcement Bureau and the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy.
She created the Home Invasion Kidnapping Enforcement (HIKE) unit, establishing an intelligence network that consults with Belgium, Mexico, Canada and London’s New Scotland Yard.
But her most high-profile role was as the public information officer, especially when the Catholic bishop of Phoenix was arrested and charged in a fatal hit-and-run accident in 2003. “I actually did international interviews on that story, it was such a big deal,” she said. One of the calls was from Italy because of the Vatican.
Burgett was working nights when she enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program and attended classes on a campus that was much smaller than it is today.
“I loved going,” Burgett said. “You have to be your best person. I am forever grateful. I’ve learned in every role in the police department how important it is to have an ability to communicate with the world.”
Contact Laurie Merrill at (602) 639-6511 or laurie.merrill@gcu.edu.
After becoming a police officer in 1987, Burgett became the department’s first woman public information officer in 2001, a post she held until 2006. It was a position in which she found herself giving interviews to media around the world.
Burgett’s career has continued its ascent. Today, with 29 years of police experience, many awards and numerous expert certifications under her belt, she is commander of the Community Relations Bureau and oversees 175 officers. But she still counts earning her 2002 bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Grand Canyon University as one of her proudest achievements.
“It was a personal goal,” Burgett said. “Getting a bachelor’s degree was something I wanted to accomplish, and it was something I needed to move ahead.”
With a father in the military, Burgett and her family had moved frequently during her childhood, making it difficult to maintain attachments and nurture friendships.
That all changed when, in 1980, her family moved to west Phoenix and she entered Glendale’s Independence High School as a freshman. Burgett’s roots grew so deep that she has been firmly planted ever since and is now raising her own family there.
“I decided I had moved a lot of places and I wanted to be stable,” she said.
There were few women on the police force when Burgett applied at age 20. Influenced by her father’s military career, she was drawn to the police department’s paramilitary structure.
Among Burgett’s most notable assignments were the Public Information Office, Violent Crimes Bureau, Drug Enforcement Bureau and the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy.
She created the Home Invasion Kidnapping Enforcement (HIKE) unit, establishing an intelligence network that consults with Belgium, Mexico, Canada and London’s New Scotland Yard.
But her most high-profile role was as the public information officer, especially when the Catholic bishop of Phoenix was arrested and charged in a fatal hit-and-run accident in 2003. “I actually did international interviews on that story, it was such a big deal,” she said. One of the calls was from Italy because of the Vatican.
Burgett was working nights when she enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program and attended classes on a campus that was much smaller than it is today.
“I loved going,” Burgett said. “You have to be your best person. I am forever grateful. I’ve learned in every role in the police department how important it is to have an ability to communicate with the world.”
Contact Laurie Merrill at (602) 639-6511 or laurie.merrill@gcu.edu.
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Update Your Information
What have you been up to since graduating from GCU? If you haven't done so recently, please share your accomplishments and update your information with us.
>> UPDATE HERE
What have you been up to since graduating from GCU? If you haven't done so recently, please share your accomplishments and update your information with us.
>> UPDATE HERE
Career IMPACT Center
A Summer Well Spent: Utilize the summer to invest in furthering your career
Career Services: A Summer Well Spent by Rick Vacek by Aysha Bell, GCU Career IMPACT CenterThe spring semester is over and students have wrapped up another fantastic academic year at Grand Canyon University. Though it is tempting to get into a “summer groove,” it is a great idea to utilize the slower pace to invest in furthering your career. Therefore, the Career IMPACT Center is encouraging both students and alumni to spend their time this summer developing a strong resume, practicing interviewing and applying for jobs and/or internships.
Why is utilizing the summer to advance professionally a good idea? Many individuals are spending their time vacationing and winding down after a busy year, so you have an opportunity to get a “leg up” on the competition. Additionally, the relaxed pace often presented by summer is actually a great incubator for creativity and renewed energy, which could result in the development of stronger job search documents.
The “Summer Well Spent” campaign is not only valuable for job seekers. Employers can also use the downtime during summer months to revisit company, departmental or staff structure and begin to adapt any policies or service methods that might be no longer beneficial.
Of course, you still want to make sure to fully enjoy any downtime over the next few months. So relax, have fun and then carve out time to invest in yourself and make sure you have a “Summer Well Spent.”
Remember, GCU Career IMPACT Center is here for you! Visit www.gcu.edu/careerservices to utilize any of our online tools to identify your career path, build your resume, research career options or apply to current job postings! Employers are encouraged to apply for a Career Connections account to post jobs and/or internships for GCU students and alumni.
>> READ MORE
A Summer Well Spent: Utilize the summer to invest in furthering your career
Career Services: A Summer Well Spent by Rick Vacek by Aysha Bell, GCU Career IMPACT CenterThe spring semester is over and students have wrapped up another fantastic academic year at Grand Canyon University. Though it is tempting to get into a “summer groove,” it is a great idea to utilize the slower pace to invest in furthering your career. Therefore, the Career IMPACT Center is encouraging both students and alumni to spend their time this summer developing a strong resume, practicing interviewing and applying for jobs and/or internships.
Why is utilizing the summer to advance professionally a good idea? Many individuals are spending their time vacationing and winding down after a busy year, so you have an opportunity to get a “leg up” on the competition. Additionally, the relaxed pace often presented by summer is actually a great incubator for creativity and renewed energy, which could result in the development of stronger job search documents.
The “Summer Well Spent” campaign is not only valuable for job seekers. Employers can also use the downtime during summer months to revisit company, departmental or staff structure and begin to adapt any policies or service methods that might be no longer beneficial.
Of course, you still want to make sure to fully enjoy any downtime over the next few months. So relax, have fun and then carve out time to invest in yourself and make sure you have a “Summer Well Spent.”
Remember, GCU Career IMPACT Center is here for you! Visit www.gcu.edu/careerservices to utilize any of our online tools to identify your career path, build your resume, research career options or apply to current job postings! Employers are encouraged to apply for a Career Connections account to post jobs and/or internships for GCU students and alumni.
>> READ MORE
Faculty Honors
GCU's Dr. Diane Goodman's short stories will be included in the American Writers Supplements, an extraordinary honor.
Words of honor: Goodman makes American Writers by Laurie.Merrill, GCU News BureauIn what is considered an extraordinary honor for a writer, an essay about Dr. Diane Goodman of Grand Canyon University and her short-story collections will be included in the next supplement to the American Writers Series.
Goodman’s inclusion in the October supplement puts her in the company of America’s best writers, from the 17th century to the present day.
GCU's Dr. Diane Goodman's short stories will be included in the American Writers Supplements, an extraordinary honor.
Words of honor: Goodman makes American Writers by Laurie.Merrill, GCU News BureauIn what is considered an extraordinary honor for a writer, an essay about Dr. Diane Goodman of Grand Canyon University and her short-story collections will be included in the next supplement to the American Writers Series.
Goodman’s inclusion in the October supplement puts her in the company of America’s best writers, from the 17th century to the present day.
Dr. Diane Goodman, a beloved English professor at GCU, has been selected for the American Writers Supplements.Both the series and its American Writers Supplements feature critical and biographical articles on hundreds of authors — many of whose works are required reading in college and high school. That includes such greats as Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, J.D. Salinger, Toni Morrison, Gertrude Stein and T.S. Eliot.
“It’s an enormous honor at this point in my career,” said Goodman, an associate professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She also designed and runs WriteOn, a creative writing content clinic, and is co-adviser of “StartleBloom: The GCU Literary Review,” which she launched in 2016.
Goodman’s three short story collections explore the roles that food, cooking and serving play in the lives of the women whose deepest needs and longings she lays painfully bare.
“The Genius of Hunger” was published in 2001, followed by “The Plated Heart” in 2006 and “Party Girls” in 2011.
The first book reflects a period in Goodman’s life when she moved to Miami, Fla., and didn’t know anyone. She used shopping to satiate her loneliness as well as to stuff her grocery carts.
It’s about women like Joan, the main character in the first story, who sees her favorite grocery store as an oasis. Joan loves her shopping trips and “looked forward to them like vacations.”
But Joan is obese and consumed by shame about her body size and odor. She worries “that the thin aisles would put her too close to other shoppers.”
She has disturbing thoughts about a thin and pretty acquaintance she encounters in the cheese aisle, the teenage son for whom buying food is a form of doting, and a beautiful stranger who inexplicably comes to her aid after she slips and falls.
“It’s an enormous honor at this point in my career,” said Goodman, an associate professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She also designed and runs WriteOn, a creative writing content clinic, and is co-adviser of “StartleBloom: The GCU Literary Review,” which she launched in 2016.
Goodman’s three short story collections explore the roles that food, cooking and serving play in the lives of the women whose deepest needs and longings she lays painfully bare.
“The Genius of Hunger” was published in 2001, followed by “The Plated Heart” in 2006 and “Party Girls” in 2011.
The first book reflects a period in Goodman’s life when she moved to Miami, Fla., and didn’t know anyone. She used shopping to satiate her loneliness as well as to stuff her grocery carts.
It’s about women like Joan, the main character in the first story, who sees her favorite grocery store as an oasis. Joan loves her shopping trips and “looked forward to them like vacations.”
But Joan is obese and consumed by shame about her body size and odor. She worries “that the thin aisles would put her too close to other shoppers.”
She has disturbing thoughts about a thin and pretty acquaintance she encounters in the cheese aisle, the teenage son for whom buying food is a form of doting, and a beautiful stranger who inexplicably comes to her aid after she slips and falls.
Dr. Diane Goodman, right, shares a light moment with faculty member Heather Brody at a “WriteOn” session for budding writers and poets at GCU.
Joan’s hunger isn’t for food. It’s for love, acceptance and belonging.
The Plated Heart, which stems from Goodman’s experience owning a Miami catering company, has more of a service theme and ties in the act of giving that making meals can represent.
“When you’re cooking, you’re doing an intimate act for strangers,” Goodman said.
Dorothy, the protagonist in “The Manager,” describes the grocery store she is perusing as “a small town, a perfect small town.”
Dorothy is a private chef in Miami Beach who spends her days in a stranger’s kitchen and her nights alone, Goodman said.
If Joan’s crisis is self-shame over obesity, Dorothy’s is the death of her husband, Billy. She is in in the throes of grief as she shops for her employers.
On one trip, she finds more than food. She develops an imaginary romance with the grocery store manager.
“She heard him before she saw him the first time, a big hearty laugh that sounded so much like Billy’s her head flashed around …” the story says. “The second time she saw him she fell in love with him.”
The object of Dorothy’s obsession is unaware of his distorted status in her thought life. He doesn’t know that she stalks him during unnecessary shopping trips that fill her cart and refrigerator with unwanted food.
It isn’t food she wants. Dorothy wants the manager to satisfy the void left gaping by Billy’s death.
Goodman’s third collection, Party Girls, reflects her growth as an accomplished caterer and reveals her sympathy for clients.
The first story in the collection, “Beloved Child,” focuses on an executive chef who is on the verge of a crisis she doesn’t want to see. Her boyfriend, Gil, spends much of his free time with Aiko, a woman whose name means “beloved child.” The chef (her name is not given) and Gil live upstairs, and Aiko and her husband live downstairs in a home that Aiko’s husband owns.
Gil and Aiko take long walks during the day while the chef is at work at an exclusive country club. At night, Gil often falls asleep on a couch in the other couple’s living quarters.
“Gil is an empty receptacle that I could never fill, and so I am relieved that he and Aiko have the kind of relationship that lets them feed off each other’s never-ending grief: They are both the children of dead minister fathers,” the chef says.
Gil and Aiko also prepare Sunday brunches for the foursome. When the chef tries to contribute by slicing avocados or washing the dishes, Aiko discourages her and politely asserts her dominance over the food domain. Aiko’s embrace of food is a metaphor for — well, you have to read the story.
“All of my books use cooking and food as a metaphor,” Goodman said.
Goodman has been cooking meals since she was a young girl, and as an adult she owned Diane’s on Coventry, a Cleveland restaurant, and Diane Cooks Inc., a Miami catering company.
She said she wasn’t much of a businessperson and enjoyed decorating the trays more than preparing the food.
“For me, it’s almost coincidental that I use cooking and food as a metaphor for loneliness and community and nurturing,” she said. “I know how to cook. But writing is a necessity for me as a creative outlet.”
Unlike writing, cooking has a finite end.
“When it’s done, it’s done — and then people give you money for it,” Goodman said. With writing, she said, revisions can remain endlessly in the offing. You’re never sure if a story is really done.
Goodman has quickly become a beloved member of the GCU community who is considered tough but fair and thoughtful. Senior English major Ashlienne Newsome said Goodman is her favorite professor.
“She has a whole fan club,” Newsome said. “She’s so real, and she’s so interested in us. It’s funny because when she fills in for another teacher, everyone in the class cheers.”
Senior Ryan Deyling, an English major whose poem “Getting it Right” was published in the 2017 edition of StartleBloom, is grateful for Goodman’s writing acumen.
“She is very dedicated to creative writing and literature,” Deyling said. “She is a big deal in the creative writing community, and she has a great passion for her students.”
Joan’s hunger isn’t for food. It’s for love, acceptance and belonging.
The Plated Heart, which stems from Goodman’s experience owning a Miami catering company, has more of a service theme and ties in the act of giving that making meals can represent.
“When you’re cooking, you’re doing an intimate act for strangers,” Goodman said.
Dorothy, the protagonist in “The Manager,” describes the grocery store she is perusing as “a small town, a perfect small town.”
Dorothy is a private chef in Miami Beach who spends her days in a stranger’s kitchen and her nights alone, Goodman said.
If Joan’s crisis is self-shame over obesity, Dorothy’s is the death of her husband, Billy. She is in in the throes of grief as she shops for her employers.
On one trip, she finds more than food. She develops an imaginary romance with the grocery store manager.
“She heard him before she saw him the first time, a big hearty laugh that sounded so much like Billy’s her head flashed around …” the story says. “The second time she saw him she fell in love with him.”
The object of Dorothy’s obsession is unaware of his distorted status in her thought life. He doesn’t know that she stalks him during unnecessary shopping trips that fill her cart and refrigerator with unwanted food.
It isn’t food she wants. Dorothy wants the manager to satisfy the void left gaping by Billy’s death.
Goodman’s third collection, Party Girls, reflects her growth as an accomplished caterer and reveals her sympathy for clients.
The first story in the collection, “Beloved Child,” focuses on an executive chef who is on the verge of a crisis she doesn’t want to see. Her boyfriend, Gil, spends much of his free time with Aiko, a woman whose name means “beloved child.” The chef (her name is not given) and Gil live upstairs, and Aiko and her husband live downstairs in a home that Aiko’s husband owns.
Gil and Aiko take long walks during the day while the chef is at work at an exclusive country club. At night, Gil often falls asleep on a couch in the other couple’s living quarters.
“Gil is an empty receptacle that I could never fill, and so I am relieved that he and Aiko have the kind of relationship that lets them feed off each other’s never-ending grief: They are both the children of dead minister fathers,” the chef says.
Gil and Aiko also prepare Sunday brunches for the foursome. When the chef tries to contribute by slicing avocados or washing the dishes, Aiko discourages her and politely asserts her dominance over the food domain. Aiko’s embrace of food is a metaphor for — well, you have to read the story.
“All of my books use cooking and food as a metaphor,” Goodman said.
Goodman has been cooking meals since she was a young girl, and as an adult she owned Diane’s on Coventry, a Cleveland restaurant, and Diane Cooks Inc., a Miami catering company.
She said she wasn’t much of a businessperson and enjoyed decorating the trays more than preparing the food.
“For me, it’s almost coincidental that I use cooking and food as a metaphor for loneliness and community and nurturing,” she said. “I know how to cook. But writing is a necessity for me as a creative outlet.”
Unlike writing, cooking has a finite end.
“When it’s done, it’s done — and then people give you money for it,” Goodman said. With writing, she said, revisions can remain endlessly in the offing. You’re never sure if a story is really done.
Goodman has quickly become a beloved member of the GCU community who is considered tough but fair and thoughtful. Senior English major Ashlienne Newsome said Goodman is her favorite professor.
“She has a whole fan club,” Newsome said. “She’s so real, and she’s so interested in us. It’s funny because when she fills in for another teacher, everyone in the class cheers.”
Senior Ryan Deyling, an English major whose poem “Getting it Right” was published in the 2017 edition of StartleBloom, is grateful for Goodman’s writing acumen.
“She is very dedicated to creative writing and literature,” Deyling said. “She is a big deal in the creative writing community, and she has a great passion for her students.”
Dr. Diane Goodman’s three story collections contain cooking and food metaphors.
CHSS faculty member Heather Brody, adviser of GCU’s Friends of the Pen and co-adviser of StartleBloom, also heaped praise on her colleague.
“Dr. Goodman is an extraordinary author and professor, and this is a well-deserved honor,” Brody said. “I am blessed to work alongside her at GCU.”
Ann Patchett, prize-winning author of such novels as “Commonwealth,” “Bel Canto” and “State of Wonder,” is a big fan and close personal friend of Goodman.
In “The Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir About Writing and Life,” Patchett said of Goodman: “I did wind up writing the book I came to write, and a great deal of the credit for that goes to my friend Diane Goodman, who was living in Pennsylvania at the time. Long-distance phone calls were expensive in those days and I was hopelessly broke; still, talking to Diane proved a wise investment.”
Born and raised in Cleveland, Goodman lived in Miami Beach for 15 years, where she taught part-time at the University of Miami and owned a boutique catering/personal chef business.
Goodman has a Ph.D. in English from Case Western Reserve University, a master’s in English from the University of Delaware, a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Antioch University and a Bachelor of Arts in Science Writing from Denison University.
Goodman’s publications include various poems, nonfiction essays and articles in national magazines. She relocated to Phoenix in August 2012 and began teaching English at GCU in January 2014.
It’s a privilege to be selected for American Writers Supplements, a process launched by scholars who have read and taught a writer’s work and then must write a proposal to the Series’ editor in order for the critical essay to be considered for publication.
“When I first found about it, I said I don’t think I belong in there,” Goodman said. “It’s really humbling.”
Contact Laurie Merrill at (602) 639-6511 or laurie.merrill@gcu.edu.
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Dr. Moronke Oke and Dr. Donna DeMilia (center, with purple stoles) with the student leaders of Delta Mu Delta.
International Honor Society
GCU's Delta Mu Delta, an international business honor society, aims to make a difference and serve the community.
Delta Mu Delta looks to expand scope, membership by Rick Vacek
Members of Delta Mu Delta gathered Wednesday at GCU Golf Course.
Story by Rick Vacek
Photos by Johnny Jaffe, GCU News BureauBelonging to Delta Mu Delta, an international honor society for business programs, is prestigious.
The Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University is looking to make it important in other ways — by serving the community, too.
That was the main message Wednesday afternoon at GCU Golf Course in the induction ceremony for new members. Dr. Randy Gibb, the CCOB dean, and Dr. Moronke Oke and Dr. Donna DeMilia, the Delta Mu Delta advisers, all emphasized it.
GCU's Delta Mu Delta, an international business honor society, aims to make a difference and serve the community.
Delta Mu Delta looks to expand scope, membership by Rick Vacek
Members of Delta Mu Delta gathered Wednesday at GCU Golf Course.
Story by Rick Vacek
Photos by Johnny Jaffe, GCU News BureauBelonging to Delta Mu Delta, an international honor society for business programs, is prestigious.
The Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University is looking to make it important in other ways — by serving the community, too.
That was the main message Wednesday afternoon at GCU Golf Course in the induction ceremony for new members. Dr. Randy Gibb, the CCOB dean, and Dr. Moronke Oke and Dr. Donna DeMilia, the Delta Mu Delta advisers, all emphasized it.
“The goal is to recognize people for their academic accomplishments, but we also want to give back to the community,” Oke said. “We want to do more service projects and have a more established presence on campus.
“With the new vision under the leadership of Dr. Gibb and with two new advisers, we’re looking to do more that would support the interests of the students as well as the college and the overall vision of GCU.”
Gibb pointed to that vision when he explained the college’s overarching mission to the gathering of students and their families: “We’re trying to move the needle and send business people out into the world to make a difference.”
The current president and vice president, Nick Gribbin and Diana Hernandez, were honored for their service, and the student leadership for the 2017-18 academic year also was introduced: Meghan Metzger, president; Shelbie Knuckles, vice president; Eva Mysnyk, secretary; and Conner Teich, treasurer.
“With the new vision under the leadership of Dr. Gibb and with two new advisers, we’re looking to do more that would support the interests of the students as well as the college and the overall vision of GCU.”
Gibb pointed to that vision when he explained the college’s overarching mission to the gathering of students and their families: “We’re trying to move the needle and send business people out into the world to make a difference.”
The current president and vice president, Nick Gribbin and Diana Hernandez, were honored for their service, and the student leadership for the 2017-18 academic year also was introduced: Meghan Metzger, president; Shelbie Knuckles, vice president; Eva Mysnyk, secretary; and Conner Teich, treasurer.
DeMilia (right) hands a letter of congratulation to a student who qualified for the honor society.Metzger, an Accounting major who’s scheduled to graduate in December, served as treasurer this year after DeMilia suggested that she join but also get involved, which now means more than just setting up an induction ceremony every semester. A recent meet-and-greet at Canyon 49 Grill helped the students get to know each other better.
The students are considering two possible service projects for this fall, according to Metzger, but they also hope to have other activities.
Their goal, she said, is “giving back to the community, working with other people, meeting everybody who has just been inducted and forming a group of people who we can have on campus networking.”
There also are people off campus who are eager to network. Delta Mu Delta is open to online and master’s students as well, and one of those online learners, Teresa Cover from Fort Worth, Texas, was at Wednesday’s ceremony to be inducted.
Cover lived in the Valley for 20 years and comes back often to visit family, so she planned to make a day out of popping over to west Phoenix for the ceremony and then visiting the GCU campus for the first time. She began the online program late last year.
Why join Delta Mu Delta?
“I have always strived to do the best that I can do, and this is an accomplishment that I don’t think I would have been able to attain when I was in my first college after high school,” she said.
To qualify for Delta Mu Delta, students must be in the top 20 percent of their class and have earned at least 20 credits. Membership is by invitation only.
Because Delta Mu Delta is an international organization with thousands of members, the benefits can go far beyond knowing more people on campus.
“One of the key advantages, besides showing that you stand out from the crowd, is that it has access to unique networking opportunities for members only — including scholarships and job postings,” Oke said.
Contact Rick Vacek at (602) 639-8203 or rick.vacek@gcu.edu.
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The students are considering two possible service projects for this fall, according to Metzger, but they also hope to have other activities.
Their goal, she said, is “giving back to the community, working with other people, meeting everybody who has just been inducted and forming a group of people who we can have on campus networking.”
There also are people off campus who are eager to network. Delta Mu Delta is open to online and master’s students as well, and one of those online learners, Teresa Cover from Fort Worth, Texas, was at Wednesday’s ceremony to be inducted.
Cover lived in the Valley for 20 years and comes back often to visit family, so she planned to make a day out of popping over to west Phoenix for the ceremony and then visiting the GCU campus for the first time. She began the online program late last year.
Why join Delta Mu Delta?
“I have always strived to do the best that I can do, and this is an accomplishment that I don’t think I would have been able to attain when I was in my first college after high school,” she said.
To qualify for Delta Mu Delta, students must be in the top 20 percent of their class and have earned at least 20 credits. Membership is by invitation only.
Because Delta Mu Delta is an international organization with thousands of members, the benefits can go far beyond knowing more people on campus.
“One of the key advantages, besides showing that you stand out from the crowd, is that it has access to unique networking opportunities for members only — including scholarships and job postings,” Oke said.
Contact Rick Vacek at (602) 639-8203 or rick.vacek@gcu.edu.
>> READ MORE
Campus Expansion
GCU continues to grow with Diamondback Apartments, a basketball practice facility, Brazell Stadium remodeling and more. New apartments on track for August opening by Rick Vacek
GCU continues to grow with Diamondback Apartments, a basketball practice facility, Brazell Stadium remodeling and more. New apartments on track for August opening by Rick Vacek
The Diamondback Apartments are being erected on the east side of the Grand Canyon University campus. (Photo by Slaven Gujic)
by Karen Fernau, GCU News Bureau
The construction workers hanging drywall and wiring electricity in Grand Canyon University’s newest apartments will be replaced in August by 600 students.
The six-story Diamondback Apartments on GCU’s eastern edge is scheduled to open in time for the 2017-18 school year, said Richard Oesterle, director of campus development.
When open, the apartments will bring the number of students living on campus to a record 11,000.
Like at the Papago, Roadrunner and Agave apartments, Diamondback features four single-person bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and communal living space.
Interest in living in Diamondback, located north of the parking garage at 29th Avenue and Camelback Road, is high because it’s new, said Matt Hopkins, Residence Life director.
“It’s very appealing to students on several different levels. Let’s just say we are booking apartments,” he said.
Only returning students are eligible to apply to live in the apartments.
Diamondback Apartments is the largest construction project on the fast-growing Phoenix campus, but far from the only.
Here’s a snapshot of GCU’s ongoing expansion:
● Construction of a 24,000-square-foot basketball practice facility next to GCU Arena is nearly complete. The full practice court for both men’s and women’s teams, players’ lounge, team meeting room and offices are finished. The last piece – a Jerry Colangelo museum – is expected to be complete on April 25. The museum will showcase artifacts from the Phoenix sports and business icon.
● The extensive remodel of GCU’s baseball facility, Brazell Stadium, is scheduled for mid-May to January. The 3,500-seat, two-level stadium will include chair-back seats wrapping around the infield, berm seating down the first-base side, two broadcast booths, a team store and a concession stand.
● The second phase to expand the softball stadium will run from mid-May until January. When complete, the 1,500-seat stadium will include chair-back seats, artificial turf, an expanded concourse, dugouts, new restrooms and concessions.
● The artificial turf on the beach volleyball court is scheduled to be finished by Friday.
● A project to install environmentally friendly LED lightbulbs in streetlights on GCU’s perimeter is expected to be completed in May.
Contact Karen Fernau at (602) 639-8344 or karen.fernau@gcu.edu.
by Karen Fernau, GCU News Bureau
The construction workers hanging drywall and wiring electricity in Grand Canyon University’s newest apartments will be replaced in August by 600 students.
The six-story Diamondback Apartments on GCU’s eastern edge is scheduled to open in time for the 2017-18 school year, said Richard Oesterle, director of campus development.
When open, the apartments will bring the number of students living on campus to a record 11,000.
Like at the Papago, Roadrunner and Agave apartments, Diamondback features four single-person bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and communal living space.
Interest in living in Diamondback, located north of the parking garage at 29th Avenue and Camelback Road, is high because it’s new, said Matt Hopkins, Residence Life director.
“It’s very appealing to students on several different levels. Let’s just say we are booking apartments,” he said.
Only returning students are eligible to apply to live in the apartments.
Diamondback Apartments is the largest construction project on the fast-growing Phoenix campus, but far from the only.
Here’s a snapshot of GCU’s ongoing expansion:
● Construction of a 24,000-square-foot basketball practice facility next to GCU Arena is nearly complete. The full practice court for both men’s and women’s teams, players’ lounge, team meeting room and offices are finished. The last piece – a Jerry Colangelo museum – is expected to be complete on April 25. The museum will showcase artifacts from the Phoenix sports and business icon.
● The extensive remodel of GCU’s baseball facility, Brazell Stadium, is scheduled for mid-May to January. The 3,500-seat, two-level stadium will include chair-back seats wrapping around the infield, berm seating down the first-base side, two broadcast booths, a team store and a concession stand.
● The second phase to expand the softball stadium will run from mid-May until January. When complete, the 1,500-seat stadium will include chair-back seats, artificial turf, an expanded concourse, dugouts, new restrooms and concessions.
● The artificial turf on the beach volleyball court is scheduled to be finished by Friday.
● A project to install environmentally friendly LED lightbulbs in streetlights on GCU’s perimeter is expected to be completed in May.
Contact Karen Fernau at (602) 639-8344 or karen.fernau@gcu.edu.
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Beach Volleyball Camps
June 3 - 4 at Grand Canyon University
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June 3 - 4 at Grand Canyon University
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Men's Basketball Camps
June 2017; Various Dates at GCU
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June 2017; Various Dates at GCU
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Men's Soccer Camps
June & July 2017; Various Dates at GCU
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June & July 2017; Various Dates at GCU
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GCU’s new women’s basketball coach, Nicole Powell, gets a Lopes Up welcome from Thunder.
Powell’s arrival provides lots of reasons to smile by Rick Vacek, Photos by Slaven GujicGCU News Bureau
It’s Tuesday morning in a third-floor conference room overlooking the Grand Canyon University campus, and Nicole Powell’s first day as women’s basketball coach couldn’t be going better.
“I can’t stop smiling,” she said. “I really can’t. This is my place now. This is where I work. This is the university I get to go home to.”
And then her big day got even better than that.
In a noontime press conference packed with University administrators, faculty, staff, student-athletes, cheerleaders and dancers, the Thundering Heard Pep Band and lots of other interested observers, Powell had to stand away from the microphone and try to contain her emotions as the nearly 30 seconds of applause, like her smile, seemed as if it would never end.
“I’m overwhelmed, but in a really positive way,” she said afterward. “It’s one thing to have heard about it, to see it on TV and online, but I really felt the electricity here in the room and the love that the students and the staff have for this university. There’s just a tremendous amount of love and pride here, and I am so honored to now be a part of that.
“This is beyond my expectations. They told me that the band and everyone would be here, but I couldn’t fathom what that would be.”
GCU President Brian Mueller speaks at the press conference …GCU President Brian Mueller said Powell’s first impression was equally impressive: “Her personality impacts you right away. She’s very upbeat, very positive, has a strong sense of who she is and really identifies with the value system of the University.”
And there’s something else he noted: Like men’s basketball coach Dan Majerle, she was an accomplished college and professional player before deciding to go into coaching, and she brings to GCU a passion for the Valley.
One difference: The 6-foot-2 Powell is a Phoenix native. She was named Arizona Player of the Century by The Arizona Republic after scoring 2,478 points at Mountain Pointe High School, then became a three-time All-American at Stanford and, during an award-filled 11-year pro career, a WNBA champion with the Sacramento Monarchs.
What does it mean to be going home?
“It is hugely important to me, but this university, I feel like it could have been anywhere and I would want to be part of it,” she said. “What makes it even more meaningful — I shared this with President Mueller — are the changes that they’re making in this community. Driving down the street today, I was thinking, ‘This is who I am.’”
And there’s something else he noted: Like men’s basketball coach Dan Majerle, she was an accomplished college and professional player before deciding to go into coaching, and she brings to GCU a passion for the Valley.
One difference: The 6-foot-2 Powell is a Phoenix native. She was named Arizona Player of the Century by The Arizona Republic after scoring 2,478 points at Mountain Pointe High School, then became a three-time All-American at Stanford and, during an award-filled 11-year pro career, a WNBA champion with the Sacramento Monarchs.
What does it mean to be going home?
“It is hugely important to me, but this university, I feel like it could have been anywhere and I would want to be part of it,” she said. “What makes it even more meaningful — I shared this with President Mueller — are the changes that they’re making in this community. Driving down the street today, I was thinking, ‘This is who I am.’”
… and welcomes Powell to her new position.
But she didn’t consider coaching part of who she is until the latter stages of her playing days. As her role changed, she discovered her passion for mentoring young players.
“It was really important for me to set a good example,” she said. “You’re not the best player anymore. But you still can contribute to the team in a different way.”
Mike Vaught, GCU’s vice president of Athletics, said that passion was a major factor in her selection, as was her energy and positive attitude. He knew of her, and when friends recommended her it reinforced what he had heard.
“She’s just a great fit for GCU,” he said. “Her track record as a player is unbelievable.”
So is her track record as a recruiter, honed the last three years at Oregon, which made the Elite Eight of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
With Powell’s help, Oregon’s recruiting class was ranked No. 3 in the country last year. The endless hours of travel, games and sitting in the living rooms of high school athletes might seem like drudgery to some, but Powell finds it fascinating.
But she didn’t consider coaching part of who she is until the latter stages of her playing days. As her role changed, she discovered her passion for mentoring young players.
“It was really important for me to set a good example,” she said. “You’re not the best player anymore. But you still can contribute to the team in a different way.”
Mike Vaught, GCU’s vice president of Athletics, said that passion was a major factor in her selection, as was her energy and positive attitude. He knew of her, and when friends recommended her it reinforced what he had heard.
“She’s just a great fit for GCU,” he said. “Her track record as a player is unbelievable.”
So is her track record as a recruiter, honed the last three years at Oregon, which made the Elite Eight of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
With Powell’s help, Oregon’s recruiting class was ranked No. 3 in the country last year. The endless hours of travel, games and sitting in the living rooms of high school athletes might seem like drudgery to some, but Powell finds it fascinating.
Powell, Jessica Gajewski (center) and Vice President of Athletics Mike Vaught listen to the speeches.“I like it. It’s fun,” she said. “It is challenging. It’s extremely competitive. When you’re going up against schools across the country with winning traditions and great coaches and great people, it’s not about putting others down, it’s about trying to shine and show what you have and that you will have the ability to get to these student-athletes and that you think about them.
“The best part about recruiting is getting to know these young women and their families. It’s a journey that we go on. You’ve invested in their lives — you can’t help but get attached. These kids let you into their lives. They trust you and they want to get to know you as well. You just build relationships with people.”
She looks forward to doing the same on campus, and she was pleasantly surprised to find out that the Havocs, GCU’s nationally recognized student cheer section, were part of the Tuesday festivities.
That wasn’t because they were told to be there. They asked to be included, and one of the speakers at the press conference was the Havocs’ incoming president, Karsten Kem, who said they are eager to continue increasing their involvement in the women’s program.
“The best part about recruiting is getting to know these young women and their families. It’s a journey that we go on. You’ve invested in their lives — you can’t help but get attached. These kids let you into their lives. They trust you and they want to get to know you as well. You just build relationships with people.”
She looks forward to doing the same on campus, and she was pleasantly surprised to find out that the Havocs, GCU’s nationally recognized student cheer section, were part of the Tuesday festivities.
That wasn’t because they were told to be there. They asked to be included, and one of the speakers at the press conference was the Havocs’ incoming president, Karsten Kem, who said they are eager to continue increasing their involvement in the women’s program.
Powell talks to players on her new team after the press conference.At the end of his presentation, he turned toward Powell and said, “If you look around this room, you see nothing but purple. That’s here to support you. This University is a family, and that’s the way we roll here. We have an accountability to ourselves, we have an accountability to the faculty and staff to make this place the best place, not just for ourselves, but for our family. So with that, all I’d like to say is, ‘Coach Powell, welcome to the family.’”
Many of the players Powell inherits were sitting right behind her, and one of them, shooting guard Jessica Gajewski, was delighted to hear of this statement from her new coach: “I love shooters. You can never have too many shooters. I think we’re going to be shooting the three-ball a lot.”
Said Gajewski, “We’re super excited. It seems like she’s really experienced and has everything we need to push forward.”
Many of the players Powell inherits were sitting right behind her, and one of them, shooting guard Jessica Gajewski, was delighted to hear of this statement from her new coach: “I love shooters. You can never have too many shooters. I think we’re going to be shooting the three-ball a lot.”
Said Gajewski, “We’re super excited. It seems like she’s really experienced and has everything we need to push forward.”
Powell shows off her very own Havocs jersey.Powell doesn’t remember ever visiting campus before her interview, but once she saw it she was ready to push forward, too. This wasn’t a tough decision for her.
“Of course I’d heard of Grand Canyon before, being a Phoenix native, but I didn’t really know what was happening here,” she said. “After meeting with Mike, I was blown away by the vision that’s here and the work has been done over these past eight years under President Mueller and, of course, the athletic department. Seeing this transformation is incredible, not only the University but the students here and what they’re doing in the community.
“My values line up with their values. That’s why I think it’s such a great fit and such a great match for me, to be part of this. After coming here and getting a chance to meet everyone else, other staff members and other coaches, and hearing who they are and why they bought in, I thought, ‘There’s no way I cannot be part of this!’ I’m so blessed, grateful, thankful that they felt the same.
“There’s no reason why we can’t put Grand Canyon on the map.”
Along with that smile.
● Coming to GCU also means that Powell is reunited with her former high school teammate, Sara Slattery. Here’s the story.
Contact Rick Vacek at (602) 639-8203 or rick.vacek@gcu.edu.Academic All-Conference Lopes top list of Academic All-WAC honorees for winter 2017 sports
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“Of course I’d heard of Grand Canyon before, being a Phoenix native, but I didn’t really know what was happening here,” she said. “After meeting with Mike, I was blown away by the vision that’s here and the work has been done over these past eight years under President Mueller and, of course, the athletic department. Seeing this transformation is incredible, not only the University but the students here and what they’re doing in the community.
“My values line up with their values. That’s why I think it’s such a great fit and such a great match for me, to be part of this. After coming here and getting a chance to meet everyone else, other staff members and other coaches, and hearing who they are and why they bought in, I thought, ‘There’s no way I cannot be part of this!’ I’m so blessed, grateful, thankful that they felt the same.
“There’s no reason why we can’t put Grand Canyon on the map.”
Along with that smile.
● Coming to GCU also means that Powell is reunited with her former high school teammate, Sara Slattery. Here’s the story.
Contact Rick Vacek at (602) 639-8203 or rick.vacek@gcu.edu.Academic All-Conference Lopes top list of Academic All-WAC honorees for winter 2017 sports
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Academics Lisa Amsler
Lopes top list of Academic All-WAC honorees for Winter 2017 sports
PLAYERS MENTIONED
DENVER -- Grand Canyon landed at the top of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Academic All-WAC honorees for men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, and men's and women's swimming & diving.
To be eligible for this award, a student-athlete must have one academic year under their belt, a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA and participated in at least half of their team's games.
According to the official conference release, of the 279 student-athletes to earn this recognition, 62 were from Grand Canyon, which is the highest number of honorees of any school in the WAC by a landslide. The closest contender is Utah Valley with 31 honorees.
"GCU is committed to the total development of our student-athletes and will continue to develop our programming, guidance, and support services to provide the best possible student-athlete experience," Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development Jason Linders said.
Men's track and field had 17 Academic All-WAC honorees, closely followed by the women's team with 14 and the men's swimming and diving team with 13. See below for a complete list of Grand Canyon's recipients of the Academic All-WAC award.
Men's Basketball
Joshua Braun, Jr.
Gerard Martin, So.
DeWayne Russell, Sr.
Women's Basketball
Alyx Bloom, Sr.
Jessica Gajewski, Jr.
Zelor Massaquoi, Jr.
Casey Rarrick, So.
August Touchard, Jr.
Men's Indoor Track & Field
Isaac Allanarem, Jr.
Aaron Burnside, Jr.
Joaquin Castellanos, Jr.
Marcus Flannigan, Sr.
Ryan Girk, Jr.
Timmy Johnson, Jr.
Ahmir LaMar, Jr.
Marvin Magg, Jr.
Scott Marshall, Jr.
Kalen Meza, Jr.
Jude Olear, Sr.
Adam Peterson, So.
Sam Proctor, Jr.
Jose Retana Ceballos, Sr.
Pierre-Louis Ricou, Jr.
Philip Terry, Jr.
William Winfield IV, So.
Women's Indoor Track & Field
Taylor Bond, Sr.
Martina Cernochova, Sr.
Aaliyah Cook, Jr.
Ally Cuddeford, Sr.
Mally Gage, Sr.
Alexandra Gilbert, Sr.
Rachelle Green, Jr.
Anna Henry, Jr.
Courtney Logan, So.
Sydney Madrid, So.
Briana Myers, Jr.
Andrea Olstead, Sr.
Sarah Root, So.
Kayla Wilson, Sr.
Men's Swimming & Diving
Sherif Aboumandour, So.
Todd Alden, So.
Daniil Antipov, So.
Mantas Auruskevicius, Jr.
Nathon Burwick, Jr.
Owen Cameron, So.
Trent Godfrey, Sr.
Jacob Lambros, Sr.
Mark Nikolaev, So.
Bogdan Plavin, So.
Connor Shores, Sr.
Trent Trump, Jr.
Michael Winfrey, Jr.
Women's Swimming & Diving
Estela Davis Ortiz, Jr.
Vangelina Draganova, Jr.
Menna Elmidany, So.
Marina Fonseca, Jr.
Lexi Hill, Jr.
Jade Howard, Jr.
Holly Kolkebeck, Sr.
Samiha Mohsen, So.
Megan Phelps, So.
Joana Ulyte, Jr.
Lopes top list of Academic All-WAC honorees for Winter 2017 sports
PLAYERS MENTIONED
DENVER -- Grand Canyon landed at the top of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Academic All-WAC honorees for men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, and men's and women's swimming & diving.
To be eligible for this award, a student-athlete must have one academic year under their belt, a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA and participated in at least half of their team's games.
According to the official conference release, of the 279 student-athletes to earn this recognition, 62 were from Grand Canyon, which is the highest number of honorees of any school in the WAC by a landslide. The closest contender is Utah Valley with 31 honorees.
"GCU is committed to the total development of our student-athletes and will continue to develop our programming, guidance, and support services to provide the best possible student-athlete experience," Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development Jason Linders said.
Men's track and field had 17 Academic All-WAC honorees, closely followed by the women's team with 14 and the men's swimming and diving team with 13. See below for a complete list of Grand Canyon's recipients of the Academic All-WAC award.
Men's Basketball
Joshua Braun, Jr.
Gerard Martin, So.
DeWayne Russell, Sr.
Women's Basketball
Alyx Bloom, Sr.
Jessica Gajewski, Jr.
Zelor Massaquoi, Jr.
Casey Rarrick, So.
August Touchard, Jr.
Men's Indoor Track & Field
Isaac Allanarem, Jr.
Aaron Burnside, Jr.
Joaquin Castellanos, Jr.
Marcus Flannigan, Sr.
Ryan Girk, Jr.
Timmy Johnson, Jr.
Ahmir LaMar, Jr.
Marvin Magg, Jr.
Scott Marshall, Jr.
Kalen Meza, Jr.
Jude Olear, Sr.
Adam Peterson, So.
Sam Proctor, Jr.
Jose Retana Ceballos, Sr.
Pierre-Louis Ricou, Jr.
Philip Terry, Jr.
William Winfield IV, So.
Women's Indoor Track & Field
Taylor Bond, Sr.
Martina Cernochova, Sr.
Aaliyah Cook, Jr.
Ally Cuddeford, Sr.
Mally Gage, Sr.
Alexandra Gilbert, Sr.
Rachelle Green, Jr.
Anna Henry, Jr.
Courtney Logan, So.
Sydney Madrid, So.
Briana Myers, Jr.
Andrea Olstead, Sr.
Sarah Root, So.
Kayla Wilson, Sr.
Men's Swimming & Diving
Sherif Aboumandour, So.
Todd Alden, So.
Daniil Antipov, So.
Mantas Auruskevicius, Jr.
Nathon Burwick, Jr.
Owen Cameron, So.
Trent Godfrey, Sr.
Jacob Lambros, Sr.
Mark Nikolaev, So.
Bogdan Plavin, So.
Connor Shores, Sr.
Trent Trump, Jr.
Michael Winfrey, Jr.
Women's Swimming & Diving
Estela Davis Ortiz, Jr.
Vangelina Draganova, Jr.
Menna Elmidany, So.
Marina Fonseca, Jr.
Lexi Hill, Jr.
Jade Howard, Jr.
Holly Kolkebeck, Sr.
Samiha Mohsen, So.
Megan Phelps, So.
Joana Ulyte, Jr.
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Men's Volleyball Samantha Fell
GCU earns No. 15 national ranking, to celebrate Senior Night this week
PLAYERS MENTIONED
PHOENIX – For the first time in program history, the Grand Canyon men's volleyball team earned a national ranking from the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I-II Poll. The Lopes are ranked No. 15 after splitting matches with No. 10 Loyola last weekend. GCU clinched a home playoff game in the MIVA conference and has one regular season game remaining on the schedule.
Grand Canyon will celebrate Senior Night on Tuesday, April 4 before the team's 6 p.m. match with Concordia Irvine. The Lopes will honor five seniors that have made huge contributions to the men's volleyball program this season. Fletcher Like, Jacob Thibodeau, Matthew Kinnebrew, Drake Silbernagel and Michael Milstein will be recognized for their accomplishments.
Fletcher Like is the team manager and has been an integral part of the behind-the-scenes work for the volleyball program. He is the glue that holds the squad together and has been an asset to both the coaching staff and the players throughout the season.
Jacob Thibodeau, a transfer from Orange Coast College, came to GCU from Huntington Beach, California. He has played in ten matches this year as a libero and has the ability to get thrown into any game and make an impact.
Matthew Kinnebrew joined the Lopes this season as a transfer from head coach Matt Werle's alma mater, Juniata College. As an opposite hitter, he has amassed 173 kills including a season-high 18 kills against No. 1 Ohio State
Middle blocker Drake Silbernagel is from Glendale, Arizona and was a standout player on the ASU club volleyball team for four years. He has made a seamless transition to Division I play at GCU and is a leader on the team with 193 kills.
Setter Michael Milstein is the only senior to play at GCU for all four years. He has evolved into one of the best setters in the MIVA and leads the Lopes with 920 assists this season. Milstein is from Jerusalem, Israel and is the team captain.
Scouting Concordia Irvine
This will be the second matchup between Concordia Irvine and GCU this season. On February 4, the Lopes defeated Concordia on the road in four sets as Shalev Saada and Cullen Mosher each had career-best nights. Since the matchup, Concordia has a record of 17-10 this season.
GCU will look to end the regular season on a high note before beginning play in the MIVA Playoffs. The contest will be played on Tuesday, April 4 in Antelope Gym and begin at 6 p.m.
GCU earns No. 15 national ranking, to celebrate Senior Night this week
PLAYERS MENTIONED
PHOENIX – For the first time in program history, the Grand Canyon men's volleyball team earned a national ranking from the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I-II Poll. The Lopes are ranked No. 15 after splitting matches with No. 10 Loyola last weekend. GCU clinched a home playoff game in the MIVA conference and has one regular season game remaining on the schedule.
Grand Canyon will celebrate Senior Night on Tuesday, April 4 before the team's 6 p.m. match with Concordia Irvine. The Lopes will honor five seniors that have made huge contributions to the men's volleyball program this season. Fletcher Like, Jacob Thibodeau, Matthew Kinnebrew, Drake Silbernagel and Michael Milstein will be recognized for their accomplishments.
Fletcher Like is the team manager and has been an integral part of the behind-the-scenes work for the volleyball program. He is the glue that holds the squad together and has been an asset to both the coaching staff and the players throughout the season.
Jacob Thibodeau, a transfer from Orange Coast College, came to GCU from Huntington Beach, California. He has played in ten matches this year as a libero and has the ability to get thrown into any game and make an impact.
Matthew Kinnebrew joined the Lopes this season as a transfer from head coach Matt Werle's alma mater, Juniata College. As an opposite hitter, he has amassed 173 kills including a season-high 18 kills against No. 1 Ohio State
Middle blocker Drake Silbernagel is from Glendale, Arizona and was a standout player on the ASU club volleyball team for four years. He has made a seamless transition to Division I play at GCU and is a leader on the team with 193 kills.
Setter Michael Milstein is the only senior to play at GCU for all four years. He has evolved into one of the best setters in the MIVA and leads the Lopes with 920 assists this season. Milstein is from Jerusalem, Israel and is the team captain.
Scouting Concordia Irvine
This will be the second matchup between Concordia Irvine and GCU this season. On February 4, the Lopes defeated Concordia on the road in four sets as Shalev Saada and Cullen Mosher each had career-best nights. Since the matchup, Concordia has a record of 17-10 this season.
GCU will look to end the regular season on a high note before beginning play in the MIVA Playoffs. The contest will be played on Tuesday, April 4 in Antelope Gym and begin at 6 p.m.
>> READ MORE
Women's Tennis
Lopes crowned WAC Regular Season Champions with 4-3 victory over UMKC
Women's Tennis | 4/2/2017 3:36:00 PM | Samantha Fell
Lopes crowned WAC Regular Season Champions with 4-3 victory over UMKC
Lopes crowned WAC Regular Season Champions with 4-3 victory over UMKC
Women's Tennis | 4/2/2017 3:36:00 PM | Samantha Fell
Lopes crowned WAC Regular Season Champions with 4-3 victory over UMKC
KANSAS CITY – The GCU women's tennis team won the WAC Conference Championship on Sunday afternoon by defeating Missouri-Kansas City by a score of 4-3. The Lopes went 5-0 in league play and have now won six straight contests. Grand Canyon has a record of 11-5 this season.
"I can't say enough about these girls," head coach Greg Prudhomme praised. "They've worked hard all season and are super coachable. They really bought into the philosophy of our GCU tennis program and they emulate the great effort and the great attitude that we preach and talk about. They implemented that today against a very tough team in UMKC, and for them to get that win, they were calling upon every ounce of training, hard work, practice, and experience that they've accumulated over the season."
The Lopes got off to a good start in doubles play as Alexandra Petrzalkova and Celina Buhr earned a quick 6-1 win on Court 3. Tatum Prudhomme and Susan Baklini suffered a narrow defeat on Court 1, losing in a tiebreaker. To clinch the doubles point, Lana Rinaldi and Emilia Occhipinti won on Court 2 by a 6-2 score, putting GCU ahead 1-0 in the contest.
In singles play, Petrzalkova picked up another big win on Court 2 as she defeated Johnson by a 6-2, 6-4 score. Prudhomme found herself in a battle in the first position, needing two tiebreakers to earn the win over Ladutska. She won by scores of 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-6 (3). Lana Rinaldi was the last Lope to be on the courts. With her 6-3, 7-6 (4) win on Court 5, GCU was able to clinch the match, and the WAC Championship.
"Our two four-year seniors, Sasha [Petrzalkova] and Tatum [Prudhomme], stepped up big," Prudhomme added. "Sasha got the first point on the board and Tatum was down 5-2 in the third set and just valiantly came back, saved two match points, and was able to win in a dramatic tiebreaker 7-6 in the third set."
Prudhomme emphasized that the win was a total team effort. The Lopes started the season against some tough competition, beginning with a 2-4 record, before turning it on in recent weeks. GCU has gone 9-1 since then, edging out close wins in the WAC conference and posting three 7-0 sweeps during the season. Assistant coach Amit Maharaj and graduate assistant Ettore Zito have been instrumental in the success of the women's program.
"The coaches were working really hard throughout our season and conference matches," Prudhomme praised. "Amit and Ettore did a great job all season."
Grand Canyon will celebrate the WAC title for the next two weeks before traveling to Honolulu, Hawaii for one final match. The Lopes will face Hawaii on Saturday, April 15 in the season finale.
Grand Canyon Women 4, Missouri-Kansas City 3
Apr 02, 2017 at Kansas City, MO (Plaza)
Singles competition
1. Tatum Prudhomme (WGCU) def. Aliona Ladutska (UMKC) 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-6 (3)
2. Alexandra Petrzalkova (WGCU) def. Melinda Johnson (UMKC) 6-2, 6-4
3. Mariam Kurasbediani (UMKC) def. Susan Baklini (WGCU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
4. Yana Grechkina (UMKC) def. Celina Buhr (WGCU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Lana Rinaldi (WGCU) def. Katie Fries (UMKC) 6-3, 7-6 (4)
6. Thanushree Vale (UMKC) def. Emilia Occhipinti (WGCU) 6-4, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Melinda Johnson/Yana Grechkina (UMKC) def. Tatum Prudhomme/Susan Baklini (WGCU) 7-6 (5-0)
2. Lana Rinaldi/Emilia Occhipinti (WGCU) def. Thanushree Vale/Mariam Kurasbediani (UMKC) 6-2
3. Alexandra Petrzalkova/Celina Buhr (WGCU) def. Marina Albert/Aliona Ladutska (UMKC) 6-1
Match Notes
Grand Canyon Women 11-5
Missouri-Kansas City 9-8
The Lopes got off to a good start in doubles play as Alexandra Petrzalkova and Celina Buhr earned a quick 6-1 win on Court 3. Tatum Prudhomme and Susan Baklini suffered a narrow defeat on Court 1, losing in a tiebreaker. To clinch the doubles point, Lana Rinaldi and Emilia Occhipinti won on Court 2 by a 6-2 score, putting GCU ahead 1-0 in the contest.
In singles play, Petrzalkova picked up another big win on Court 2 as she defeated Johnson by a 6-2, 6-4 score. Prudhomme found herself in a battle in the first position, needing two tiebreakers to earn the win over Ladutska. She won by scores of 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-6 (3). Lana Rinaldi was the last Lope to be on the courts. With her 6-3, 7-6 (4) win on Court 5, GCU was able to clinch the match, and the WAC Championship.
"Our two four-year seniors, Sasha [Petrzalkova] and Tatum [Prudhomme], stepped up big," Prudhomme added. "Sasha got the first point on the board and Tatum was down 5-2 in the third set and just valiantly came back, saved two match points, and was able to win in a dramatic tiebreaker 7-6 in the third set."
Prudhomme emphasized that the win was a total team effort. The Lopes started the season against some tough competition, beginning with a 2-4 record, before turning it on in recent weeks. GCU has gone 9-1 since then, edging out close wins in the WAC conference and posting three 7-0 sweeps during the season. Assistant coach Amit Maharaj and graduate assistant Ettore Zito have been instrumental in the success of the women's program.
"The coaches were working really hard throughout our season and conference matches," Prudhomme praised. "Amit and Ettore did a great job all season."
Grand Canyon will celebrate the WAC title for the next two weeks before traveling to Honolulu, Hawaii for one final match. The Lopes will face Hawaii on Saturday, April 15 in the season finale.
Grand Canyon Women 4, Missouri-Kansas City 3
Apr 02, 2017 at Kansas City, MO (Plaza)
Singles competition
1. Tatum Prudhomme (WGCU) def. Aliona Ladutska (UMKC) 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-6 (3)
2. Alexandra Petrzalkova (WGCU) def. Melinda Johnson (UMKC) 6-2, 6-4
3. Mariam Kurasbediani (UMKC) def. Susan Baklini (WGCU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
4. Yana Grechkina (UMKC) def. Celina Buhr (WGCU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Lana Rinaldi (WGCU) def. Katie Fries (UMKC) 6-3, 7-6 (4)
6. Thanushree Vale (UMKC) def. Emilia Occhipinti (WGCU) 6-4, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Melinda Johnson/Yana Grechkina (UMKC) def. Tatum Prudhomme/Susan Baklini (WGCU) 7-6 (5-0)
2. Lana Rinaldi/Emilia Occhipinti (WGCU) def. Thanushree Vale/Mariam Kurasbediani (UMKC) 6-2
3. Alexandra Petrzalkova/Celina Buhr (WGCU) def. Marina Albert/Aliona Ladutska (UMKC) 6-1
Match Notes
Grand Canyon Women 11-5
Missouri-Kansas City 9-8
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"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."[Philippians 4:7]
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Just Announced! Doctoral June Scholarship for Friday, 12 May 2017 with Kaylene Woolford from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, United States
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."[Philippians 4:7]
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Just Announced! Doctoral June Scholarship for Friday, 12 May 2017 with Kaylene Woolford from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, United States
New Doctoral Learner Scholarship Offer
Congratulations on taking a monumental leap forward in your educational career by considering a doctoral degree from Grand Canyon University! In support of your effort, we are happy to offer you a $500 scholarship to defray the cost of your studies.
LEARN MORE
In order to receive this scholarship, you must submit a complete application and begin your program in June 2017. Move one step closer toward the incredible sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with earning a doctorate degree.
"I completed my EdD in organizational leadership while working as a senior business analyst. After earning my degree, I began to explore options to transition into the business aspect of IT where I could better serve students. I landed a job as a project manager and was quickly promoted to system director for Student Success Technologies at Minnesota State. I had found my passion for providing educational innovations and implementing technology that directly affects student learning and success. I give credit to GCU's EdD program and the caring and encouraging faculty and administration for helping me find my purpose that allows me to impact more than 400,000 current Minnesota State students."-Timothy Anderson, Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Organizational Development, Alumni 2013
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Congratulations on taking a monumental leap forward in your educational career by considering a doctoral degree from Grand Canyon University! In support of your effort, we are happy to offer you a $500 scholarship to defray the cost of your studies.
LEARN MORE
In order to receive this scholarship, you must submit a complete application and begin your program in June 2017. Move one step closer toward the incredible sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with earning a doctorate degree.
"I completed my EdD in organizational leadership while working as a senior business analyst. After earning my degree, I began to explore options to transition into the business aspect of IT where I could better serve students. I landed a job as a project manager and was quickly promoted to system director for Student Success Technologies at Minnesota State. I had found my passion for providing educational innovations and implementing technology that directly affects student learning and success. I give credit to GCU's EdD program and the caring and encouraging faculty and administration for helping me find my purpose that allows me to impact more than 400,000 current Minnesota State students."-Timothy Anderson, Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Organizational Development, Alumni 2013
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Grand Canyon University
3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85017, United States.
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