Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, United States Office of Alumni Relations for Monday, 3 July 2017 "Grand Canyon University Alumni E-Newsletter: July 2017"

Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, United States Office of Alumni Relations for Monday, 3 July 2017 "Grand Canyon University Alumni E-Newsletter: July 2017"

JULY 2017 | VIEW IN BROWSER     Soccer Season TicketsThe Lopes are entering their second season at the state-of-the-art GCU Stadium and their first as a full member of Division I athletics, eligible for the WAC and NCAA Tournament! Get season tickets at a great price and be a part of the family-friendly fun and action-packed competition with Arizona's only Division I soccer program! >> PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS NOW  Spotlight A story you need to read to believe - A GCU Alumni Hall of Famer led the first raid of a ship controlled by Somali pirates >> READ MORE Alumnus had key role in Marines’ historic raid by rick.vacek Jackie Schiller II retired from the Marine Corps in 2014 and now is senior military instructor of the Marine Corps JROTC at Round Rock (Texas) High School. Editor’s note: This story is reprinted from the May issue of GCU Magazine. To view the digital version of the magazine, click here. By Jeannette Cruz GCU Magazine Scenes of pirates invading ships on the high seas have been dramatized in movies and cartoons for years, but true inspiration is translated from true events. When Somali pirates hijacked the Magellan Star just after dawn on Sept. 9, 2010, two dozen U.S. Marine commandos were called to stop them. Among the combatants was Marine Corps Major Jackie Schiller II, who was inducted into the Grand Canyon University Alumni Hall of Fame in February. Platoons swarmed the decks and surrounded the armed pirates with two warships and circling Navy helicopters, giving them no chance to react. The mission, about 85 miles south of the Yemeni town of al Mukalla, marked the first time U.S. military forces had ever boarded a ship actively controlled by Somali pirates. Schiller, a lieutenant at the time, overcomes the “Dirty Name” obstacle on The Marine Corps “Confidence Course,” designed to build the self-confidence of the individual Marine. “There was definitely tension,” Schiller said. “But the Marines — we are famous for going strong.” The 11-member crew of the German ship was barricaded in a safe room and had killed the ship’s engine, leaving the vessel to float dead in the water. The Marines captured the suspected pirates, gained control of the ship and freed the crew in less than 24 hours. “In my belief, that mission was such a success because of the overwhelming force we presented the enemy,” said Schiller, who developed the fire support measures and observed the mission from the belly of the naval ship through various cameras and video feeds. “Our training is no different than real-life operation — there is force, there is anxiety and there is excitement. Our real concern is always about taking care of our men. That is critical to our culture.” Like father, like son Schiller, who earned his master’s in Leadership from GCU in 2007 and his doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership last year, said he always knew he “wanted to be a hero” like his father, Jackie Schiller I. Like most military children, Schiller spent his early years changing schools, making new friends and living in different parts of the world. By the time he graduated from high school in Texas, he had gone to 16 different schools and his father was deployed overseas on the island of Okinawa, Japan. Though his father never pushed him to join the Marine Corps, he did instill in him a sense of duty and pride. “It’s a funny story,” Schiller said. “When I came to my father at age 20 and said, ‘I want to join the Marines and go fight in Desert Storm,’ he said, ‘I will not talk to you about this, son, until you wait 72 hours and come back to me then.’ I had to wait in silence for three days and think about my declaration — after which he was excited to talk about it. “My father is inspirational to just about anybody. I grew up with that ideal of directing my energy beyond the surface of my life for something greater, and I wanted to be something greater than myself.” It was after enlisting that he found his passion and purpose. For nearly 22 years, Schiller trained, traveled around the world and transformed his outlook on life. He even met his wife, Darcy, while stationed in Hawaii. Of all his experiences, he said the most rewarding were providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Pakistan and supporting East Timor’s transition to independence. Yet, despite his highest appreciation for his service, he confessed that the most difficult aspect of military life was the toll it took on family. Finally, in 2014, after working three years as Marine officer instructor at the University of Notre Dame, Schiller sensed that it was time to retire from the Marine Corps. Teaching military values and ethics Schiller said his time with the military ingrained values that he still uses daily as senior military instructor of the Marine Corps JROTC at Round Rock (Texas) High School, where he emphasizes leadership and character development. “I love it,” Schiller said. “I feel like I’ve transitioned into a wise old sage who doesn’t go out to battle anymore, and I notice that when I’m on a tangent of stories and I get excited, my students get excited about life. That’s how I can tell that my experiences impact them.” Schiller said the biggest misconception about JROTC is that it is a high school boot camp or recruiting tool for the military. While the high school program was born with the passage of the National Defense Act of 1916, the idea is to motivate young people to become better American citizens. “I’m concerned about our younger generation in regard to their willpower, persistence and grit,” he said. “I’m not here to recruit. In fact, I want to see them go off to college. Our ultimate goal is to make them positive influencers in society.” Contact Jeannette Cruz at jeannette.cruz@gcu.edu or (602) 639-6631. Spheres of Influence This alumna's sports camps create spheres of influence across the globe >> READ MORE Irving’s sports camps create spheres of influence by rick.vacek Cassandra Irving is working to build global relationships through her sports camps. Editor’s note: This story is reprinted from the May issue of GCU Magazine. To view the digital version of the magazine, click here. By Mark Heller GCU Magazine In 2014, Cassandra Irving took her first trip outside North America. Two random coincidences and three years later, Irving has a continental network of donors and sponsors helping coaches teach sports to children literally halfway across the world. The former Grand Canyon University basketball player had never considered mission trips after graduating in 1999. Neither had her husband, Mike, when his GCU baseball playing days ended the year before. They met at GCU and moved to Mississauga, Ontario, to be near Mike’s family, and Cassandra went into marketing and communications. Cassandra Irving She made her first foray to India and Ukraine on mission trips while being commissioned to ghostwrite a book, which is when she learned of “Tarika,” the Hindu word for “star.” She put it in the manuscript and thought nothing more of it until a few months later, when she was invited to a dinner during which a movie titled “Tarika” was shown in the background. It was her sign from above, so she took her then 11-year-old son to the Tarika Center in southern India, where she found impoverished adults, children and entire communities. Unable to simply donate large sums of money, she turned to her sports background as a mechanism for helping kids’ education and their futures. “You don’t really know what’s going to happen, you just feel you’re supposed to go,” she said. “The rest of life gets put on hold. You go and let everything else fall into place after that.” Sports is barely part of girls’ lives in India, let alone among Ukrainian orphans. So she returned to Canada and, with Mike, created Game On sports camps for kids ages 5-13 (http://www.gameoncamps.com/), which feature former college coaches leading basketball, baseball and soccer camps in India and Ukraine. Mike also does baseball camps (http://www.batterupbaseball.ca). Irving’s biggest long-term goal is to bring American and Canadian kids (and their parents) to India or Ukraine, and vice versa. “When kids see kids from other countries, that’s where global relationships occur in the next generation for years to come,” she said. “It’ll be something way beyond what they read or heard about, but what they see.” With a day job, marriage and two kids, mission trips weren’t on the radar three years ago. Now, every day is a mission. “This is my way of giving back,” she said. “When I got back from our first camps, I was hoping the Lord would say, ‘We’re done.’ Instead I heard, ‘Keep up the good work.’” Career IMPACT Center What's the best career advice you ever received? Aysha Bell of Career IMPACT Center shares hers and you can share yours in the article comments! >> READ MORE Career Services: The best career advice I ever receivedby rick.vacek bBy Asha Bell GCU IMPACT Center Throughout our lives we consistently receive advice from loved ones, trusted advisers and colleagues. Sometimes the advice isn’t valuable for our circumstances. However, there are times when the input is extremely impactful and affects the trajectory of our personal and/or professional journey. The best career advice I ever received came through a Sunday morning message at church. When I was younger, I struggled with follow-through. I would overbook my schedule with tasks and events I was unable to fully execute. As a result, I often “dropped the ball” in areas of responsibility. Then one Sunday the pastor preached a message that emphasized the first half of the scripture found in Matthew 5:37: But let your “Yes” be “Yes” and your “No” be “No.” That resonated with me so much, it got me to re-evaluate how I handle my areas of commitment. When I said “yes” to an obligation, I needed to make sure I completed the assignment and/or task to the best of my ability. Ensuring that my “yes” was “yes” and my “no” was “no” has changed both my professional and personal life for the better. Since I made a commitment to that principle, I have been trusted with more responsibility in career, and I am confident in my ability, with God’s help, to complete the tasks I am given. Please take some time to consider the best career advice you’ve ever received and share it with the Alumni Relations team in the comment box located at the bottom of this article. We might connect with you about sharing your story in a future article! Lopes Up! 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. Online Award Christian Universities Online ranked Grand Canyon University as the No. 1 online Christian graduate school for 2017 >> READ MORE TOP ONLINE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE GRADUATE SCHOOLS 2017 Anna Rebekah Orr Often, the decision to continue education beyond a Bachelor’s Degree will lead to an uncomfortable discussion. There are many decisions that need to be made; among the most important is the choice of full-time school or part-time (course by course). Each option has significant impact and the decision process can be agonizing. Fortunately, in today’s culture, there is another option: Distance Learning. There is a wonderful benefit to our ever-increasing internet for education (both sides of the equation: students and schools) – students can attend school from their own home with minimal impact to their existing schedule. To assist with your investigation into this option, Christian Universities Online (CUO) is pleased to offer the Top 25 Graduate Online Christian Colleges and Universities. Each school listed offers 100% online Graduate Degree programs and are intentionally Christian in their structure and policies. CUO seeks to present Graduate Schools that excel in categories of selectivity, student interaction, available financial aid and overall student satisfaction. 25 Cedarville University Cedarville University is a private, coeducational, Christian institution of higher education located in Cedarville, Ohio. Established in 1887, the school was originally chartered by the New Light Reformed Presbyterian Church, however, during the mid- 1950s the school came under the management of Evangelical Baptists after merging with the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland, Ohio. Today, the University maintains its affiliation with the Baptist denomination and is accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which granted its initial accreditation back in 1975. Cedarville University’s mission is to be a “Christ-centered learning community equipping students for lifelong leadership and service through an education marked by excellence and grounded in biblical truth.” The University’s objective is to graduate students who, “glorify God; think broadly and deeply; communicate effectively; develop academically and professionally; and engage for Christ.” Cedarville University has a total enrollment figure of more than 3,500, including over 3,000 undergraduate students with an average student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1. More than 70 undergraduate degree programs are offered in addition to several graduate-level programs. Three 100% online graduate degree programs are offered, including the Master of Ministry, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), and Master of Science in Nursing. A number of non-degree, graduate-level certificate programs are also available. Cedarville University’s online courses are all taught by highly qualified faculty who interact personally with each of their students. A convenient alternative to traditional, on-campus programs, each of these online options offer students the flexibility to continue in their studies while balancing career and personal responsibilities. Cedarville University’s online programs are also highly affordable and many students find that they qualify for some type of financial aid. 24 Campbellsville University Campbellsville University is a private, Christian liberal arts institution located in Campbellsville, Kentucky. Established by the Russell Creek Baptist Association in 1906, Campbellsville University began as the Russell Creek Academy, an all-boy’s school. Over the years the Academy evolved into a fully accredited college, adding to its program offerings and creating a four-year curriculum. Several graduate programs were also eventually added and in 1996 the college gained university status, adopting its current name. Today, Campbellsville University’s mission statement declares its dedication to “academic excellence solidly grounded in the liberal arts that fosters personal growth, integrity and professional preparation within a caring environment.” The mission statement continues, “The University is prepares students as Christian servant leaders for life-long learning, continued scholarship, and active participation in a diverse, global society.” Campbellsville University is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges and has been so since 1963. The University has a total enrollment figure of more than 3,000, with an average student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1. Campbellsville University offers a variety of programs and degrees through its several colleges and schools and several programs are offered in the form of both traditional on-campus classes and online. Among these are included the Master of Education; Master of Arts in Education with concentrations available in Teacher Leader and in School Guidance Counseling (P-12); Master of Arts in School Improvement; Master of Arts in Special Education with an optional Teacher Leader concentration; Master of Arts in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages); Master of Music in Music Education; Master of Arts in Sport Management; Master of Business Administration; Master in Management and Leadership; Master of Science in IT Management; Master of Social Work; and Master of Theology. 23 California Baptist University California Baptist University (CBU) is a top private Christian institution located in Riverside, California. CBU was established in 1950 and is affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention. CBU holds to the belief that “each person has been created for a purpose” and strives to help “students understand and engage this purpose by providing a Christ-centered educational experience that integrates academics with spiritual and social development opportunities.” CBU has a total enrollment figure of more than 8,500, with an average student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1. The University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and has been so since 1961. California Baptist University is comprised of multiple colleges and schools and is staffed by Christian faculty who are dedicated to teaching from a biblical perspective. A wide range of online degree programs are offered by CBU, including master’s degrees in Accounting, Communication, Counseling Psychology, Education (with concentrations available in Disability Studies, Early Childhood, Leadership, and Teaching), Kinesiology, Business Administration (with concentrations offered in either Accounting or in General Management), Organizational Leadership, Public Administration, Public Health, and Public Relations. Two online doctorate programs are also available in Business Administration and in Public Administration. Designed to benefit the working professional, CBU promises flexibility in their online degrees, allowing busy students to earn their degree while balancing their professional and personal responsibilities. CBU’s online graduate programs have earned the school recognition, including being named #3 in Graduate Education Faculty Credentials and Training 2017 and #2 in Online MBA Faculty Credentials and Training 2017. Offered at a significantly lower cost than a traditional, residential program, CBU’s online students often find that they are able to earn their degree in as little as one year, for Master’s degrees, and three years for doctorates. 22 Belhaven University Belhaven University is a private, coeducational, Christian liberal arts institution located in Jackson, Mississippi. Belhaven University was established by Lewis Fitzhugh as the Belhaven College for Young Ladies in 1883. Fitzhugh later chose to donate the College to the Presbyterian Church of the United States. In 1954 Belhaven University became a fully coeducational institution after the school’s Board of Trustees voted to allow the enrollment of male students. Today, Belhaven University’s mission is to prepare “students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.” The University’s mission statement continues, “by developing servant leaders who value integrity, compassion, and justice in all aspects of their lives, the University prepares people to serve, not to be serve.” Belhaven University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has been so since 1946. The University offers a variety of traditional undergraduate programs as well as online, adult & professional and graduate-level programs. Online graduate degree programs include the Master of Business Administration, with concentrations available in Health Administration, Human Resources, Leadership, and Sport Administration; the Master of Education, areas of emphasis including Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Teaching, School Leadership & Supervision, and Reading Literacy; the Master of Health Administration; the Master of Public Administration, with an optional Human Resources concentration; the Master of Science in Leadership, with concentrations available in either Human Resources, or in Ministry; and the Master of Sports Administration. Blending personal, professional attention with “on-the-go classroom”, all of Belhaven University’s degree programs are taught from a Christian worldview by experienced and committed faculty members. While the curriculum is rigorous, enrollment in one of Belhaven University’s online programs is made simple and prospective students are encouraged to request further information on the opportunities the University has to offer. 21 Southern Wesleyan University Southern Wesleyan University is a private, four-year and graduate Christian institution located in Central, South Carolina. The University was established by representatives of the Wesleyan Methodist churches in South Carolina and surrounding states as the Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute in 1906. The school’s name was changed many times throughout its first eighty-plus years; in 1994 the school was granted university status and adopted its current name. Today, Southern Wesleyan University’s mission statement declares its dedication to being a “Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ.” Southern Wesleyan University has a total enrollment figure of more than 1,700, with an average student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1973, Southern Wesleyan University offers more than 40 distinct academic programs and is comprised of multiple schools and divisions. These include the School of Business and the School of Education through which the University offers its online graduate degrees – the Master of Business Administration (with an optional Health Care Administration concentration), the Master of Science in Management and Leadership and the Master of Education in Classroom Leadership (with content area electives available in Literacy, Learning Disabilities, Gifted and Talented, Early Childhood Special Education). Specifically designed to offer adult students the opportunity to earn their degree while maintaining other personal and professional responsibilities, Southern Wesleyan University’s online programs offer both convenience and flexibility. The University describes its mission in offering these programs as being that students might enhance their “skills in communication, information processing, and problem solving” and “gain greater understanding of how to apply Christian principles in a professional environment.” 20 Oklahoma Wesleyan University Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU) is a private, coeducational, evangelical Christian university located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Founded by the Wesleyan Church for the purpose of providing Wesleyan youth a higher education within a Christian environment, OKWU came to be as the result of a series of mergers between several schools, including the Colorado Bible College, the Pilgrim Bible College, and the Holiness Evangelistic Institute. In 1972, the resulting school again merged with Miltonvale Wesleyan College of Kansas, making OKWU a four-year college. Today, OKWU’s mission is to be a place of “serious study, honest questions, and critical engagement, all in the context of a liberal arts community that honors the Primacy of Jesus Christ, the Priority of the Scripture, the Pursuit of Truth, and the Practice of Wisdom. OKWU has a total enrollment of more than 1,500 students, with an average student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Today, OKWU offers a variety of academic programs through the Chesapeake Energy School of Business; the School of Arts & Sciences; the School of Ministry & Christian Thought; the School of Education; the School of Nursing; and OKWU’s Adult and Graduate department. It is through this latter department that OKWU offers its five online graduate degrees, namely the Master of Education; the Master of Business Administration; the Master of Science in Nursing; the Master of Strategic Leadership; and the Master of Arts in Theology and Apologetics. An affordable, flexible, user-friendly alternative to the traditional classroom, OKWU works hard to make the life as a busy, working student a stress-free one. Students may take one class at a time and academic advisors are there to help and offer guidance every step of the way. 19 Mount Vernon Nazarene University Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, Christian liberal arts institution located in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Established in 1968 and chartered as the Zone A College of the Church of the Nazarene by the denomination’s General Assembly, the area of Mount Vernon was chosen as the location of the school primarily due to its proximity to a large portion of the Nazarene population. One of eight U.S. colleges affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, Mount Vernon Nazarene University was accredited in 1972 by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (The Higher Learning Commission). More than 80 areas of academic study are available through Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s several schools, namely the School of Arts and Humanities; the Jetter School of Business; the School of Education and Professional Studies; the School of Natural and Social Sciences; the School of Nursing and Health Sciences; and the School of Theology and Philosophy. Offered through the Graduate Professional Studies department, five of Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s graduate programs are available in an online format, including the Master of Business Administration, with concentrations available in Finance, Human Resource Management, Organizational Management, and Health Care Administration; the Master of Science in Management; the Master of Arts in Education: Interventional Specialist Mild/Moderate; the Master of Ministry, which is also available as a duel-degree program with the Master of Business Administration. Designed primarily with working adults in mind, Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s online students receive the same quality of education that traditional on-campus students receive and full-time online students often find that they can complete their degree in as little as two years. Taught from a biblical worldview, the University’s Graduate Professional Studies department seeks to serve adults who “are striving to continue their education, improve their skills, or obtain the training needed to enhance their personal and professional lives in a constantly changing world.” 18 Carson-Newman University Carson-Newman University is a private, historically Baptist, Christian liberal arts institution located in Jefferson City, Tennessee. The University was established in 1851 the result of a ten-year effort of five early East Tennessee Baptists. Originally called the Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary, before long, the school’s name was changed to Mossy Creek Baptist College and in 1880 was again changed to Carson College in honor of James Harvey Carson who donated a portion of his estate to the school. In 1889 the college combined with Newman College, a female institution, and merged the two names together as Carson-Newman College. It was not until 2012 that the school achieved university status, prompting one more change to its name. Today, Carson-Newman University’s vision is to be “the Christian liberal arts-based university of choice in the Southeast for education and service” with a mission to help “students reach their full potential as educated citizens and worldwide servant-leaders.” Carson-Newman University has a total enrollment figure of more than 2,500, with an average student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1. Carson-Newman University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has been so since 1927. The University offers a wide variety of undergraduate majors and programs along with several adult degree completion and master’s degree programs that may be earned either on-campus or online. Among these online graduate programs are included the Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship; the Master of Business Administration; the Master of Education; the Education Specialist (Ed. S.); and Education Doctorate (Ed. D.). A convenient option which provides more flexibility for the busy, working adult, students can be assured of receiving the same quality of education through Carson-Newman University’s online programs as is offered in a traditional, residential format. 17 Anderson University - SC Anderson University is a private, selective, comprehensive Christian institution located in Anderson, South Carolina. While formally established in 1911, the school traces its roots all the way back to the initial establishment of the Johnson Female Seminary in 1848. Soon after its founding, the seminary was forced to shut down following the untimely death of its founder, Rev. William Bullein Johnson, and due to the onset of the Civil War. It was, however, later resurrected in the form of Anderson College (which was renamed Anderson University). Anderson University’s mission as an “academic community, affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention” is to provide “a challenging education grounded in the liberal arts, enhanced by professional and graduate programs and a co-curricular focus on the development of character, servant leadership, and cultural engagement.” Anderson University boasts a total enrollment figure of more than 3,000 with an average student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1. Anderson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has been so since 1959. A wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs are offered through the University’s several colleges and schools, including the South Carolina School of the Arts; College of Arts & Sciences; College of Business; College of Christian Studies; School of Criminal Justice; College of Education; School of Interior Design; and School of Nursing. Several of Anderson University’s graduate degree programs are available in an online format, including the Master of Business Administration; Master of Education; Master of Ministry; Master of Music in Music Education; and the Doctor of Ministry. Anderson University seeks to add value to its educational opportunities through the convenience and flexibility its online programs offers to the busy, working student. Committed to academic excellence, Anderson University seeks to offer a high quality of education taught by dedicated and knowledgeable faculty members. 16 Trevecca Nazarene University Trevecca Nazarene University is a private, coeducational, comprehensive, Christian liberal arts institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. Established in 1901 by Cumberland Presbyterian minister J. O. McClurkan , the school was named the Pentecostal Literary and Bible Training School. Originally a part of the Pentecostal Alliance, the school’s name was changed to Trevecca College for Christian Workers in 1911, at which time it began offering its first bachelor’s degree programs. In 1917, the school became an official college of the Church of Nazarene and had its name changed several times before earning university status in 1995. Trevecca Nazarene University’s mission is to be a “Christian community providing education for leadership and service.” The school’s purpose and intent is that its “graduates be socially-conscious, globally-aware, and actively-engaged individuals who are developing holistically in the cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual areas of being.” Trevecca Nazarene University boasts a total enrollment figure of more than 2,500, with an average student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1969, Trevecca Nazarene University offers variety of undergraduate, graduate, adult degree completion, and online programs. Among the University’s online graduate program offerings are include the Master of Business Administration; the Master of Education in English as a Second Language; Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology; the Master of Organizational Leadership; Master of Arts in Religion; and the Doctor of Education in Leadership & Professional Practice. A highly convenient and flexible option, Trevecca Nazarene University’s online programs are designed especially for adult learners and are made more affordable through several financial aid options, including special benefits for servicemembers and their families. Following a cohort model of instruction, this allows students to form strong bonds with fellow students as they progress through the entire program as a group. 15 Shorter University Shorter University is a private, coeducational, Christian liberal arts institution located in Rome, Georgia. Established in 1873 by Luther Rice Gwanltney, pastor of the Rome Baptist Church, the University began as a female college, originally named the Cherokee Baptist Female College. In 1877 the school was renamed the Shorter Female College in honor of Alfred and Martha Shorter who made generous financial contributions to the college. In the 1950’s the College opted to become coeducational, admitting male students for the first time since its founding. In 2010 the school changed its name to Shorter University in order to better reflect the school’s expansion and growth. Shorter University’s mission is to advance “God’s Kingdom through a commitment to academic excellence, spiritual growth, Christian leadership, and global service within the context of a biblical worldview.” The University boasts a total enrollment figure of nearly 1,500, with an average student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Shorter University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs as well as several online programs. Comprised of several colleges and schools, these include the Ben and Ollie Brady School of Nursing, the College of Adult and Professional Programs, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Ledbetter College of Business, the School of Education, and the School of Fine and Performing Arts. A number of Shorter University’s graduate degree programs are offered online, including the Master of Accountancy; the Master of Business Administration, which is available with concentrations in either Healthcare Management or Sport Management; and the Master of Management, with an optional concentration in Human Services Nonprofit Management. With each degree program fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, students can be assured of receiving a high quality education from Shorter University. 14 Olivet Nazarene University Olivet Nazarene University is a private, coeducational, Christian liberal arts institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Founded in the early 1900s as a grammar school by the Eastern Illinois Holiness Association, in 1909 the school became chartered as a liberal arts college and was renamed the Illinois Holiness College. Soon after this, in 1912, the college was given to the Church of the Nazarene and by 1986, after experiencing several decades of growth, formally changed its name to Olivet Nazarene University. Today, Olivet Nazarene University’s mission “is to provide high-quality academic instruction for the purpose of personal development, career and professional readiness, and the preparation of individuals for lives of service to God and humanity.” The University’s motto is, “Education with a Christian Purpose.” Olivet Nazarene University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and has been so since 1956. A wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available through the University’s several colleges and schools. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Engineering, the School of Life and Health Sciences, the School of Music, and the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. Online graduate degrees include the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education; M.A. in Pastoral Leadership; M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction; Master of Business Administration; Master of Organizational Leadership; and the Master of Science in Nursing. A convenient and flexible option, Olivet Online students can expect the same quality of education as is offered in the University’s residential programs. Following a cohort model, in which a group of students progress through the entire program together, each course is offered 100% online in an accelerated format, allowing students to graduate in two years or less. 13 Grace College and Seminary Located in the historic resort town of Winona Lake, Indiana on a 180 acre campus, Grace College and Theological Seminary is a private, coeducational, Christian liberal arts institution. Affiliated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Grace Theological Seminary was founded in 1937 while the college was added eleven years later in 1948. Established in the Brethren tradition, Grace College & Theological Seminary seeks to apply “biblical values in strengthening character, sharpening competence and preparing for service.” Grace College and Theological Seminary’s mission statement declares its intention to be a “learning community dedicated to teaching, training and transforming the whole person for local church and global ministry.” More than 2,000 students are currently enrolled, the vast majority of whom are undergraduates with an average student to faculty ratio of 23 to 1. Grace College and Theological Seminary is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and has been so since 1976. Six online graduate degree programs are offered, including the Master of Science in Athletic Administration; the Master of Science in Nonprofit Management; the Master of Science in Higher Education; the Master of Business Administration; the Master of Arts in Ministry Studies; and the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Committed to contributing to an “atmosphere where spiritual growth and scholarly inquiry are mutually enhancing”, the faculty and staff members of Grace College embrace the idea that “spiritual development and academic excellence go hand in hand.” A convenient, flexible option, each of Grace College’s graduate programs is designed to equip adult students with the “competency and skills to excel in his or her chosen career field” and classes are taught from a biblical perspective. 12 Crown College Crown College is a private, coeducational, Christian institution of higher education, located in Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota. Founded in 1916, Crown College began as the Alliance Training Home. This name was changed time and again over the years, including St. Paul Bible College, before its current name was finally settled upon in 1992. The College’s 215 acre campus is nestled amid magnificent oaks, rolling hills, clear lakes and offers several delightful walking trails. Crown College is affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) denomination, which provides global access to more than 12,000 churches all around the globe. Crown College has been ranked among the “Best Midwest Regional Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report and was named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs. The College defines its mission as being to “provide a biblically-based education for Christian leadership in the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the church at large and the world.” Crown College enjoys a total enrollment figure of more than 1,000 students with an average student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1. The College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and has been so since 1980. Crown College offers seven online graduate degree programs, including the Master of Business Administration, with an optional concentration in Non-Profit Management; MA in Christian Studies, with more than half a dozen emphases including Disaster & Emergency Management, Theological Studies, and Pastoral Leadership; MA in Counseling; MA in Global Leadership with several concentrations including International Christian Education; Master of Divinity, which offers seven concentrations; Master of Leadership, with eight areas of emphases; and MA in Organizational Leadership. Offering convenience and flexibility without sacrificing academic excellence or professional relevance, Crown College’s online program allows students to set their own study schedule and attend classes at anytime from anywhere. 11 Fresno Pacific University Fresno Pacific University (FPU) is a private Christian institution located in Fresno, California and is the only accredited Christian university in the Central Valley. FPU’s main 50 acre campus is located in the south east Fresno area and the University also maintains four regional campuses in Central California. These include the Bakersfield Campus, Merced Campus, North Fresno Campus, and Visalia Campus. Established in 1944, FPU has a total enrollment figure of nearly 3,500, with an average student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1. Many of FPU’s students are the first in their families to ever attend college and as one of the Top 10 Hispanic Serving Institutions (HIS), the University has a high percentage of students of Hispanic decent. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since 1961, Fresno Pacific University offers a wide variety of degrees and programs through its five growing schools. These include the School of Business; the School of Education; the School of Humanities, Religion and Social Sciences; the School of Natural Sciences; and the Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary. Ranked in the top tier of their category by U.S. News & World Report, all of FPU’s programs emphasize Christian values, ethics, and character development. FPU offers several online graduate degree programs, including a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Ministry, Leadership & Culture; M.A. in Athletic Training; M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching; M.A. in Educational Technology; M.A. in Kinesiology with a Physical Education Emphasis; M.A. in Leadership and Organizational Studies; M.A. in Sport Administration; and an M.A. in Teacher Librarian. Designed to offer convenience and flexibility without sacrificing quality, each of FPU’s online programs are supported by a dedicated and helpful faculty and staff who have been specially trained to understand the unique needs of online students. 10 Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor University is a private, Christian institution of higher education located in Spring Arbor, Michigan. Established by leaders of the Free Methodist Church denomination in 1873, Spring Arbor University was originally founded as an academy for elementary and secondary grades. In 1923 a junior college was added to the academy and by 1930 all primary and intermediate classes were discontinued. Accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools was granted in 1960 and the name Spring Arbor College was adopted. In 2001 the school gained university status and became known as Spring Arbor University. Today, Spring Arbor University’s mission is to be “a community of learners distinguished by our lifelong involvement in the study and application of the liberal arts, total commitment to Jesus Christ as a perspective for learning, and critical participation in the contemporary world.” Spring Arbor University has a total enrollment figure of nearly 4,000, including more than 2,500 undergraduate students. The University offers nearly 100 majors and programs and is comprised of four schools, namely the Gainey School of Business, the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and the School of Human Services. Several online graduate programs are available, including the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Leadership; the Master of Arts in Education; the Master of Arts in Reading; the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Leadership; the Master of Arts in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages); the Master of Business Administration; the Master of Science in Nursing; RN to MSN; and the Master of Special Education in Learning Disabilities. Designed to “broaden your professional network, enrich your faith and make you more marketable in your field”, students have the convenience of accessing their online classes from anywhere with internet connection. 9 Missouri Baptist University Missouri Baptist University is a private, Christian institution of higher education located in Saint Louis, Missouri. Established as Missouri Baptist College in 1964, the school began as a campus extension of Hannibal-LaGrange College in 1957 in response to the need for an evangelical Christian institution in the St. Louis area. By 1967 the newly formed College moved to its original 81-acre campus and in 1973 the College granted its first Bachelor of Arts degrees. Initial accreditation was granted in 1978 by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (The Higher Learning Commission) through which the University continues to be accredited today. MBU’s mission is to educate students “in an environment where academic excellence is emphasized and a Biblically based Christian perspective is maintained.” The University continues to be “committed to enriching its students’ lives spiritually, intellectually, and professionally and to preparing students to serve in a global and culturally diverse society.” A wide variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs are offered by Missouri Baptist University, including a number of online graduate degree programs. Specific programs include the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry; Master of Arts in Counseling (School); Master of Arts in Teaching; Master of Business Administration; Master of Educational Technology; Master of Science in Corporate Security Leadership; Master of Science in Criminal Justice; Master of Science in Education; Master of Science in Fitness Management; Master of Science in Sport Management; and Educational Specialist. Designed to offer flexibility and convenience to anyone motivated to learn, MBU’s online programs are one of the fastest and most flexible of all options. Programs are specifically designed to be transfer friendly, allowing students to capitalize on credit they have already earned. Among the shortest programs available, MBU’s online programs consist of just 120 hours, perfectly suiting them to the needs of the working adult. 8 Concordia University Irvine Concordia University Irvine (CUI) is a private, coeducational, Christian institution of higher education located in Irvine, California. Founded in 1976, CUI was established in affiliation with the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod in order to serve students in the Pacific Southwest. Originally called Christ College Irvine, in 1993 the school’s Board of Regents voted to make the University the tenth campus within the national Concordia University System, and changed the institution’s name to Concordia University Irvine. Today, the CUI’s mission is to be “guided by the Great Commission of Christ Jesus and the Lutheran Confessions, [to empower] students through the liberal arts and professional studies for lives of learning, service and leadership.” CUI has a total enrollment figure of more than 4,500, with an average student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Concordia University Irvine is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and has been so since 1981. A wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and online degree completion programs are offered through CUI. Online graduate programs include Master’s degrees in Coaching & Athletic Administration; Counseling; Educational Administration; Curriculum & Instruction; Healthcare Administration; International Studies; Nursing; Organizational Leadership; and Theology. One of the few online programs which cultivate a “community of learning”, CUI’s courses follow a synchronous “real time” learning model in which students and faculty are brought together “face-to-face”, as it were, for a certain percentage of each course. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology and media, CUI’s online program is designed to be engaging, interactive, and relational, giving students the opportunity to meet and know their instructors and peers as they “collaborate in the real community of learning.” Convenient and accessible, CUI courses are meant to fit into the active lifestyle of the busy adult, helping them to gain the expertise and skills necessary to expand their careers. 7 Colorado Christian University Colorado Christian University (CCU) is a private, coeducational, interdenominational Christian, liberal arts institution located in Lakewood, Colorado. Established in 1914, CCU was originally founded as the Denver Bible Institute. In 1945, the school was granted a charter by the State of Colorado to become a four-year Bible college and its name was changed to the Denver Bible College. The College continued to grow and expand, experiencing multiple name changes along the way. By 1981 the college was granted accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Four years later the school merged with the Western Bible Institute, and again merged with the Colorado Baptist University in 1989, at which time the University adopted its current name. Today, CCU has a total enrollment figure of nearly 7,000 with an average student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Colorado Christian University’s mission is to cultivate “knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement in the world.” Several online graduate degrees are offered through the University’s College of Adult and Graduate Studies. Programs include an M.A. in Biblical Studies; the Master of Business Administration; M.A. in Counseling; M.S. in Criminal Justice; M.A. in Curriculum Instruction; M.Ed. in Educational Leadership; the Master of Science in Nursing; the Master of Organizational Leadership; the Master of Public Administration; M.Ed. in Special Education; and M.A. in Theological Studies. A convenient and flexible option, CCU promises that all courses are taught from a Christian worldview and students have the ability to study when and where they want, focusing on one class at a time. CCU follows a learning community model, which helps benefits students in that classmates are able to learn together and help one another. 6 Mississippi College Mississippi College, located in Clinton, Mississippi, is a private, coeducational, comprehensive Christian institution of the liberal arts and sciences and professional studies. The oldest college in the state of Mississippi and the second-oldest Baptist-affiliated college in the country, Mississippi College was established in 1826. Shortly after, in 1831, Mississippi College granted degrees to women, making it the first coeducational college in the United States to do so. Today, the College’s vision is “to be known as a university recognized for academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ”. Mississippi College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has been so since 1922. More than 5,000 students are currently enrolled and the College has an average student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Mississippi College offers wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its seven schools, each of which house even more Departments. This includes the School of Business, the School of Christian Studies & the Arts, the School of Education, the School of Humanities & Social Sciences, the School of Law, the School of Nursing, and the School of Science & Mathematics. Mississippi College offers several online graduate degree programs including the Master of Business Administration in Business Administration, Accounting, and Finance; the Master of Science (M.S.) in Athletic Administration; the Master of Education in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Teaching Arts; the Education Specialist degrees in Elementary Education; M.S. in Health Informatics; the Master of Health Services Administration; M.S. in Higher Education Administration; M.S. in Homeland Security; the Master of Combined Sciences (M.C.S.) in Integrated Communication; the Master of Social Services in Loss Prevention; M.S.C. in Professional Communication in Health Services Administration and in Sports; the Doctor of Professional Counseling in Professional Counseling; 5 Nyack College Nyack College is a private, Christian liberal arts college located in Nyack, New York. Sponsored by the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Nyack College is home to the Alliance Theological Seminary, which is the official seminary of the denomination. Nyack College began in 1882 as the Missionary Training Institute, having been founded in New York City by Dr. A.B. Simpson. The College’s mission is that through its various undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs, men and women would be prepared to “take the whole Gospel to the whole world.” Nyack College endeavors to “exalt Jesus Christ and fulfill its mission by being: Academically Excellent; Globally Engaged; Intentionally Diverse; Personally Transforming; and Socially Relevant.” The College has a total enrollment figure of more than 2,500, with a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1. Nyack College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has been so since 1962. A variety of degrees and majors are offered through the College’s several schools. Online master’s degrees are available in subjects such as Biblical Studies, Business Administration, Theology and Missions, Childhood Education, Inclusive Education, Organizational Leadership, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Ancient Judaism and Christian Origins, Biblical Literature, and Mental Health Counseling. Nyack College utilizes a unique online cohort model which allows students to study and progress through the entire program as a group. This method creates a strong sense of community as students are able to learn from and help one another. Each cohort is guided by a primary instructor who also acts as the student’s chief mentor and advisor, helping to ensure that each student reaches his or her full potential. A flexible option which allows students to study when and where they wish, Nyack College’s online programs are also highly affordable with available scholarships and additional financial aid options. 4 Biola University Biola University is a private, coeducational, evangelical Christian institution of higher education located in La Mirada, California, Established in 1908, Biola University began as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles and was founded by Lyman Stewart, the president of the Union Oil Company of California, as well as by Presbyterian minister and author, Thomas C. Horton, and August B. Prichard, also a Presbyterian Minister. Today, Biola University is a nationally ranked Christian institution which strives to offer a “biblically centered education, intentional spiritual development and vocational preparation within a unique learning community where all faculty, staff and students are professing Christians.” Known for the its academic strength, expert faculty members, and biblical integration, Biola University has ranked among the nation’s foremost Christian universities, and is recognized by names such as U.S. News & World Report. The University has a total enrollment figure of more than 6,000, including over 4,000 undergraduate students, with an average student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Biola University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and has been so since 1961. Comprised of multiple schools, these include the Talbot School of Theology, the Crowell School of Business, the School of Education, the Rosemead School of Psychology, the Cook School of Intercultural Studies, the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Science, Technology and Health. Biola University offers several graduate degrees which may be earned entirely online. These include Master’s degrees in Bible Exposition, Curriculum, Instruction and Publication, Education, Intercultural Studies, New Testament, Special Education, Teaching, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and Theology, with an optional Greek Track. Offering students the quality of a leading Christian university combined with the flexibility of being able to pursue their education from just about anywhere across the globe, Biola University’s online graduate programs have much to offer. 3 Bethel University Bethel University is a private, coeducational, evangelical Christian institution of higher education located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Established by John Alexis Edgren as the Baptist Union Theological Seminary in 1871, the seminary’s original purpose was to train Swedish Baptist immigrants who had fled persecution in Europe to serve as pastors in the New World. The Baptist General Conference (now Converge Worldwide) undertook the support of the seminary in 1914 and moved the institution to its present-day location in St. Paul. After WWII, the school became a four-year collegiate institution and was renamed the Bethel College & Seminary. Since then the institution has only continued to grow and in 2004 the name Bethel University was adopted. Bethel has a total enrollment figure of nearly 4,000, including nearly 3,000 undergraduate students, with an average student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1. Bethel University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and has been so since 1959. A wide range of programs are available across the University’s four schools and several online graduate and seminary programs are available. These include master’s and doctorate degrees in areas such as Education, Business Administration, Nursing, Strategic Leadership, Ministry, Theology, Christian Thought, Leadership and more. Bethel University has designed its online programs to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to advance their career and accomplish their educational and career-related goals. Programs are offered in multiple formats including fully online and hybrid (a mix of on-campus and online). A top ranking institution, Bethel University has been named “One of the 50 smartest colleges in America” by Lumosity. Classes are taught by faculty who care deeply for their students and seek to mentor them, enabling graduates to be “ready to lead with confidence and serve with compassion”. 2 Indiana Wesleyan University Located in Marion, Indiana, Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a private, coeducational, evangelical Christian liberal arts institution. The school was founded by the Trustees of the Indiana Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and established in 1920 as Marion College. Since those early days, the institution has expanded and grown to offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The University’s mission as a “Christ-centered academic community” is to remain “committed to changing the world by developing students in character, scholarship and leadership.” IWU has a total enrollment figure of nearly 15,000, with a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1. The largest member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Indiana Wesleyan University is also the largest private college in the state of Indiana as well as one of the largest employers within Grant County. Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and has been so since 1966. The University is comprised of several colleges and schools, including the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Nursing, and the Graduate School. A wide range of online graduate degree programs are available, including Master’s degrees in the areas of Business, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Health Science, Leadership, Nursing, Psychology and Social Work, Theology and Ministry, and seminary degrees. Doctoral program offerings include the PhD in Organizational Leadership, the Occupational Therapy Doctorate, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Doctor of Ministry. Each of IWU’s online educational programs is designed specifically to maximize the learning experience for adult students. Academic Advisors help to guide students throughout their educational journey, providing valuable information, finding helpful solutions, and giving advice to help each student achieve their personal educational goals. 1 Grand Canyon University Located in the city of Phoenix, Arizona, Grand Canyon University is a coeducational, research institution and the premier private Christian university in the state. The University was established in 1949 by the Southern Baptist Church, and was originally called Grand Canyon College. The institution experienced severe financial difficulties during the early part of the twenty-first century, prompting the decision, in 2004, for the University to become the first for-profit Christian college in the nation. Since that time, Grand Canyon University has experienced rapid growth and has plans for continued expansion. Grand Canyon University boasts a large student population of nearly 70,000, including more than 40,000 undergraduate students, with an average student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1. The University’s mission is to prepare “learners to become global citizens, critical thinkers, effective communicators and responsible leaders by providing an academically challenging, values-based curriculum from the context of our Christian heritage.” Grand Canyon University is comprised of multiple colleges, these include the College of Doctoral Studies; the Colangelo College of Business; the College of Education; the College of Fine Arts and Production; the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions; the College of Science, Engineering and Technology; the College of Theology; and the Honors College. Through these, a wide range of degrees and programs are available including a variety of online graduate degrees. Online master’s degree programs are offered in the areas of Business & Management; Criminal, Political & Social Sciences; Engineering & Technology; Language & Communications; Medical Studies & Athletic Sciences; Nursing & Health Care; Performing Arts & Creative Design; Psychology & Counseling; and Teaching & School Administration. Several online doctorate programs are also available, including the Doctor of Business Administration; Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership; Ph.D. in General Psychology; and an Education Specialist in K-12 Leadership. Academics Starting in August, GCU is offering a new Master of Science in Cybersecurity program >> READ MORE GCU adds master’s degree in cybersecurity by Laurie.Merrill GCU is offering a new Master of Science in Cybersecurity online degree. by Laurie Merrill GCU News Bureau Grand Canyon University is offering a new degree to help combat cyber attacks like the WannaCry ransomware worm that recently raced across the web and infested systems in 150 countries. The new Master of Science in Cybersecurity program, scheduled to launch in August, is intended to produce cyber experts who can detect and prevent attacks that are hurtling along the internet with increasing speed. Dr. Roméo Farinacci is the Information Technology & Cybersecurity program director for GCU’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology. “We are in a race to thwart the black hats,” said Dr. Roméo Farinacci, the Information Technology & Cybersecurity program director of GCU’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology. “New cyber threats are arising weekly.” It’s no longer a case of when criminals will commit another act of espionage, fraud or destruction — or of how far-ranging or significant the damage could be. It’s now a race for cyberspace, a battle to protect vital and sensitive information before it is attacked, stolen, leaked or destroyed, Farinacci said. The rise in cyber threats is growing as quickly as the job market’s demand for cyber experts. Job openings have topped several hundred thousand in the U.S. and more than 1 million worldwide, Farinacci said. Arizona is among states with the largest demand for such skills. One of GCU’s top goals is to help fill the void by educating graduates who can quickly occupy the empty roles, which include such titles as corporate information security officer, senior security architect, information security analyst and more. By collaborating with industry and college representatives, GCU has developed a program that aligns with the needs of the nation, Farinacci said. “We have a program that covers the breadth of cybersecurity, with enough hands-on and detail to effectively prepare students for what the nation needs to change the tide in the cyber war,” he said. The master’s degree program, a 34-credit online degree, prepares students for cyber warfare and cyber defense. Farinacci, far left, recently taught students attending GCU STEM camps skills to use at the Cyber Warfare Range. Students learn techniques for penetration testing, vulnerability assessment and innovation in security frameworks. The culminating class is Cybersecurity Program Development, which challenges students to build a comprehensive cybersecurity program. Students will also learn how to hack — a necessary evil that trains them to weed out hack attacks, he said. “We will learn how the bad guys do what they do so we can protect against them,” Farinacci said. It’s like teaching someone to use a gun to avoid deadly consequences, he said. The goal is to prevent harm. “There are no hats here,” Farinacci said. “There are no white hats, black hats or gray hats because we have halos.” Hackers-with-Halos refers to the methodology that readies Cyber Lopes (the students) to join a network of skilled professionals who perform work from a Christian worldview perspective. “The nature of the program is to get our students out there in the workplace,” Farinacci said. “Our students want to protect people. I love that our goal is to protect people. “Sure you learn to hack, but the goal is to protect identities.” For more information about the degree program, click here. Contact Laurie Merrill at (602) 639-6511 or @laurie.merrill@gcu.edu. Staff Stories Bible, faith kept public safety officer alive as one of the 'Lost Boys of Sudan' >> READ MORE Bible, faith kept public safety officer alive as ‘Lost Boy’by rick.vacek Joseph Gamunde’s journey from war-torn Africa to the peace of GCU is a story of faith and survival. Story by Karen Fernau Photos by Travis Neely GCU News Bureau Playing dead kept Joseph Gamunde alive as Islamic militants gunned down classmates at their desks. Wild fruit and sporadic rainfall kept him from starving or dying of thirst as he fled the bloodshed in his homeland of Sudan. After he watched his father get executed, faith kept his heart beating and his feet moving toward safety. “My Bible, my faith. They are the only weapons I had, and they kept me alive,” says Gamunde, now a public safety officer for Grand Canyon University. Today, he still reads the same Bible he brought to Phoenix in December 2000 from the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. While working the evening shift at GCU, he keeps it stashed in his car and its words in his heart. “It reminds me of where I came from,” says Gamunde, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, the name given to the displaced South Sudanese youths who fled their villages to escape a war that began in 1983 and raged for more than 20 years. There’s more, much more, to GCU Public Safety Officer Joseph than meets the eye. Gamunde began working at GCU two years ago, yet few on campus know the harrowing life he left behind on a faraway continent. Only the remnants of his lilting, native Moro tongue hint at a foreign past. The only time he talks about fleeing death in Sudan and eight years in a Kenyan refugee camp is when he believes his torment helps others shed theirs. “I ask God to share with me the best so I can share the same with others,” he says. “I share both my pain and my joy. I tell them that whatever they go through, no matter how bad it seems, their troubles won’t be permanent. The best is yet to come. Always.” Gamunde talks of his African past with the exactness of a historian. The Second Sudanese Civil war stretched from 1983 to 2005 between the Islamic Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. It lasted for 22 years and is one of the longest civil wars on record. Yet, when he switches from the facts to memories, he speaks with the heartbreak of a man whose childhood was shattered by war. Decades have done little to mute the horror of watching his father killed, learning of his mother’s death in an air strike, witnessing mass executions, dodging soldiers, facing starvation and the simmering hatred between religions and tribes. Gamunde’s horror story begins as a 13-year-old attending school in a southern Sudanese town miles from his native village. His father, a minister with five children, had come to visit. “The ruling Islamics decided anyone from a different place was a spy, an insurgent,” he says. “They put a hood over his face that was filled with a poisonous powder. I watched him die, and the insurgents told me that’s how they killed.” Gamunde and his classmates were then ordered to attend an Islamic brainwashing school. After two short weeks, the teacher learned that rebels were on their way to rescue the students. He opened fire. “My best friend was shot and his blood was all over me. … The blood let me play dead. My friends died,” he explains. Joseph Gamunde still carries the same Bible that he read in the refugee camp in Kenya where he once lived. After the schoolhouse massacre, he and other teenage refugees began a two-year trek through jungles and deserts, zig-zagging their way past government troops to the safety of a neighboring country. They avoided villages, towns and walked only under the protection of darkness. They had hope but no maps, no planned route. “I had no idea where I was going, but I knew that if I got there, I would start a new life,” he says. To survive, he risked eating plants not knowing if they were deadly. “I believed what Gods says, that even if you drink a poison in his name, you will survive,” he said. Gamunde often survived days without water or food. Slowly, his newfound family of refugees shrank as many died from the hardship. Only a last-ditch miracle spared them after they had decided to stop and die together rather than one by one along a tenuous path. Without water, they knew death was inevitable. Together they sat on the desert floor and prayed. Fifteen minutes later, dark clouds swept over them, dropping life-saving rain. “The rain told us that God intended for us to survive,” he says. His ragtag group finally arrived at a refugee camp in Kenya, where he spent eight years working from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. He made do with a cup of beans a week. As a teacher, he passed on what he learned in school to the camp’s children. As a minister, he employed what he learned from Sunday school, his father and the Bible to help others embrace Christianity. As peacemaker, he diffused intermittent violence between warring tribes. “I did everything I could to make sure we lived in harmony and peace,” he said. “My tribe was called cowards because we didn’t believe in killing. For others, killing was easy.” Public Safety Officer Joseph Gamunde appreciates being able to combine his faith and his work. After years of red tape, he was granted, at age 24, permission to emigrate to the United States. He flew to his new country with 89 other Boys of Sudan, moving into his first apartment near the GCU campus. At first, he worked on the manufacturing floor of Valley semi-conductor companies, but after several layoffs he accepted a job with a private security firm, where he worked for nearly a decade. A former co-worker encouraged him to apply to GCU two years ago, and Gamunde remains grateful. “I finally feel like I am in the right place,” he says. “I don’t have to hide my faith. I can bring it to work.” Case in point: the cross on his uniform’s patch and the privilege to occasionally pray with a student. GCU also shares many of the academic values of his African family and tribe. “We believed in education, ministry and health care. What was important to us is right here on campus,” says Gamunde, a father of an 11-year-old son. The stories of South Sudanese refugee children have been told in books, movies and documentaries. Gamunde, however, prefers sharing face to face how he keeps past demons at bay or channels war-scarred memories into acts of kindness. “All that I’ve seen that’s so terrible has shaped me to see life in a positive way,” he said. “I choose love over violence. I look for good in the worst of times.” Contact Karen Fernau at (602) 639-8344 or karen.fernau@gcu.edu. Beach Volleyball Clinic July 7-8; GCU Beach Courts >> MORE INFO Men's Soccer Camps July 2017; Various Dates at GCU >> MORE INFO Back-to-School Clothing Drive July 17-19; Various times at GCU Arena with Phoenix Lopes Men's Baseball Schwartz selected by Braves in MLB Draft >> READ MOREBaseball - Josh Hauser Schwartz selected by Braves in MLB Draft Grand Canyon outfielder Garrison Schwartz was a 16th Round selection by the Atlanta Braves in the 2017 MLB Draft on Wednesday. Schwartz becomes the highest drafted GCU outfielder since 2004. The Lopes have had at least one draft selection in all four years of their transition to Division I. Follow MLB Draft Tracker ✔@MLBDraftTracker "It means a lot to get the opportunity to play at the next level, and I'm thankful that the Braves gave me the call," Schwartz said. "It's what we all work towards our whole lives in this game, and getting an opportunity to move forward in my career means the world! It was an unbelievable feeling to get the call and see my name come up, and I am excited for the future." Grand Canyon once again proved it is recruiting elite talent also, with signees Seth Nordlin and Cole Bellinger hearing their names called. Nordlin (GateWay) went in the 13th Round to the Texas Rangers and Bellinger (Hamilton HS) went in the 15th Round to the San Diego Padres. In just three seasons, Schwartz has become the most decorated GCU baseball player at the Division I level. He was named Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year following the 2017 campaign after hitting .384 and slugging .698 in conference play. This backed up the junior's Preseason WAC Player of the Year selection. He was also named to the ABCA / Rawlings All-West Region second team on Wednesday. Schwartz has also been a member of the All-WAC team all three seasons, including a WAC Freshman of the Year selection in 2015. Schwartz becomes the 87th selection all-time in school history and the eighth under head coach Andy Stankiewicz. He joins a list of seven members of the GCU Baseball program to be drafted since GCU's transition to Division I. In addition to Schwartz, Paul Panaccione (2016), Chad De La Guerra, David Walker, Andrew Naderer (2015), Brandon Bonilla and Jorge Perez (2014) have been selected. The last GCU outfielder to be picked as high as the 16th Round was Travis Kaats, going to the Cincinnati Reds in the 16th Round in 2004. View image on Twitter Follow GCU Baseball ✔@GCU_Baseball Congrats to @gtschwartz7 for his @MLBDraft selection by the @Braves. Men's Basketball Lopes add Benson, player in NCAA Tourney Final Four >> READ MORE Men's Basketball  - Charles Hampton Lopes add Benson for 2017-18 season The Grand Canyon men's basketball team added another big piece for the 2017-18 season as they announced the addition of graduate-transfer Casey Benson to their 2017 signing class, head coach Dan Majerle announced on Friday. "Casey brings a great deal of leadership and experience to our squad," head coach Dan Majerle said. "He's got a great basketball IQ and takes care of the basketball. He has been a part of conference championship teams and has played deep into the NCAA Tournament multiple times and we're excited he'll be joining us for his final season." Benson spent the last three years at Oregon, where the Ducks reached the Elite Eight in 2015-16 and the Final Four in 2016-17. The 6-foot-3 point guard leaves Oregon with a 3.23-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, ranked second all-time in Pac-12 history. "I couldn't be more excited to come home and be a Lope," Benson said. "I know I am going to learn a ton playing for Coach Majerle and the rest of the staff and can't wait to play in front of such a great student section. The energy and enthusiasm they bring is through the roof. GCU is building something special and I am looking forward to being a part of it." Benson played in all 39 games as the Ducks recorded their second straight 30-win season, going 33-6 for the campaign. Despite falling to Arizona in the Pac-12 Championship, Oregon advanced to the Final Four in Glendale, Ariz., where they fell by a single point to eventual champion, North Carolina, 77-76. Benson ranks second all-time in Oregon history with 90 wins in his three seasons with the Ducks. As a sophomore, Benson started all 38 games for the Ducks, averaging 6.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists. His 4.88-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked No. 1 in the country that season. Off the court, he was named to both the Pac-12 and CoSIDA District 8 all-academic first teams off the court. The Ducks claimed both the Pac-12 regular season and tournament crowns, finishing 31-7 and advancing to the Elite Eight before falling to Oklahoma. In his first season in Eugene, Benson played in all 36 games, starting nine of them. He finished the season ranking second on the team in assists with 72, while committing only 23 turnovers. The Ducks finished the season 26-10 and advanced to the championship game of the Pac-12 Tournament and the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to Arizona and Wisconsin, respectively. The Tempe, Ariz., native led Corona Del Sol High School to three consecutive Division I Arizona State Championships, while earning Gatorade and the Arizona Republic Player of the Year honors as a senior. The addition of Benson continues a tradition of impact graduate transfers under Majerle, following Grandy Glaze in 2015-16 and Darion Clark in 2016-17. Glaze won the Riley Wallace award, given to the top transfer in Division I college basketball. Benson joins the Lopes' 2017 signing class which includes Roberts Blumbergs, Alessandro Lever, and Damari Milstead. Women's Volleyball Lopes announce 2017 schedule >> READ MOREWomen's Volleyball - Mark Oshidari Lopes announce 2017 schedule The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team officially announced its 2017 schedule on Wednesday. Second-year head coach Tim Nollan aims to have the Lopes at full strength this year with several players returning from injuries and a solid core of newcomers. "We are really looking forward to this 2017 season," said Nollan. "We have four new kids joining the team, and are looking forward to the return of our kids who were injured. We ended last season on a positive note, winning our last match. The kids are hungry. We had a successful spring, and we are on pace to have everyone available health wise. We are really encouraged by the strides our returners have made and we are excited to get the young kids in the gym." GCU begins the year with the first of four non-conference tournaments, traveling to Syracuse, N.Y. The Lopes will play in the Syracuse Tournament on August 25-26, facing Siena, Niagara and host Syracuse. "We open the year at Syracuse, a road trip across the country to get our kids that first trip under their belts to understand expectations and gel as a team," said Nollan. "Getting out on the road really creates chances to bond and understand everyone a little bit better. Traveling to Syracuse, we play a big name university at a first-class tournament… we look forward to all of the matches as it should be highly competitive." The second weekend of action has the Lopes off to Tucson for the Wildcat Classic on Sept. 1-2. GCU will face Eastern Kentucky, Radford and Arizona. GCU returns for its home opener, hosting the GCU Tournament on September 8-9. GCU will host Fordham, Gonzaga and Idaho. "We open the home schedule with the GCU Tournament. We play our first matches in the arena, which we are excited to announce that all of our home matches this season will be played in GCU Arena. Every weekend I feel there's a great opportunity for us to learn about ourselves, to compete and to continue to get better." The Lopes conclude their non-conference schedule at the Bradley Tournament in Peoria, Ill. GCU will take on South Dakota State, UConn and Bradley in the Lopes' final tune ups before Western Athletic Conference play. WAC action begins on September 21 as the Lopes travel for the UMKC and Chicago State road trip. After 14 conference matches, the Lopes will conclude WAC play on senior day, hosting UTRGV on Saturday, November 11. GCU is eligible for the WAC Tournament this year, which will be held on the UTRGV campus. "We are excited about the conference schedule," said Nollan. "This is the first year we are eligible for postseason play due to NCAA DI transition rules. We are eligible for the conference tournament now. Obviously the winner of that tournament gets a berth to the NCAA Tournament, which is everyone's goal… ours included. We are looking forward to having another shot at the teams with healthy bodies. There are a lot of good teams returning as I felt the conference was pretty young last season. We are excited for the opportunity to compete and that is something that this team really enjoys. Even shorthanded last season, they still enjoyed the competition aspect of it. All spring this squad has been chomping at the bit to get back at it." "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." [2 Corinthians 3:17] Grand Canyon University 3300 West Camelback Road Phoenix, Arizona 85017, United States.

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