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In This Issue |
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• GCU Prepares for New School Year
• Alumni Relations Teams with Jobing.com
• Alumni Chamber of Commerce Breakfast
• Homecoming 2010
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Bible Verse
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
~Romans 12:10 |
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Check out Discounts for GCU Alumni
Announcing the GCU Alumni Savings Connection - your powerful new member savings benefit.
Have you heard the news? GCU Alumni members now enjoy incredible savings on movie tickets, travel, shopping and more. This value-packed benefit is the GCU Alumni Savings Connection, and it is free for all of our members.
Visit our website for more details. http://alumni.gcu.edu/index.php?page=discounts-for-alumni |
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GCU in the News
Click here to read the latest media coverage of the University.
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Happy Anniversary!
As GCU celebrates its 60th year, let’s also take the opportunity to recognize classes that are marking special milestones this year -- Congratulations!
| Class of 1959 |
50 years |
| Class of 1979 |
30 years |
| Class of 1984 |
25 years |
| Class of 1989 |
20 years |
| Class of 1999 |
10 years |
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GCU Trivia
GCU’s mascot is the Pronghorn Antelope. The Antelope reminds us of our heritage and humble beginnings.
The pronghorn antelope is the second fastest land animal on earth, able to sprint at approximately 60 miles per hour. The only animal faster is the Cheetah.
Did you know the GCU campus sits on 90 acres of land in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona?
Approximately 25,000 students are currently enrolled at GCU in the campus and online programs.
Grand Canyon University started as Grand Canyon College in 1949. The first graduating class in 1951 was comprised of only six students.
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Welcome Week Events Kick Off New Year
Welcome Week is a required orientation program to welcome incoming students and their parents. It consists of a four day intense orientation. This week aims to help students feel more comfortable in the college setting and learn information that is vital to success at Grand Canyon University. Each student will connect with upperclassmen, faculty, staff, alumni and other peers in a family style setting enabling new friendships within the student body. Through experiencing the mission of a Christian university, Welcome Week strives to help each student find a sense of belonging within the GCU community.
The week of festivities will kick-off at 8 a.m. with approximately 500 students moving into the Hegel Hall dormitory or North Rim Apartments. During registration, a GCU University Fair will be held consisting of 30 vendors including local businesses, churches and GCU opportunities. This time will allow the students to open checking accounts, learn about their surroundings and meet staff from local churches. To welcome the students, the Office of Alumni Relations will be on hand to meet the students and parents while distributing complimentary laundry bags to the residential students. The GCU Guild will also be showing their support by providing water to the families, scholarship information, and a free 1 year membership to parents.
Thursday, August 27 at 10 a.m. begins with the annual Welcome convocation located at First Southern Baptist Church and immediately following will be GCU’s 60th Birthday Party Barbeque on GCU’s lawn. This will be a wonderful celebration and a great honor to all that our alumni have done for GCU.
All alumni are invited to attend and partake in the festivities! We hope to see you there.
There are many other activities planned for GCU Welcome Week. For more information and a schedule of activities visit http://alumni.gcu.edu and click on Welcome Week.
A Note from the Director:
GCU Prepares for New School Year
 Grand Canyon University is very fortunate and grateful to be blessed through the efforts and faith of our alumni – our “Shining Stars.” As we begin a new school year, please continue to join our prayers for the University, share your story about GCU with others, and get involved in our many exciting activities for the year.
Alumni are vital to maintaining and enhancing GCU’s positive image and reputation. We enjoy following your achievements and join you in celebrating the important milestones in your life long after you graduate as you serve the world as critical thinkers, responsible leaders and effective communicators in all you do. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing; we would love hearing from you!
GCU is a community in the purest sense of the word. As the University celebrates its 60th anniversary, we encourage you to join us in a year of special festivities.
The celebration begins with Welcome Week, August 26 – 30, and will continue until graduation in May 2010. Alumni are always welcome to attend GCU events and athletic games, but this year we have a special event for alums. Save the date of January 29 – 31, 2010, for the largest homecoming in GCU history.
With every event and activity you participate in, you will help l build our community while creating lasting memories.
Whether you attend these events in person or in spirit as we celebrate our 60 years of tradition, growth and achievement, remember that you have personally played an important role in GCU’s history. As an active alumnus, you continue to be an active force in shaping the GCU community and standing as examples of servant leadership and community involvement for our current and future students.
I pray that you are all well and that God is using you in a special way during these extraordinary times.
Madeline Winney
Director, Alumni Relations
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Career Benefits:
GCU Alumni Relations Teams with Jobing.com to Support Job Searchers
The Alumni Relations and Career Services teams have joined forces with Jobing.com - the leading, locally focused employment website - to help GCU graduates find careers that they love, or assist in hiring employees for their own companies. In this partnership, Jobing.com provides a fully integrated job board on the Grand Canyon University Alumni Relations website. Visit our Career Website to get started.
If you have any questions please stop by Career Services and Alumni Relations. We are located in the student union or call 602-639-6541 or 602-639-6311. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. |
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Soccer Alumni Golf Tournament
GCU’s first Soccer Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament is scheduled for August 29, 2009, at the Palm Valley Golf Course, Goodyear, Ariz. GCU hopes to make the tournament an annual event.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to the first 60 golfers. The event begins at 6:30 a.m. with registration, followed by a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. and lunch at 12:30.
The tournament fee is $300 per foursome, or $75 per individual, and includes green fees, cart and lunch. The Palm Valley Golf Course is located at 2211 North Litchfield Rd. in Goodyear, AZ. Learn more about the course at www.palmvalleygolf.com.
For more information, contact GCU Head Soccer Coach Petar Draksin at (602) 354-6718. |
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Alumni Referral Scholarship:
Alumni Deliver Big for Future Alumns
The Alumni Referral Scholarship is your way of “paying it forward” to the ones you love. This scholarship enables alumni to refer family or friends for $1,250 towards tuition for one year. We are excited to announce that all 80 scholarships - $100,000 in tuition benefits - have been awarded to students for the 2009-2010 academic year.
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Alumni Chamber of Commerce
“The Alumni Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic society of alumni business people throughout the region and will represent the interests of the local business and alumni communities,” says Madeline Winney, Director of Alumni Relations, Fundraising and Development. “Its mission is to sustain and further develop a thriving relationship and to enhance our alumni community’s quality of life.”
Please join the Chamber on September 17, 2009 for our third quarter meeting to discuss: Who Are you? Branding Identity through Social Media, presented by Jobing.com.
Topic: Who Are you? Branding Identity through Social Media
Date: September 17, 2009
Time: 8:00 a.m. (Doors open at 7:30 a.m.)
Where: McKinley Banquet Hall, Grand Canyon University
3300 W. Camelback Road,
Phoenix, AZ 85017
For further information or to RSVP, contact Madeline Winney, Alumni Relations Specialist, at (602)639-6311 or mwinney@gcu.edu.
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Save the Date:
Grand Canyon University Celebrates Homecoming
January 29-31
 Grand Canyon University will celebrate Homecoming, January 29-31, 2010, and invites all alumni back to campus for a weekend of events, games and celebrations.
The event kicks off Friday, January 29, with a welcome reception, picnic and alumni games. Saturday, January 30, highlights include a student and alumni gathering BBQ, the GCU men’s and women’s basketball teams hosting Dixie State and a postgame bonfire. The festivities conclude with a student and alumni chapel service at Ethington Theatre, Sunday, January 31.
All GCU colleges and departments will be on hand with breakout events and gatherings, every opportunity to reconnect with classmates and see how much GCU has grown since 1949.
Please visit: Homecoming 2010 for more information |
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Milestones - People
USA Honor Society has recognized Oyin-Emi Eserifa, a health programs specialist for Arizona State Hospital, for his talents and professional achievements. He currently holds an MBA and a MS in Health Systems Management, both completed at GCU. Eserifa attributes his success thus far to his commitment, ethics and culture. He hopes to reach out to others and help humanity.
Steve Bebee was selected as principal of Cactus Shadows High School for the 2009-‘10 school year. Prior to serving as an administrator, Bebee taught at the elementary and secondary levels. He received his undergraduate degree from GCU and his Master’s Degree with Distinction from Northern Arizona University.
Luka Muslin and his restaurant, Pastis Delicatessen and Eurogrille in Mesa, Ariz., were recently featured in the Arizona Republic. Muslin and friends opened Pastis in November 2008 to fill what he considered a need for a modern European bistro in the area. His menu includes dishes from France, Italy and the Mediterranean, as well as Serbia and Bosnia. The restaurant earned a favorable review and stands out from the flood of chain restaurants in the area.
Outskirts Press, Inc. published The Disoriented Dutchman's Gold Mine by GCU graduate Rick Allen. The book is a humorous fiction novel about the Lost Dutchman mine and the family who know of its secret whereabouts. The book is available at all major online book retailers. |
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Memories from the Past:
Monique Merola
 Monique Noel (Landry) Merola graduated in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is currently a clinical nurse in the Neonatal ICU at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, Ariz.
She credits GCU for getting her back on track with the Lord, and giving her a solid foundation to take into her life and career.
“I am very proud to be a nurse, especially to be a GCU alumni,” Monique says. “I am able to incorporate spirituality into my care much easier than other graduates from other schools.”
“GCU taught me more than just how to be a good nurse,” she says. “It taught me about living a good, healthy, Christian life and just being good to people and giving from the heart.”
Monique has many fond memories of her time at GCU. She says every day brought about new activities, challenges and experiences. She specifically remembers when the basketball team won the NCAA championship and her group of friends got in trouble for screaming past 9 p.m. in the dorms.
Her husband, Timothy, is enrolled in a Master’s Degree in Business Ethics/Leadership program and works for the Homeland Security Department. The couple was set up on a blind date in December 1997 by the godmother of a baby she was taking care of in the NICU at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. They were married April 8, 2000.
When the Merolas discovered they could not get pregnant they purchased their dream home and use the half-acre space to rescue dogs, specifically volunteering with AZ Basset Hound Rescue, Inc. A big surprise was around the corner with the birth of a beautiful and wonderful son named AJ, who is 4 years old now. The family currently has four Basset Hounds - Skipper, Jennie, Joey and Sophie Jo.
“Prayer has gotten me through many rough times in life and I believe GCU gave me the tools I needed to not only succeed as a nurse, but to achieve a higher and better quality of life with knowing the I am not the one in charge, He is.”
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