In This Issue

Bible Verse

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity."
~Psalms 133:1

Nominate Family, Friends for Alumni Scholarships

As a GCU Alumnus, you have played a critical role in the strength and heritage of this University. We want to say thank you by offering an opportunity to nominate yourself, a family member or friend for an exclusive Grand Canyon University academic scholarship.

For details and requirements, visit our website: http://alumni.gcu.edu/index.php?page=scholarships

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

GCU in the News

Click here to read the latest media coverage of the University.

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!

60 Years at GCU: How the Times Have Changed!

GCU has seen a lot of changes in the past six decades, and what was considered “the norm” in the University’s early years may seem a little strange to current students. Take a look below to see just a few examples of how the University has changed over the years:

Then (1950s)...
Grand Canyon College

Now (2009)...
Grand Canyon University

Then...
12 undergraduate degrees

Now...
35+ undergraduate degrees, 30+ master's degrees and 1 Ph.D. program

Then...
Weekday curfew: 10 p.m.

Now...
Open Hall Hour schedule for guests of the opposite gender, but no curfew

Then...
Holding hands not allowed on campus

Now...
No guests of the opposite gender allowed to spend the night

Then...
May 1957: 47 graduates

Now...
May 2009: More than 3,000 graduates

Then...
A Coca Cola cost 5¢

Now...
A Coca Cola costs $1

"Tour of Decades" Display Debuts Alumni Relations and Development Specialist Madeline Winney and Graphic Designer Ursula Suszko put the finishing touches on the Tour of Decades display. GCU's Alumni Relations team recently unveiled the new “Tour of the Decades” display in the Fleming Library, commemorating the University's 60 years of rich history. The exhibit includes a display of Grand Canyon College and Grand Canyon University yearbooks dating back to 1950, major milestones, and a video tribute. A timeline of the University's history spans all four walls of the exhibit, taking visitors on a journey from the University’s 1949 founding to the present. Academics, Athletics, Spiritual Life, Student Life, Theatre and Music are all represented in the new museum of GCU history. If you would like to take a tour of the museum, please contact Madeline Winney at mwinney@gcu.edu or Melanie Beem at mbeem@gcu.edu to set up an appointment. (Clockwise from upper right) Director of Alumni Relations Madeline Winney, Alumni Relations and Communications Specialist Melanie Beem, Alumni Relations and Development Specialist Madeline Winney and Alumni Student Worker Dusan Radisavljevic review the museum's yearbooks.

A Note from the Director:

Grand Canyon University Celebrates 60 Years

This year, Grand Canyon University celebrates 60 years of outstanding academic programs and a commitment to Christian-based studies. The College that started with 100 students in an abandoned armory building in Prescott, Ariz., is now a "home" to more than 28,000 online and traditional students, with a growing campus and 16 NCAA athletic programs.

Let's see just how far the University has come:

GCU, known as Grand Canyon College until 1989, opened its doors August 1, 1949, with 16 instructors and about 100 students.

Grand Canyon College became known early on for its teacher education program and soon expanded its programs in the sciences, nursing, business, music, and the arts.

In September 2003, GCU faced bankruptcy and a rapidly declining student population. Education entrepreneur Brent Richardson bought the school, converted it to for-profit status and focused on creating an educational experience of the highest quality. This included developing innovative academic programs, updating the traditional campus and expanding online programs.

By 2006, GCU returned to financial health and enrollment grew tenfold to 13,000 students in only three years. That same year, GCU launched an Executive MBA program with best-selling business author Ken Blanchard. In 2007, GCU ranked as the number-one online undergraduate institution in the U.S. among 21 accredited colleges and universities that operate nationally.

The transformation of GCU culminated in an initial public offering of common stock in November 2008, making it the first U.S. company to go public in nearly four months despite the intensifying credit crisis. Shares of parent company Grand Canyon Education (GCE) are trading on the NYSE under the symbol (LOPE).

Today, Grand Canyon University is indeed unique as the country’s only private, for-profit Christian university. Join us as we celebrate 60 years of tradition, and prepare for another 60 years of academic excellence.

Madeline Winney
Director, Alumni Relations

Save the Date: GCU Celebrates Homecoming

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 recreational games. On Saturday, January 30, highlights include a student and alumni barbecue, a GCU men’s and women’s basketball game against Dixie State, and a postgame bonfire. The festivities will conclude with a student and alumni chapel service at Ethington Theatre Sunday, January 31.

Representatives from GCU colleges and departments will be on hand with breakout events and gatherings, providing additional opportunites to reconnect with classmates and see how much GCU has grown since 1949.

All alumni will be receiving a "Save the Date" card in the mail in July with more details. To ensure that you receive this and other important mailings, please update your contact information on our website. http://alumni.gcu.edu/update_info.php.

Theatre and Music Alumni Enjoy Barbecue

(From left) '02 Theatre/Drama alumnus Jon Shillington Mark, '05 Applied Music with Vocal Emphasis alumnus Amy (Runte) Wyatt and Director of Alumni Madeline Winney reminisce about GCU's former theatre and music programs.

GCU Hosts Arizona Baptist Historical Society

Grand Canyon University hosted the 21st annual meeting of the Arizona Baptist Historical Society at which they discussed the development of the University and honored its 60-year heritage. A majority of the 76 members in attendance are alumni. The following alumni gave testimonies and shared personal memories of their experiences at GCU.

Representatives and speakers from GCU helped make this event memorable by acknowledging the importance of our past and sharing news about the University's outlook. GCU CEO Brian Mueller; University Relations and Student Success Officer

Milestones - People

Sarah Surrey, who graduated in May 2009 with a bachelor's degree in psychology, followed her grandfather's path and chose Grand Canyon University. Her grandfather, Jerry Bowling, is a preacher at Hillside Southern Baptist Church in Phoenix and GCU alum, class of 1990. Sarah grew up listening to her grandfather's sermons about the love and compassion of Christ.

Sean Wright, formerly a writer for Jeopardy! and other game shows, is now a writer for The Tidings – the official newspaper of the Los Angeles archdiocese – as well as a lecturer on the Bible and church history. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies in May 2009.

Kay Bro, Arizona’s first paraplegic classroom teacher and a GCU alumnus, died in May 2009. After auto accident paralyzed her during her sophomore year of high school, she enrolled in GCU and graduated with a degree in education. Kay is survived by her husband of 36 years, Bill, and children Sharynn and Billy. Kay was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and St. Louis the King Catholic Church in the Valley.

Alumnus of the Year 2009: Karin Jarman

Grand Canyon University recognized 1989 alumnus Karin Jarman as the distinguished 2009 Alumnus of the Year at commencement ceremonies in May. Karin serves her country as a Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). She is assigned to the National Preparedness Unit, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Directorate at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Jarman graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Development.

After graduation, Jarman worked at North Phoenix Baptist Church until late 1990, when she returned to Grand Canyon University and worked in the Office of the Registrar. Jarman chose GCU because she felt at home the minute she stepped on campus!

Alumni Luncheon Attracts 300 Attendees

More than 300 GCU alumni, graduates, family and friends gathered for the annual Alumni Graduation Luncheon for the 2009 Commencement Ceremony at Chase Field. Guests enjoyed lunch, dessert and several GCU Alumni gifts. Following the luncheon, guests proceeded to the 500-seat alumni seating sections.

Several alumni and their families remarked that the ceremony was an enriching experience. It allowed them to witness the growth of their alma mater and reminisce about their individual experiences at GCU.

Memories from the Past:
Jess and Juanita Baker

Former Grand Canyon College Student Body President Jess “Jake” Baker, ’56, was the first of more than 30 Bakers to attend Grand Canyon College (GCC), which would later become Grand Canyon University. Jake invited future wife Juanita “Nita” (Ayers) Baker, ’58, to the first formal event of her freshman year, but did not ask for a second date until the first formal event of the following year. (She thought it might be a yearly date.) But the second date became the beginning of a lasting relationship. They were married in January 1957.

Favorite memories for them include sitting under the “BSU” tree to “shoot the breeze”, baseball games (Jake was a pitcher), basketball games, noontime devotions, choir trips, and many other campus activities. They even made sure to include their initials on the University's first Student Center.

GCC played a vital role in laying the foundation for the Baker’s ministry, as Jake continued his education and graduated from Golden Gate Seminary in 1962. Jake went on to serve in the pastoral ministry for over 45 years in both Arizona and Northern California before retiring in 1998. Nita retired from education in 1994.

Jake and Nita have two children - Bob and Jenny. Bob, an '86 GCU alumus, followed his father’s example as a University student body president. He went on to earn his master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University. Bob is currently writing his dissertation to complete his doctorate program. Their daughter, Jenny (Baker) Mead, attended GCC ('84 alumnus) and pursued a career in business. She and her husband Randy, a former GCU basketball player, are actively involved with Sacred Portion Children’s Outreach, a Christian ministry working with international orphans and adoptions.

Since their retirement, Jake and Nita live in Bozeman, Montana, and stay active with church and family, including their five grandchildren. "We praise the Lord for Jake being cancer-free for a little over four years and Nita cancer-free since beginning of May this year," Nita said.

Career Services: Stay Connected for Life

Career Services and Alumni Relations are working closer than ever to help our students and alumni find their place in the workforce. The challenging job market today means taking advantage of all available opportunities, and Grand Canyon University is here to serve you.

Career Services provides one-stop shopping to assist all students/alumni with career exploration, resume writing, interview preparation and NACELink job posting service.

Alumni Relations and Career Services teamed up this past April for the Senior Send Off, at which GCU armed seniors with information needed to graduate and be successful in today’s workforce. The Send Off included a job fair with local companies ready to hire our graduates.

Never discount the value of leveraging the network you have established here at Grand Canyon to maximize your job and career opportunities. Our relationship does not have to end at graduation. Join Alumni Relations and have access to Career Services, scholarships, discount travel, movie tickets and much, much more. Create an Alumni Chapter in your area. Social networking does not stop after you get your job; it is a life-long process.

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. Check out our website at www.gcu.edu and stay connected for a lifetime.

Grand Canyon University
Alumni Relations
3300 W. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017