|
In This Issue |
|
• A Note from the Director
• Another Rousing Success at Annual Community Fall Festival
• Campus Prepares for Hanging of the Green
• GCU Announces Reduced Tuition for Campus Students
• GCU Launches Marketing Campaign
• Early ‘Lope Registration Special: Homecoming 2010
• Memories from the Past: Justin Gramm
• Career Services: 10 Tips for a Successful Interview
| |
|
Bible Verse
"Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about."
~Phillipians 4:8 |
|
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!
| 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 |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
A Note from the Director
Summer may stretch longer this year with unseasonably high temperatures in Phoenix, but here at GCU we are deep in the spirit of the season of Thanksgiving.
As is our tradition, GCU has many activities and events planned throughout the coming months. In October GCU welcomed the season by hosting the fourth annual Community Fall Festival – an event that in a few short years has become an incredible opportunity to reach out to our local community. Coming soon is the annual Hanging of the Greens celebration, which officially kicks off our joyous Christmas season. We just started our winter athletics programs and invite you to attend these events and cheer on our ‘Lopes. Of course, do not forget the 2010 Homecoming in January. We anticipate it will be the largest event ever held on campus and something you will not want to miss. (See details below).
Along with our traditional campus events, GCU continues to make news as a leader in education and community involvement.
The University recently announced a tuition and housing reduction for all students attending classes on campus, as well as a number of academically based scholarship programs. This will provide additional opportunities for quality students to earn an education at GCU taught from a Christian perspective. (See details below)
Our executive team works diligently to make Grand Canyon University an institution of scholastic merit, with an emphasis on community involvement and servant leadership. GCU Chairman Brent Richardson and CEO Brian Mueller personally provide outstanding examples of servant leadership through their involvement in a number of civic and non-profit organizations, as well as their active involvement with our students. I cannot imagine having the strength or ability to do the terrific job they do without God watching over them and the University.
I enjoy sharing a glimpse of what’s new here on campus, and I hope this information helps you keep up with your growing alma mater. Now I’d like to hear from you! Please give me a call or email me to let us know how you’re doing, and how your experience here at GCU is enhancing your professional and personal life. I am confident that you are continuing to do God’s Kingdom’s work as a proud Grand Canyon University alumnus.
Madeline Winney
Director, Alumni Relations
|
Another Rousing Success at Annual Community Fall Festival
 GCU’s annual Community Fall Festival continues to grow each year and has become a much-anticipated event in the neighborhoods surrounding the University’s campus. Nearly 5,000 people attended the Festival on October 29, enjoying the fun, games and 2.5 tons of candy the University’s faculty and staff collected for the 3-hour event.
Student groups and outside organizations hosted 54 game booths, including Rock Band, tennis and soccer, face painting and numerous carnival games.
Fourteen food booths served up hamburgers, chilidogs, tostadas and lemonade to hungry visitors. Twelve inflatable bounce houses were a popular attraction, with waiting lines all evening long. Various entertainers were featured during the evening, including a Mariachi band, Native American hoop dancers, Christian comedians, and magicians. |
|
Campus Prepares for Hanging of the Green
As the Christmas season draws near, it’s once again time for the annual Hanging of the Green, which will take place Wednesday, November 2, with dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the north end of the Promenade.
As campus alumni may remember, the celebration is one of the University’s oldest traditions, bringing students and employees together in a spirit of service and celebration.
The tradition is rooted in the biblical principle of the “unmuzzled ox” found in Deuteronomy 25:4. According to this principle, in return for helping to harvest grain, an ox’s muzzle is removed, allowing the animal to eat as much grain as it pleases as a reward for its labor.
“By serving this special dinner, GCU’s faculty and staff, who are usually the ‘masters,’ will show their love and appreciation for our students,” University Pastor Mik Milem explained.
At this year’s event, a faculty caroling ensemble will sing during dinner, and following the meal, attendees will walk the campus together, caroling and hanging wreaths crafted by staff and faculty. The celebration will then conclude at the College of Nursing, with a Nativity scene on the lawn and cookies inside. |
GCU Announces Reduced Tuition for Campus Students
GCU announced significant cuts to its housing and meal plan costs, the elimination of campus parking and facilities fees and a tuition freeze for its current and incoming students attending classes on campus. The new costs are effective January 1, 2010 and apply to all students living on campus for the spring semester.
“The tuition rate for our online students has consistently been in the lowest 25 percent of all private universities offering online programs,” said Grand Canyon University CEO Brian Mueller in a news release announcing the cuts. “With these decreases, our campus students will now receive a private Christian education at rates commensurate with a state university education and well below rates at most private universities in the country.”
GCU room and board will decrease an average of 20 percent. Among the other commitments from the University’s administration:
- Tuition for on-campus students will be frozen through the 2011 – 2012 school year
- Substantial additional dollars in scholarships will be dedicated to transferring students
- Parking and other facilities fees totaling almost $600 will be eliminated
- Students receive free admission to any of the University’s athletic events
- All students meeting minimum GPA requirements are guaranteed placement in their professional college of choice
“We recognize that families and students are struggling right now with the economic prospects of higher education. They may have delayed plans to attend college, or may be enrolled in an environment not suited to their personality or lifestyle. A private education can be the high quality, personal and affordable solution they’re seeking to pursue their academic and professional purpose,” Mueller said.
Mueller is encouraging GCU’s existing students to recruit their friends to consider GCU to fill the 600 available spots for the spring semester. He recently announced plans for a 55,000 square-foot student recreation center and additional student housing, anticipated to be ready for the fall 2010 semester. |
GCU Launches Marketing Campaign
If you live in Phoenix or plan a visit before the end of the year, watch for GCU’s new Valley-wide awareness campaign. The creative component to this campaign is “Find Your Purpose at Grand Canyon University.”
This campaign includes the following:
- A 30-second commercial that will be aired on cable and broadcast television.
- Four fully-wrapped city buses that follow various routes throughout the Valley.
- Seven billboards strategically placed near community colleges and high- traffic areas.
- 30-second radio spots airing at seven Valley stations (KEZ, KMVA, KMXP, KNIX, KPKX, KTAR, and KZZP).
- Banner ads and email sponsorships on BeliefNet.com, Fox Inspirational Network, AZ Central and AZ Family.
The GCU television commercial began airing Monday, October 12, and will continue through December 2009.
“We have never had the opportunity to advertise on this scale before,” says Eric McHaney, GCU Executive Director of Marketing. “We are proud of the campaign and excited about this opportunity to increase awareness of the University.”
|
|
Save the Date:
Grand Canyon University Celebrates Homecoming
January 29-31
$25 EARLY 'LOPE REGISTRATION SPECIAL!
Register for 2010 Homecoming by November 30th and bring one guest free of charge. Your early registration will also enter you into a drawing for a $100 gift card to the GCU Bookstore!
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.
|
|
Memories from the Past:
Justin Gramm
 Justin Michael Gramm graduated in 2002 as a double major – Secondary Education and Mathematics. He credits GCU for giving him the tools to “truly” teach. “The Mathematics program was instrumental in developing my critical thinking abilities. The Biology program encouraged an ongoing awareness of the beauty of life and the complexity of God’s creation,” he says.
Today, Justin is the owner of Globella Buyers Realty, an exclusive buyer agency in San Diego, Calif.
“While I’m not in a traditional classroom environment,, rarely does a day goes by that I am not teaching,” he says. “My teaching skills are essential when communicating with clients, other agents and in training my team.”
Justin a lso is a worship leader and songwriter. He released his first worship album this month, which was produced by Grammy nominee and Dove Award winner Patrick Andrew..
“Ironically enough, the title of the album is Canyon,” he says. “I donate all the profits from the album sales to a charity called Lifesong for Orphans.”
The album is available on ITunes at www.itunes.com/justingrammor at http://justingramm.com.
“GCU provided me with new opportunities, new challenges, and a new life,” says Justin. “Moving out of my parents’ house and going to college forced me to grow up and become my own person. I have many truly fond memories from my years at Canyon, and it was those classes, those teachers, those friends, and those memories that helped shape the life I have today.”
One of those friends would become his wife. She came to America from Vienna, Austria, after high school. One of their first dates was trick-or-treating at the GCU apartments. They married in July, 2005 in San Diego, and decided to make San Diego their home. |
|
Career Services Opens Resource Center to Students and Alumni
Career Services: 10 Tips for a Successful Interview
- Review your resume. Revisit your resume from the point of view of the interviewer. Anticipate the company’s needs and why they are interested in you.
- Get back online. Visit the company website again and start taking notes. Gather as much information as you can, including corporate officers, the latest press releases, and the company’s annual report.
- Study, then study some more. Knowledge about the company and the job will make you more confident in your attitude and your answers.
- Rehearse your interview. Prepare for the typical questions you may be asked. Write down some of your most insightful thoughts regarding the state of your industry and profession. Be prepared to describe past positions, responsibilities and accomplishments.
- Develop a list of questions. Your first question should not be, “How much do I get paid?” Ask questions that show you understand the job and the company’s needs. Be quick to notice the interviewer’s comments and follow up by asking relevant questions.
- Dress for success. An interview can be viewed as a performance with each person playing different roles. Your role is as a successful job prospect. Play the part. Whether you are female or male, the conservative business suit is the recommended attire for any interview.
- Get cut or coiffed. Looks matter. There will be plenty of time to show your talent once you land the job. For now, look like a success.
- Practice positive visualization. In the days leading up to the interview, picture yourself sitting opposite the hiring manager. Picture yourself relaxed, comfortable and at the top of your game. Play that clip over and over in your mind until it becomes so familiar it actually becomes a part of your self-image.
- Gather your materials. The day before the interview, gather your materials and place them in a briefcase or attaché. Bring extra copies of your resume and additional requested documents. Bring a pad and pencil to take notes.
- Sleep. The night before the interview, go to bed early. Relax. Set the alarm and sleep comfortably in the knowledge that you’re as prepared as you’ll ever be.
Need help updating your resume or preparing for a job interview? The Career Services Center is available to help all alumni with their career needs. The Center is located on campus in the Student Union, and is available at 602-639-6606 or careerservices@gcu.edu.
|
 SAVE THE DATES: GCU Basketball Home Opener, Pep Rally!
Basketball Home Openers Nov. 21, 24; Pep Rally Nov. 20
Get your tickets now as the GCU men’s and women’s basketball teams host their first regular season home games. The Lady ‘Lopes face the University of California, San Diego, at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon (Nov. 21). Then the men host California Baptist University Tuesday, November 24, at 7 p.m.
Special pre- and post-game activities are planned for each game.
Don’t forget the Pep Rally on the Promenade at 11 a.m. Friday! Meet the Phoenix Suns dancers, and our own cheer and dance teams!
For more information about tickets and events, contact Helen Bleach at hbleach@gcu.edu.
|
