campaigns : Campaign Archive

May, 2008

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Alumni,

Aways an exciting time of year, graduation again made its statement among us! It is a season of looking forward to the amazing future and successes that await. This is an opportunity for the graduate to look back and appreciate their accomplishments and for the Alumni to reflect on where their journey has taken them since their own graduation ceremony.

This year’s commencement was a joyous celebration graduating 3,121 students. We want to welcome these graduates into our alumni community and thank them for making this event such a success. Please take the time to explore what your alma mater has to offer such as the Affinity Benefit Partners, Alumni networking opportunities, and much more!

Summer is now approaching and vacations are in sight. We continue to pray for safe travels and memorable moments for your families. Enjoy every day and take delight in the family and friends who surround you.

If you are traveling this summer, we would love to give you a Traveling ‘Lope and see where the Antelope herd has been!

Blessings,

Madeline LoConti Winney
Director, Alumni Relations
602.639.6310
http://www.gcualumni.com/

Graduation '08 Highlights

Alumni Luncheon

This years Alumni Luncheon was an exciting opportunity for former classmates to reconnect while showing their support for the newest members. The ability to share this special time with family and friends prior to the ceremony was a true blessing. There were approximately 150 attendees sharing in the exuberance that filled the air. We want to thank all alumni that participated in this event and helped to make it a great success!

Commencement Ceremony

Commencement Ceremonies Highlight GCU’s Diversity
GCU’s commencement ceremony Saturday at Jobing.com Arena honored 3,121 graduates. “One of our strengths is the ability accommodate the special requirements of the modern-day student. In today’s world it is important to make higher education as accessible as possible, and through the many stories that we discovered in this year’s graduating class it’s clear that we’re on the cutting edge of doing exactly that,” said CEO Brent Richardson.

Demonstrating GCU’s ability to accommodate various needs of students, was former star soccer players, David Hague. Drafted to play for the Portland Timbers professional soccer team Hague, who scored more goals than any other NCAA Division-II player in the country during the 2006 season, completed his studies online and received an undergraduate degree this year in Business Administration from the Ken Blanchard College of Business.

Harvey Mackay, well-known author, business consultant and founder of Mackay Envelope, received an honorary doctorate degree from Ken Blanchard, namesake of the Ken Blanchard College of Business at GCU and leader of the Ken Blanchard Executive MBA program. Mackay has been an integral part of the success of the Ken Blanchard EMBA program, serving on the program’s advisory committee and participating in co-horts, providing first-hand guidance and feedback to students enrolled in the program. Mackay is a part-time resident of Scottsdale.

Of the total number of graduates, 2,572 students received graduate degrees and 549 received undergraduate degrees. GCU’s College of Education graduated the most students with a total of 2,199 graduate and undergraduate degrees. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences had 418 graduates and the College of Liberal Arts had 61. The Ken Blanchard College of Business rounded out the total with 443 graduates.

Memories from the Past
"Student Unions"

Alumni Terry and Laura (Huff) Hartman will always have a special place in their heart for Grand Canyon University. Graduates from the class of 2004, they were very active on campus and created several unique memories during their tenure at the university. Their story begins when they were set up on a blind date near Valentine’s Day by Terry’s friend and Laura’s volleyball teammate, Mandy Burgmann (Forrest). They had dinner at the Bamboo club and then went to see "How to Lose a guy in 10 Days." After that, they walked around the Biltmore and drank hot chocolate. Their night may have ended but this relationship had just started. They were together everyday after that and got engaged nine months later. The wedding was held July 9th, 2004 in Sun City, Arizona. They spent their honeymoon in Moab, Utah at the Arches National Park. Upon their return, they packed up moved to California so Laura could pursue her dream of being an optometrist. Four years later that dream is becoming a reality; Laura is graduating May 23rd and has accepted a position in Yuma at Corona Optique. Terry is also fulfilling his aspiration to be in law enforcement and is currently training to be a Border Patrol Agent at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, New Mexico. His graduation is set for the beginning of June.

Among meeting her soul mate at GCU, Laura’s favorite memories include playing volleyball as an Antelope and being a member of the GCU Softball team’s opening season. She received many accolades for her athletic contributions. Canyon is also where she became a Christian thanks to the leadership and devotion of the volleyball coaches and the friends she made at GCU to support and teach her. Terry's fondest memories are from his freshman year, living in the dorm with his roommate Brian Baker-whom he named his first dog after- and the other friends he made during his four years at GCU.

These are the wonderful memories that Alumni students will take with them for the duration of their life. We would love to hear other GCU memories. If you have a story you would like to share, please write to mbeem@gcu.edu.

Alumni Chamber of Commerce Breakfast

Please join us for May's meeting, Summer of Success-Open Forum. This will provide an opportunity to establish a great connection with other members and discuss your business and opportunities you may have. Please bring plenty of business cards to disburse to fellow members!

DATE: May 15th: Summer of Success - Open Forum
WHEN: Doors open at 7:30 a.m., program begins at 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: McKinley Banquet Hall, Grand Canyon University

Save the date for June 19th!

Alumni Volunteers for Prospective Students

We have had several requests from prospective students to speak to alumni in various parts of the country. If you would be willing to talk to a future student please contact us.
Volunteering indicates that we will be able to contact you on the occasional occurrence when requested by a prospect to discuss your overall GCU and academic experiences.

Please contact Melanie at mbeem@gcu.edu or call 602.639.6415

SEI Bootcamp - The simplest way to keep your professional credits "in shape"

Arizona state law requires K-12 educators to complete 45 hours of Structured English Immersion (SEI) training in order to receive the Full SEI Endorsement. With it’s first-ever SEI Boot Camp, the Center for Educational Excellence at Grand Canyon University provides a convenient way to obtain the SEI Endorsement!

WHEN: June 16-21, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (100% attendance required by law.)
WHERE: Fleming Hall at Grand Canyon University, 3300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix

For more information and to register online, visit www.ceelearning.com or call 866.730.4234.

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Save the date for The Progressive Administrators’ Compass Workshop!

Are you prepared to lead in an environment that grows more diverse and demanding every day? Are you able to provide the necessary vision? Attend the Progressive Administrators’ Compass Workshop and you will be! Whether you are an experienced educational leader or brand new to your position as a principal, administrator, or central office personnel, you’ll learn new practical strategies for navigating change at this exciting 2-day workshop.

WHEN: July 9 – 11, 2008
WHERE: Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ

For more information and to register online visit www.ceelearning.com or call 866.730.4234.

Alumni $cholarship Opportunitie$

Do you want to go back to school or know someone who does? Refer a friend or even yourself and recieve a scholarship! For more information or online applications regarding GCU Alumni Scholarships, please visit: http://www.gcualumni.com/scholarships.php or call 800-800-9776 and ask for the Alumni Association.

Support Future Antelopes

The Alumni Association is a non-profit entity that provides scholarships to future antelopes. We are excited to announce that Online giving is now a reality on our website! The donations given are used to support the tuition for next generation Alumni. If you would like to contribute to our scholarship fund, please click for Online giving.

Antelope Athletics

For updates and information on GCU Athletics, visit their website: http://athletics.gcu.edu/

Alumni Heroes

Do you know Alumni who have served or are currently serving our country. We would like to honor them in a future Alumni Legends issue. If they are currently serving in Iraq, the Alumni Association is coordinating thank you care packages to send them. We look forward to hearing about our Veterans.

Please contact Melanie Beem at mbeem@gcu.edu or 602.639.6415

Verse of the Month

Isaiah 40:31
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”