By Morgan Lentz
Student, Honors College
One sunny Arizona day, Oliver Bryan was asked to participate in a flag ceremony at an Arizona Cardinals Monday Night football game, representing his 4-year service in the United States Navy. Oliver jumped on his motorcycle and headed to the game. Little did he know that his life would be changed forever that night.
By Angela Bratt
Student, Honors College
Damin Pilon is an incredibly hard-working, intelligent individual who I’ve had the pleasure of being friends, teammates and a co-workers with. Damin is one of the most driven and talented people that I’ve ever met at GCU.
Damin is originally from Duluth, Minnesota. Moving here was a big adjustment, but he is thankful for the ability to come to GCU and receive an education. He’s majoring in finance and economics with a minor in accounting and is graduating in only 2.5 years, which is an incredible feat for anyone.
By Angela Bratt
Student, Honors College
This year, Isabel Serrano started her freshman year at GCU, studying biology with an emphasis in pre-med. Isabel is from Silverthorne, Colorado, but she was originally born in Tijuana, Mexico. During high school, she got the opportunity to join a club called Pre-Collegiate for first-generation students, which allows students to tour colleges in Arizona. It was through this program that she heard of GCU, and as soon as she visited the campus, she immediately fell in love.
By Morgan Lentz
Student, Honors College
Brian Mucyo is someone that could probably spend about three days explaining his life story– yes, it’s that eventful!
I got the chance to sit down with this honors student and ask him a few questions about his life. He is a junior here at GCU studying finance and economics with minors in both Christian and legal studies. Brian was born in Rwanda and moved to Belgium when he was six years old for better health and education opportunities because of his vision disability. After completing his education through middle school, he moved back to Rwanda to be with his family, where he also was able to begin to attend a brand new special education program in the same high school his brothers were attending. He built strong connections with the program developer and was even gifted a special device that allowed him to learn without the constant help of a teacher’s aide. He worked closely with the program to help other students learn according to their needs.
By Morgan Lentz
Student, Honors College
There are so many exceptional students in the Honors College at GCU, but Jessica Symmes never fails to stands out. She’s a well-rounded student who has taken full advantage of the many opportunities she has received. Jessica is the Honors Nursing LLC Ambassador, and is a part of the Dance program at GCU. To say she has a full plate is an understatement!
While I am not quite where I want to be just yet, in hindsight I would say I spent my undergrad at GCU with four main things in mind that helped me get to where I am today: purpose, priorities, self-discipline and relationships.
By Morgan Lentz
Student, Honors College
What makes an honors student different? Of course things like academic excellence, hard work and extra effort, but Selena Nguyen encompasses something more: kindness and caring. Selena is an inspiration to those around her because of her positive attitude and view on life.
By Laura Arnold
Student, Honors College
Humble is the best word to describe Honors College senior Luke Rumbyrt. Majoring in exercise science and minoring in sports management, Luke has worked at two internships during his college career, one at Colorado University in the summer of 2017 and the other at the Fischer Institute where he is currently an assistant strength coach intern.
By Kaylor Jones
Professional Writing and Psychology, Honors College
Honors students Noah Wolfe, Tim McGill and Aly Halbakken are heading to the Clinton Global Initiate University’s annual conference with their nonprofit, Novella, an organization aiming to improve the conditions of coffee farmers in Bagua, Peru.
By Jordan Montgomery
Student, Honors College
Austin Byrom is currently a senior at Grand Canyon University majoring in government and legal studies. Austin lives on campus and has served his community by being a life leader his sophomore year and a resident assistant (R.A.) his last two years. He currently serves as an R.A. in freshman housing in the Grove.
By Madison Nelson
Student, Honors College
Here at the Honors College at Grand Canyon University we have created an environment filled with excellence. Our students truly embrace the challenge in order to enrich their futures and Alyssa Walker is no exception. She began her career in the Honors College because she was drawn to the unique travel and mission trip opportunities. Alyssa said, “My favorite part about being in the Honors College has been the connections I’ve made, not just with my fellow Honors Lopes, but also with the faculty, even beyond the classroom.” Alyssa is a Hospitality Management major and is already turning what she’s learned in the classroom into action.
Susannah Keita and Julia Geringer
Keita, Director of Dance; Julia, Student, College of Fine Arts and Production
When asked, “What’s your major?” many of our students will cringe with anticipation of the response to being a dance major, usually expecting something along the lines of “Sounds like fun!” or “That must be easy!”
By Madison Nelson
Student, Honors College
Do you think your job is stressful? Is schoolwork piling up? Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be president? Yeah, so have we. So of course, we interviewed none other than Grand Canyon University’s Student Body President, Noah Wolfe.
By Madison Knutson
Student, College of Fine Arts and Production
Last fall, the dance department at Grand Canyon University had the opportunity to work with Christy McNeil-Chand from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In addition to setting the infamous piece entitled “Sinoatrial Node,” Christy motivated students to attend the renowned Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop, which was celebrating its 40 anniversary. Upon her recommendation, I attended the two-week intensive with three other GCU students—Hannah Croft, Isiah Johnson and Alyssa Quiett—in Boulder, Colorado this past July 2018.
By Pierre Guad
Student, Honors College
Grant Black is an exceptional honors alum and a driven student, which he displayed as he graduated from Grand Canyon University and moved on to Physical Therapy school. His experience in the Honors College has inspired him to go above and beyond in whatever he does, such as helping other students succeed in the medical field. We asked him to reflect on his years at GCU as an honors student and this is what he had to say.
Wake up, read into current events and marketing trends, off to meetings with individuals on and off campus regarding University/community development and ministry opportunities. Next up, class, ASGCU functions and after all of that, Zumba. Does your daily routine sound this packed and proactive? None other than the Aly Halbakken is determined to create a better tomorrow and meet as many new people as possible. Halbakken is a junior here at Grand Canyon University studying Communications and Marketing. This year she has been chosen as the Associated Students of Grand Canyon University (ASGCU) Chief of Staff.
By Laura Arnold
Marketing Major, Honors College
Jedidiah Woods, who is known throughout GCU’s campus as “Jed,” is a humble servant leader dedicated to helping homeless and refugee communities. He is ambitious, inventive and enthusiastic toward individuals and lends a listening ear to all people. When you talk to Jed, you know he truly cares about the conversation and wants to hear your testimony. The several years Jed has spent at GCU has led him to start-up businesses, on campus jobs and various projects.
By Angela Bratt
Marketing Major, Honors College
At the Honors College, we have a high population of high-achievers and go-getters. Macy Minnocci is an excellent example of such a student. In fact, she had an incredible opportunity to intern with Stanford University. Macy is originally from Santa Clara, California and began her college career at the young age of 15 and graduated as the youngest Valedictorian of Mission Community College at only 17 years old. Once she completed her AA in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences, she decided to continue her education at GCU. After three short semesters, Macy graduated summa cum laude at 19 and began interviewing for her doctoral program. She’s happy to announce that she’s been accepted and has begun this summer. Macy chose GCU because of its dedication to students, the Christian culture on campus, as well as all the opportunities that come with the Honors College. Moving to Arizona was a major transition for Macy, but she was able to thrive and prepare for her future coursework and career.
By Sean Thomason
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major, Honors College
Laughter and a cascade of bustling backpacks fill the walkway of Willow Hall as a large group of freshmen file out of the dormitory and onto the sidewalk of the Grove. Pleasantries and well-meaning jabs are exchanged as the group splits into factions and heads to an assortment of club meetings, job fairs and workshops all designed to provide students with opportunities to grow and thrive during their initial year on campus. As the crowd thins, a young resident assistant (RA) in a grey polo shouts advice and reminders to each of the students; hoping to instill within them the same confidence he had during his inaugural year, he tailors the statements to encourage and propel the freshmen throughout their day. As the phone in his pocket buzzes, he waves one last time to the departing scholars, presses the mobile to his ear and answers: “This is Tommy Wahl. How can I help you?”
By Angela Bratt
Marketing Major, Honors College
Grand Canyon University senior Tiffany Hansen will graduate this December with a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Pre-Medicine. As Hansen prepares to move on to the next stage of life, she shared some reflections on her time here at GCU.