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.

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 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 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.

By Sean Thomason
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major, Honors College

Amidst a wave of construction projects, the engineering building, one of Grand Canyon University’s newest additions to an increasingly sprawling campus, has set itself apart through the consistent production of noise that can only be associated with student preparation and innovation. Yet today, the traditional whirl of the Lopes Lab (the engineering building’s center for technological experimentation) has been lulled to a systematic silence as a small group of students sit contemplatively around a whiteboard littered with role delegations and points of emphasis for the upcoming week. This unit of dedicated engineering and pre-med majors is currently considering plans of attack for their research and development project, 3Derma, but have encountered the issue of volunteer hesitation that frequently plagues small groups of over-extended individuals. Sensing the indecision and without missing a beat, the group’s co-founder and student lead, Gabriela Calhoun, addresses the wary group and asks, “So, who is going to take care of that for us?”