Grand Canyon University
| Grand Canyon University | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Established | 1949 |
| Type | Private, For-profit |
| President | Dr. Kathy Player |
| Admin. staff | 1,600 approx. |
| Students | 40,000 approx |
| Location | Phoenix, Arizona, USA |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Purple, Black and White |
| Nickname | 'Lopes |
| Mascot | Thunder the Antelope |
| Website | www.GCU.edu |
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a for-profit Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona. It is owned by Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ: LOPE). GCU was founded in 1949 as a non-profit liberal arts college. Grand Canyon Education, Inc. purchased Grand Canyon University in February 2004. Grand Canyon Education, through its subsidiary Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission[1] and provides online and campus-based postsecondary education services focused on graduate and undergraduate degree programs in education, liberal arts, business, and healthcare through its six colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Doctoral Studies, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and Production, the College of Nursing, and the Ken Blanchard College of Business.
Contents |
[edit] History
The College was founded as a nonprofit institution in 1949. Arizona Southern Baptists felt the need to establish a faith-based institution that would allow local Baptists the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor's or Master's degree without going "back east" to one of the Baptist colleges in Texas, Oklahoma or Missouri. In 1949, Grand Canyon University opened to 93 students at its original campus site Prescott, Arizona. Two years of financial drought followed, spelled by occasional showers of generosity and the steady growth in academics and athletic programs. On October 8, 1951, Grand Canyon College relocated to the present campus in Phoenix.[2] First Southern Baptist Church of Phoenix donated the land necessary for the institution, and several members of that church, led by Reverend Vaughn Rock "Brother Rock" and S.F. Hawkins donated the finances and physical labor needed to bring G.C.C, as it was known, into reality. Grand Canyon College became Grand Canyon University in 1989.
Suffering existential financial and other difficulties in the early part of the 21st Century, the school's trustees authorized its sale in January 2004 to California-based Significant Education, LLC,[3] making it the first for-profit Christian college in the United States.[4]
[edit] Campus
In 2006, the Grand Canyon University Campus received a $150 million makeover including a brick promenade, an aquatics center, with pool and hot tub, and a café offering an assortment of games and big-screen televisions.[5]
In 2009, Grand Canyon University's Phoenix campus began work on a $60 million campus expansion project which includes a 500-bed dormitory, a 55,000-square-foot (5,100 m2) fitness and recreation center, 125-classroom facility, food court and bowling alley [6] and a 5,000 seat arena. The GCU Arena, which opened September 2, 2011 [7] is utilized for Christian and secular concerts, speakers, events and is also home to Grand Canyon University's Men's and Women's basketball teams.[8]
Grand Canyon University broke ground on a new College of Arts and Science building October 18, 2011. Expected completion for the classroom building and lab facility is August 2012 [9]
[edit] Academics
[edit] Reputation and ranking
Grand Canyon University was recognized as a top 5 online school for entrepreneurs by Fortune.[10]
[edit] Accreditation
Grand Canyon University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, a regional accrediting body as mentioned above.[11]
Grand Canyon University is also accredited through Arizona State Private Post-Secondary Education.[12]
Grand Canyon University, through its Ken Blanchard College of Business, is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. It offers the following business degrees:
- The Ken Blanchard Executive MBA, a one-year EMBA taught in part by Dr. Ken Blanchard. The focus of the EMBA is Servant Leadership.
- The Bachelor of Science (BS) with majors in Accounting, Business Administration, and Marketing.
- The Master of Business Administration (MBA), with emphasis available in a number of disciplines including Accounting, Finance, General Management, Health Systems Management, Leadership, Management of Information Systems, Marketing and Six Sigma.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Arizona State Board of Nursing accredit the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program.
The Arizona State Department of Education has given formal approval of the work done at the University for the certification of elementary and secondary teachers and for the renewal of certificates.
[edit] Colleges
- College of Arts and Sciences—foundational college of Grand Canyon University and contains majors in the sciences and social sciences, media and communications, and the humanities.. The College of Arts and Sciences has the largest number of faculty members of any college at the university and provides course offerings ranging from Molecular Genetics to Robert Frost. The College of Arts and Sciences represents what is commonly called the "core education." Core classes are courses that are required for all student degree programs and support GCU's stated mission and vision of student development: "GCU prepares learners to become global citizens, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible leaders by providing an academically challenging, values-based curriculum from the context of our Christian heritage." [13]
In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences represents a wide range of bachelor's and graduate programs related to the medical field, including programs to prepare students for medical careers as doctors, physician assistants, pharmacists, athletic trainers and addiction counselors.[14]
- College of Education—teaching future educators has been one of GCU's core competencies since its inception.[15] Educational programs include TESOL, elementary, secondary, special education and educational administration.[16] All education programs at GCU are developed to aligned with state and national standards and use the Understanding by Design framework to ensure effective learning. Grand Canyon University College of Education ground, traditional graduates have a 99% placement rate.[17]
- College of Fine Arts & Production—the artistic hub of Grand Canyon University, the College of Fine Arts & Production offers degree programs in music education, theater and drama, digital film with an emphasis in production or screen writing.[18][19]
- College of Nursing—for more than 25 years GCU has offered both ground and online programs. Students who plan to become professional registered nurses (RNs) can enter GCU's nursing program as freshmen to begin the pre-requisites or enter the program later with transfer hours. They will earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and be prepared for an exciting nursing career.[20] The College of Nursing has degrees ranging from the Undergraduate RN to BSN program to a Masters in Nursing with an Emphasis in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems [21]
In 2010, Grand Canyon University opened a satellite campus in Albuquerque New Mexico for pre-licensure nursing students in partnership with Presbyterian Health System [22]
- Ken Blanchard College of Business—focused on servant leadership, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit the Ken Blanchard College of Business offers programs for undergraduate and graduate level students in a variety of business disciplines. Such programs include: bachelors in accounting, marketing, business administration, entrepreneurial studies and finance and economics.[23] The College of Business also offers graduate programs including the Ken Blanchard Executive MBA programs.[24]
- College of Doctoral Studies - The College of Doctoral Studies offers three distinct doctorate degree programs tailored toward the specific interests of students: the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, Doctor of Business Administration and Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology [25]
[edit] Athletics
Grand Canyon University is currently a member of NCAA Division II with most sports participating in the Pacific West Conference. Men's Volleyball competes in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA; Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) for Men's and Women's Swimming, and Wrestling.
Several reports have stated Grand Canyon plans to become a NCAA Division I athletic program once the NCAA moratorium on accepting new Division I programs expires in June 2011.[26][27] GCU has already had discussions with West Coast Conference.[28]
[edit] Notable alumni
- Chad Curtis former MLB player drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim[29]
- Efrain Escudero Mixed Martial Arts competitor for the UFC, and Reality TV Star (The Winner of Spike TV's season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter.)[30]
- Bayard Forrest former NBA player for the Phoenix Suns, led Grand Canyon to the 1975 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament where they won the championship [31]
- Horacio Llamas former NBA player for the Phoenix Suns[32]
- Cody Ransom plays shortstop, third Baseman and second Baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies [33]
- Tim Salmon former player for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim [34]
- Henry Cejudo 2008 Olympic wrestling gold medalist in the 55 kg, (121 pound) weight class.[35]
- Mike Evans (journalist) commentator on Middle East affairs
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.ncahlc.org/component/option,com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,184/instid,1005/lang,en/
- ^ [1]Accessed May 13, 2010
- ^ Tammi Reed Ledbetter, Grand Canyon Univ. sold; trustees in advisory role, Baptist Press, Feb 10, 2004, Accessed May 24, 2006
- ^ Bob Smietana, Christian Ed That Pays Off, Christianity Today, May 19, 2005, Accessed May 11, 2006
- ^ Alison Stanton, GCU campus receives makeover, Arizona Republic, Oct 11, 2006, Accessed Nov 1, 2006
- ^ http://news.gcu.edu/2011/09/where-to-eat-new-campus-options-already-popular/
- ^ http://news.gcu.edu/2011/09/a-year%E2%80%99s-wait-is-over-welcome-gcu-arena/
- ^ J.Craig Anderson, [2] Arizona Republic , March 23, 2010, Accessed May 13, 2010
- ^ http://news.gcu.edu/2011/10/formal-groundbreaking-for-new-cas-building/
- ^ Top 5 e-schools, Fortune Small Business / CNN
- ^ http://www.ncahlc.org/component/option,com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,184/instid,1005/lang,en/
- ^ http://www.gcu.edu/About-Us/Accreditation.php
- ^ http://www.gcu.edu/About-Us/Mission-and-Vision.php
- ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Arts-and-Sciences/Program-of-Study.php
- ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Education/About-the-College-of-Education.php
- ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Education/Program-of-Study.php
- ^ [3]Accessed May 13, 2010
- ^ [4]Accessed May 13, 2010
- ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Fine-Arts-and-Production/Program-of-Study.php
- ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Nursing/About-the-College-of-Nursing.php
- ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Nursing/Program-of-Study.php
- ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Nursing/Albuquerque-Campus.php
- ^ [5]Accessed May 13, 2010
- ^ [6]Accessed May 13, 2010
- ^ http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Doctoral-Studies/Program-of-Study.php
- ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4054891
- ^ http://www.gcu.edu/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=95&cntnt01returnid=69
- ^ http://phoenix.fanster.com/2009/09/05/a-grand-plan-athletics-are-driving-expansion-at-grand-canyon-university/
- ^ [7]Accessed May 13, 2010
- ^ [8]Accessed May 13, 2010
- ^ [9]Accessed May 13, 2010
- ^ [10]Accessed May 31, 2010
- ^ [11]Accessed May 13, 2101
- ^ Tim SalmonAccessed May 13, 2010
- ^ Henry CejudoAccessed December 12, 2010
