NW Valley Times

Travis Hamele embraced his freshman daughter, Adison Hamele, following a pinning ceremony during the Welcome Week New Student and Family Commissioning on Monday at Global Credit Union Arena.

Dads are often seen as stoic figures, tough to crack. But not today. Travis Hamele hugged his daughter tightly after an emotional pinning ceremony that commissioned her into the student body at Grand Canyon University (GCU). With that pin, she crossed the threshold into the next phase of her life.

Then her dad let go and allowed her to disappear into the sea of students streaming outside for orientation, separating her and the rest of the new students from their parents, who remained in Global Credit Union Arena for a parent session.

Noemi Cagley placed a GCU pin on her freshman daughter, Olivia, during the same ceremony. It was a symbolic separation today, but for most parents assembled in the arena, that separation would soon become real as they leave campus so their children can start their college journeys independently.

It felt like that for Travis Hamele, who drove 26 hours from Wisconsin with bedding and clothes to meet wife Ginni and Adison in Phoenix. Adison will be majoring in forensic psychology and will be part of the Honors College. She'll join clubs and meet new friends while her parents call to check on her progress.

“I loved it. It was great. It was amazing,” Travis said of the commissioning ceremony, designed to prepare GCU’s new students and their families for the road ahead.

University President Brian Mueller shared how GCU is helping transform the community. “I got chills,” said Ginni Hamele about Mueller's speech.

“I could have never predicted this. What God has done,” said Mueller about his 16 years at GCU. He spoke about the university’s place in west Phoenix and its broader impact. “We are stewards of it,” he said while sharing some of GCU's history as it celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

Mueller emphasized how leaders decided to stay in their current location rather than move to a less disadvantaged part of Phoenix: "We were going to live out our faith right here in this community.” He highlighted partnerships with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and initiatives like GCU CityServe.

Ginni Hamele was moved by how GCU affects its community by growing great humans. She hopes for similar growth for her daughter Adison.

Mueller also discussed some significant numbers related to GCU: 22 advisory boards helping keep GCU contemporary with job trends; one of the largest intramural programs in the country; 400 music, theatre, and dance majors; and being named by Niche as having one of the top college campuses in 2024.

University Provost Dr. Randy Gibb advised students: "Don't go it alone. Earn your learning. Start now." He encouraged them not to dismiss themselves as mere freshmen but to begin building their professional brand immediately.

University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin led the commissioning and pinning ceremony where students were challenged to become “innovative thinkers, effective communicators, global contributors and transformative leaders.”

He also emphasized learning about Christian worldview and practicing empathy under one theme: “Grounded.” This message resonated with Derik and Julie Hickerson from Washington who helped their son Zachary move into his campus apartment.

Julie Hickerson expressed hope that Zachary would mature both personally and spiritually within the supportive environment at GCU.

During one part of the ceremony, lights dimmed in the arena as questions appeared on big screens asking parents and students if they were excited or nervous about various aspects of college life. The final question assured them: “You are not alone.”

Lana Sweeten-Shults can be reached at [email protected] or at 602-639-7901.

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