GCU names Honors College after donor couple, launches new leadership council

PHOENIX — Grand Canyon University renamed its growing Honors College in honor of longtime Arizona donors Sheila and Mike Ingram, unveiling plans for a new expanded facilities and a new national council of Christian leaders aimed at shaping the next generation of high‑achieving students.

The newly titled Sheila and Mike Ingram Honors College reflects the couple’s decades of community leadership and financial support, said GCU officials announcing the name change on Wednesday.

Founded in 2013, the Honors College has grown rapidly, with 3,638 graduates since its inception and 2,998 students currently enrolled, according to university data.

University leaders say the renaming marks a turning point for the college. It has ambitions to become the largest and most impactful honors program in the nation. GCU is boasting that incoming students carry a 3.9 GPA, the highest among Arizona universities that publish honors data.

The school did not disclose the cost of the expansion.

Major campus expansion planned

Going along with that name change is a major upgrade to the college’s facility.

The Honors College will soon occupy a newly renovated 51,000‑square‑foot building in the center of campus. The revamped space will have new lounges, lecture halls and indoor‑outdoor gathering areas.

Many of the Honors College improvements are expected to be ready for students by fall 2026.

GCU also announced accepted students won’t have to pay to be a part of the Honors College. GCU said most universities charge thousands of dollars in program fees for honors participation. The university also maintains three residence halls designated for honors students.

Honors College Dean Breanna Naegeli said the Ingrahm’s donation makes it possible and creates a roadmap of things to come.

“This is more than a name change or a new building. It is a declaration of who we are becoming,” Naegeli said in a press release. “We believe the largest Honors College in the nation should also be the most mission‑driven.”

Ingrams help launch “Kingdom Impact Council”

Alongside the renaming, GCU is launching a Kingdom Impact Council, an invitation‑only faith-based group of nationally recognized Christian business, civic and nonprofit leaders who will mentor Honors College students and connect them with opportunities across the country.

Founding members include Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren, former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, Pastor Ashley Wooldridge, former state superintendent Lisa Graham Keegan, philanthropist Tom Lewis and bank president Geoff Lundfelt.

More members are expected to be announced in the coming months.

“When GCU President Brian Mueller approached us about getting more involved with the Honors College, we were truly humbled,” Mike Ingram said in the release. “We have met many of these students and were overwhelmed by their character, intellect and passion to make a difference.”

Mueller said the involvement of the Ingrams, who are not GCU alumni, reflects their belief in the mission.

“They recognize the opportunity to influence culture in significant ways through students who are prepared not only academically, but also spiritually,” Mueller said in the release.

In December 2025, Mueller told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the nation’s largest Christian university is looking forward to making progress after enduring a series of costly legal battles with the federal government.

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