Fresno Pacific University - Newswire

Scholars Speak: Are Christians hate-filled hypocrites?

9/13/2010 12:00:00 AM

A pastor preaches book burning and catches worldwide attention, not only for himself but for the faith he claims to espouse. Christianity has been here before, seen as a violent hate-filled religion because of the actions of a few, not those of the many. Who are Christians, really? That's the question Tim Neufeld takes on in this edition of Scholars Speak.

Enrollment sets record and breaks 3,000

9/3/2010 12:00:00 AM

Early enrollment numbers are breaking records at Fresno Pacific University.The six-day preliminary report shows a 20 percent overall increase to more than 3,200 students in the traditional undergraduate, graduate and bachelor's degree completion programs. Of these, about 1,100 are new students. "We're on track for our biggest enrollment in history," said President D. Merrill Ewert. "We worked to open up sections of courses and find faculty so that students who needed and wanted to be here had a place to study." The traditional undergraduate program now has 1,040 students, up from 857 in the fall of 2009. Of these, 430 are new students, including 240 freshmen and 180 transfers from community colleges or other universities. Degree completion added 370 new students for a total of about 1,300, compared to 943 in fall 2009. Graduate enrollment looks to be 860, up from 849 in fall 2009. Final totals will come in mid-September. At the biblical seminary, added to the university in June, there are 34 new students, two-thirds of whom are in the master of arts in marriage, family and child counseling program. The total enrollment is 110. Many people are returning to school to prepare for the new economy, said Stephen Varvis, vice president of enrollment management. Others are transferring from more expensive schools they no longer feel they can afford, or public schools so crowded they can't get their required classes. FPU has responded to student needs in several ways. For 2010, it was one of six universities in the United States that did not raise tuition. In 2009 Fresno Pacific increased its financial aid and instituted a four-year graduation guarantee. The university guarantees qualified freshmen entering the traditional undergraduate program will have the classes and advising they need to earn a degree in four years. Students who fulfill their responsibilities and are not able to graduate in four years will receive the requisite courses in the next semester at no cost in tuition or student fees. "Our region is in need of educated, principled people to be leaders in professions and communities," Varvis said. "Fresno Pacific University has stepped up its efforts in financial aid, recruitment and student services to help students make their goals into reality."

Students, faculty, staff live as a prophetic, Christian community

9/2/2010 12:00:00 AM

God works in and through his followers to change people and the world. That was the message Fresno Pacific University President D. Merrill Ewert brought students, faculty and staff during the opening convocation of the 2010-2011 academic year. About 1,000 gathered August 25 in the Special Events Center. Ewert tied the verse for the school year--Ephesians 3:20: "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."--to the Fresno Pacific Idea, which defines the university as being Christian, a learning community and prophetic to the region, nation and beyond. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul wrote to affirm the goodness of God to the church, Ewert said. "It's about being the body of Christ, it's about living together," he said. Living as a Christian means living with integrity and excellence in ways that influence those around us. "Being Christian is more than head knowledge or a heart commitment. It means speaking into our culture," Ewert said. Prophetic Christians can be found among FPU faculty, staff and alumni: * Faculty--Distinguished Scholar Rod Janzen published the book "The Hutterites in North America" with The Johns Hopkins University Press. Ruth Dahlquist, biology faculty, and Chris Janzen, art faculty, led a group of pre-med students to Honduras for learning and service through a local Mennonite church. JT Thiesen, associate track coach, took members of his team to Fiji for track camps and evangelism. * Staff--Lisa Alvey, social media manager; Nick Gundry, associate director of multimedia services; and Brandon Tilley, enterprise applications engineer created a Web application that won a regional contest. Dina Gonzalez-Pina, assistant dean of multicultural ministries in the Office of Spiritual Formation, led a student summer service project to Bolivia in connection with Mennonite Central Committee. * Alumni--Javier (BA '08) Garza: once homeless, Javier now helps people in the same situation. Brandon Dorman (BA '05): as an inner-city teacher, taught a group of nonathletes to swim, run and work out, eventually forming a triathlon club. Not only did they get healthier, their grades improved and some began studying the Bible. This after-school program evolved into a community organization. Ivan Paz (BA '09): discovered FPU through our distance classes for prisoners and earned a bachelor's in biblical studies and pre-law/criminal justice through the degree-completion program. He now works for the Fresno Institute for Urban Leadership and plans to enter law school. This is the prophetic, Christian community new students are entering, Ewert said. "We're glad you're here."

FPU steps in to help students waiting for Cal Grant funds

8/27/2010 12:00:00 AM

Fresno Pacific University announced today it will cover the cost of Cal Grants for its students until the State of California comes up with a budget

While this will put strain on university resources, it is necessary to ensure students can continue their education and complete their degrees."Most students who receive Cal Grants are not in a financial position to make payments on their accounts to even partially cover costs until the government releases the funds," said President D. Merrill Ewert."This will force the university to dip into its reserves and postpone urgently needed expenditures, but we simply can't leave our students stranded."

At FPU, about 580 students receive a total of $4,714,000 from Cal Grants. This is about 40 percent of those in the traditional undergraduate program, typically recent high school graduates, and 11.5 percent of those in the bachelor's degree completion program, designed for older working students with some college credit. Another 47 graduate students receive Cal Grants.

The state budget is now almost two months overdue, and political leaders will not fund the $407 million in Cal Grant until a deal is struck. Statewide 335,000 low-income students qualify for the financial aid program."The budget delay puts pressure on students, families and schools," Ewert said."Now it's time for people to pressure the legislature: it's imperative that California has a budget soon."

Team from FPU wins 59 Days of Code

6/24/2010 12:00:00 AM

A trio from FPU won Fresno's 59 Days of Code contest June 22.This regional competition was sponsored by the Central Valley Business Incubator to raise awareness that Silicon isn't the only valley with tech companies and know-how. Lisa Alvey, social media manager; Nick Gundry, associate director of multimedia services; and Brandon Tilley, enterprise applications engineer, took the Zero-Code category--this means they created everything in 59 days--by storm with their creation: postEcho, a web application that tracks news stories so users can determine how to get their message across by knowing what kind of stories people read. What'd they win? Money to develop their idea, along with marketing and legal help. The category's 14 contestants also included James Collier, alumnus and former communications staff member, who scored in the top three. If Facebook can come out of Harvard, who knows what we can do at FPU! More at 59daysofcode.com <#IMAGE:1#>

Martins receive keys to the city for work in Lowell neighborhood

5/28/2010 12:00:00 AM

Joanie Martin, adjunct faculty in teacher education, and her husband, Dr. Marty Martin, were awarded Keys to the City Thursday by Mayor Ashley Swearengin at the annual State of the City luncheon.The Martins received the keys for their life and work in the Lowell neighborhood just north of downtown, which the mayor called "ground zero" for the city's revitalization efforts. Joanie moved to Lowell in 1987. "When we asked the Lowell residents about the Martins and their positive impact on the neighborhood, the stories came flooding in," Swearengin said during the presentation. Their work has included: * "Martin Park"-- the Martins' side yard, where the couple has provided playground equipment for the kids, park benches for parents and hot dogs for hundreds at neighborhood barbecues. * Joanie's cooking and English language classes in their home that have helped refugees get jobs. * Reserving one of their apartments for the Wise Old Owl tutoring program, and Joanie teaching summer art classes in another. * Putting on a safe Halloween carnival for the neighborhood every year. * Joanie volunteering to do murals at the Neighborhood Resource Center and the Lowell School Library, involving the neighbors so people could get to know each other and feel they could make a difference in their neighborhood. * Marty treating neighborhood children at any time of day or night, as well as advising young people. In the words of a neighbor: "They have sought the peace of this neighborhood, and they have done it well." "Joanie and Marty, you've touched the lives of so many who will always remember what you've given them," Swearengin said. "On behalf of a grateful city, I thank you for the work you've done to improve the lives of residents of the Lowell neighborhood." A mentor of student teachers at FPU for 10 years, Joanie also manages the CalTPA (California Teacher Performance Assessment) program at the university. CalTPA is a battery of tests student teachers must pass in order to teach. Joanie said she and Marty were honored by the mayor's recognition, but had been trying to stay out of the limelight. "What we have done in the Lowell community we have done because that's where God wants us to be," she said. Several members of the FPU community have been involved in the Lowell neighborhood, including faculty Elizabeth Lake and Sherry Walling, graduate Dawn Steele and staff member Tina White and her husband, Randy. See more at city website

Huntington honors Herma Williams

5/20/2010 12:00:00 AM

Herma Williams, FPU provost and vice president of academic affairs, was honored by Huntington (Indiana) University during its commencement May 15. Williams received an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters for her "lifelong commitment to Christian higher education and her service to strengthen intercultural competencies on Christian campuses across the country."Williams dedicated her speech, ""Shaping the Future: Leading a Life that Matters," to 12 students she accompanied to South Africa in 1986 as part of a peace studies program at Bryn Mawr College, where Williams was special assistant to the president. After touring South Africa and being arrested--because there was one black student among the whites the group was considered a mixed-race gathering and therefore illegal under Apartheid--the students lobbied the Byrn Mawr board to divest its investments in the country. The effort culminated in a protest where hundreds of students laid down around the building where the board was meeting and board members left out a window. "Those kids transformed my life," Williams said. Since then Williams has taken 24 humanitarian trips to South Africa. She has also served on the boards of HOPE Hispanic Institute, the Act Six Leadership & Scholarship Initiative and the Women's Foundation of California. Williams has bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern Illinois University and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. She completed post-doctoral studies at Harvard University and was named a Kellog Leadership Fellow and a Ford Foundation Fellow. She also worked with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities' Commission on Advancing Intercultural Competencies. <#IMAGE:1#>

School of Education honors new teachers

5/18/2010 12:00:00 AM

About 600 people attended the Teacher Credential Celebration, hosted by the School of Education.<#IMAGE:1#> Some 100 teacher candidates--many first-generation college graduates--who have completed the FPU credential program were by honored by family, faculty and friends at the event, which began at 7:30 p.m. May 11, 2010, in the Special Events Center. Mentors Awards went to retiring faculty Vicky Bigler, Visalia Center teacher education program director; Karen Neufeld, liberal studies director; and Michael McMahon, foundations instructor. Larry Martens, a member of the Board of Trustees, gave the keynote address. Other participants include President D. Merrill Ewert; Gary Gramenz, dean of the School of Education; and Linda Hoff, director of the teacher education program. <#IMAGE:2#>

400 graduate May 8 in outdoor ceremonies

5/14/2010 12:00:00 AM

About 400 students graduated from during commencement Saturday, May 8.Traditional undergraduate ceremonies began at 10:00 a.m., and degree completion and graduate ceremonies at 6:00 p.m. on the East Hall Green. Approximately 150 degrees were awarded in the morning and 250 in the evening. The morning address was "Marshmallows, Commencement and the Kingdom" by Karen Cianci, dean of the School of Natural Sciences. Ron Claassen, director of the university Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies, spoke in the evening on "Power, Process and Doing the Right Thing." Highlights included: * Perfect grade point average awards to Ericka Statema, psychology, and Meredith Wing, music/mathematics. Robert Jost, psychology, won the Harold Haak Academic Achievement Award. Presentation of the Nickel Excellence in Teaching Award (NETA) to Roy Klassen, music, and Joe Taylor, special education. Both are retiring from FPU. Grads, family and friends had the opportunity to make short videos. See them on Youtube at youtube.com/user/whyfpu Ceremonies were live-streamed on the Web and viewed in Peru, Japan and Washington state. See ustream.tv/recorded/6773258 (morning) or ustream.tv/recorded/6783531 (evening). Twitter fans can see tweets and photos at #fpugrads. Posthumous awards to Myoshi Smith, criminology and restorative justice, who died of the H1N1 virus, and Nancy Guzman, liberal arts, who was killed in car accident. Christian Garza was the youngest guest, having been born the previous day. He and his mother, Nory Garza, were released from the hospital at 2:00 p.m. Saturday so both Christian's parents, Nory and Juan Garza, could receive their degrees in leadership and organizational studies.

400 to graduate May 8

4/27/2010 12:00:00 AM

About 400 students are set to graduate during commencement Saturday, May 8.Ceremonies will be outdoors on the East Hall Green at the main campus. The traditional undergraduate ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m., and the degree completion and graduate ceremony is at 6:00 p.m. Approximately 150 students will graduate from the traditional undergraduate program and 250 from the bachelor's degree completion and master's degree programs. The morning commencement address will be "Marshmallows, Commencement and the Kingdom" by Karen Cianci, dean of the School of Natural Sciences. The afternoon address will be "Power, Process and Doing the Right Thing" by Ron Claassen, director of the Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies.

Scholars Speak: Skills for the 21st century

4/26/2010 12:00:00 AM

Employers know what kind of workers they want. They're after people who can think critically, solve problems, communicate and collaborate. Employees and entrepreneurs in the 21st century must also be flexible, adaptive, innovative, creative, understand technological and environmental issues and be able to deal with people from a variety of nations and cultures. Sound like a tall order? In this Scholars Speak Jo Ellen Priest Misakian tells how to make that happen. Want a clue? Well, Misakian directs the school library program at Fresno Pacific University.

USA Volleyball honors FPU

4/23/2010 12:00:00 AM

USA Volleyball honored the Sunbirds' "Three-Peat" national volleyball title.Coach Dennis Janzen was invited to the 65th Annual Dorothy C. Boyce Awards for Recognition Banquet May 27 in Phoenix, Arizona. FPU's three consecutive NAIA volleyball championships (2007-2009) were celebrated as part of the Boyce Moment, a segment of the banquet reflecting on an important event or individual in volleyball. "Any time honors such as this occur, it represents the culmination of outstanding efforts from many people. We are thrilled, and humbled by this recognition from USA Volleyball," Janzen said. In fact, The Boyce Moment will look at three volleyball "Three-Peaters": FPU, Penn State University (NCAA Division I champion) and Concordia-St. Paul University (NCAA Division II champion). "The Three-Peat is such a rare accomplishment in American sports--professional or college," Doug P. Beal, USA Volleyball CEO, wrote to Janzen. Until December 2009, no NCAA Division I or II schools scored three volleyball championships in a row, and only one other NAIA team had the distinction before FPU--so three of the four "Three-Peats" occurred in the same year. "What an impressive accomplishment," Beal wrote.

Alpha Chi members garner regional, local honors

4/23/2010 12:00:00 AM

Fay Nielsen was elected president of Region VII of Alpha Chi, the academic honor society. Nielsen, associate dean of mentoring and retention, and Marshall Johnston, history and classics faculty, sponsor the FPU chapter. Each region has one student and three faculty officers. The election took place during meetings March 25-27.Melanie Greaver Cordova was selected first alternate for a $2,500 Benedict Fellowship. A senior English major, she presented an original short story at an Alpha Chi convention. Cordova is the only person from California or the region on the short list of recipients and potential recipients. Each year 10 Benedict Fellowships are awarded to seniors planning to attend graduate or professional school. The fellowships honor Harry Benedict, Alpha Chi's first president. On April 20, the FPU chapter honored six faculty as members' most inspirational teachers. The teachers and students who nominated them are: Don Stillwell, education, nominated by Greaver-Cordova; Pamela Johnston, history and classics, nominated by Daniel Crosby; Priscilla Ewert, natural science, nominated by April Fujihara; Steve Pauls, natural science, nominated by Jennifer Johnson; Dieter Wulfhorst, music, nominated by Emily Lyons; and Patricia DeBenedetto, music, nominated by Matthew Michael. Several Alpha Chi members also received top honors in their field at the FPU honors convocation April 23. They are: Paige Abeytia, business; Jeff Friesen, pre-health science; Cordova, English; Meredith Wing, music; Crosby, history; and Ericka Statema, psychology. Alpha Chi has active chapters at 300 colleges and universities in almost every state in the United States, as well as Puerto Rico. The society admits no more than the top 10 percent of juniors, seniors and graduate students, registering about 11,000 new members each year.

Concert choir, San Joaquin Chorale celebrate Roy Klassen's career

4/7/2010 12:00:00 AM

Performances of musical masterpieces by Felix Mendelssohn and Johannes Brahms will celebrate the career of Music Faculty Roy Klassen on Sunday, April 25, in Paul Shaghoian Performing Arts Center, Willow and International, Fresno. The program opens with Mendelssohn's "Elijah" at 4:00 p.m. After a light supper in the lobby, Brahms' "Requiem" follows at 7:15 p.m. Klassen will conduct about 120 singers from the Concert Choir and San Joaquin Chorale. Admission is $10 payable at the door.Roy Klassen, D.M.A., is retiring in May. He joined the FPU in 1977 and conducts the university Concert Choir, the Pacific Chamber Singers and the San Joaquin Chorale, which he founded. He also teaches voice and conducting. Klassen's stage roles include Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof." He also began the Lessons and Carols Christmas service, which has filled First Congregational Church, Fresno, since the first event in 2002. For all his contributions, Klassen received the 2009 Ella Odorfer Educator Award, part of the Horizon Awards sponsored by the Fresno Arts Council. A student of Robert Shaw, Howard Swan and Paul Salamunovich, Klassen has been a soloist with the Fresno, Tulare, Burbank and San Fernando Valley symphonies and has sung with the New York City Opera Chorus. His bachelor's degree is from Occidental College, his master's is from California State University, Los Angeles and his doctorate is from Arizona State University. "Elijah" depicts events in the life of the prophet, taken from First and Second Kings in the Old Testament. Episodes include the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal and his ascension to heaven in a fiery chariot. "Requiem" is sacred but non-liturgical, and, unlike Latin requiems, performed in the German language. The work may have been inspired by the death of Brahms' mother and/or the composer's feelings over the earlier death of Robert Schumann. Soloists for "Elijah" will be Aaron Bryan (BA '03), tenor; Marc McAlexander (BA '04), baritone; Melinda Ramos (BA'02), soprano; Krista Moore (BA '08), mezzo soprano; and Heidi Webb, soprano. "Requiem" soloists will be Ramos and current student Thou Yang, baritone. An instrumental group of about 50 university and community musicians under the direction of Wayne Huber, music faculty, will accompany the performance. For more information on this or any FPU arts event, go to fresno.edu/performingarts/events/ or call 559-453-2267.

First Accepted Day exceeds expectations

4/6/2010 12:00:00 AM

The first Accepted Day brought 154 admitted students and their families to FPU for an evening of entertainment and information March 29."The purpose was to help students make the decision whether or not FPU was going to be the right place for them," said Rina Campbell, undergraduate admissions director. "This was our chance to address any issue they had. That what it's about--making an informed decision." Students and parents could meet with the financial aid, student accounts and admissions staffs as well as tour a residence hall. Chick-fil-A catered dinner and a dessert reception followed. Social activities included a version of The Price is Right game. "The purpose was to have our new students spend time with our current students," Campbell said. Prizes had a university theme, such as computer equipment and free housing. Most students came at around 6 p.m. and stayed until 9-9:30 p.m. Turnout was higher than expected at this inaugural event. "Our goal was to get 100 students on campus," Campbell said. Much of that success was due to faculty and staff taking on extra duties to make Accepted Day happen. "It was definitely a team effort," Campbell said. In all 14 students confirmed their plans to attend FPU next fall and seven signed up for housing. Many more students will commit within the next several months, Campbell said. "For many of them, yesterday's events confirmed that this is where they ought to pursue their college experience." <#IMAGE:1#><#IMAGE:2#>

History Day returns

3/30/2010 12:00:00 AM

More than 500 elementary, middle and high school students participated in History Day March 20, hosted by FPU and sponsored by the Fresno County Office of Education.Of the 200-plus volunteers, 70 were FPU students, faculty, staff alumni, including event director Mary Janzen (BA '97, MA '06). Participants put on performances, made posters and exhibits, gave papers and created documentaries and websites for judging. Stacy Hammons, dean of the School of Humanities, Religion and Social Sciences, and Steve Varvis, vice president for enrollment management, spoke, as well as representatives from the history department and the admissions staff. Marshall Johnston, history professor, served as academic coordinator. This is the third year the event has been at FPU.

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Research center honors Steve Brandt

3/30/2010 12:00:00 AM

Friends, colleagues and family members of Steve Brandt gathered March 26 to dedicate the Steven R. Brandt Research Center on the mezzanine at Hiebert Library.Ceremonies began in Shehadey Dining Hall, then proceeded to the library. Speakers included Steve's father, Jake; his daughter, Hannah; former teacher and longtime friend Paul Toews, history faculty and director of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies; and Kevin Enns-Rempel, archivist and history faculty. "It was said of Solomon that he built a temple for his people," Toews said. "We might say of Steve that he built his people a temple of learning." Born in Kansas, Brandt earned a B.A. from FPU in 1971 and joined the library staff in 1980, becoming director in 1982. He was also a member of the history faculty. He earned a master's in divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and both a master's in library and information studies and a doctorate in historical bibliography from the University of California, Berkeley. Brandt died in 2004 at age 55.

Scholars Speak: All I really need to know I relearned running a marathon

3/24/2010 12:00:00 AM

The first marathon runner died at the end of his race; still people by the thousands participate every year in what is perhaps the ultimate test of athletic endurance. Going this distance is also a source of remembered wisdom, or so says Michael Kunz, Fresno Pacific University AIMS professor of science, in this edition of Scholars Speak.

Trio of grads among 40 Under 40

3/11/2010 12:00:00 AM

Three FPU graduates are among the 40 Under 40 Class of 2009, sponsored by BusinessStreetOnline.com and the Fresno Grizzlies. Charity Brown (BA '01), director of alumni and church relations; James Collier (MA '08), a former staff member who is the founder and head of Paprika Studios; and Dawn Steele (BA '09), management analyst, City of Fresno Downtown and Community Revitalization Department, are all on the list. "I am honored to be part of the 40 Under 40 Class of 2009, but especially to share it with FPU alumni like James Collier and Dawn Steele," Brown said. "I truly believe this recognition reflects the quality education we received while studying at Fresno Pacific. The university provided expert faculty who challenged me both academically and spiritually. I learned how to be a servant leader and how to bring a Christian worldview into my profession." Steele is also proud to be one of the many leaders that have been given this award. "I attribute this honor to the exceptional education and opportunities I received during my time at FPU. There I learned basic business, marketing and networking skills that helped me hit the ground running as I started my career," she said. When he moved to Fresno in 2005, Collier committed to engaging the region. "The FPU leadership and organizational studies program helped me to think through and plan for many of the challenges I've faced in my first year as a business owner," he said. "Though I'm not sure they're deserved (yet), as a young entrepreneur, it's an honor to be recognized for my successes, not only by Business Street, but by my peers. That's what I appreciate about the awards--they're driven by the community,â€ Collier said. Nominated by top professionals, 40 Under 40 honorees are people to watch in Central California. "It is always our pleasure to honor young, remarkable professionals in central California who have already made an impact in our communities, and will no doubt continue to do so in the future," Lance Cardoza, president and publisher of Business Street Online said in a media release. A reception for the honorees begins at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 1, at the 600 Club at Chukchansi Park in downtown Fresno. See more at 40u40.com or www.BusinessStreetOnline.com.

Scholars Speak: The real battle for the future of Afghanistan

3/2/2010 12:00:00 AM

Between the Taliban and troop surges, Afghanistan grabs the headlinesâ€”but Pakistan may be the real issue in the region. Such is the case Ken Martens Friesen, Fresno Pacific University history and political science professor, makes in this edition of Scholars Speak.