Proposed “Elevator Speech”: what we might say in one to three minutes.

General Audience

Fresno Pacific University is a nonprofit, independent Christian university with a 67-year history in the Valley. Our 3,600 student population is made up of traditional-age undergraduates—served mostly on our main campus in Southeast Fresno—and adults returning to school for bachelor's and master's degrees at regional campuses in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced. We also serve more than 10,000 education and business professionals across the country through continuing education and professional development courses. 

Our students tend to be academically motivated, goal-oriented high achievers willing to put in the extra effort required to do well because they know their FPU degree has value in the job market, or in getting admitted to a prestigious grad school. Fresno Pacific has been designated a Hispanic Service Institution, and many of our students are the first in their families to attend college. FPU has the highest four-year graduation rate in the region and offers a four-year graduation guarantee to qualified undergraduate students.

Our School of Natural Sciences is part of a federally funded initiative to prepare college students to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Business is our largest academic field extending from undergraduate and degree completion students in accounting, management, marketing and finance, and leadership to our recently introduced Global MBA.

FPU is also known for programs in education, psychology, and peace and conflict studies. Our master’s and credential students in education are sought after by school districts throughout the Valley and beyond.

The Fresno Pacific University Biblical Seminary serves our Valley churches through pastoral training, graduate work in theology, and the master’s in marriage, family and child counseling. Graduates have established an impressive record of passing licensing exams.

Over 80% of Fresno Pacific professors hold doctorates, and are committed to research and publishing in their fields of expertise. Small class sizes assure students of personal interaction with their master professors. A common theme among alumni focuses on the lifelong relationships established with faculty during time spent at FPU.

Student life programs encourage understanding of personal gifts and strengths, healthy relationships, and spiritual and moral development.

Sunbird athletic teams compete in 16 sports and have won national championships in women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s swimming. Currently part of the NAIA, we will be entering into Division II of the NCAA as a member of the Pacific West conference in Fall 2012.

As a Christian institution all our programs emphasize values, ethics and character development. Our tagline—Empowering leaders. Transforming lives.—is lived out daily on each of our campuses. U.S. News & World Report ranks FPU in the top tier in our category.

Christian Audience (or as the conversation deepens….)

Same as above, however, add:

Fresno Pacific’s mission is to serve the church and world through Christian higher education. As an institution of the Mennonite Brethren Church we serve a diverse set of denominations and independent churches throughout the region and world. All faculty, staff as well as members of our Board of Trustees express personal Christian faith and are active in their churches.

Every student takes courses in biblical and theological studies integrated with their academic discipline. Discipleship, spiritual formation, peace and reconciliation, and an emphasis on practical service to those in need are integrated with academic preparation. The three themes of our motto, faithfulness, wisdom and service, summarize FPU’s Christian commitment.

Notes

The above is ordered from primary to secondary messages. The following notes will help explain why it is constructed the way it is. Every person should add their own individuality to it, but should keep to the general shape of the message. Clear, consistent messages help establish the reputation, brand, or “trust mark” of the university.

Among the college-going public, larger institutions are better than small. Small class sizes in a larger institution are preferable to small institutions. Small can mean lack of resources, narrow range of opportunities, and an intellectually narrow institution. Personal in the context of larger is preferred. Students want to hear about vibrancy and opportunity, even if they only participate in a small range of activities.

The primary desired characteristic of universities is the quality of the academic programs. Quality and value are defined by the practical outcomes that students can expect—careers, professions, jobs, entrance to graduate school. Graduate programs show depth of learning and academic resources, and academic opportunity even to undergraduates. Adult students as well as traditional aged students want to see a pathway from the BA to MA.

The Christian character of the institution is important, but our constituencies (even church constituencies) want to know first about academic quality—that produces outcomes—and then about the Christian character of the institution.

Denominational affiliation can mean narrowness as well as rootedness and stability. Denominational associations must be understood to exist equally with breadth of Christian/religious and spiritual discussion and experience. Even committed church members and attenders highly value freedom of students to find their own values and make their own commitments.

Parents look at the same time for safe environments for students, where behavioral standards are high, and where traditional aged students can mature in healthy ways. Student life must be both vibrant and safe.

Diversity is expected—racial and ethnic, perspective, and denominational commitments. It is not a plus that can be added or taken away—it is a positive good that is a part of common understanding of what a institution of higher learning, especially in California, should reflect. It is a negative if it is not present.

Athletics and other student activities may be participated in by a small percentage of the population, but they symbolize the quality of the institution and keep that quality before the public. Teams that compete and win symbolize and demonstrate the ability of students to achieve academically.

International opportunities and the presence of international students add to the breadth and depth of discussion and experience even for those on campus. Opportunity for travel is valued, even by those who do not participate in it. The world is increasingly seen as present, and a campus that reflects this presence is highly valued.