Fresno Pacific forward Paul Islas will fulfill a lifelong dream of playing in the MLS.

By Brandon Tripp, assistant director of sports information

The Fresno native was drafted in the first round with the 19th pick of the MLS Supplemental Draft by Chivas USA. In Fresno Pacific's first year in NCAA Division II Islas was the first player from DII to be drafted in 2013.

Giving new teachers a head start is the goal of a new master’s degree program.
 

The employment outlook is good for those enrolling in teacher education programs in general—and FPU students in particular.

“You have a supply and demand picture that’s very promising,” said Linda Hoff, Ph.D., professor of education and director of teacher education at Fresno Pacific University.

We’re all works in progress, no matter where we come from or where we are today.

Christmas came early for 2,000 kids thanks to FPU and community partners.

All students at Lawless School in Fresno, Highland Elementary in Visalia and Beardsley and Standard Elementary schools in Bakersfield received a pair of shoes and socks through Soled Out for Kids, organized by FPU and 88.9 Spirit radio. Site sponsors were Olive Knolls Church of the Nazarene, Bakersfield; Every Neighborhood Partnership, Bakersfield; Northpointe Community Church, Fresno; and Radiant Church, Visalia.

The School of Education celebrated the contributions of Dave Derby and Donald McHatten December 5 in BC Lounge.

Both men were retiring from FPU. McHatten, assistant professor of special education, started his full-time faculty appointment in 2005, and Derby, assistant professor of education, in 2009. Both were program directors, with McHatten heading the special education program at the Visalia Center and the moderate-severe credential program. Derby directed the administrative services program.

The grand opening for new Commuter Lounge took place December 7.

The lounge is on the first floor of East Hall in an area that was originally a lounge but has recently been used for storage. Conveniences include a refrigerator, microwave and running water. Indirect lighting and bistro-style tables will gave the 680 square feet the feel of a coffee shop.

More than 400 students will graduate during fall commencement.

Ceremonies will be Saturday, December 15, in the Special Events Center on the main FPU campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno. Students in the traditional undergraduate, seminary and other graduate programs will graduate at 10:00 a.m., and students in the bachelor’s degree completion programs will graduate at 1:30 p.m.

The speaker at both events will be Pete C. Menjares, Ph.D., president of FPU.

The 15th annual Thanksgiving Luncheon again brought together students, faculty, administration and staff.

In a continuing effort to keep a quality education within the reach of students and families, the Fresno Pacific University Board of Trustees approved tuition and fees with little or no increases across all programs for 2013-2014.

For traditional undergraduates, tuition and fees will be $25,616, up 1.5 percent from 2012-2013. There will be no increase in room cost; board has not yet been set. Bachelor’s degree completion costs will stay the same at $415-510 per unit, depending on the program.