The alumni, faculty and staff past and present who built bachelor’s degree completion into the program with FPU’s largest enrollment celebrated 20 years of success May 6.

More than 2,500 graduates of 241 cohorts have graduated from DC since the first cohort began in 1991 under the leadership of Dennis Langhofer, Ed. D., whose retirement was included in the evening festivities in Shehadey Dining Room in Steinert Campus Center.

Student Life hosted the annual end-of-the-year BBQ May 2 on the University Green on the main campus. Helping students blow off steam were five inflatable bounce houses and a meal on the lawn.

The annual Leadership Awards ceremony took place April 26 in the AIMS Hall Atrium on the main campus. Students in the traditional undergraduate program were honored in 16 categories. The Sunbird Award, for best exemplifyingthe Fresno Pacific Idea went to David Hawes, a junior communications major from Mariposa. Here, Dean of Students Randy Worden addresses the group over dessert.

Congressman Jeff Denham (pictured) was among the Valley officials participating in “Today’s Responsibility, Tomorrow’s Prosperity,” the Third Annual Sunbird Conservatives Conference. The event was presented April 16 by the Sunbird Conservatives Club. Devin Nunes of the 21st District also spoke, and the keynote was given by Hoover Institute Fellow Victor Davis Hanson.

Music, drama and visual art came together to celebrate the Easter season April 21 in Butler Church.

A real-life story of friendship between two couples—one Jewish from Russia, one Christian from Texas—was the basis for The Immigrant, this year's spring Mainstage April 7-9, 14-16.

In the play, a young Jewish couple comes to Texas in 1909 after escaping persecution in Russia and is befriended by a Christian couple. The play is inspired by the experience of playwright Michael Harelik’s grandparents. Julia Reimer, Ph.D., theater faculty, is the director. Cast members are (from left): Trevor Thomas, Misty Ann Stewart, Breanna Edmonds and Joshua Andrade-Cantú.

Coming to a university is like joining a family, and prospective FPU students got to meet the relatives during Accepted  Day April 19.

A new group of graduates will be part of commencement Saturday, May 7.

Those earning master’s degrees through the Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, formerly MB Biblical Seminary, will join graduates of the traditional undergraduate and master’s programs. The seminary became a school of the university in February 2010 and this May marks the completion of the first full academic year since the merger. These are the first joint ceremonies.

Undergraduate Research Day April 15 attracted about 50 projects in a variety of disciplines to the AIMS Hall Atrium. Faculty judges selected first, second and third places in kinesiology, physiology, psychology and math/biology/physical sciences/history, with winners receiving gift cards to Charlotte’s Coffee Corner. Here, faculty Elizabeth Lake, psychology, and Ruth Dahlquist, biology (left and center, respectively), check out a display with participating students. 

Supporting students with strategic help in their regular classrooms is the goal of “Putting RtI2 into Practice: Response to Intervention and Instruction with a Focus on Writing,” May 12-13, 2011, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Special Events Center on the main campus.

Sign up for early bird registration by May 2 and pay $100 for the two-day workshop, refreshments, lunch both days and the Vendor Faire. Regular registration is $150. Register and get more information at fresno.edu/rticonference.