Among the 284 new graduates December 11 were a dozen representing the first cohort of the global MBA program.

The first cohort of students began the 16-month, 41-unit program in August 2009 at the North Fresno Center. The program consists of weekly evening classes and online component. In all, three cohorts are now going in Visalia and Bakersfield as well as North Fresno.

There was a catch in more than one throat when FPU bid Herma Williams Godspeed December 9.

Children in Fresno and Visalia got early Christmas presents courtesy of FPU and friends.

Volunteers distributed more than 700 pairs of shoes and socks December 13 at Bakman Elementary, Fresno, and 626 pair December 8 at Houston Elementary, Visalia. “We call it Soled Out for Kids,” said Joan Minasian, director of community development at FPU and “shoe drop” organizer.

Other partners were KDUV 88.9 Christian radio, Neighborhood Church and The Word Community Church.

Community Food Bank and FPU are talking turkey this Christmas.

The university gave 325 frozen turkeys to its faculty and staff, and donated another 325 to Community Food Bank. The turkeys, from J&D Distributors, were given to CFB December 10 in the Steinert Campus Center parking area at the main FPU campus.

   “Looking back at 2010, Fresno Pacific University has been richly blessed despite the economic issues that have challenged so many businesses, organizations and institutions,” said President D. Merrill Ewert. “We want to share the bounty.” 

A new scholarship at Fresno Pacific University encourages academic achievement and public service.

The Leon S. Peters Foundation Honors Scholarships for Undergraduate and Graduate Students assist Central Valley students attending FPU who have a record of academic excellence and a desire to help their community.

Almost 1,000 students, faculty and staff from the main camous and regional centers enjoyed the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon November 23 in the Special Events Center. 

Activities included the Parade of Nations, where international students carry the flags of their home nations. This year 36 countries were represented. Another highlight is the table decoration competition, and this year 21 academic departments, staff offices and student collegiums entered in the categories of “justice,” “family ties” and game time.”

Winners were:

On Monday, November 29 Fresno Pacific University took a group of twelve individuals to Hollywood, CA to participate in a taping of The Price is Right. The group was comprised of nine leadership students and three staff members. 

Attending the taping is a unique experience, and a fun one at that. Participants get to be a part of the actual show and audience. This was the first time ever doing something like this for most in the group.

Two ceremonies and world-traveling grads are among the highlights of Fresno Pacific University’s fall commencement Saturday, December 11.

Graduate and traditional undergraduate commencement begins at 10:00 a.m. Bachelor’s degree completion students will receive their diplomas at 3:00 p.m. This is the first time since fall commencements began in 2004 that there has been more than one ceremony.

Doug Kulungu (BA ’10) is concerned about his homeland. The Congo has been in the grip of civil war for more than 15 years. Not just soldiers suffer in this war; women are victimized by rape as a weapon of terror.Doug brings this horror to life in this edition of Scholars Speak.

Family is the force that holds things together when people are caught between two worlds in Once Removed,the fall play at FPU.

Performances start at 8:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 18-20, in Ashley Auditorium on the main campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno, just south of the Chestnut-Butler intersection.