The2012 Faculty-Staff Appreciation Luncheon took place May 8 in Shehadey Dining Room on the FPU main campus.

Among the honorees were:

30 years of service
Anne Guenther, associate director, Hiebert Library;
Beverly Kopper, director of advancement services

25 years of service
Theron Esau, electrician/utilities technician;
Michael Kunz, professor of biology;
Bobbi Mason, professor of education;
Edith Thiessen, credential analyst;
Dave Youngs, professor of mathematics education

Saying Good-bye after nearly half a century isn’t an easy matter. It takes a lot of friends.

For Richard Unruh, 1967 graduate and political science professor since 1968, farewells—official and unofficial—were many and heartfelt. Faculty from the School of Humanities, Religion and Social Sciences surprised Unruh during his last class session April 26. Alumni and current students were invited to a reception May 3 in BC Lounge. Social sciences faculty and retirees hosted a meal May 9. Faculty and staff universitywide honored Unruh May 10 in Shehadey Dining Hall.

A new feature at FPU’s commencement May 5 was recognizing those who attended 50 years ago as Golden Alumni.

All members of the Pacific College classes of 1960-1962 had their names listed in the commencement program. Golden Alumni were also invited to a luncheon in Ashley Auditorium in McDonald Hall after the morning graduation ceremony and received commemorative sashes. Pictured from left are: Carol (Becker AA ‘62) Friesen, Ken (AA ’62) Becker, Arthur Wiebe (president from 1960-1975) and Marilyn (Enns AA ‘62) Pittman.

Adult students face challenges as they return to school to complete their bachelor’s degree: family, work, sometimes health and personal issues. Romelia “Romie” Gonzalez has endured challenges enough for all 280 of her degree completion classmates.

D. Merrill Ewert told the 2012 graduates what he has told every Fresno Pacific University graduating class for a decade: “Commencement is my favorite day of the year!”

 

What’s significant about Ewert’s May 5 announcement is that this favorite day was his last as a college professor, administrator and president. Ewert, who became FPU president in June 2002 after a career at Wheaton College, the University of Maryland and Cornell University, will retire July 31, 2012. Pete Menjares, a faculty member and administrator at Biola University, will be 11th president.

Rich Kriegbaum was honored for his service as interim dean of the School of Business during faculty-staff break April 27.

Kriegbaum, president of FPU from 1985 until 1997, assumed the interim position in June 2011, after the retirment of Dennis Langhofer. Among Kriegbaum's major tasks work to himself put of the job by finding a permanent replacement, which came in the form of John Kilroy, who joined FPU in Janaury.

About 275 members and guests of the Sunbird Conservatives attended the student/alumni group’s annual conference April 21 on the FPU main campus.

More than 80 students produced 35 projects for Undergraduate Research Day April 19 in the atrium of AIMS Hall of Mathematics & Science.

Winners and categories

Biology (with faculty)
First—Thermal Inactivation of Black Mustard Seeds under a Non-isothermal Temperature, by Krista Loper and Tessa Fischer

Human Physiology I

Commencement for more than 500 new alumni will be Saturday, May 5 on the FPU main campus.

Ceremonies will be outdoors, weather permitting, on the East Hall Green on the main campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave. Commencement for traditional undergraduates and graduate students including the seminary begins at 10:00 a.m., and the ceremony for bachelor’s degree completion is at 6:00 p.m.

The Alpha Chi super-regional was a super time for California Zeta, FPU’s chapter of the academic honor society.