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

New York Times bestselling author Father Greg Boyle spoke to the FPU community and guests on November 17 in the BC Lounge on our seminary campus. Father Boyle shared about his gang intervention program, Homeboy Industries, and his work in inner-city Los Angeles. To learn more about Father Boyle and Homeboy Industries, visit their website at homeboyindustries.org.

The Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary Community Chapel is held every Wednesday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in North Hall. The chapel is for students, faculty, staff and friends to spend time in worship and Scripture reading, as well as taking a break from their busy schedules and getting refreshed for the rest of the week. 

The Night of Champions concluded the fall intramural sports season with several championship games. Monday evening, November 19, FPU community and guests gathered on the campus green for an evening of fun and festivities, including an upperclassmen barbecue. Sign-ups for winter intramurals will begin next semester. To keep up-to-date with Fresno Pacific Intramurals, check out the Facebook page at facebook.com/FresnoPacificUniversityIntramurals.

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.

The Fresno Pacific University Center for Community Transformation (CCT) will build on hope in Fresno and beyond. The CCT is a new effort to connect the strengths of the university with the resources of the region to transform cities.

Looking into the heart of the city, some observers see statistics: high rates of poverty, crime, drug use, gang activity and violence; low levels of income, education and employment.

Ted and Joyce Smith, friends of FPU, have been honored for their generosity.

The couple received the 2012 Outstanding Philanthropist Awards from the Association of Fundraising Professionals California Valley Chapter during the organization’s annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon, this year on November 8 in Fresno.

The AFP citation reads, in part:

The 10th annual Lessons and Carols service was among a host of great FPU music events in November and December.

FPU added faculty throughout the university during the fall semester. Here is a list of new and promoted faculty as of November 1, 2012.

Michael Allen, MBA, M.Div., is director of institutional research. He has a master’s in business administration from Keller Graduate School of Management, a master’s in divinity from Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary and a bachelor of arts from California State University, Fresno.

Ron Claassen, D. Min. (BA ‘67), professor of peacemaking and conflict studies/leadership studies, received the Ester Soriano Award for Excellence in Community Mediation from the California Dispute Resolution Council (CDRC). The award was presented by Doug Noll (MA ‘02), president of CDRC board, at the group’s 18th Annual Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Policy Conference November 3 at Golden Gate University Law School.