One woman’s love for music found expression in student scholarships at Fresno Pacific University.

LaVerne C. O’Bryant left $160,000 in her estate to create music scholarships at the university, which offers a variety of vocal and instrumental programs. The gift comes through the Fresno Pacific University Foundation.

Strong community connections, well-rounded experience and unprecedented energy and enthusiasm are some of the attributes Linda M. Calandra and Diana Bates Mock bring to the table as the newest members of the Fresno Pacific University Advancement Division.

During the week preceding Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, Fresno Pacific University welcomed King colleague and representative Calvin Morris to center stage for its annual Staley Lecture Series. From January 9-11, Morris spoke about Martin Luther King, Jr. and related themes.

An award-winning pianist and Beethoven performer comes to Fresno Pacific University February 16. 

Sam Rotman received his bachelor of arts and master of music degrees from the Juilliard School in New York City. His more than 900 worldwide performances have included appearances in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Eastern and Western Europe, South America, Southeast Asia and Russia. He is also the recipient of several distinguished international awards, the most prestigious being laureate winner in the fourth International Beethoven Competition in Vienna, Austria.

Another connection between Fresno Pacific University and Mountain Lake has just been brought to our attention: Berhard J. Braun, president of FPU from 1955-60 when it was called Pacific Bible Institute, was pastor at Carson MB Church, Delft, Minn., from 1939-45.

The link between Mountain Lake and Fresno Pacific University continues to strengthen with the appointment of D. Merrill Ewert as the university’s next president.

When he becomes FPU’s 10th president in July of 2002, Ewert will join fellow natives Arthur Wiebe, president emeritus, and Jonathan Dick, chemistry faculty. Ewert’s family operates a farm near Mountain Lake, and he remains involved in the enterprise.

It’s UNtraditional

It’s UNpredictable

It’s Unconcert.

FresnoPacific University and Sunnyside High School join forces for an annual event that’s never the same thing twice. Unconcert will be at 8 p.m. Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27 at the high school auditorium, near the corner of Peach and Kings Canyon avenues.

Track facilities at Fresno Pacific University were enriched today by a gift from Save Mart Supermarkets.

The grocery chain donated over 25 tons of compost to help with seeding the area around the Bill Cockerham Track, part of the Steinert Athletic Complex. The first event on the new track, planned for this spring, will be the university’s first true home meet in more than 25 years. When complete, the $2.5 million complex will include the Max and Charlotte Steinert Soccer Field, scheduled for play in the fall of 2001.

A new scholarship program at Fresno Pacific University reaches out to students from the Mennonite Brethren tradition.

Beginning in the fall of 2001, up to $7,450 per year in aid will be available to qualified students entering the traditional undergraduate college. Participants must be members of a Mennonite Brethren congregation, or consider such a congregation their home church. Freshmen must have a high school grade-point average of at least 3.1 and transfers must have a GPA of at least 2.4.

Choirs, bells, flutes, harp, brass and strings will celebrate the season during the Classic Christmas Concert hosted by Fresno Pacific University.

The music begins 7 p.m. Sunday, December 3 in Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium in downtown Fresno. Admission is $5 for general audiences and $3 for students and those over 65.