Fresno’s Leading Young Professionals announced its 2012 award winners—and an FPU staff member was on the list: Jill Coppler, regional center communications specialist, is FLYP’er of the Year.

Community leaders welcomed the FPU Merced Regional Center during grand opening ceremonies March 29.

Merced Mayor Stan Thurston, Merced College President Ben Duran and District 2 County Supervisor Hubert Walsh were among the speakers to about 70 visitors at the center, 3379 G Street, Building P, El Portal Plaza. All expressed appreciation to the university for bringing bachelor’s degree completion and graduate programs to Merced.

The mix of strong academics and convenient access that FPU is known for has come to Merced and the surrounding area.

 After more than a decade of classes in different locations in the city, FPU’s Merced Center opened this week at 3379 G Street, Building P, in the El Portal Plaza. Presently 45 students are enrolled in the bachelor’s degree completion program in early childhood development. Bachelor’s programs in liberal arts and business administration with an organizational leadership emphasis are coming in spring 2012.