Members of the Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary community gathered September 13 to celebrate the growth and development of the past year. Students and staff spoke and FPU President Pete Menjares, Ph.D., shared his vision for the seminary.

You can find out more information about the Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary at seminary.fresno.edu.

A program on the California Missions has landed Fresno Pacific a national award for interactive learning.

FPU is one of 40 cultural organizations to receive a 2011-2012 Pinnacle Award from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC). The Indianapolis-based nonprofit offers videoconferencing presentations from more than 200 museums, state parks, national historic sites and other organizations to educational outlets such as schools and senior citizens centers.

Fresno Pacific University and other colleges and universities where Hispanics make up a significant sector of the student body are being honored this week.

A presidential proclamation designates September 16-22 as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Week. FPU is among the institutions of higher education named an HSI by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

The second annual FPU Church Rush was held Tuesday, September 11. Hosted by the Office of Spiritual Formation, this event gave students the opportunity to find a local church to attend during the school year.

The Sunbird Conservatives club placed numerous miniature American flags on the East Hall lawn Tuesday morning in remembrance of the victims of the 9/11 attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.

The inauguration of Pete C. Menjares, Ph.D., as 11th president of FPU will bring together members of the university, academic and regional communities for a week of events September 24-28 on the main campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno.

The centerpiece of the celebration will be the inauguration ceremony at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 28, in the Special Events Center.

If experience and the ability to wear many professional hats are any indications of success, the selection of Stephen Varvis, Ph.D., as provost for FPU was inspired.

That’s certainly a sentiment shared by President Pete Menjares. “I can’t think of anyone more qualified than Steve. He’s the total package,” Menjares said.

As higher education becomes more competitive, Fresno Pacific University rises to the challenge by restructuring its communications and marketing efforts.

Diana Bates Mock has been promoted to associate vice president of communications and marketing, and the University Communications Office, which she heads, has become a separate department, reporting directly to the president. The area had been part of the Advancement Office.

The annual Bunko Night was held Tuesday, September 6. In this fast-paced dice game partners compete against other teams by rolling certain number of die and progressing through different tables and teams. A “Bunko” is rolling a three-of-a-kind, and the winners compete for an FPU sweatshirt.

The fall 2012-2013 semester has begun—but even before the first day of school many students were already buzzing around the main campus.