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.

The Fresno Pacific Intramural season came to a close with the Night of Champions April 23 in the Special Events Center. This night saw the conclusion of the co-ed indoor soccer, co-ed indoor volleyball and co-ed basketball games. Participants called the night a success and the Intramural Board looks forward to more competition and community next fall.

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 annual Mr. FPU pageant show was a another big hit which took place April 10 in the Special Events Center. In this tradition, hosted by Student Life, male students were judged in five categories to be crowned Mr. FPU 2012.

The contestants included: 

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

Rain damped the grass but not the spirit at the MCC Sale April 13 and 14 on the main FPU campus. Early estimates put the amount raised ahead of last year.

Among the behind-the-scenes highlights was outgoing President Merrill Ewert's introduction of zwiebach to President-elect Pete Menjares. The traditional treat is a symbol of the underlying philosophy of the sale: Doing good can be delicious! Pictured are Ewert (center, selecting a zwiebach from one of the volunteer bakers) and to the right Pete Menjares, Pete's wife, Virginia, and Priscilla Ewert.

Dodgeball was the game March 29 in the Special Events Center. Ten teams of six competed in the single-elimination tournament, an annual FPU tradition. The men's water polo team won the $300 grand prize, and the only all-woman squad won gift cards as best-dressed for their Quail Man costumes, based on the character in the "Doug" TV show. The tournament was hosted by the Student Life Office.