Orientation weekend, August 26-28, went off with a bang as a flash mob of 100 students ended Sunday’s commissioning ceremony with dancing, back flips and a cannon.

Well…a small cannon. Shooting streamers.

Orientation weekend, August 26-28, went off with a bang as a flash mob of 100 students ended Sunday’s commissioning ceremony with dancing, back flips and a cannon.

Well…a small cannon. Shooting streamers.

President’s Scholars get more than a major academic scholarship at FPU—they are treated as leaders from day one. 

FPU has added a record number of faculty and staff to support this fall’s predicted record enrollment of 3,700 students. On August 22, 14 new faculty and 23 new staff got their fist official look at the university with a bus tour from the main campus to the Bakersfield and Visalia centers.

Though classes don’t start until Monday, August 29, in the traditional undergraduate program, Fresno Pacific University is today mourning the loss of a student. Bradley Babcock, a senior, was found dead in his off-campus apartment. Reports state that he died during the evening of August 17. 

“Brad’s loss will be deeply felt by his family, friends, teammates, coaches and all who knew him,” said President D. Merrill Ewert. “Please pray for his family and fiancé during this incredibly difficult time.”

Bestselling author Daniel H. Pink will offer new, and perhaps unexpected, ways to motivate employees at the 2011 Business Forum hosted by FPU.

Save Wednesday, October 26, for the Business Forum. Join us at 7:30 a.m. in Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center, 700 M St., Fresno. More at fresno.edu/businessforum

Explore effective ways of using technology for online and web-enhanced teaching at the 2011 BLEND Technology Conference October 14-15 at FPU.

 A signing for a new book by a local mediator with a national reputation will take place September 9 at FPU.

Douglas Noll (MA ’01) published Elusive Peace: How Modern Diplomatic Strategies Could Better Resolve World Conflicts with Prometheus Books in April. The signing will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Friday, September 9, in BC Lounge on the FPU main campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno, at the intersection of Chestnut and Butler. The FPU Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies is hosting the event with the San Joaquin College of Law.

The focus on making strong academics affordable for all qualified students continues to pay off for FPU and its students.

The FPU Board of Trustees has selected the Dingman Company, a worldwide search firm based in California, and appointed a search committee including board members, alumni, faculty and staff to lead the process to select a new president.

Current President D. Merrill Ewert, Ph.D., announced June 1 he will retire effective July 31, 2012. He took office June 1, 2002.