Undergraduate Research Day April 15 attracted about 50 projects in a variety of disciplines to the AIMS Hall Atrium. Faculty judges selected first, second and third places in kinesiology, physiology, psychology and math/biology/physical sciences/history, with winners receiving gift cards to Charlotte’s Coffee Corner. Here, faculty Elizabeth Lake, psychology, and Ruth Dahlquist, biology (left and center, respectively), check out a display with participating students. 

Supporting students with strategic help in their regular classrooms is the goal of “Putting RtI2 into Practice: Response to Intervention and Instruction with a Focus on Writing,” May 12-13, 2011, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Special Events Center on the main campus.

Sign up for early bird registration by May 2 and pay $100 for the two-day workshop, refreshments, lunch both days and the Vendor Faire. Regular registration is $150. Register and get more information at fresno.edu/rticonference.

“Today’s Responsibility, Tomorrow’s Prosperity,” is the title of the Third Annual Sunbird Conservatives Conference presented by the Sunbird Conservatives Club of Fresno Pacific University. 

 The doors will open at 7:00 a.m. Saturday, April 16, in the Special Events Center on the FPU main campus. The SEC is at 1715 Winery Ave., south of the Butler-Winery intersection. 

The keynote speaker is Victor Davis Hanson, whose talk is titled “America’s Global Responsibility.” Hanson is a classicist, military historian, author and fellow at the Hoover Institute.

Early estimates put the amount raised by the 2011 West Coast Mennonite Sale & Auction for World Relief at around $180,000. The 44th event was April 1 and 2, 2011, on the main FPU campus.

The Highly Qualified Student Teacher (HQST) project is a partnership between Fresno Pacific University and Fresno Unified School District. Work began four years ago with an invitation from Michael Hansen, FUSD superintendent, to Linda Hoff, FPU teacher education program director.

Now in its second year, HQST prepares prospective high school teachers for high-poverty, low-performing schools. “That’s the area of greatest need in education,” Hoff said.

A real-life story of friendship between two couples—one Jewish from Russia, one Christian from Texas—is the basis for The Immigrant, FPU’s spring play April 7-9, 14-16.

Performances start at 8:00 p.m. in Ashley Auditorium on the main campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno, just south of the Chestnut-Butler intersection. Tickets are available online at fresno.edu/theater and at the door for $10 for general audiences and $5 for students and senior citizens. For more information, call 559-453-2267.

Since storming the Special Events Center in the fall of 2010, the FPU Cheer Squad has built a bond and sharpened its skills—now it’s ready to bring it on.

Starting out

Athletic Director Dennis Janzen and Associate AD Mike Rupcich were looking for ways to increase spirit at home games. Lynn Reinhold, administrative assistant in the Student Life Office, knew students with cheer experience. “I could find the right people,” she says.

Helping people around the world and enjoying friends and family right here at home are among the attractions of the annual West Coast Mennonite Sale & Auction for World Relief. The 44th event will be April 1 and 2, 2011, on the main FPU main campus.

Recent sales have raised more than $200,000 each for world relief through the sale of quilts, antiques, international and domestic crafts, classic cars, books, furniture and food. 

Activities include:

More than 400 students grades four and up participated in Fresno County History Day March 19, at the main FPU campus.  

More than 20 schools and school districts and 130 teachers attended FPU’s Teacher Education Job Fair March 17 in the Special Events Center on the main campus. Organizers were pleased with the turnout, which included 20 public school districts, two charter high schools and one private Christian school.