Giving new teachers a head start is the goal of a new master’s degree program.
 

Transfer Connection, a group for transfer students, has begun a video series by Marcus Buckingham called “Trombone Player Wanted.” This five-week series encourages students to grow in their strengths and better their weaknesses. The group began meeting on January 14 and will continue throughout the semester. Transfer Connection meets in North Hall Chapel from 10-10:50 a.m.

The residence life team began a semester of student activities January 11 with the first Weekends at FPU. Open Gym in the Special Events Center provided residents with late-night pizza and recreation. To find out more about upcoming Weekends at FPU, join the Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/WeekendsatFPU.

To teach Fresno Pacific students about discipleship, The Well Community Church is offering a five-week teaching series in Ashley Auditorium on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.. The series began January 10 and continues through February 7. For more information, visit the Student Life Office in Steinert Campus Center.

The Provost's Convocation was a special College Hour January 9 in the Special Events Center. President Pete C. Menjares spoke about understanding God's calling in your life and Ruth Dahlquist, assistant professor of biology; Karen Croizer, assistant professor of practical theology; and Kevin Reimer, dean of the School of Humanities, Religion and Social Sciences, shared how God called them to their field of study. If you missed the Provost's Convocation, you can view it and other College Hour events at fresno.edu/osfstream.

The employment outlook is good for those enrolling in teacher education programs in general—and FPU students in particular.

“You have a supply and demand picture that’s very promising,” said Linda Hoff, Ph.D., professor of education and director of teacher education at Fresno Pacific University.

New students enjoyed Welcome Week January 7-11. Events kicked off with New Student Connection and Taco Tuesday, which gave students an opportunity to meet other FPU students and to learn about life as a Sunbird.

We’re all works in progress, no matter where we come from or where we are today.

Christmas came early for 2,000 kids thanks to FPU and community partners.

All students at Lawless School in Fresno, Highland Elementary in Visalia and Beardsley and Standard Elementary schools in Bakersfield received a pair of shoes and socks through Soled Out for Kids, organized by FPU and 88.9 Spirit radio. Site sponsors were Olive Knolls Church of the Nazarene, Bakersfield; Every Neighborhood Partnership, Bakersfield; Northpointe Community Church, Fresno; and Radiant Church, Visalia.

For the second year in a row, two FPU students have been awarded California Educational Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) Stipends.

Graduate students Seng Leang Chea and Horacio Renteria were the winners of the $18,500 stipend. Statewide, 84 stipends are awarded through the program, administered through Phillips Graduate Institute (www.pgi.edu).