Ways to support the university was one of the topics tackled by the Fresno Pacific University Board of Trustees during regular meetings June 6-7.

The board approved several methods to support FPU:

The impact of Fresno Pacific University’s Project VOICE will resound through Valley schools for years to come.

Project VOICE (Valuing Owning Identity through Collaboration and Excellence) increased the number of Spanish- and Hmong-speaking bilingual teachers. Of the 79 people served by the program, 16 have already earned credentials, 21 are in the FPU teacher education program and 42 are in the university’s undergraduate program.

Ken Isaak, sports information director at Fresno Pacific University, received the 2003 Clarence “Ike” Pearson Award from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics-Sports Information Directors Association (NAIA-SIDA). The award, given to an outstanding NAIA sports information director, will be presented June 28 during the NAIA-SIDA Annual Awards Luncheon at the Professional Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

A dozen or so teachers gather in a computer lab at Fresno Pacific University. Working in pairs, surfing the Internet, they debate the quality of various sites: design, video, links and navigability.

This is teaching history? Where is the wall map of the westward expansion? The timeline of the Industrial Revolution? The chart of 19thcentury population growth? The portraits of Washington and Lincoln? This was the paraphernalia that for generations inspired an enlightened few to illuminate textbooks with Hi-liters and drove a drowsy multitude to deface margins with doodles.

Wendy Wakeman will serve as graduate dean at Fresno Pacific University beginning July 1, 2003. Wakeman has been dean of Fresno Pacific School of Professional Studies since coming to the university in 1997 and will also continue in that capacity.

“We are pleased Wendy has agreed to this extra assignment,” said Patricia Anderson, provost. “She brings many strengths to this position including her leadership of professional studies.”

Introducing the elderly to the Internet was among the projects that put Fresno Pacific University students on top in this year’s regional Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) competition.

The FPU team was named regional champion and member Brandon Dorman earned the Presidential Distinguished Service Award at the April 4 event in Los Angeles. Dorman works with Senior Citizens Village, located adjacent to the university, to provide computer training and equipment for residents. In all, 18 four-year schools participated in the regional contest.

A collaboration between a longtime faculty member and a former president of Fresno Pacific University will be one of three premiers on the program for a May concert.

“Music of Love” is the title of a recital of songs by Larry Warkentin, who composed the entire program. The performance begins at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 18, in Butler Church, 4884 Butler Avenue, and is sponsored by the FPU Music Department.

Admission is $5 for general audiences and free for children and students. For more information call 559-453-2267.

Footsteps pound toward me as I crouch behind the car. The policewoman bellows in my face as I stand up. “What are you doing out so late?” The questions come like angry slaps, with no break for a response. “What do you think you are doing? Are you a Christian?”

Increasing racial and ethnic diversity among students and faculty is the goal at Fresno Pacific University—and a grant from the James Irvine Foundation will help achieve that purpose.

The three-year, $350,000 award is to help FPU:

A new grant from a familiar donor will help keep the music playing at Fresno Pacific University.

The Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable Foundation donated $15,000 for music scholarships. Students who are graduates of Roosevelt or Sierra high schools, have a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average and are involved in music at FPU are eligible. This grant is in addition to the regular support the foundation gives to Roosevelt Revolution Soccer Club, a university outreach program serving more than 100 community children each year.