The office is still at Townsend 9, but there is a new name, some new faces and a new spirit in the graduate leadership program at Fresno Pacific University.

The degree is now called the master of arts in leadership and organizational studies. (The title had been master of arts in administrative leadership, commonly known as the MAAL program.) “The new name more accurately reflects the curriculum and nature of the program,” said Director Peggy Avakian.

The next president of Fresno Pacific University plans to serve the community as well as the campus.

D. Merrill Ewert will become the university’s 10th president in July of 2002. “FPU’s vision resonates with my personal commitment to promote higher education, to strengthen communities and to build people and institutions in an increasingly pluralistic society,” he said.

One family reminded many at Fresno Pacific University of the simple truths of Christmas.

Students, faculty and staff collected and delivered food, gifts and a Christmas tree to a local family in December. The residence life staff organized the effort and Esther Klassen-Isaak, counseling coordinator, submitted the name of the family and delivered the goods. “All the work in between—and there was a lot of it—was done by the residence assistants (RAs) and particularly Laura Schaaf,” Esther said.

“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” I Timothy 4:12

 A service where students minister to one another taps the power of peer relationships at Fresno Pacific University.

Social work study at Fresno Pacific University got a statewide spotlight when a faculty member testified before a California Assembly committee.

Donna Callahan, director of the social work program, wasn’t sure what to expect on her way to an Assembly Human Services Committee Hearing on social work education and the social worker shortage November 14. “I didn’t know until I got there why I was testifying,” she said.

This year’s Alumni Phonathon was an exercise in outreach as well as fundraising.

As of December 4, $40,449 was either pledged or already given, according to Linda Calandra, director of annual giving and donor relations. Calandra and Paul Micu, director of alumni and church relations, sponsored the event. All gifts go to scholarships.

Holiday classics from “Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly” to selections from The Messiah will be featured at the Classic Christmas Concert sponsored by Fresno Pacific University.

Pacific Brass, the Handbell Choir, the Women’s Chorale, Flautas Pacifica and Pacific Chamber Singers will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, December 2, in Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium, Fresno and O streets, Fresno. Tickets are $5 general admission and $3 for students and those over 65. No reservations are necessary.

Success for Fresno Pacific University has translated into success for a member of its staff.

Bud Dickerson, director of major gifts and capital campaigns, was named “Outstanding Fund Raising Executive of the Year” by the California Valley Chapter of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals. The award came November 14 during a lunch celebrating National Philanthropy Day.

FresnoPacific University is among the sponsors of a video aimed at educating Central Valley students about the U. S. Constitution.

Each edition of “We The People…The U.S. Constitution and You,” is geared to a U.S. Congressional district. FPU President Harold Haak appears in videos distributed within the 19thand 20thdistricts. Every public and private high school, junior college and cable television station received a copy of the 24-minute program.

A trio of Fresno Pacific University musical ensembles will be featured in a pair of November concerts.

The Concert Choir will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday, November 18, in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Fresno. The 35-voice choir sings a variety of classical choral work.

The Women’s Chorale and Handbell Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, in the McDonald Hall Atrium on the university campus. Each group has about 15 members and the program will include carols and secular pieces.