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).

On the evening of December 9, Student Life hosted its annual, 'Twas the Night Before Finals. This event gave students a break from studying, with breakfast served by staff and faculty, pictures with Santa and prizes. To find out more about future Student Life events, check out facebook.com/fpustudentactivities.

The FPU community ended the semester's College Hour series with a time of Christmas caroling and music on December 7. Crosswind Choir, Pacific Bronze Bell Choir and Pacific Brass shared seasonal musical selections and Dina Gonzales-Piña, assistant dean of multicultural ministries, shared about Fresno Pacific's giving project with Mennonite Central Committee.

To celebrate the end of the semester, the Fresno Pacific Crosswinds Choir and Jazz Band performed a concert on December 7 at Butler Church. The two music groups played swing pieces as well as some seasonal selections. To find out more about the FPU music department, visit their website at fresno.edu/music.

The grand opening for new Commuter Lounge took place December 7.

The lounge is on the first floor of East Hall in an area that was originally a lounge but has recently been used for storage. Conveniences include a refrigerator, microwave and running water. Indirect lighting and bistro-style tables will gave the 680 square feet the feel of a coffee shop.

More than 400 students will graduate during fall commencement.

Ceremonies will be Saturday, December 15, in the Special Events Center on the main FPU campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno. Students in the traditional undergraduate, seminary and other graduate programs will graduate at 10:00 a.m., and students in the bachelor’s degree completion programs will graduate at 1:30 p.m.

The speaker at both events will be Pete C. Menjares, Ph.D., president of FPU.