Fresno Pacific University - Newswire

Trio of grads among 40 Under 40

3/11/2010 12:00:00 AM

Three FPU graduates are among the 40 Under 40 Class of 2009, sponsored by BusinessStreetOnline.com and the Fresno Grizzlies. Charity Brown (BA '01), director of alumni and church relations; James Collier (MA '08), a former staff member who is the founder and head of Paprika Studios; and Dawn Steele (BA '09), management analyst, City of Fresno Downtown and Community Revitalization Department, are all on the list. "I am honored to be part of the 40 Under 40 Class of 2009, but especially to share it with FPU alumni like James Collier and Dawn Steele," Brown said. "I truly believe this recognition reflects the quality education we received while studying at Fresno Pacific. The university provided expert faculty who challenged me both academically and spiritually. I learned how to be a servant leader and how to bring a Christian worldview into my profession." Steele is also proud to be one of the many leaders that have been given this award. "I attribute this honor to the exceptional education and opportunities I received during my time at FPU. There I learned basic business, marketing and networking skills that helped me hit the ground running as I started my career," she said. When he moved to Fresno in 2005, Collier committed to engaging the region. "The FPU leadership and organizational studies program helped me to think through and plan for many of the challenges I've faced in my first year as a business owner," he said. "Though I'm not sure they're deserved (yet), as a young entrepreneur, it's an honor to be recognized for my successes, not only by Business Street, but by my peers. That's what I appreciate about the awards--they're driven by the community,â€ Collier said. Nominated by top professionals, 40 Under 40 honorees are people to watch in Central California. "It is always our pleasure to honor young, remarkable professionals in central California who have already made an impact in our communities, and will no doubt continue to do so in the future," Lance Cardoza, president and publisher of Business Street Online said in a media release. A reception for the honorees begins at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 1, at the 600 Club at Chukchansi Park in downtown Fresno. See more at 40u40.com or www.BusinessStreetOnline.com.

Scholars Speak: The real battle for the future of Afghanistan

3/2/2010 12:00:00 AM

Between the Taliban and troop surges, Afghanistan grabs the headlinesâ€”but Pakistan may be the real issue in the region. Such is the case Ken Martens Friesen, Fresno Pacific University history and political science professor, makes in this edition of Scholars Speak.

Grace will fill the gap in people's lives: Ortberg--2010 Ministry Forum attracts record crowd

3/1/2010 12:00:00 AM

Misunderstanding grace makes us guilty, tired and thirsty. Despite the wonder of God's grace, we still feel emptiness as "the gap between the me I am and the me God wants me to be--Me 2.0," pastor and author John Ortberg told a record crowd of 550 pastors and lay leaders February 25 at FPU's Central Valley Ministry Forum.We try to fill that gap by increasing activity, getting spiritually fit the way we would get physically fit. We compare ourselves to others, feel a vague sense of guilt and decide to try harder. "The result of misguided trying harder is fatigue," Ortberg said. Once tired, we stop trying. Once we stop trying we feel guilty again and restart the cycle. "What if there's another way?" Ortberg asked. "What if this is not God's will for spiritual formation?" Ortberg is senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church after nine years as a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church. His books include "When the Game is Over, it all Goes Back in the Box"; "If you Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat"; "The Life You've Always Wanted; and "Faith and Doubt." His wife, Nancy, was the 2006 Ministry Forum speaker. Our do-it-yourself spiritual formation fails because we don't fully understanding grace. "We have restricted grace to just the forgiveness of sin," Ortberg said. "We're meant to live in grace." Living in grace is not about doing more. It's about treating grace like water. Jesus told the thirsty to come to him. "To be thirsty means to be driven by unsatisfied desires," Ortberg said. These desires come from wanting to be something we're not, whether we reflect that by taking too many classes or trying out for American Idol. To walk with Jesus is to have rivers of the living water of grace flowing "out of your belly," Ortberg said, quoting the King James Bible. "Your belly is the deep place you can't fake." Among the few details the Bible gives about the Garden of Eden is that a river flowed through it. "That's not just geography," Ortberg said. When we live in grace we flourish like a watered garden--not because we earn more, do more or even read the Bible more--because we receive and give blessing from beyond ourselves. "That's grace," he said. The annual Ministry Forum is FPU's contribution to building Valley churches. Sponsors were KDUV-FM, the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, Growing Healthy Churches, MB Biblical Seminary, Link Care Center, Fresno/Madera Youth for Christ, Uncle Harry's Bagels, Pura-Vida, Fresno Produce, Producer's Dairy, Christian Businessmen's Connection and Wawona Foods.

The long view is the only view if society is to succeed--Lyles tells business students, faculty

2/24/2010 12:00:00 AM

Government, business and individuals must plan beyond the next election, the next quarterly report or the next paycheck, entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Lyles told FPU business students and faculty February 23 in Steinert Campus Center. "There's no way we can get where we need to go in less than 30 or 40 years," said Lyles, who counts among his achievements founding Pelco, a manufacturer of video and security systems that originated in Fresno and now has locations in more than 20 countries. Lyles is or has been on boards ranging from the National Association of General Contractors and the California State Chamber of Commerce to the Fresno Economic Development Corporation and Fresno Philharmonic and Opera associations. An engineer by training, he graduated from Purdue University. The great nations of history all fell due to internal problems, Lyles warned. "There's not one of them that was defeated from without." The United States can trace its current difficulties to the late 1970s with a draining war in Vietnam, inflation and high oil prices that produced the first energy crisis. We have since gone from a major exporter to a major importer. To keep the good times rolling, we devalued the dollar, increasing the cost of what we imported and decreasing the value of what we exported. His solutions: * Support for education, especially math and science. * Policies that lead to clean, sustainable energy and responsible water use. *Give up the idea that the U.S. should police the world. * Understand that true joy is in creating, not having. * Immigration that allows people to come here and work and return to their families. * For the independent voters who make up the majority to demand a return to an incentive-based approach. Democrats want to give away money and Republicans want to lower taxes. Both promote consumption. "Over-consumption is what got us into this mess," Lyles said. Most important, people must act now but keep their minds on the future. "You've got to think long-term," he said.

Spring enrollment stays strong--FPU accepting applications for fall 2010

2/11/2010 12:00:00 AM

Enrollment--it isn't just for fall any more. Autumn may seem the time of turning leaves and returning college students, but with programs for working adults, multiple locations and a focus on seeing students graduate, enrollment at FPU is a year-round activity. It's an activity that's paying dividends. According to university reports released February 2, spring enrollment rose for both traditional undergraduate and graduate programs, and projections for degree completion programs predict increases, as well. Official enrollment for the current academic year is 2,649, up 11 percent over the past two years. Success is due to FPU's efforts to open more classes, increase financial aid and more quickly process applications. "We're doing the things we need to do for students," said Stephen Varvis, vice president for enrollment management. He credited the cooperation of faculty and staff at the main campus and centers in North Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield. "They showed that enrollment is everybody's business," he said. Traditional undergraduate Normally, some students drop out over Christmas break, but this year Instead of losing as many as 45, enrollment grew by five. Some 94 new students showed up, the most in at least 15 years, and the retention rate grew to more than 98 percent. FPU's retention has always been strong; this year was even better, according to Fay Nielsen, associate dean of mentoring and retention. "Our students feel they are well prepared to go out in the workforce and do well. They also feel that the instruction in their major fields is excellent and it's really an enjoyable experience to be on this campus," she said. Degree completion Numbers aren't final for bachelor's degree completion, but projections look even better than planned. The goal for spring was to add 179 students, but it looks like more than 260 may enroll in the next few weeks. While liberal arts, early childhood, criminology and business are seeing the highest interest, enrollment is up in every section, known as a cohort, of new students and each regional center has surpassed its goal. Graduate Graduate programs saw 103 new students this spring, compared to 64 last year. Teacher education posted a gain of 34, up from 17 in 2009. December 2009's graduating class was the largest in five years for master's students, which brought the headcount down by 15, but more students moving from part time to full time studies increased the full-time equivalency by nearly 10 percent. Among the strongest programs are business, kinesiology, special education and curriculum and teaching. Enrollment is strong, but there is still room--and financial aid--for new students. "We are accepting applications for fall 2010," Varvis said.

MBBS-Fresno transfers U.S. seminary program to FPU

2/5/2010 12:00:00 AM

In order to better carry out the mission of preparing leaders of churches in the United States Mennonite Brethren Conference, the MB church worldwide and in California's Central Valley, the structure of MB Biblical Seminary-Fresno Campus is being transferred to Fresno Pacific University. "We really believe we are better together," said FPU President D. Merrill Ewert. "This integration will empower the ministry of both institutions." The transfer of MBBS-Fresno to FPU was announced February 5. The process--approved by the boards of the seminary and the university--is to be completed June 1, 2010. "I'm excited that the mission of the seminary continues in a way that serves the MB family of churches and the Central Valley," said Gary Wall, minister of the Pacific District Conference of MB Churches. Lynn Jost, MBBS president, will continue to oversee the seminary's work as part of the FPU administration. "This program transfer will continue MB Biblical Seminary's tradition of biblical theology with an evangelical Anabaptist perspective," he said. "I am pleased we are creating a very strong program that will serve both new and historical constituencies across the U.S." "In some ways we're going back to the future," Ewert added. "The seminary and university have always shared a mission of academic excellence and service to the church. We operated under one corporate structure from 1955 to 1966, and just as there were advantages to separation then, there are advantages to unification now." Students can continue to attend the residential seminary campus, located at the corner of Butler and Chestnut in Fresno and adjacent to FPU's main campus. Classes will also be offered at FPU centers in North Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield. It is anticipated that an expanded online seminary program will reach students across the U.S., into Canada and beyond. MBBS faculty will become FPU faculty. The 4-acre seminary campus will become part of the 42-acre FPU main campus. Seminary endowment assets of $2.4 million will be transferred to support faculty chairs and student scholarships. The change will carry the denomination's foundational values into the future, according to Ed Boschman, executive director of the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. "The ministry, the core reason for being, is alive and well in the lives of our national leadership team and staff. We're enthusiastic about the next chapter and working together with key stakeholders." Plans are to expand distance education--including online classes and teleconferences--into a major outreach. This focus will benefit churches in Canada as well as the United States. "Based on 35 productive years of doing seminary together, I am optimistic that this solution will continue to be attractive to a number of Canadian and worldwide Mennonite Brethren students," said David Wiebe, executive director, Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. "Moreover, as distance education options are created and our Canadian seminary presence is developed further, I can see how this might take our pastoral education and training to an exciting new level." Many higher education institutions are forming new arrangements to strengthen their programs in response to difficult economic times. Small, denominational schools are the most vulnerable and will need to join with universities and regional giants to survive, according to Association of Theological Schools, which accredits the seminary. "I am deeply grateful for the extraordinary efforts by representatives of MBBS and FPU in bringing these discussions to a successful conclusion. MBBS has a rich history of providing theological education to the Mennonite Brethren community and beyond, and I am delighted that this work will now be carried on in partnership with FPU," said Ken Fransen, chair of the FPU Board of Trustees. "I am pleased that we have arrived at this arrangement with FPU. I think that moving the Fresno Campus of our seminary to this established university will go a long way in protecting our mission and will also add a significant dimension to FPU and the region it serves," said MBBS Board Chair Jack Falk. "I look forward to future collaboration between FPU, Canada and Midwest U.S. in the delivery of distance education. MB students and churches in both countries would benefit greatly from getting such access to our seminary programs." This optimism is echoed by Steve Schroeder, pastor of Parkview MB Church, Hillsboro, Kansas, and moderator of the USMB Conference: "I am delighted the seminary is joining forces with FPU and is open to working closely with Tabor College to develop a national pastoral training program. I fully anticipate that this kind of partnership will better serve the entire U.S. MB family of churches." "Challenging days and weeks have gone into this partnership. Now we can look forward with enthusiasm and vision to what God will lead us to accomplish," Ewert said.

Benefit concert for Haiti at Butler Church--Jon Shabaglian among the performers

1/28/2010 12:00:00 AM

A concert to benefit the people of Haiti will be at 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 12, 2010, in Butler Church, at the corner of Butler and Winery.Among the performers will be Jon Shabaglian; Crosswind, an FPU vocal-instrumental ensemble; and a community gospel choir made up of members of the FPU and New Beginnings Church gospel choirs. West Coast Mennonite Central Committee and the Office of Spiritual Formation at FPU are sponsoring the event. Contributions of money will be accepted, along with supplies for relief kits, including towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, fingernail clippers and large bars of soap. Find more ways to help at MCC.org.

Volleyball at city hall

1/28/2010 12:00:00 AM

Fresno city officials declared January 28, 2010, Fresno Pacific Sunbirds Women's Volleyball Day.

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The proclamation recognized the team for winning its third consecutive NAIA national championship in December, and ending the 2009 season with a perfect 38-0 record. Here team members and their coach, Dennis Janzen, receive the honor from Mayor Ashley Swearingen and the city council in City Council Chambers. Read about the volleyball season and all FPU sports at fpuathletics.com

Scholars Speak: Do armed citizens deter crime?

1/12/2010 12:00:00 AM

Gunsâ€”cause of crime or means for the innocent to protect themselves? It's one of those questions most voted likely to turn a pleasant discussion into a shouting match, but one that Duane Ruth-Heffelbower takes on in this Scholars Speak.

Christian scholar examines idea of Christian America

1/6/2010 12:00:00 AM

A Christian scholar and author examines the idea of the United States as a Christian nation in a free lecture at 7:30 p.m. January 20 in Ashley Auditorium.Richard T. Hughes, whose latest book is "Christian America and the Kingdom of God," is senior fellow in the Ernest L. Boyer Center and distinguished professor of religion at Messiah College. He has written extensively on Christian higher education, the history of the Churches of Christ, the restoration ideal and other religious dimensions in American history. His recent books include "Myths America Lives By" (2003) and "The Vocation of a Christian Scholar: How Christian Faith Can Sustain the Life of the Mind" (2005). Hughes reviews the idea of Christian America from its earliest history in the founding of the republic to the present day. Extensively analyzing the Old and New Testaments, Hughes provides a scripturally based explanation of the Kingdom of God--a kingdom defined by love, peace, patience and generosity. Throughout American history Hughes says, this concept has been appropriated by religious and political leaders and distorted into a messianic nationalism that champions the United States as Godâ€™s "chosen nation" and bears little resemblance to the teachings of Jesus. Reviews include: "With passion and compelling evidence, this superb book shows the clear difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of America." --Donald B. Kraybill, author of "The Upside-Down Kingdom" "As a Christian and a citizen who is distressed by the shadow side of my country and my faith tradition, I am one of many who owe Hughes a debt of gratitude for his effort to restore integrity to our religious and political life. If you care about (or are confused by) the way some political and religious leaders have abused Christianity to bless the lesser angels of our nature, you must read this book." --Parker J. Palmer, author of "The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life" "One does not need to be a genius to see that the U.S.--politically, culturally, and ideologically--has lost its way. A vigorous, penetrating, and compelling analysis of how we got where we are with a mistaken sense of U.S. identity, this book will be immensely instructive as we sort out the recent binge of religious self-indulgence and return to the reality of life in the world." --Walter Brueggemann, author of "The Prophetic Imagination" "An early Christian writer once explained the convictions of his fellow believers to a Roman official with these words: every foreign country is their homeland and every homeland is a foreign country. That's a lesson we American Christians desperately need to learn anew in our present day, and Hughes has shown himself to be a master teacher on this important subject in this fine book." --Richard J. Mouw, President and Professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary For more information, call 559-453-2226.

Soprano continues Pacific Artist Series

1/6/2010 12:00:00 AM

Soprano Hanna Nielsen continues the 2009-2010 Pacific Artist Series. The performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2010, in Butler Church, 4884 E. Butler Avenue, Fresno. Joungmin Sur accompanies on piano.Nielsen earned a B.A. from FPU in 2004 and an M.A. from California State University, Fresno, in 2007. She has been involved in several community musical organizations, including the Fresno Grand Opera. She has served as professor of voice at CSUF and as a vocal coach for choirs at Kastner Intermediate School. Nielsen also maintains a voice studio. Sur was born in Seoul, Korea, and earned an M.M. from Dankook University and an M.A. at CSUF. Sur's oratorio "Festival Messiah" premiered in Seoul, she won an award from the Sungnam International Composer's Competition and her music is published by Chorus Center. She is an accompanist at FPU and CSUF. The Michener Duo continues the Pacific Artist Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 25, in McDonald Hall Atrium. Walter Saul, FPU music faculty, and Jane Shelly, flute, are the performers. Joanna Hersey finishes the season with a tuba recital at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 20, in McDonald Hall Atrium. Arlene Steffen, FPU music faculty, accompanies on piano. Admission for each concert is $10 for general audiences and $7 senior citizens and students, payable at the door. For more information, contact the FPU Music Office at 559-453-2267, or email music@fresno.edu. Jane Shelly Jane Shelly is in her 20th season as principal flute of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony. She also plays with the Wallingford Symphony and Norwalk Symphony, where she is operations and education manager, and the Guastavino Trio. Shelly is co-founder of the Wilton Music Studios where she teaches private students and runs a flute choir. Her B.A. is from Ithaca College and her master's is from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Walter Saul Walter Saul teaches piano, theory, composition, music history and music appreciation. He was named "Composer of the Year" in North Carolina and in Oregon, and his compositions have been performed in 16 states and three nations. Saul has won ASCAP Special Awards each year since 1990 and performed and presented clinics on the East and West coasts. His CDs include "Out of Darkness Into His Marvelous Light," From "Alpha to Omega" and "Songs of Requited Love" (with FPU Professor Emeritus Larry Warkentin). Joanna Hersey Joana Ross Hersey is assistant professor of low brass at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where she teaches trombone, euphonium and tuba and conducts the Low Brass Ensemble. Her M.M. is from the New England Conservatory of Music and her D.M.A. is from the Hartt School. Hersey was principle tubist with the United States Coast Guard Band, is a founding member of the Athena Brass Band and belongs to the Alchemy Tuba-Euphonium Quartet, which released the CD "Village Dances."

New center brings together teaching, technology

12/18/2009 12:00:00 AM

Combining the best of face-to-face education with the Internet and other technology is the goal of the new Center for Online Learning at Fresno Pacific University. Launched in October by a grant from the AIMS (Activities in Mathematics and Science) Education Foundation, the center works with faculty to put courses online or add online resources to enrich traditional classes. "The Center for Online Learning is called to support the use of technology for teaching and learning at Fresno Pacific University," said Henrietta Siemens, center director. Staff support faculty in the design, development and delivery of online and campus-based instruction involving academic technology. The need for the center came from the increasing demand for academic technology, Siemens said. The campus Online Advisory Committee, including faculty from each school and representatives from all major departments, proposed the idea to the Faculty Session in the fall of 2008 and the spring of 2009. Faculty approved the plan with the stipulation that outside funds be found. AIMS agreed to the financial partnership in the fall of 2009, and final approval from the FPU Board of Trustees followed. The center is located in East Hall 138 and the website is www.col.fresno.edu. The staff is Siemens and Terry Bese, instructional designer. For the past two years Siemens has provided instructional technology support to faculty in the School of Education. Siemens has a Ph.D. in instructional technology with an emphasis in higher education administration from the University of Virginia. Bese has 23 years of experience in educational technology. He will also develop online courses and multi-media projects for AIMS. He is pursuing doctoral studies in educational technology at Pepperdine University. Founded by former FPU President Arthur Wiebe and educator Larry Ecklund, AIMS is a non-profit organization that helps teachers give K-6 students a solid understanding of math and science. When it comes to connecting faculty and technology, one size does not fit all. "It's not the kind of thing that can be stamped with a cookie cutter. It's very individual for each instructor and course," Bese said. The best first step forward is a step back--to take a big-picture view of a course or program and determine what faculty want students to learn. "Then look at the online tools to accomplish that," Bese said. Applications are not judged by how new and flashy they are. The question is if "they're going to increase what we can do in terms of building relationships with the students," Bese said. "So students still get that unique Fresno Pacific experience."

Wells Fargo helps fund new online math program

12/16/2009 12:00:00 AM

Math education in the Central Valley and beyond will expand thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation.The School of Education will use the funds to bring the master's degree in mathematics education into a blended online format. This program will help teachers in remote and economically disadvantaged areas expand their knowledge and better teach their students. "This gift will help FPU reach the very teachers whose students most need educational outreach. There's no telling where tomorrow's leaders will come from, and we are so very grateful for Wells Fargo's vision and commitment to educating all residents," said President D. Merrill Ewert. Deb Palmer is in the enviable position of enjoying the benefits of giving and receiving as a project manager for Wells Fargo, an FPU graduate and a member of the university board of trustees. "It was an honor for me to present this check," she said. Blended online curricula include regular coursework offered online, supplemented with face-to-face activities, such as the summer residential math festival. The program will begin with the graduate course in geometry education. Wells Fargo's gift will fund the creation of videos of classroom presentations and activities, classroom meetings via video conferencing and interactive activities to enrich online learning. Wells Fargo supports organizations that strengthen communities in community development, education, human services, the arts and the environment. The company continues to be one of America's largest financial contributors to nonprofits, giving more than $226 million in 2008, up 5 percent over the previous year. That's $618,000 dollars a day. In addition to cash giving, combined company investments in 2008 included: * Employees who volunteered 1.4 million hours, served on 16,000 nonprofit boards and raised a record $39.3 million during the Community Support/United Way campaign. * $6.4 billion in community development loans and investments and $7.68 billion in tax-exempt debt financing to promote long-term growth for low- and moderate-income communities. * Counseling and financial programs to help keep people in their homes. * $942 million with businesses owned by women and/or members of minorities and disadvantaged groups. * Free, non-commercial financial education on responsible money management, including how to create a budget, save and invest, borrow responsibly, buy a home and establish a small business. Wells Fargo has more than 10,400 locations and 286,000 team members nationwide. <#IMAGE:1#>

Jay Pope tells radio audience how to rock the holiday blues

12/15/2009 12:00:00 AM

Hear for yourself! Go to www.kyno1300.com to hear the podcast of Jay's interview with Bill McEwen on "Straight Talk" KYNO 1300 AM.Read more of Jay's thoughts on this subject in his Scholars Speak at http://www.fresno.edu/news/

Grads told there is always hope for those who work hard and remain optimistic--Fresno Mayor speaks to 250 new alumni

12/15/2009 12:00:00 AM

There is hope, and there are jobs, in difficult times, FPU graduates were told during fall commencement ceremonies December 11.Speaker and Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin drew from her professional expertise and personal experience to bring optimism to about 250 graduates, their families and friends gathered in the Special Events Center. Before her election as mayor in 2008, Swearengin served as director of community and economic development at California State University, Fresno, where she worked to increase employment and educational opportunities. Swearengin is also co-founder and chief operations officer of the Fresno Regional Jobs Initiative, which has created more than 23,000 non-farm, non-government jobs. A graduate of CSUF during the last economic downturn, Swearengin had her share of entry-level positions. She offered a three-step plan: * Put out the effort. "Good economies and economic bubbles can not take the place of hard work," she said. * Put in the time. "Don't see yourself as being above any task," she said. While school taught her to lead Fortune 500 companies, Swearengin learned the ropes licking stamps for mailings. "I look back on those days and I can't tell you how grateful I am. Take small tasks seriously," she said. * Put on a smile. "Maintain your balance by paying attention to good news," she said. At a recent jobs summit area employers said they had more than 300 positions open. "You'll find, more often than you think, businesses that are blooming like flowers in the desert," Swearengin said. "We welcome you," she told the graduates. "We look forward to your contributions."