The achievements of a year at Fresno Pacific University—and the people who made those achievements possible—were celebrated May 10, 2016, with the annual Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon in Shehadey Dining Hall on the main campus.
Among the highlights were the President’s Distinguished Service Awards, honoring one administrator, one faculty and two staff (one from the main campus and one from one of the four regional campuses) who truly serve above and beyond the already high standard of FPU. President Richard Kriegbaum, Ph.D., made the presentations and gave remarks about each winner:
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Ken Rodgers (main campus staff), facilities. “He makes complicated and potentially chaotic office moves seem orderly and almost fun. And the rest of the miracle is that he manages and mentors student workers to get it all done. He represents our Lord with a quick smile and a loving spirit,” Kriegbaum said.
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Raquel Garcia (regional campus staff) Visalia Campus assistant director of community development. “From helping a particular student to teaching a class or cheering on the Sunbird baseball team, she is guided by her faith and fully engaged in whatever God gives her to do,” Kriegbaum said.
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Jim Bryan, Ed.D, associate professor of business administration: management (faculty). “He is an extremely creative teacher who sets high standards for the students by modeling high standards in everything he does. He mentors students and colleagues and has served on significant committees, most especially on the WASC Review Committee,” Kriegbaum said.
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Valerie Rempel, Ph.D., dean of the seminary (administrator). Rempel, “not only managed Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary with educational creativity and caring compassion, but also helped produce enrollment growth and positive budgetary outcomes,” Kriegbaum said. “She is a thinker, preacher, teacher and source of wisdom and courage for all of us.”
Other employees were recognized for reaching milestones in their years of service.
30 years—Greg Camp (biblical & religious studies)
25 years—Peng Wen (economics)
20 years—Valerie Rempel (seminary)
15 years—Larry Dunn (peacemaking & conflict studies), Howard Goto (continuing education), Richard Kriegbaum (president), Diana Mock (communications and marketing), Jose Montoya (facilities), Hope Nisly (library), Julia Reimer (theater), Alan Thompson (biology)
10 years—Alicia Andrade (career services), Sean Bradbury (safety & security), April Brown (student financial services), Ernie Carrere (library), Vern Carter (library), Don Diboll (kinesiology), Milt Friesen (music), Raquel Garcia (Visalia Campus), Joanie Joy (graduate/degree completion enrollment), David Rose (marriage & family therapy), Ali Sena (advancement), Bryan Taylor (registrar), Dahne Watson (registrar), David Weber (pupil personnel), Terence Yi (mathematics)
Retirement honors went to Milt Friesen (music), Michael Kulekjian (advancement), Lindy Locke (IT), Arlene Mack (president/board assistant), Bobbi Jentes Mason (education), Garry Prieb (advancement) and Diane Talbot (pupil personnel).