Within the framework of the council’s mission and purposes, what we do follows the interests of the members, and so is in a continuing stage of development. There is a weekly seminar, an annual luncheon and access to on campus lectures.
The weekly seminar, however, serves as a core, common activity of the council. This seminar series runs each year from September to May. While a membership activity, guests are also welcome to attend seminars of interest. People who wish to attend regularly should consider becoming a member of the council.
FRESNO PACIFIC UNIVERSITY AND BIBLICAL SEMINARY
COUNCIL OF SENIOR PROFESSIONALS
SPRING 2026 SEMINARS
The Twenty-Third Year of the Council
Wednesday, 2 p.m.–4 p.m.
(unless otherwise noted)
Pioneer-Johanson Conference Room, FPU Steinert Campus Center
SCC103
(unless otherwise noted)
- Alison Noble & Laura Schmidt Roberts - Grounds of Flourishing: A Vision for Faculty Development at Fresno Pacific
Provost Alison Noble and Director of Faculty Development Laura Schmidt Roberts will share their vision for faculty development at FPU and present on some of the good work happening this year through dedicated in-service days, faculty learning cohorts and the revived Faculty Seminar.
Alison R. Noble, Ph.D.
- Prior to joining Fresno Pacific University as Provost and Sr. Vice President of Academic Affairs, Noble, Ph.D. served as Interim Provost and Professor of Chemistry at Messiah University, PA. In 2016, she was recognized with the Robert & Marilyn Smith Award for Outstanding Teaching and has published research in numerous chemistry and surface science journals including Langmuir, Applied Surface Science and the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Prior to her time in higher education, Noble worked as a senior engineer for Intel Corporation. She holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, A BS in Chemistry summa cum laude from Westmont College, and completed the Institute for Leadership and Management in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In addition to her leadership at FPU, Noble is currently a mentor for the Lilly Network Faculty Fellows program and is a regular panelist, speaker and workshop leader in the areas of vocation, institutional mission, church-related higher education and faculty development.
Laura Schmidt Roberts, Ph.D.
- Roberts, Ph.D., has served as Biblical and Theological Studies faculty member at Fresno Pacific since 1994. In 2024 she was appointed Director of General Education for the university and in 2025 she became the Director of Faculty Development. In May 2025, she received the President’s Distinguished Service Award for faculty. She is currently running a $28,000 faculty development grant from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education. Roberts holds a Ph.D. in Philosophical and Systematic Theology from the Graduate Theological Union (Berkeley), and MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena), and a BA in English from the University of California at Berkeley. She is also an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church USA. Roberts is co-editor of the T & T Clark series Studies in Anabaptist Theology and Ethics, editor of several books, and has published several book chapters as well as numerous journal articles on Anabaptist-Mennonite theology, ecclesiology, and environmental ethics.
Moderator: Al Dueck
- Todd Vasquez: Crypto Currency
Todd D. Vasquez, Ph.D., will not only define the term and explain how it works, but will also address its purpose and reason for being created. He will describe its strengths and weaknesses, and there will be a “question and answer” time to deal with all the questions we have about this new financial technology.
Todd D. Vasquez, Ph.D.
- Todd is a member of the Fresno Pacific University faculty, holds a Ph.D. in Constructive Theology from Loyola University, Chicago; and teaches “Ethics in Computing” along with philosophy and theology courses. He spoke to us about “Artificial Intelligence” (ai)) last semester, and we are bringing him back this semester to explain the new financial concept of “Cryptocurrency”.
Moderator: Alan Peters
- Johann Matthies -Fresno Pacific University Heritage Week - 10:50 a.m. - Special Events Center (no ticket required)
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. - Community Luncheon - Johann Matthies, Ph.D.
Open to local church and community members
Free event – Registration is required
Limited seating so register early at Eventbrite
During the last week of January, FPU is honoring its Anabaptist and Mennonite Brethren roots. A core value has always been living one’s life in obedience to the teachings of Jesus - or Radical Discipleship. For Christians, following Jesus not only brings profound healing to ourselves and our broken world, it also compels us to invite people to discover and follow Jesus for themselves. Extending this gospel invitation is what evangelism and global missions are all about. This year, we are pleased to welcome Johann Matthies, FPU alum to share with us stories and insights from a life dedicated to mobilizing people and agencies who seek to summon all to Radical Discipleship.
Johann Matthies (FPU BA ’89, MA ’93)
- Johann serves as Multiply's (formerly MB Mission) Regional Team Leader for Europe and Central Asia, giving direction for ministry in this region and mobilizing regional and global partners, churches, and schools for world mission. He is also a member of ICOMB (International Community of Mennonite Brethren) and serves as a representative for the Alliance of Evangelical Churches in Germany.
Moderator: Pat Unruh
2025–2026 Senior Professionals Steering Committee:
- Emily Munoz
- Al Dueck
- Pauline Kliewer
- Hope Nisly
- Alan Peters
- Steven Redekop
- Morgan Schlesselman
- Pat Unruh