APU Articles
Mike Benton ’04 Lives Out His Calling as Broadcaster for the Seattle Kraken
July 26, 2024
In the summer of 2021, Mike Benton ’04 got a text that changed his life. After nearly two decades of broadcasting for minor league baseball and hockey teams, a colleague texted Benton to see if he was interested in becoming the in-game host for the Seattle Kraken, a National Hockey League (NHL) franchise which would celebrate their inaugural season that fall. Benton, who had dreamed of becoming a broadcaster for an NHL team since he was a kid, replied, “Absolutely!”
Hannah Grace Cicciari ’25 Discovers Her Calling in Social Work
July 24, 2024
Hannah Grace Cicciari ’25 spent her summer discovering her calling. As a social work major, Cicciari always knew she wanted to advocate for others, but it was only when she received the opportunity to work at the Tiglin Ocean View Women’s Centre in Brittas Bay, Ireland, that she discovered her passion for helping people recovering from addiction. Cicciari’s discovery in Brittas Bay this summer was a direct result of her saying “yes” to God’s call.
Student Spotlight: Samkele Mtonga ’25 Integrates Her Faith Into Science
July 17, 2024
Azusa Pacific University graduate student Samkele Mtonga ’25 decided to move from Zimbabwe to America in order to pursue her passion of helping others through science. Mtonga is enrolled in APU’s Master of Science Biotechnology program.
Academic Feature: Phil Cox, PhD, and Biochemistry Students Conduct Cutting Edge Drug Metabolism Research
July 15, 2024
This summer, Phil Cox, PhD, began research for a project his whole life’s work has led up to. As a principal investigator for drug metabolism research at Azusa Pacific University, Cox and three undergraduate students are collecting data in order to better understand how an antidepressant is metabolized by the human body.
Global Engagement Series: Heather Buck’s Experience in Spain
July 15, 2024
English major Heather Buck ’24 spent two weeks leading the Spain Apotheca team in Santiago on a Global Engagement trip through the Office of Service and Discipleship this summer. By following God’s calling for her to lead the team, Heather learned what it means to fully trust in the Lord’s plan for how He seeks to use her skills and presence to make a difference.
Global Engagement: Makenna Malkin ’25 Utilizes Music Ministry In South Africa
July 15, 2024
Seven Azusa Pacific University students traveled to the Limpopo Province of South Africa for two weeks over their summer breaks to serve in various ministries. The South Africa Global Engagement trip was focused on soccer ministry, but students participated in a variety of other ministries that allowed for individual gifts to be shown.
Global Engagement Series: Luca Fenlason Puts His Faith Into Action In Chiapas
July 08, 2024
Seven Azusa Pacific University students traveled to Chiapas, Mexico, for two weeks over their summer breaks to serve at an orphanage. The Chiapas Global Engagement trip aimed to cultivate supportive relationships with the children, but junior nursing major Luca Fenlason also learned how to translate his faith into his actions.
Global Engagement Series: Adelaide Towne’s ’26 Experience in Greece
July 01, 2024
Adelaide Towne ’26, a sociology major, spent three weeks serving in Greece on a Global Engagement trip through the Office of Service and Discipleship this summer. She deepened her faith by connecting with people through engaging acts of fellowship.
Alumni Feature: Nicky Slavich ’14, MA ’18 Shares the Value of Human Connection
June 28, 2024
Nicky Slavich ’14, MA ’18 never thought he would work at Google as a recruiter. By forming meaningful connections, Slavich discovered his career calling. Throughout his journey, Slavich has learned that his identity stems from who God continues creating him to be.
New Tissue Engineering Facility Provides Cutting-Edge Opportunities
June 27, 2024 | clas-biology-and-chemistry
In June 2023, Azusa Pacific University received funds to build a state-of-the-art tissue engineering research facility in the Segerstrom Science Center. This lab enables students to do research to set them up for success in the rapidly growing field of pharma and biopharma product development.
Alumni Feature: Razel Zapanta ’21 Lives Out Her Many Callings as a Singing Dental Student
June 25, 2024
Razel Zapanta ’21 is a testament to the fact that when you pursue your dreams, they really can come true. She is a two-time contestant on Wheel of Fortune, and has garnered a large following on Instagram by documenting her dental school journey, expressing her passion for creativity and science.
Global Engagement Series: Natalie Hultgren’s Experience in India
June 24, 2024
Nursing major Natalie Hultgren ’26 spent two weeks serving in India on a Global Engagement trip through the Office of Service and Discipleship this summer. Engaging with doctors and nurses to serve the lower caste population expanded Hultgren’s heart to learning about the image of God in all people.
APU’s Art Galleries Showcase Students’, Alumni’s, and LA Artists’ Beautiful Work
June 20, 2024
As I walked through the Duke and Darling buildings on West Campus on my way to a class last semester, an interesting sight stopped me in my tracks. Across the typically blank walls were multiple images I had never seen before—vibrant depictions of outer space, ancient Greece, and the ocean to name a few. Beside each picture was a QR code containing the link to a unique song that stirred the artist, Riley Sumaquial’s ’24, vision. I appreciate gleaning insight from Sumquial’s immensely talented synesthetic mind.
Alumni Feature: Video Editor Jordan Orme ’19 is Learning to Use His Platform to Share His Faith
June 18, 2024 | alumni-engagement, cota-cinema
When Jordan Orme ’19 created his YouTube channel at the beginning of the pandemic, he had no idea it would grow so quickly. Orme had spent the previous two years editing music videos for major artists such as Justin Bieber and Post Malone, working on documentaries for celebrities including Demi Lovato and Kylie Jenner, and creating commercials for Amazon and Nike. His channel started as a passion project, with Orme hoping to pass along insights he had gleaned from these experiences into video editing advice. When he began breaking down edits on some of his favorite music videos—especially in the K-pop genre— his following boomed. In the four years since launching, Orme’s channel has amassed more than 873,000 subscribers and his videos have garnered more than 111 million views. While the numbers are eye popping, he realized his work was not truly fulfilling.
Global Engagement: MJ Sanchez’s Experience in Belize and Guatemala
June 17, 2024
Maia (MJ) Sanchez ’26, a liberal studies major with a concentration in psychology, spent two weeks serving in Belize and Guatemala on a Global Engagement trip through the Office of Service and Discipleship this summer. She learned about the value of connecting with others through listening and sharing one’s story, as well as relinquishing preconceived expectations.
