APU Articles
Alumni Feature: Daniel Moore '11 Creates Impact Through Pickleball
November 05, 2024 | Alumni
When Daniel Moore ’11 was introduced to pickleball by his father in 2014, he had no idea the sport would become a major part of his life. Over the next decade, Moore would go on to win nine national championships, before ending his professional playing career and introducing pickleball to Japan and Kenya.
Staff Saturday: Paul Dennis ’91 Gives Back to APU’s Campus Safety After Serving as a Police Officer for 27 Years
November 02, 2024
Paul Dennis ’91 came to APU as an undergraduate student, curious about what God’s calling for his life would be. After spending 27 years as a police officer in the Azusa police department, Dennis found his way back to alma mater to serve as the executive officer of the department of campus safety.
Faculty Feature: Kimberly Setterlund, MSW, Shines the Light of Christ as a Social Worker
November 01, 2024 | Behavioral Sciences
Kimberly Setterlund, MSW, lives out her calling by being there for people in their darkest moments, showing them God’s light. As a social worker, she has experience helping a variety of people, from adults struggling with mental health disorders, to families battling cancer. She is the chair of APU’s MSW program, and strives to teach students how to ethically and lovingly care for others.
Mika Yagi Kim Lives Out Her Faith Through Nursing in Tanzania
October 31, 2024 | Nursing
Sometimes God calls us to a completely different path than the one we’re on, and it can be daunting to take the leap of faith. Professional nursing student Mika Yagi Kim ’25 followed her heart to pursue a career in nursing when she felt God calling her to help others in ways she couldn’t at her previous job.
Delaney Raetz ’27 Strengthens APU’s Community Through Campus Involvement
October 29, 2024 | Honors College
Kinesiology and honors humanities double major Delaney Raetz ’27 was so positively influenced by the APU community connection in her freshman year that she has become more involved on campus in order to be a light of faith and friendship for others.
Staff Saturday: Dante Cordova Helps Create Fun and Functional APU Apps
October 26, 2024
Dante Cordova has worked at APU for more than two decades. While he’s exceptionally skilled in technology, his warm energy and eagerness to celebrate the achievements of others make him someone APU is lucky to have as the product manager in Information Technology (IT).
Faculty Feature: David Miyahara, PhD Celebrates 30th Year of Supporting Sociology Students at APU
October 25, 2024 | Humanities and Sciences
After moving to Los Angeles so that his wife could pursue a pediatric medicine residency, David Miyahara, PhD, found that his love for teaching in the college classroom setting could become a career reality at Azusa Pacific University. After starting as an adjunct professor, Miyahara is now an associate professor in the Department of Sociology, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and Modern Languages. Miyahara is celebrating his 30th year as a full time professor at APU, and his passion for teaching and working with his students has only grown stronger.
Community Garden Promotes Student Well-Being and Increased Connection
October 23, 2024 | service
APU's Community Garden has four primary goals: growing produce for student consumption, creating a space outside the classroom for faculty/staff interaction with students, supporting collaborative learning on campus, and facilitating community outreach.
Aidan Oslob’s Summer Shadowing at The Institute of Oncology Veneto
October 21, 2024
Medical schools require applicants to have completed at least 200 shadowing hours to be competitive with other candidates. While most undergraduate students get their hours at local hospitals, Aidan Oslob ’26, a biochemistry major in the premed program, had the opportunity to shadow at the Oncology Institute of Veneto in Padua, Italy over the summer.
Staff Saturday: Randy Berk Finds his Calling in Landscaping at APU for 45 Years
October 19, 2024
Randy Berk has served APU for more than 45 years. As the manager of Landscape Services, Randy implements his love for God, plants, and community in all he does. In January he will be retiring, a bittersweet milestone as many will miss seeing him wave as he drives by on his tractor.
Faculty Feature: Sharon Titus, PhD, Serves God as a Nurse Educator and Missionary
October 18, 2024 | Nursing
Sharon Titus, PhD, MSN, RN, found God when she was a child and never looked back. Her faith is what drives her to serve the Lord, whether through nursing, missionary work, or connecting with students. She sets an excellent example of what it means to love God and love others well.
Staff Saturday: Todd Emerson ’92, DO, ABFP Provides Holistic Care as Medical Director of the Student Health Center
October 12, 2024
Todd Emerson’s ’92, DO, ABFP journey as a doctor is one of adventure, enthusiasm, and an overall determination to follow God’s calling for his life. As the medical director of the student health center, Emerson ensures all APU students have a place to go when they are in need of medical attention.
Faculty Feature: HeeKap Lee, PhD, Approaches Teaching With Jesus as a Model
October 11, 2024 | Education
HeeKap Lee, PhD, believes that learning should be fun, and the more we engage together in the classroom, the more we can make a difference in each others’ lives. As a professor in the MA in Education program, HeeKap incorporates faith by teaching students to teach like Jesus did.
Staff Saturday: Erin Thorp ’96, MA ’13 Enriches Students’ Lives by Helping Them Explore Their Calling
October 05, 2024
Erin Thorp ’96, MA ’13 has always been drawn to making a difference in students’ lives. As a former teacher and worker in global outreach ministries, Thorp’s interest in cultivating a love for learning in students led her to return to APU. She is happy to serve as the interim director of the Center for Community-Engaged Learning (CCEL).
Faculty Feature: Elijah Roth, PhD, Lives Out His Calling Teaching Faith Through Chemistry
October 04, 2024 | Humanities and Sciences
While secular higher education institutions provide great science education, Azusa Pacific University's faith integration aspect into all fields of study adds a deeper level of meaning to science for students. Elijah Roth, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and Chemistry, believes that authentic faith integration can help students to flourish in the classroom and beyond.
