APU Articles
Major League Marriage
April 07, 2014
Soaked in orange Gatorade®, face covered with celebratory shaving cream, Stephen Vogt ’07 (pronounced “vote”) felt exhilarated after delivering the game-winning hit for the Oakland Athletics in Game 2 of the 2013 American League Division Series.
Long–Term Relationships, Short–Term Setting
April 03, 2014
It’s hot outside, and the dust and wind have made quite a mess of the college students and their rugged surroundings. There aren’t any showers on site, and luxury is defined as an eight-person tent. Yet, this voluntary experience, triggered by the desire to spread God’s love, draws hundreds of students annually. For more than 50 years, Azusa Pacific University offers its students and church groups ministry opportunities to serve in Mexicali, Mexico. This year saw approximately 750 Azusa Pacific students participate in the Mexico Outreach event.
Graduate School of Theology Celebrates 30th Anniversary
March 24, 2014
Established in 1983 by founding dean Les Blank, Ph.D., the Azusa Pacific Graduate School of Theology celebrates its 30th anniversary on Saturday, April 12, 2014. The school will host a series of celebratory events, including an open house featuring the Graduate School of Theology Timeline exhibit, a book signing and display, and an exhibition of two volumes of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition sponsored by Special Collections. The day will also include an awards luncheon honoring alumni, a lecture on holy living, and a gala dinner.
A Shot at Success
March 17, 2014
Students Take Advantage of Earlier Mid-semester Break
March 17, 2014
Cougar Interview—Robert Taylor, M.A. ’97, Ed.D. ’06
March 10, 2014
Robert Taylor, M.A. ’97, Ed.D. ’06, became superintendent of the Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) on July 1, 2013, after serving as a teacher and principal, in addition to numerous administrative roles in the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District and as deputy superintendent in Corona-Norco Unified School District. With two degrees from APU, he comes prepared to lead one of the state’s highest-performing districts faced with significant fiscal challenges.
APU Hosts State Board of Education President
February 10, 2014
Though theories about challenges facing the American education system and their potential solutions differ drastically among political, business, and education leaders, all those invested in reform agree that the situation calls for serious thought and decisive improvements.
Saint John’s Bible Illuminates the Christmas Season
December 19, 2013
Two volumes of the Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition, a fine art limited reproduction of the first handwritten, illuminated Bible in 500 years, served as the focal point of this year’s School of Theology Christmas celebration. Faculty and staff gathered on December 11 for a special presentation by Father Eric Hollas, Ph.D., a Benedictine monk and priest at Saint John’s Abbey and deputy to the president for advancement at Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, who spoke on the process of creating the Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition and invited guests to examine its pages. Fr. Hollas shared the overarching mission of the Saint John’s Bible, which, “serves to ignite the spiritual imagination of people around the world of all faith journeys.” The illuminated manuscripts bring together the traditional elements of handwritten texts in order to slow down the mind and allow readers to enter into the living book. He touched upon his favorite aspects of the Saint John’s Bible including the Western African rendition of Adam and Eve. Fr. Hollas said he witnessed many cry as they gazed upon the illumination, as it was the first time they saw a resemblance of themselves in the Bible. “The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition honors the beauty of the Word in modern and ancient ways, in both writing and illustration,” said Dean of the School of Theology T. Scott Daniels, Ph.D. “It enhances our resources, providing opportunities for scholarly research and artistic appreciation in the School of Theology and throughout the university.” Fr. Hollas’s instrumental role with the Saint John’s Bible began in 1995 when he met master calligrapher and scribe to the Queen of England Donald Jackson who expressed his lifelong dream of creating an illuminated Bible. Serving at the time as the director of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library, Fr. Hollas brought the proposal to the president of Saint John’s University. In 1998 the university commissioned the project and Fr. Hollas joined the committee that oversaw production. A team of 6 illuminators and 5 scribes worked with Jackson to complete the masterpiece in 16 years. The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition features seven volumes printed on 100 percent cotton. The original, handwritten Bible is made of vellum, with 160 illuminations, and an estimated production cost of $8 million.
Responding to God's Call in the Philippines
December 06, 2013
Mastering Your 20s
December 02, 2013
Was it Mark Twain or Erma Bombeck who said, “Staying in a bad relationship is like letting your heart lie in the sun too long and then being surprised when it burns”? Neither one, in fact. The insightful warning is actually just one of more than 100 affirming, poignant, and humorous “secrets” for twenty-somethings caught in that ambiguous time-warp between “grow-ing and grown-up,” written by Paul Angone, M.A. ’11, in his recently published debut book, 101 Secrets for Your Twenties.
Man on a Mission
November 25, 2013
During his youth, Thurner lived in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Tahiti, California, Florida, and Washington with his missionary parents. Along the way, he discovered that, although he loved the Lord, the nomadic lifestyle lacked appeal. “I wanted financial security and the ability to buy a house,” said Thurner, who finally settled in Hawaii during his sophomore year in high school, informing his parents that he would not move with them again. “I was the first person in my family to go to college, driven by a desire to make money and prosper.”
Serving Those Who Served
November 13, 2013
After four years in the Air Force, Airmen Andrew Montes ’15 knew college was key for a successful transition to civilian life. With a degree and career as his ultimate goals, he wasted no time in applying to Azusa Pacific University.
APU Students and Alumnus Ride across U.S. for Clean Water
November 11, 2013
Last summer, a team of five Azusa Pacific University students and one alumnus embarked on a two-month bike ride across the United States. Their goal: to bring awareness to the world’s water crisis and raise financial support for projects, including wells and filtration systems, that give clean, sustainable water to communities in developing countries. Ride for Water included Chase Pritchett ’13, Jordan Williams ’14, Andrew Earle ’14, Brian Terada ’13, Dan Eckman ’14, and Alex Piering ’14. The group raised $37,540 for the nonprofit organization Charity Water to provide 1,877 people with pure drinking water.
The Psychology of Unity after Tragedy
November 04, 2013
Oklahoma City. Boston. Sandy Hook. Aurora. These tragedies cost many lives. In the aftermath of such devastating events, news services provide a glut of images and social media outlets overflow with negative posts, all focused on the shock and horror. Yet, through it all, a positive counterpoint emerges—the nation pulls together.
Unlearning Team Myths
November 04, 2013
Most people know, or think they know, something about working effectively in teams. From an early age, we learn how to function in groups and be good team players. Yet, despite all we “know” about teamwork, frustration and ineffectiveness often prevail, because much of what we “know” does not align with research and critical thought. We work poorly in teams because we think poorly about teamwork.