News Archive
Tending the Shepherds: Helping Ministers to Thrive
April 17, 2017
I love pastors. I always have, even before becoming one myself. My parents have been in the music ministry for more than 50 years, which provided a unique training ground for me, as we visited hundreds of pastors’ homes from across many denominations. In doing so, I underwent a kind of seminary training by osmosis—witnessing the deep joys of ministry as well as the sacrifices and difficulties. My paternal grandfather, also a pastor, mainly served small, “clergy-killing” congregations in New England. He set aside the opportunity to inherit the family dairy, and went back to Harvard University for his Master of Divinity. He served faithfully, preaching with depth and excellence and providing remarkable pastoral care. And it cost him dearly.
Andrea Ivanov-Craig Talks About New Book, Moving Toward Redemption
April 04, 2017
Andrea Ivanov-Craig, PhD, is a professor in the Department of English and scholar of Catholic short-story writer Andre Dubus. Her research of Dubus spans nearly two decades. She recently published her book, Moving Toward Redemption: Spirituality and Disability in the Late Writings of Andre Dubus (1936–1999).
Mexico Outreach Commissions Students to Mexicali
March 02, 2017
is a long-standing tradition at Azusa Pacific University, deeply cherished among students and alumni. Mobilizing students and local churches since 1970, the program aims to glorify God in Mexicali, Mexico, through service. Since it’s inception, more than 200,000 people have participated, and the numbers continue to grow.
Why La La Land Matters
February 23, 2017
La La Land, Damien Chazelle’s vibrant, dreamlike musical, is this year’s top grossing Oscar-nominated movie earning more than $340.5 million worldwide. Not only has the film succeeded financially, it smashed award nomination records. This classic Hollywood love story, won the most Golden Globes by a single film in history, ringing in a total of seven, including Best Screenplay, Best Musical, and Best Director. It also tied the record for the most Oscar nominations, 14, placing it alongside Titanic and All About Eve. La La Land went on to win Oscars for Best Actress, Best Director, Best Original Musical Score, Best Cinematography, and Best Production Design.
Why Bioethics Matters in Biotechnology
February 10, 2017
The last five years have witnessed amazing acceleration of innovation in biotechnology. CRISPR will lead to precision gene editing that could vastly improve food crop yields and provide cures to cancer. Lightning-fast gene sequencing will enable early detection of cancer from a simple blood test. High-speed bulk data transfer allows the entire genomes of millions of people to be compared online in the search for cures to both common and rare diseases. Neuromorphic chips will accelerate the dawn of artificial intelligence, and smart prostheses will allow para- and quadriplegic patients to move, the deaf to hear, and the blind to see.
Cougars Pack the New Den
January 25, 2017
When APU students camp out, it is usually for Trek, Outdoor Adventures, or Mexico Outreach. Smith Hall resident advisors Luke Irving and Sam Carleton, both junior communication majors, camped out for an entirely different reason. They wanted to be the first in line for the grand reopening of the Cougars' Den. “As the den’s most loyal fan, I needed to be the first to experience it’s reopening,” said Irving. “Camping outside the den started as a joke, but as it got closer we realized that we had to see the transformation before anyone else,” said Carleton.
APU Launches New MSN in Healthcare Administration and Leadership
January 23, 2017
Azusa Pacific University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Healthcare Administration and Leadership, launched in spring 2017, is designed for BSN-prepared registered nurses who are looking to advance their career and move into management and leadership roles in a myriad of healthcare settings. The master's program prepares students to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare services by giving them the skills to become competent and compassionate leaders.
Catholic Bishop’s Visit to Campus Inspires Hope
January 12, 2017
When Bishop David Gerard O’Connell, Episcopal Vicar of the San Gabriel Pastoral Region under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, stepped onto campus the occasion marked the first time Azusa Pacific University hosted a pastoral visit by a Catholic bishop. The visit, preceding the holidays, included a tour of campus, the bishop leading prayer before chapel, a meeting with Catholic students and faculty, and a luncheon in his honor.
APU’s School of Accounting Connects Students with Dream Opportunities
December 16, 2016
If asked what a dream internship would entail, a flexible schedule, networking with multinational corporations, and an all-inclusive trip to Disneyworld may come to mind. Kellie Platek ’17, an accounting major at APU, lived this dream internship experience through PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the “Big Four” firms that offers corporate financial and legal services in 157 countries with global revenues of $35.9 billion.
Called to the Table
November 21, 2016
Locals and out-of-towners pour into a restaurant where fire pits and string lights on the patio lend a warm glow to the darkening sky. Conversations and background music blend into a comforting din as Mark Perone ’98 surveys the scene. He steps forward to greet the families and couples laughing and playing on the bocce court between bites of food and then nods in approval as his kitchen and wait staff move at a hastened clip to serve the influx of customers.
What Students Can Do Now to Get a Job When They Graduate
November 18, 2016
Take the Sabbath Challenge
November 10, 2016
Have you ever played misery poker? Here’s how the game works: you sit around with a group of friends and each one takes a turn sadly sharing how busy you are and how overwhelmed you feel. The key to winning is one-upping all the other players—if you are the most stressed out, work the longest hours, and are the most miserable, you win! But . . . do you really want to win that game?
Jesus' Tomb Uncovered
November 02, 2016
Recent news headlines announced the uncovering of Jesus’ burial place for the first time in centuries. Restoration work in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (originally called the Church of the Resurrection by early Christians) has exposed this most sacred place. Pilgrims who visit the church today are often surprised to learn that they are not looking at an actual tomb, but a marble edicule (Latin for “small house”) on the spot where the tomb stood. So where is the original tomb? And what is this so-called edicule undergoing restoration?
Why Chapel?
October 28, 2016
Several times a week a communal pause takes place for the students of Azusa Pacific University. All gather for a campus-wide tradition known as chapel. Crafted from the four cornerstones of Christ, Community, Scholarship, and Service, APU’s chapel services demonstrate the university’s commitment to cultivating disciples and scholars. Chapel provides a built in break allowing for spiritual rest amidst the rigor and demands of college life and the incorporation of faith into a student’s daily routine.
TRiO: Supporting First-Generation College Students
October 26, 2016
In fall 2015, APU received $1.1 million from the Department of Education to fund and start the university’s first TRiO Target Success program. With this new program geared toward supporting and motivating first-generation college students to succeed, APU set a new standard for current and future students seeking to become the first in their families to receive college degrees, and ultimately, to become difference makers in the world.
Christians in the General Election: Faithfulness and Politics
October 24, 2016
The government has failed. People no longer trust Congress or other politicians. The news media, the Church, and other institutions of public life have alienated much of the nation. Cities are filled with violence. Poverty and war kill thousands daily. As another election approaches, the future looks bleak.
APU Introduces Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
October 24, 2016
Azusa Pacific University’s Department of Communication Studies recently launched a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations. Skills required for this major include strong communication, good writing, and the ability to multitask, be detail-oriented and flexible. Public relations (PR) is the maintenance of a public image by a company or organization with relationship to communication, journalism, and marketing. Located in the heart of one of the world’s top media markets, APU offers students the opportunity to become outstanding public relations professionals and difference makers in the industry.
Christians and the General Elections: Goodness and Politics
October 17, 2016
Goodness may be the most readily recalled characteristic by those who commit the fruits of the Spirit to memory—especially by those who study the King James or New International versions. However, the New Revised Standard Version uses the word generosity. Because of the rhyme, goodness works better for memorizing—kindness precedes it, and faithfulness and gentleness follow it. The word generosity, though, provides more specificity of the purpose of one’s goodness. It gives a human-to-human dimension to this trait that the English word goodness doesn’t. When we hear the word generosity, we do not think of something that is between ourselves and God alone, but rather, an act we do for others.
Remember These Deadlines When Applying to APU
September 29, 2016
When choosing and applying to colleges, there are many things to keep in mind such as location, academic reputation, community, education opportunities, and of course, knowing when is the best time to apply for college. At Azusa Pacific, we understand that the application process can seem overwhelming, but that is why our undergraduate admissions team is ready and willing to help you every step of the way. Whether you’re interested in starting college in the fall or spring, here is a list of undergraduate APU application deadlines every prospective student and parent should know!
Ryan Montague Talks About New Book, Divine Opportunity
September 28, 2016
Ryan Montague, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies and author of two books. Montague recently released his newest book, Divine Opportunity: Finding God in the Conversations of Everyday Life.
Maged Gerges: Serving God by Serving Meals
September 15, 2016
From leaving his home country of Egypt and beginning a new life in the United States, to starting his own cooking TV show and transforming APU’s Dining Hall with his leadership, Maged Gerges embraces change and sees possibilities in the challenges.
Israel Dig Unearths Ancient Seal
September 08, 2016
Tips for Navigating Freshman Year from Students Who Have Been There
August 26, 2016
The first year of college is exciting, but students often feel anxiety or homesick while adapting to this new environment. The transition to college looks different for each student—no two experiences are exactly the same. It’s an important time as you shape what this journey will look like for you, and APU faculty, staff, and students are eager to come alongside and support you in this transition. Hear from some of our upperclassmen as they give insight about their freshman experience at APU.
For Coffee and Company
August 25, 2016
The delicious smell drifting in the air as you walk in; the sounds of brewing, blending, and grinding. Then, the best part—the taste of a creamy latte beautifully dressed with a foamy leaf on top. Coffee shops are among college students’ top places to study or gather, both for the caffeine fix and relaxed environment. They provide a sacred space for meeting with classmates, professors, or roommates to cultivate relationships that often extend past the college years. Whether you are an avid coffee drinker, or you enjoy a refreshing tea or pastry, you can find within a six-mile radius of Azusa Pacific University four extraordinary coffee shops frequented by APU students.
Orientation Weekend Checklist
August 15, 2016
Faculty Member Explores Japanese American Mission History
August 11, 2016
Delving into the rich history of her ethnic and spiritual heritage, Evelyn Shimazu Yee, MLIS, associate professor of University Libraries and head of community relations, conducted her sabbatical research on the stories of early California Christian missionaries. Titled California Missions: Historical Japanese-American Preservation and Research Project, her work records, catalogs, and archives photographs, artifacts, and other documents representing more than 120 years of history. The research focuses on Japanese-American Christian mission groups and may represent the first comprehensive academic faith-based ethnic archive of its kind.
Understanding FERPA
August 04, 2016
APU Offers New Bachelor’s Completion Program in Criminal Justice
August 03, 2016
Mentoring: A Journey of Compassion and Kind Curiosity
August 01, 2016
After class one day, Charity Wabuke, MFT ’12, stopped by to ask for my advice. It surprised me to hear that she, one of my most gifted students, felt insecure about her future and her ability to become a successful therapist. Although her fears were not so different from those of other aspiring students in the clinical field—“Will I be able to effectively help clients heal from their emotional pain?”—Charity shared her worries about successfully entering a new profession after working in the business world for more than a decade. “I’ve always had high expectations of myself and in sales and marketing, where I could achieve my goals through formulating strategies and meeting deadlines,” she said. “Yet, it was harder to define success in the world of counseling, where outcomes were less tangible.” That conversation marked the first of many deep and meaningful discussions about her qualifications, essential preparation to enter the field, and what goals she should set in order to rise to the top of her profession. Over the years, it turned into a mentoring relationship that continues to this day.
Full Circle
July 11, 2016
Diana Faatai, Ed.D. ’16, remembers sitting in her eighth-grade classroom in Wilmington, California, as her fellow students recounted their weekends. Some went bowling, some saw movies, but Faatai helped her father prepare and cook a pig in the backyard for her church family’s traditional Samoan feast.
In the News: Reclaiming the Term "Evangelical"
June 28, 2016
Students Share What It’s Like to Live on Campus
June 27, 2016
Living on campus—something many new students look forward to as they prepare for their first year of college. Living in community with fellow classmates is a significant part of the college experience and the transition to this new education journey.
New Program Prepares Seniors for What’s NEXT
June 27, 2016
Graduating seniors face real and perceived pressure from multiple sources as they wrap up their final year of college, and many want to be better prepared for life beyond campus. APU’s NEXT program comes alongside them, addressing a wide range of issues and ensuring a smooth transition into the next phase of their lives. This new program, an extension of the former Omega program, launched last spring with its first conference on February 23, 2016, a Ted Talk-like format that featured seven speakers and drew more than 220 seniors seeking the tools to succeed after graduation.
New Assistant Provost Named
June 20, 2016
After a six-month search, Provost Mark Stanton, Ph.D., named Rebecca Cantor, Ph.D., assistant provost on January 28, 2016. Cantor will oversee strategic academic projects, research and apply best practices in higher education, facilitate communication from the provost’s office related to important academic issues, and help advance university initiatives. Specifically, she will help support efforts to accomplish the university’s Academic Vision 2022, which outlines goals to increase APU’s academic reputation as a high-quality, comprehensive university and cultivate a culture of trust and collaboration in the pursuit of excellence.
Inclusive Excellence: Integrated and Intentional Diversity
June 20, 2016
Faculty, staff, and students often ask what I mean when I say the word DIVERSITY While the question seems straightforward, what they really want to know is: Who is included in diversity, and who is not? Does APU take a liberal or conservative approach to diversity? Is there space for people like me at the table? To begin to paint the picture of diversity within the APU mosaic, I often refer to aspects of our diversity statement in our What We Believe. It explains that diversity encompasses more than race, and includes gender, class, disability, and more. Given this context, the key questions encompass a bigger picture: Do we all really matter? And if so, how do we make diversity a more integral and transformative part of our lives—in our country, in our neighborhoods, and at Azusa Pacific University?
APU Launches New Master's in Organizational Psychology
June 02, 2016
Azusa Pacific University’s Master of Science in Organizational Psychology, launching in fall 2016, provides an education that equips students to engage in a rapidly growing line of work. Organizational psychology, sometimes referred to as industrial psychology, assists businesses in forming sustainable systems and beneficial practices that improve organizational health. A 16-22 month, 39-unit intensive course of study, APU’s M.S. in Organizational Psychology quickly prepares candidates to work within this exciting and quickly expanding field.
Congratulations, Class of 2016!
May 12, 2016
More than 2,100 Azusa Pacific graduates participated in commencement exercises on May 7, marking this significant education milestone and joining APU’s broad network of 51,000+ alumni and difference makers.
A Story of Community
May 09, 2016
As soccer practice draws to a close at Mack Avenue Community Church (MACC) Development in Detroit, Michigan, a boy runs across the field, laughing with friends and celebrating their team’s victory. Just months ago, that same boy came to his first soccer practice, quiet and withdrawn after losing his parents. But as he continued attending these MACC practices, games, and Bible studies, he slowly transformed into a joyful, vibrant boy.
Wounds into Wisdom
May 02, 2016
Jolyn Davidson, RN, M.A. ’84, always knew her life’s calling involved working with people to manage their illnesses and wounds, restoring them to health. But the path to fulfilling this calling took an unexpected turn when, in her first year as a nurse, she discovered the impact psychological patterns had on people’s physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. “I found my passion and purpose not in healing people’s physical wounds, but in attending to their mental health,” she said.
‘Battle’ Puts Student Job Interview Skills to the Test
May 02, 2016
On Wednesday, April 13, Azusa Pacific’s Center for Career and Calling hosted the final event in its Be Prepared professional development series: Battle of the Interviews. The center accepted applications for several weeks before selecting six finalists to represent their departments and interview before a panel of judges for a $500 Amazon gift card grand prize. The finalists presented their portfolios, résumés, and interview outfits, and participated in a mock interview in front of an audience of nearly 100 APU students, faculty, and staff.
Getting Around Town on the Metro Gold Line
April 28, 2016
The city of Azusa lies near the border of three counties, making it close in proximity to some of Southern California’s most-loved locations. Offering an alternate mode of public transportation, the recently completed Metro Gold Line expansion allows riders to travel from the APU/Citrus College Station in Azusa to Pasadena with ease. From there, the Gold Line continues to Union Station in Downtown L.A., giving riders access to the best that Los Angeles has to offer.
How to Find Scholarships
April 25, 2016
Higher education is one of the most important investments a person can make, yet financing a four-year university or graduate school education can seem daunting for many individuals and families. Although myriad loans exist for students with reasonable grace periods and low interest rates, the idea of acquiring debt while in school can feel like a deterrent. That’s where scholarships can help.
