News Archive
Teams That Thrive: An Interview with Author Ryan Hartwig
April 21, 2015
APU Professor Elected to National Board
April 20, 2015
The Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts selected Emily Griesinger, Ph.D., to serve a four-year term on its national board, representing 97 schools. The Lilly program seeks to strengthen the quality and shape the character of church-related institutions of learning through three initiatives. First, it offers postdoctoral teaching fellowships for students seeking teaching, scholarship, and leadership positions in Christian settings. Second, it supports students exploring vocations in church-related higher education during their first three years of graduate school in the Lilly Graduate Fellows Program. Third, it maintains a collaborative National Network of Church-related Colleges and Universities that sponsors a variety of activities and publications designed to explore the Christian character of the academic vocation and to strengthen the religious nature of church-related institutions.
New Program Streamlines Degree Completion
April 13, 2015
Less than half of American students—46 percent—finish college. In the last two decades, more than 31 million people enrolled in college but left without earning a degree or certificate, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Given the recent report published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York citing that those with bachelor’s degrees enjoy a 75 percent wage advantage over high school graduates, closing this gap could benefit millions of American families and boost the economy. However, going back to school as a working adult can be challenging at best and for many, nearly impossible.
New Dean Named for School of Business and Management
April 06, 2015
Faculty Member Named as Emerging Scholar
March 31, 2015
Diverse Issues in Higher Education recognized Rachel Gonzales-Castaneda, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, as 1 of 12 Emerging Scholars of the Year in the January 2015 issue. The publication annually honors young scholars for the uniqueness of their fields of study and their commitment to teaching.
Honors College Hosts Renowned Political Theorist
March 30, 2015
Students and faculty explored the incisive language and organic nature of America’s cardinal text, the Declaration of Independence, when the Honors College hosted Danielle S. Allen, Ph.D., during a Koch Lecture Series event on February 18, 2015. With doctorates from Cambridge University and Harvard University, Allen holds an endowed chair and teaches at Princeton University. Her APU lecture focused on her recent book, Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality (Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2014), delving into the meaning of democracy and its implications for Americans, and facilitating rigorous dialogue among attendees.
School of Nursing Receives Federal Grant to Train Mental Health Care Providers
March 09, 2015
The received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to contribute to the development and expansion of the substance abuse and mental health workforce. The department seeks to train 1,800 additional behavioral health professionals per year through this grant program.
A Tale of Two Schools
March 09, 2015
In spring 1965, Azusa College buzzed with life as students walked to and from classes, ate lunch, and met for study sessions. But one topic dominated conversations among students, teachers, and staff alike: the upcoming merger with their rival, Los Angeles Pacific College (LAPC). In the nearby community of Hermon, LAPC students discussed the same changes and anxiously anticipated moving to their rival’s campus.
APU Presents 23rd Annual Common Day of Learning
February 20, 2015
Mothers Are Leaders: An Interview with the Author/Editor
February 18, 2015
Abraham Lincoln once said, “All I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” Mothers, in most cases, are the heart of the family, helping life run smoothly. A wildly popular YouTube video from last year, “World’s Toughest Job,” showed unknowing applicants interview for a position that had 24-hour-a-day responsibilities and no pay. That daunting job turned out to be motherhood. Indeed, a mother wears many hats—communicator, multitasker, mediator, and caregiver, to name just a few.
Science Fiction Magazine Exhibit Explores Culture
February 09, 2015
University Libraries’ Special Collections hosted the “Amazing and Astounding: Science Fiction Pulp Magazines from 1920 to 1950” exhibit August 20–October 3, 2014. The display featured dozens of pulps, generously lent by collector William Lomax, Ph.D., from his collection of nearly 20,000 volumes of science fiction magazines.
Silent Beauty
January 20, 2015
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
News Set Signals Importance of Broadcast Journalism
January 19, 2015
“We’ve been able to produce stories periodically, but not an entire TV show,” said Brooke Van Dam, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication studies and journalism program coordinator, who spearheaded the project. “I hope that soon we can air a news broadcast before chapel or on closed-circuit televisions.”
Art and Soul
January 14, 2015
The River of Faith
January 12, 2015
Contrary to the popular saying, I believe it is un familiarity, not familiarity, that breeds contempt. This occurs not only when we encounter different cultures and religious beliefs, but also when we discover differing understandings, traditions, and practices of our Christian faith. Confronted with these variations, many Christians tend to withdraw from fellow believers in a veiled, yet very real, form of bias toward those who do not share the same interpretation of the history and practice of Christianity.
In the News: Rachel Gonzales-Castaneda Named Emerging Scholar
January 06, 2015
Interview with Coca-Cola Manager Camille Arnold, M.A. '11
December 18, 2014
Reporting on a Celebration of Freedom: The 25 Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
December 05, 2014
Laser light shows and musical performances from Britain's Peter Gabriel, and the German rock band Silly filled the air at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, on the evening of November 9, 2014. More than 50,000 people gathered at the historic landmark to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany. Six jumbotrons surrounded the crowd, showing pictures of the 136 refugees killed attempting to escape the infamous Berlin Wall.
Bringing God’s Kingdom to Earth
December 04, 2014
For centuries Christians have prayed, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.” But what would God’s Kingdom look like today, in the 21st century? How would the everyday Christ-follower live? The Divine Conspiracy: Continued (HarperOne, 2014), coauthored by the late theologian Dallas Willard and Gary Black Jr., Ph.D., APU theology professor, poses powerful, practical answers to these questions.
New Physical Therapy App Brings the Textbook to Life
December 04, 2014
Michael Wong, PT, DPT, O.C.S., FAAOMPT, associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, knew there was a problem in physical therapy classrooms. Students learned information from their textbooks and passed their exams, yet were not fully prepared when faced with a real patient. “A void existed between reading the textbook and sitting in front of a person experiencing terrible back pain,” said Wong. “We read and taught concepts chapter-by-chapter, but solving problems in the clinic requires connecting different areas of knowledge together.”
Final Papers? The Writing Center Can Help
December 01, 2014
With visits up 60 percent from this time last year, and more than 3,400 appointments made this semester alone, the Writing Center has seen a dramatic increase in student use. As the end of the semester draws near, the center provides a convenient and free resource to help students improve and polish those final papers.
Celebrating Christmas
November 13, 2014
For more than 30 years, Azusa Pacific University and the surrounding community have ushered in the holiday season with the musical extravaganza, Celebrate Christmas. Hosted by the Azusa Pacific School of Music, the beloved annual event features traditional carols and Christmas songs including “O Holy Night,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Away in a Manger,” “Joy to the World,” and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” This year includes reading the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke as well as a presentation by the College of Music and the Arts’ Department of Theater Arts. Celebrate Christmas began as an University Choir and Orchestra concert in the early 1980s.
School of Nursing Federal Grant Promotes Mental Health and Wellness
October 29, 2014
A recent $1.2 million federal grant will enable approximately 80 full-time Azusa Pacific University Master of Science of Nursing students in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program to gain hands-on experience through clinical practice working with children, adolescents, and transitional youth in the community facing mental health complications and substance abuse.
International Center Welcomes Students "Home"
October 27, 2014
Step inside the doors of Azusa Pacific's International Center, and you quickly see why they call all who enter “family.” On any given day, you can find Styrofoam boxes of Chinese takeout covering the table, music playing loudly (with dancing, if you’re lucky), and international and American students sitting on couches laughing, chatting, sharing a meal, and even napping. The International Center is more than an office to these students—it’s home.
New Engineering Program and Department Form to Meet High Demand
October 20, 2014
Starting this fall, students eager to compete in the complex global arena of systems engineering can prepare for the challenge at Azusa Pacific. Last June, the Academic Cabinet approved a proposal to launch a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering program. A highly marketable, interdisciplinary field, systems engineering applies standard engineering principles, processes, and practices to coordinate the various tasks of a system to ensure that performance, reliability, cost, and schedule requirements are met. Students majoring in systems engineering will be exposed to electrical, mechanical, industrial, and computer/software engineering; participate in internships and hands-on systems engineering projects with government and industry partners; and expect job opportunities in a wide range of fields, including aerospace, agriculture, automotive/transportation, business, defense, energy, health care/medical, and telecommunications.
APU Tackles the STEM Crisis
October 13, 2014
Like the school kid slumped at her desk, eyes averted, palms sweaty, praying that the teacher won’t summon her to the chalkboard, the United States sits at the back of the global classroom fidgeting uncomfortably under the glare of its peers. Once unrivaled as the world’s top producer of research scientists and engineers, and uncontested as the leader of commerce and industry, the U.S. now lags in the critical areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), ranking 26th among developed nations in mathematics literacy and 21st in science literacy according to the Program for International Student assessment (PISA).
The Courage to Speak
October 08, 2014
The Science of Creation
October 06, 2014
The latest astronomical breakthrough relating to the origin of the universe rocked the world of science—and affirmed the traditional Judeo-Christian view of a Genesis 1:1 beginning. Announced March 17, 2014, scientists detected evidence for gravitational waves, ripples in the space-time fabric of the universe. Touted as evidence for inflation (the faster-than-the-speed-of-light, early expansion of the newborn universe), the discovery confirms the gravity waves predicted by Einstein’s theory of general relativity and lends credence to the idea of a grand unified theory.
Amazed and Astounded: Sci Fi Pulp Magazine Exhibit Explores Culture
October 02, 2014
Bright colors, bold typography, and whimsical images decorate the glass cases in Azusa Pacific’s Darling Library. Heroes, monsters, and villains alike pose dramatically across magazine covers, promising passersby tales of adventure and fanciful places. Welcome to the world of science fiction pulp magazines.
Gospel Music: Unity Through Diversity
October 02, 2014
Rolling rhythms, pounding beats. Clapping hands, shouts of “Amen!” Gospel music’s distinct sounds draw from traditional African music, African-American slave spirituals, the smooth voices of blues singers, and contemporary worship. For generations, it has brought encouragement to people from all backgrounds. At concerts throughout the year, APU’s Gospel Choir invites diverse audiences of students, faculty, and community members to experience this heartfelt worship.
Going Deep in the Honors College
September 19, 2014
As a student, the term “honors” was never a choice for me. A self-described overachiever, I enrolled in the high school honors program at my alma mater, as any good student with an eye on college would do. I anticipated a similar experience journeying to Azusa Pacific University as a member of the newly formed Honors College. However, what I discovered was a faculty that strives to enhance the learning experience rather than burden students with extra assignments. The Honors College at Azusa Pacific is not another reward or “academic achievement” stamp on a résumé, but rather a genuine opportunity to pursue a more rigorous education.
APU's Night of Champions Celebrates 30 Years of Outreach
July 28, 2014
A Servant's Pursuit of Justice
July 18, 2014
As he enters the courtroom, Mike Hestrin, JD, Riverside County district attorney, senses the pressure of the cases at hand demanding justice. Amidst the courtroom procedures and legal intricacies, one thing remains foremost in his mind: serving the victims and their loved ones. “As district attorney, I seek justice for them and all of society,” said Hestrin.
Double Life
July 14, 2014
On a typical Wednesday evening, Officer David Hedges ’88 of the Santa Barbara Police Department returns home after a long day of work as a detective and burglary investigator. He pulls into his driveway, enjoys dinner with his family, then sits at his desk . . . to work on his screenplay.
The Purposeful Climb: Celebrating 40 Years of Walkabout
June 18, 2014
In summer 1997, as a 19-year-old student, I stood with a 40-pound pack on my back, gazing up at the steep mountainside I was expected to climb in zigzag fashion through a series of seemingly endless switchbacks. I watched as my teammates snaked their way along the trail with such skill and thought, “I don’t know if I can do this.”
Azusa Pacific University Awarded $3 Million Grant
May 15, 2014
APU Opera Supports Local Arts Education
May 13, 2014
Dozens of eager children pour out of packed school buses and into the corridors of Munson Chapel. They are here on campus to see music come alive through the opera.
APU Alumni Share Tips for Life After Graduation
April 29, 2014
New Name, Same Mission
April 28, 2014
The Benefits of Summer Internships
April 25, 2014
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.
Israel Dig Unearths Ancient Treasure
February 21, 2014