News Archive
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
Building Bridges/Construiendo Puentes
December 03, 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.
Cougar Interview - Luke Kupersmith ’02
October 28, 2013
APU LIFE: How did Source Consulting get its start?
Azusa Pacific Dedicates New Inland Empire Regional Center
September 04, 2013
Personalizing Cancer Chemotherapy: One Size Does Not Fit All
August 19, 2013
Cancer—few other words incite such fear and confusion as this pervasive disease.
University Recognized on President's Community Service Honor Roll
August 19, 2013
For the fifth year, Azusa Pacific University earned inclusion on the with Distinction, making APU one of only four schools in California to have received this national award five times. The highest federal recognition of university service efforts, this honor distinguishes APU as a leader in civic engagement and service-learning, demonstrating the university’s commitment to building community partnerships, strengthening neighborhoods, and fulfilling a mission of serving as a Christian university.
Christianity and Literature Conference Hosted
August 12, 2013
More than 80 faculty members and students from a broad range of disciplines gathered at Azusa Pacific to present research, explore the role of faith and community in writing, and pursue literary excellence at the 2013 Western Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature (CCL)held May 16–18. Attendees hailed from APU and universities around the nation and the world (Scotland, Japan, Dubai), offering innovative ideas and recent research on Christianity and literature, obtaining valuable critiques, and broadening their understanding of topics related to the conference theme, “The Company of Others: Literary Collaboration and the Common Good.”
These Graduation Shoes Are Made for Walking
July 30, 2013
APU's Kresge Plaza Undergoes Construction
July 10, 2013
“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3
Sisters, Science, and Salvation
July 08, 2013
Cougar Interview - Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla '82
July 03, 2013
Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla ’82 (D-Concord) represents California’s 14th Assembly District. As chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, she fought to minimize budget cuts to the Cal Grant program, a funding initiative that makes attending private universities a reality for many California students, including 18 percent of APU students. Bonilla’s efforts resulted in the passage of bills that increased funding for veterans, saved transitional kindergarten from elimination, and provided adequate training for teachers. Recently, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) named her Policy Maker of the Year for her work strengthening higher education in California. APU LIFE: Why is it important to invest in educational initiatives like Cal Grants? Bonilla: California must invest in higher education if we want to see economic growth.
Filmmakers Transforming Lives
July 02, 2013
Tackling Stereotypes
June 10, 2013
For those who see the sport as violent and uncongenial to women, Gorman has a ready response. “It is a sport of strategy,” she explains. “It’s like chess. Everyone on the field must understand her own role and how she contributes. Brute force alone won’t do it.”
APU’s Joel Clifft Releases Updated Version of Music App
May 16, 2013
Clifft created Music Theory Pro to make music education both attainable and enjoyable. Formatted as a game, players answer music-related questions, such as locating particular notes on a digital keyboard, as quickly as they can. Similar to how music students learn in the classroom, users can practice naming notes on the piano and on the staff. Questions are both visual and auditory so players fully integrate musical concepts, and as they progress, they master key signatures, intervals, and chords. Music Theory Pro allows users to view and share their scores on social media platforms, creating a type of friendly competition.
Psychology Professor Provides Clues about Autism Causality through Birth Order Study
May 13, 2013
More children are diagnosed with autism each year than juvenile diabetes, AIDS, and cancer combined. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism now affects 1 in 88 American children, prompting researchers to scramble for answers. Hoping to provide a significant piece to this complex puzzle, Loren Martin, Ph.D., APU professor and director of research for the Department of Graduate Psychology, published the results of his groundbreaking study linking birth order to autism severity in the November 30, 2012, issue of PLOS ONE, a leading peer-reviewed scientific journal.
The Coming Crisis: Helping Families Care for Their Aging Parents
May 06, 2013
It began with a fall–well, several falls actually. My mother, an active senior citizen living independently in a retirement community in the Chicago area, fell while gardening. She suffered a subdural bleed that required holes burred into her skull to relieve the pressure. Though identified as a fall-risk patient, she fell an additional five times while in the hospital. The next bur hole procedure nicked her brain and rendered her unstable on her left side. That’s when we moved my mom to California and began the journey of caring for an aging parent.
Revisiting Life Behind the Berlin Wall
April 22, 2013
In March, thousands of German citizens gathered in East Berlin to protest the removal of the last remaining sections of the Berlin Wall to make room for a modern housing development. “Many Germans treasure the remains of the wall as a sober reminder of East Germany’s Communist era so today’s generation will not forget those days of oppression and a divided country,” said Jim Willis, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Communication Studies.
China's Explosive Economy: Help or Harm?
April 22, 2013
As the Boeing 737 descends toward the Chengdu airport, behind me sit two elderly Chinese farmers with their toddler grandson. Intimidated by the flight attendant who firmly scolded them to sit down and fasten their seatbelts for the landing, the couple spread out newspapers and allow their grandson to relieve himself right on the floor of the plane.
APU Unveils Knowledge Over Time Mural
April 17, 2013
As the world celebrates the 500th anniversary of Michelangelo’s legendary frescoes on the ceiling of Rome’s Sistine Chapel, 50 Azusa Pacific University students created their own masterpiece that pays homage to his most famous panel, “The Creation of Adam.” The iconic image of God’s finger touching that of man’s is depicted in the first section of a 15-foot wall mural, entitled Knowledge Over Time, recently installed adjacent to Darling Library, in Duke Academic Complex.
APU Brings Real-world Finance Simulation to Local High School Students
April 08, 2013
APU partnered with the Azusa Unified School District and the Southern California Edison Federal Credit Union Foundation last October to teach 60 local highschoolers valuable money management skills. The event, called Mad City Money, drew students from Azusa and Gladstone high schools who belong to Think Together, one of California’s largest providers of after-school tutoring, as well as APU undergraduate students in the Personal Finance course.
God at the Oscars
March 25, 2013
I can’t remember when the subject of God infused the films recognized at the Oscars like it did this year. It testifies to the power of story to shape and set the wet concrete of cultural imagination. To use a phrase from last year’s Oscar-nominated Moneyball, the medium holds a unique ability to “change the game” in ways few others can. God has always been a part of humanity’s best stories—if not their writer, director, and lead or best-supporting actor.
New Vice Provost Named
March 25, 2013
began her new role as vice provost for undergraduate programs on January 1, 2013. As a recognized leader and scholar in pediatric nursing with a long history of important contributions to her discipline and the university, Bowden stands eminently qualified to help APU grow and strengthen under the Shared Vision 2022.
APU Names Dean of New Honors College
March 13, 2013
Why Do We Study Abroad?
March 08, 2013
Over the past 20 years, the number of American students who study abroad has steadily risen, according to a report by the Institute of International Education.
Crystal Munoz ’12 Crowned Miss California Latina
February 12, 2013
At the Miss California Latina pageant award ceremony last November, Crystal Munoz ’12 stood in disbelief, humbled and thankful as the winning crown was placed upon her head.
Establishing A College Connection
February 12, 2013
Students and their families had the opportunity to spend a day on campus with Azusa Pacific students, faculty, and staff. Focused on this year’s theme, “Dream and Achieve,” Connections offered informational panels and workshops to the 400 guests, which included students and their families. Panels covered topics such as financial aid and scholarships, studying abroad, student organizations, and academic departments. Families also toured campus; heard stories of current APU students; and were entertained by performances from Gospel Choir, the step team, and the poetry slam team.
Called to the Show
February 04, 2013
General Manager Chris Antonetti did call someone to the Show that day, but not a player—he promoted Niebla to major league interim pitching coach. A lifetime of playing and coaching prepared Niebla for the job, but not for the moment. Temporarily stunned, a flurry of thoughts and emotions ran through him, but barely surfaced for others to see. Then, with his signature poise and composure, he calmly accepted his dream job.
Applying to Graduate School: Infrequently Asked Questions
December 11, 2012
Good students may not necessarily achieve the scores they want without adequate preparation. “The GRE is actually about test-taking strategies,” says Bentz. “Students can find the answers without solving the whole problem.” Students can take a prep course, study independently, or combine both approaches. The key is to begin preparing early.
Neuromarketing: How Retailers Get in Your Head
December 03, 2012
When Thomas Rotthowe, MBA ’93, DBA, walks into his local Starbucks in Munich, Germany, he sees more than a coffee shop—he sees a retail environment tailored to underlying processes in the customer’s brain. An expert in neuromarketing, a new field that focuses on consumers’ brain patterns during purchase decisions, Rotthowe’s work represents an innovative approach to marketing and heralds a shift in the way manufacturers, retailers, and marketers do business.
Alumni Spotlight: Olympic Water Polo Coach Dan Klatt M.S. ’10
November 16, 2012
The APU Computer Store Offers Top Value and Service
November 15, 2012
While Apple computer stores are known for their clean, sleek environment and friendly employees, Azusa Pacific University’s own Computer Store strives to bring a similar atmosphere to campus. Functioning on a solely nonprofit basis, the Computer Store sells all merchandise at wholesale and educational discount prices, and keeps APU on the forefront of technology by offering new Apple products upon release.
The APU Computer Store: A Valuable Service to the University
November 15, 2012
While Apple computer stores are known for their clean, sleek environment and friendly employees, Azusa Pacific University’s own Computer Store strives to bring a similar atmosphere to campus. Functioning on a solely nonprofit basis, the Computer Store sells all merchandise at wholesale and educational discount prices, and keeps APU on the forefront of technology by offering new Apple products upon release.
Modern-Day Samaritans
November 05, 2012
In stark contrast, the priest’s and Levite’s actions clearly characterize them as indifferent to the suffering of others. According to Martin Luther King Jr., “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” The Samaritan did what was right, despite the burden the decision carried. In fact, the Samaritan risked his life to assist his wounded neighbor. King, who related helping the neighbor to assisting persecuted African Americans in their fight for not only basic civil and judicial rights, but also dignity and respect from others, thought of this parable and its application to present-day social justice when he wrote his well-known sermon “On Being a Good Neighbor.” King believed so strongly in the dignity of all that he vehemently opposed radical modes of protesting when his movement’s opponents moved toward reconciliation. He kept this goal in sight, dismissed the temptation to take revenge, and gained the increased respect of his adversaries as well as the occasional sharp criticism of his more acrimonious colleagues.
Meet Nicole Johnny, Senior Business Student
October 25, 2012
Johnny, a full Navajo, grew up in Crystal, a small town on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. There she was surrounded by Navajo culture, especially in the form of arts and crafts. She knows firsthand the hard work required to create Navajo art. “I come from a weaving family,” she said. “My great-great grandmother and my great-grandmother wove, and today I, along with my grandmother, mother, and even brothers, continue the tradition.” Johnny’s grandmother, now 83, has been weaving traditional Navajo rugs since age 9.
Students Give Back to Their New Community Through City Links
October 18, 2012
During three days of service on September 22, 29, and October 6, more than 1,200 freshman—the largest incoming class in APU history—served approximately 100 individuals and organizations through community projects in Azusa, Glendora, Pomona, Covina, Duarte, San Dimas, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, and Los Angeles.
Scholarship Honors Retiring Azusa Superintendent
October 04, 2012
Meet Terry Dobson, Professor of Graphic Design and Former Disney Imagineer
October 04, 2012
After a dream career designing for Disney, Terry Dobson joins APU’s Department of Art and Design, where he teaches the next generation of graphic designers to use their art to make a difference in the world.
Abel Beth Maacah: Beneath the Surface of Israel
September 25, 2012
I first learned about Abel Beth Maacah some 35 years ago as a young graduate student at the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem (now Jerusalem University College). Abel Beth Maacah was one of ancient Israel’s northern guardian cities along with Ijon and Dan. All three stand in the shadow of Mt. Hermon, Israel’s tallest mountain and the possible location of Jesus’ transfiguration (Matthew 17:1).
Meet Dr. Verónica A. Gutiérrez, Professor of Latin American History
September 20, 2012
Gutiérrez, who grew up in Arizona but whose family has lived in Texas since colonial times, said that as a child she struggled to understand and value her Latino heritage. Although currently a scholar of Latin American history, Gutiérrez did not learn Spanish until she was 30. She said that her family believed teaching her the language as a child would make her the target of discrimination. As a result, she came to believe that being American meant she should speak English exclusively.
One Stop Opens Its Doors
August 27, 2012
The new One Stop: Undergraduate Enrollment Services Center officially opened its doors on August 15, offering a central location for undergraduate student registration and financial services.