News Archive
Dark Matter
July 16, 2012
From orphans pursued by a larcenous relative to wizards battling for control of a magical realm and vampires and werewolves contesting for love and blood, to quasi-gladiatorial bouts to decide who gets to live—works by such authors as Lemony Snicket, J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, and Suzanne Collins become cultural phenomena, filling bookstore shelves and evolving into blockbuster movies. Many parents and educators express concern over the depiction of raw violence and exploration of dark themes in children’s and young adult fiction, not to mention the films that follow them. They ask three questions: Will this material harm impressionable, young minds? Why is such violent, supernatural, and dystopian fare now popular? What should we do?
Faculty Appointed Editors of International Journal
May 07, 2012
After a highly competitive selection process, one of the world’s leading publishers of scholarly journals recently named APU Department of Doctoral Higher Education professors Karen Longman, Ph.D., and Laurie Schreiner, Ph.D., as the new editors of Christian Higher Education: An International Journal of Research, Theory, and Practice. This peer-reviewed journal, which is interdenominational and interdisciplinary in scope, publishes original research, meta-analyses, analytical essays, book reviews, and descriptions of best practices informed by empirical research.
Modern-day Tentmaker
April 30, 2012
Holguin’s assignment (completed with two classmates as part of his MBA capstone class) required the creation of a comprehensive business plan that incorporated all aspects of previous coursework: accounting, human resources, marketing, operations, economics, and international business. Holguin’s idea has since turned into reality. He started multiple businesses in the marketplace with the sole purpose of funneling funds into overseas ministry efforts.
Film Program Receives Grant from Hollywood Foreign Press
April 23, 2012
For the second consecutive year, Azusa Pacific University’s Department of Theater, Film, and Television received a $7,500 grant from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), supporting student filmmakers with their projects and giving them invaluable filmmaking experience. Other beneficiaries include the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Columbia University, Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, and New York University.
Freshman Dorms Participate in Water Conserving Competition
April 19, 2012
“This competition is a way to teach students that to be green means not to waste,” said Toney Snyder, assistant director of environmental stewardship. “Jesus cared about the planet and we as believers have a responsibility to be aware of our resource usage and to conserve. Our goal is to train students to develop better conservation habits.” Students were given practical tips on how to save water, such as turning off the faucet while they brush their teeth, and adjusting shower heads to reduce water pressure.
Scholarship Supports Students Committed to Working with Persons with Disabilities
April 19, 2012
Students pursuing careers working with persons with disabilities received a significant boost toward their goal in fall 2011 with the distribution of APU’s Joni Eareckson Tada Scholarship, which helps identify, encourage, train, and prepare undergraduate social work and practical theology students called to that work. The first award went to Angelica Guangorena ’12, with seven more scholarships earmarked for APU students throughout the next three years.
Forgiveness Takes Practice(s)
April 03, 2012
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray so the world would know they were His followers, He taught them a prayer in which one of the central tenets is to “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Forgiveness is not optional for Christ followers. In fact, it stands as a primary virtue that defines Christian faith. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, true forgiveness is not fully possible apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. Platitudes like “just forgive and forget” not only trivialize the challenge of forgiveness, but also heap additional guilt on people struggling to forgive those who have hurt them. How can the people of God learn to forgive as Christ has forgiven us?
APU Names Dean of the School of Education
March 06, 2012
Hope in Motion
March 05, 2012
A once-lonely girl with clubbed feet now joins her friends as they play and laugh away lazy afternoons. In a few years, she’ll attend school and obtain an education that may change her life profoundly, pulling her out of a life of poverty and into a world of new opportunities. Along with 120 others last summer, this young girl received a wheelchair manufactured by Free Wheelchair Mission (FWM) and distributed by Nick Felipe, DPT ’11; Jaclyn Trotter, DPT ’11; and Brittani Lenae Cain, DPT ’11, third-year students in APU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program who traveled to Zambia in June 2011. The trip started as the fulfillment of their residency requirement, but became so much more.
Marriage Conference Helps Refresh Marriages
March 01, 2012
“My husband and I had never been to a marriage building seminar before, but were interested in attending one that had a biblical foundation and hearing about how to better a marriage with Christ,” said Cindy Olson, one of the conference’s attendees. “The biggest thing the conference provided us with was a reminder of the value of communication. We benefited from hearing Jim and Doug speak about simple tools that can be used to produce healthy communication within marriage. It is absolutely an event that I would recommend to other couples and one that we look forward to attending again next year.”
The Great American Work Ethic
February 20, 2012
Those values and lessons still exist in the 21st-century workplace and in the ethos of exceptional corporate executives like Jim Lee ’74, president and chief operating officer of Stater Bros. Markets. Lee credits his parents, who weathered the Dust Bowl days with hard work and instilled in him a strong faith, with his personal and professional success. “My dad served in World War II and then worked two jobs most of his life while my mom worked as a hairdresser for more than 50 years,” said Lee. “They rarely had new clothes, but they always had clean clothes, and they taught me by example that love and respect mattered more than dollars and cents.”
Clinical Counseling Certificate Added
February 15, 2012
“Adding the LPCC program positions APU ahead of the curve,” said David Morrison, Ed.D., professor and chair in the Department of School Counseling and School Psychology. “Thanks in large part to faculty member Paul Bernard, who helped develop the program and serves as the coordinator, APU stands as one of the first schools in California to offer this program. We anticipate a great increase in enrollment in coming semesters and expect the LPCC certificate to make a positive impact in mental health care programs.”
APU's New Accounting School Stresses Ethics
January 03, 2012
Beyond Measure
December 26, 2011
APU Receives Grant from Hollywood Foreign Press
December 12, 2011
Modern Stained Glass: Recontextualizing the Traditional Framework of the King James Bible
October 24, 2011
Through tradition, the King James Bible formed a cultural framework for biblical reference. Its formal cadence and Gregorian tradition endured controversy and time, forging a legacy still relevant today. Quoted and referenced by modern icons as diverse as Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Bono, the ascribed 17th century prose consistently proves its adaptability to a contemporary context. Its ability to influence and contextualize underscores its universal authority.
Censoring A Classic
October 24, 2011
As a literature professor, I see daily how words inspire, challenge, and offend. Every year, I kick off my American Literature survey course with Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn so that my students can explore the impact of words for themselves.
Why the King James Version Is Still My Favorite Bible
October 24, 2011
Surely this translation conveys the Hebrew Scriptures with more power and majesty than any contemporary translation possibly could. The detractors call the language of the King James Version (KJV) archaic. Archaic, perhaps; unintelligible, no. We may no longer use verb forms such as “crieth,” “wanteth,” or “saith,” but we all know what they mean. And because the King James Version is both archaic and intelligible, it resonates richly in both liturgical use and pulpit preaching.
The Influence of the King James Bible on English Literature
October 24, 2011
Dictionary-maker Noah Webster once said, “The language of the Bible has no inconsiderable influence in forming and preserving our national [American] language.” More recently, however, theologian Alister McGrath proclaimed it “is a model English text, which can be studied as a landmark in the history of the English language, and is to be seen as a major influence on English literature.”
New Dining Experiences
October 12, 2011
NCAA DII: A New Era for APU Athletics
September 20, 2011
Battlefields come in varied forms. For athletes, whether they compete on a court, field, pool, or track, the real contest takes place in the hearts and minds of each team and individual. As they face their opponent, they summon years of mental and physical training, courage, and an inner drive. Christian athletes also face one more challenge—to perform at the highest level with honesty and integrity, honoring God in word and deed while serving as salt and light to the world.
Meet Your New Campus Pastor
September 14, 2011
Adams, who relocated from New Jersey, brings more than five years of youth ministry experience to the position. The Princeton Theological Seminary graduate has a passion for working with college students. She started her own campus ministry, Chosen Generation Ministries, as an undergraduate at Temple University in Pennsylvania, and most recently served as director of youth ministries at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens.
College: Still a Great Investment
September 12, 2011
As the nation’s economy stagnates, and unemployment rates remain high, many are asking, “Is college really a good investment?”
Thriving in College
September 05, 2011
Grades and graduation have defined college student success for decades. But research conducted by faculty and students in APU’s doctoral programs in higher education offers a new vision for student success—one that encompasses the whole person and focuses on not just surviving college, but also thriving. Studying what helps students thrive provides a way for researchers at APU to accomplish its mission to “advance the work of God in the world” by identifying the abundant living possible during the college years.
Azusa Pacific Adds New Degree Option for Theater Majors
August 22, 2011
Resting from the Work: Observing Sabbath in a Hurried World
July 11, 2011
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blesses the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” —Genesis 2:2-3
Summer Reflection Brings Connection
June 23, 2011
School is out for the summer and students are focused on relaxation rather than studying for exams and writing final papers. Both educators and students alike struggle to ensure that classroom learning is not lost during summer break, but what about the spiritual growth students experienced last semester? With chapel, D–groups, outreach ministries, and fellowship with other believers to keep students engaged throughout the school year, how do they continue the renewing of their relationship with God over the summer?
Best Places for Student Prayer
June 03, 2011
Since 1899, Azusa Pacific University has held tightly to it's God First motto, encouraging students to grow in their relationship with God and offering quiet places on campus to enable students to spend time in prayer and worship. Some of these places are designated for prayer, and others are somewhat unknown. Here are some of the best places on campus to pray or just reflect.
Storytelling Brings Literature to Life
June 01, 2011
Adrien Lowery, Ph.D., associate professor of English, believes that storytelling in the classroom helps stimulate the student’s mind to comprehend and dive deeper into the literary world. “Storytelling makes the story come alive. Students hear the characters and can envision their actions, ultimately having a little fun enjoying stories while we are discussing them,” she said.
Missions Teams: Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus
April 22, 2011
On Saturday, April 9, Azusa Pacific University’s Office of World Missions (OWM) held their annual Commissioning Service for the 32 Focus International missions teams traveling this spring and summer. Approximately 220 participants will go to 20 different countries to spread God’s Word. The evening included worship, celebration, communion, and prayer for the teams, their family, and friends.
Mark Stanton Named Azusa Pacific’s Fourth Provost
April 21, 2011
APU Mobile Honored By Webby Awards
April 19, 2011
Azusa Pacific Mobile was recently recognized as an official honoree in the 15th Annual Webby Awards. The Webby Awards is the Internet's most respected symbol of success.
Eight Ways APU Stays Green
April 19, 2011
April 22. Earth Day. One day out of the year to serve as a reminder of the steps each person can take to help steward and protect Earth's resources.
Under the Influence: California's Intoxicating Spiritual, Cultural Influence on America
March 28, 2011
When I was a graduate student in Kentucky, I met a toddler at church who confided to me that he wanted to be a missionary to Mars or California. Although I smiled at this, in a way, he’d confirmed my suspicions that I had grown up in some image of “outer space,” and this before the nationwide diffusion of the Planet Hollywood franchise. Picturing the toxic gasses surrounding Mars, I sensed that much of California, especially Southern California, was in need of rescue—not so that it could align itself with the well-behaved Midwest, but so that it could be revived from a sort of mass-produced stupor, one that I now realize, after much research and analysis, seeks to anesthetize people to actual human experience, relationships, environment, and, I fear, the true God.
The Girl Next Door: A Christian Response to Human Trafficking
March 14, 2011
She rises before dawn to begin her work, preparing for her employer’s day. She packs lunches, cleans rooms, scrubs floors, washes clothes, cooks meals. She’s grown accustomed to hunger; her meals consist of quickly eaten bites in the solitude of her quarters. She labors dutifully and silently for upwards of 16–18 hours a day with little to no contact with the outside world. She’s long since given up hope of earning her family’s financial freedom. In all her years here, she’s never once seen evidence that her family even knows where she is, much less receives payment for her services. She feels lost, forgotten, and as she collapses onto her cot after another exhausting day, she listens to the sounds of the city outside her window and knows she is utterly alone.
The Love of the Run
March 07, 2011
It’s often not about the time it takes to finish, or about winning. Most marathon runners participate as recreational athletes, testing their mental and physical strength as they run and walk 26.1 miles.
WASC Update: Faith Integration
March 01, 2011
“Our goal is to advance our students’ understanding of these central concepts of the academic vision and how to incorporate them into their personal, academic, and professional lives,” said Vicky Bowden, DNSc, RN, professor of nursing and WASC accreditation liaison officer. After much prayer, research, and approval from the Faculty Senate, APU defines faith integration as: “Informed reflection on the discovery of Christian faith within the academic disciplines, professional programs, and lived practice, resulting in the articulation of Christian perspectives on truth and life in order to advance the work of God in the world.” This definition aligns with APU’s vision and mission statements and provides a framework upon which to build a solid structure of faith integration across disciplines. Faith integration develops the relationship between Christian faith and human knowledge as expressed in various academic disciplines (faith and learning) and through cocurricular programs. At APU, faith integration finds especially fertile ground in the Student Life division (faith and living). Through the Offices of the Campus Pastors and Chapel Programs, and the Center for Student Action, students learn to incorporate their faith into every aspect of their lives, from participation in chapel and spiritual mentoring relationships, to local community service and world missions opportunities. “St. Augustine defined the purpose of education as teaching students ‘to love well,’” said Rev. Chris Adams, Ph.D., associate campus pastor for community care. “Students will not be interested in integrating a Christian worldview into any given discipline if they do not first have a commitment to the Christian life in a fundamentally personal sense that includes learning to love God with their minds and hearts.”
Nursing Simulation Labs Come to Regional Centers
February 10, 2011
Human patient simulation provides interactive, life-sized mannequins that replicate real human functions, allowing nursing students to gain experience before they work in a hospital setting. Students put their classroom learning into action while dealing with the psychosocial elements of nurse-patient interaction. They are able to experiment on the simulator before implementing their ideas and theories on a human patient. Then students watch a recording of the session in order to better understand what they did right and what needs to be fixed.
What Does it Mean to Embody God’s love?
February 07, 2011
“Justice Week is not just one week out of the year where we pay attention to God’s call to live justly, but it is a reminder that we have been called to live God’s Kingdom justice daily,” said Azusa Pacific Pastor Woody Moorwood, who introduced Justice Week at chapel on January 24.
Apple Challenges Faculty to “Think Different”
February 04, 2011
On Thursday, February 3, more than 60 Azusa Pacific faculty from across university disciplines gathered in the School of Education’s Emerging Technology Center to be challenged by Apple to “think different.”
Values and Ethos
January 18, 2011
Since its founding 111 years ago, Azusa Pacific University has periodically taken time to examine the university’s core values in substantive ways, and this 2010–11 academic year marks the launch of an important season of reaffirmation. As cultural trends and social values evolve, we must intentionally think about how APU fulfills its mission and maintains its strong position as an evangelical Christian university.
The Historical Jesus as a Defense for the Christian Faith
January 14, 2011
On January 11, William Lane Craig, Ph.D., a current research professor at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, presented at APU as the kickoff speaker in the Spring 2011 Science, Faith, and Culture lecture series hosted by APU's Center for Research in Science (CRIS). More than 100 students and faculty members gathered in Munson Chapel to hear Craig speak about the historical Jesus in his lecture: Historical Texts, Historical Savior: Answering Bart Ehrman’s Critique of the Historical Jesus.
In the News: APU Alumni in the News
January 14, 2011
The APU Cornerstones
January 03, 2011
Note: The following excerpt is taken from President Jon R. Wallace’s Orientation chapel message to new students and families. View the . At our annual faculty/staff Kickoff, we talked about our : Christ, Scholarship, Community, and Service. Four artists—three art faculty and an art student—stood before four easels as they painted their understanding of each one of those cornerstones.