APU InformationAPU President Ferguson Announces RetirementThe 17th President of Azusa Pacific University, Dr. Paul Ferguson makes a significant announcement to the APU community. Read the full letter. Congratulations Class of 2021!Please join the Office of Alumni Engagement in welcoming our recent graduates into the Cougar Community! Congratulations to our new alumni for accomplishing a significant milestone. Click above to view the ConGRADulations Drive-Thru event. Supporting Academic Success for Minority Students: APU Named Top 100 Degree ProducerAzusa Pacific University wants every student to experience academic success and fulfill their unique calling. In light of this goal and in recognition of the success of its students, APU was recently named a Top 100 Degree Producer by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. This distinction is given to institutions that bestow the most degrees to minority students. Read the full article. God Turn It AroundThe APU Office of Corporate Worship produced a music video featuring undergraduate students involved in the 2020-2021 Chapel Band. The collection of prayers and declarations contained in the song, "God Turn it Around,” delivers a powerful message of hope in Jesus. Please enjoy the video. Alumni AcademyWould you like to recreate your college classroom experience and invoke lifelong learning? Then subscribe today to APU's Alumni YouTube Channel where you can view faculty experts as they share fascinating information in their area of expertise! APU Alumni StoriesFaith & Hope, A Documentary That Tells the Story of APU's Nisei HonoreesAPU presents a documentary on the internment of 120,000 Asian Americans in America's concentration camps during WWII and the effect of Assembly Bill 37, which granted honorary degrees to former students who were affected by Executive Order 9066. This film features former Pacific Bible College, LAPC, and students from our Training School for Christian Workers. Watch the full documentary through APU Digital Archives. Using Biblical Lament to Fight RacismA few years ago, Azusa Pacific Seminary theology professors Rob Muthiah, PhD, and Brian Lugioyo, PhD, while co-teaching a class on Christian ethics, launched a discussion with their students about how the seminary might fight racism. Together, they came up with the idea of a campus-wide worship service of lament. That service led to further conversations that expanded into the Lamenting Racism project, a series of six thought-provoking videos that invite church groups to practice biblical lament as a tool to fight racism.The project team included Azusa Pacific Seminary faculty members as well as alumni who are local pastors. Read the full article. Alumni Opportunities and EventsAlumni Virtual Events of 2020-2021Thank you for joining our virtual events during the 2020-21 academic year. Alumni from across the globe joined us for community-building experiences and opportunities to have fun! Enjoy the photo collage of some of our past events: 5K run, Art Night, Chef Demo, National Day of Prayer, Tie Dye Extravaganza, and Lessons in Self-Defense. Thanks to all who participated! Live, Virtual Watercolor ClassThe Office of Alumni Engagement invites you to let your artistic side out for an exciting live, virtual Watercolor Class on Wednesday, July 14, 6-6:25 p.m. (PDT). Update your plain-card envelopes, gift tags, or vacation stationary with the colorful media of watercolors. Using colors of your choice, abstract watercolor design will wow your recipient! Whether you have dabbled in watercolors before, or it's your first time, this class is for you! This creative experience is just $5, and preregistration is required. Register here. Alumni BenefitsCheck for more Alumni privileges and discounts available to you. Nationwide Airport Parking Discounts (including LAX) at The Parking SpotReceive a 15% alumni discount in all 22 markets in nearly 40 locations when you park your car! Sign up through The Parking Spot App. Select Join and on Step 3, enter code: APU1899. Visit The Parking Spot website today and sign up. Computer Store Alumni SaleThe APU Computer Store proudly presents our Alumni-Only Sale! All devices will be available for purchase with prices set way below retail. Now is the time to get the tech you need! Shop online. If you need help choosing what device is right for you, please contact the Computer Store at (626) 815-5096. Alumni UpdatesIf you have any news you’d like to share with the alumni community through our newsletter—such as career or education accomplishments, a wedding announcement, or additions to your family, to name just a few— let us know! Tina (Azevedo ’88) CouncilorTina received her second master’s degree in early childhood education from Grand Canyon University in 2019. On March 22, 2021, she married the love of her life, Patrick Councilor. Congratulations, newlyweds! Ramon Ricabal '99For the last 10 years, Ramon has been working at Cox Automotive, Manheim division. Manheim is the leader in the automotive wholesale space supplying more than 50% of the used car inventory nationwide. He leads one of two sales teams in Southern California. Mark Storer, MA '99After 30 years in the classroom, including earning an MA in Curriculum and Instruction in 1999, Mark retired and relocated to Washington with his family. He will be an adjunct teaching at a local community college. Happy retirement, Mark! Dave Milbrandt, '06Dave was the publications editor for APU Life 20 years ago. Since then, he has taught at APU and earned a teaching credential from the School of Education. When he is not teaching, he is often writing. His latest novel, Fool’s Luck, is being published and released in July, 2021. Maya Heffernan, MA '12Maya became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 2019. Currently, she is working in a private practice in San Diego after several years of working in various mental health agencies. She is also on staff at her local church. Mayra Bedolla-Lopez, MA '13Mayra, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, recently launched her online counseling business focusing her work with college students/young adults. Scott J. Dinsfriend, MA '17Scott, a PhD music composition student at University of Oregon, was selected to compose an orchestra piece for an Advanced String Orchestra in Keizer, Oregon. The work, Zelena, premiered at the Oregon Music Education Association in 2020, and was published by World Projects Corp. Jacqueline Davis, MA '18Jacqueline had her baby girl in July 2020. She works as a child abuse treatment therapist, and teaches parenting classes to parents with open Child Protective Services cases and running behavioral groups for toddlers. She is currently working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Brendan Prout, MA '20Brendan is a published book author, contributing to Superhero Grief: The Transformative Power of Loss. It was released in hardcover, audio, and digital formats this spring, and has been adopted as a textbook by several universities. Give a GiftYou have an opportunity to impact the life of a current APU student by donating toward student scholarships. Click here for a list of giving opportunities! If you want to learn more about academic and co-curricular activities at APU, please review the following newsletters shared with the APU community. Follow us on social media to stay connected and informed. |