Finding Hope in the Ashes:
Los Angeles Fires
In the aftermath of January’s Los Angeles fires, APU alumni provided financial support for students, faculty, and staff directly affected. Current students were also quick to step into the roles God called them to, mere miles from APU’s main campus, and serve communities in ways that touched the lives of fire victims.
A.J. Parnell Named the Next Head Coach of Azusa Pacific Football
Dan Ploog Named the New Head Coach of Azusa Pacific Women’s Basketball
B.J. Porter Named the New Head Coach of Azusa Pacific Men’s Basketball
A Half Century of Excellence:
Nursing Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Alumni Features
Are you or an alumnus you know making a difference for the cause of Christ and have a powerful story to share? Share your story with us, and it could become an APU article!
Robert Alt ’98 Climbs Mount Everest
Travis Davis ’11 Advocates for Disability Awareness
Rolando Robles ’22 Puts Faith into Action in His Business
Chun Ae Choi, MM ’24, Achieves Dream with Carnegie Hall Performance
Alumni Events and Opportunities
Tell us which exciting alumni opportunities, discounts, and events you want—locally and regionally—by personalizing your alumni experience.
Student “Mugging” Volunteers Needed
Sunday, August 24, 2025
6-8 p.m.
Dillon Recreation Complex
APU East Campus
Sign up to volunteer with fellow alumni and the Alumni Engagement team to serve root beer floats to new and returning students, welcoming them back to campus during Welcome Weekend.
Homecoming 2025
October 24-25, 2025
All alumni are invited to return to APU in the fall for Homecoming! Join us for celebratory events across campus and soccer games against Biola. Full schedule and online registration will open September 2, 2025.
APU England Tour
June 14-24, 2026
Cost: $5,895
Alumni are invited to join an unforgettable 11-day tour of England. Together, we will experience this beautiful country through the eyes of faith and see how God used the people of England to further His glory and His Church. This trip has limited registration and will fill quickly, so we encourage you to read through the exciting details and trip itinerary and reserve your spot today.
Regional Recaps
Recap: Alumni Gathering in Maryland
Our alumni living in Maryland enjoyed a Saturday morning brunch and catching up with old and new friends!
Recap: Alumni Gathering in Dallas
Our gathering in Dallas, Texas, brought APU alumni, friends, and family together for dinner and a spectacular performance of The Lion King musical, starring APU alumnus Darnell Abraham ’09 as Mufasa.
Alumni Updates
If you have any news you’d like to share with the alumni community through our newsletter, let us know!
In Loving Memory of
Rick Givens ’83, MA ’03
July 26, 1961 - July 12, 2025
Rick Givens, a former long-serving APU staff member and double APU alumnus, passed away. Please keep the entire Givens family in your prayers in this time of deep loss.
Rick first came to APU as a freshman student from Colorado, and he immediately made an impact on the campus with, among other things, his musical talent–showcasing his beautiful deep voice in APU’s top choral groups during his undergraduate years.
He later returned to APU as a staff member and exercised the versatility of his gifts by serving in multiple key leadership positions during his more than 30 years on staff–director roles in the Institute for Outreach Ministries and alumni relations, followed by associate chaplain and then director of graduate and professional spiritual life until 2023. A heart for ministry was evident in all that he did, whether leading student ministry trips to Mexico and beyond or touching many students’ lives through the SoulQuest program that he shepherded for graduate and professional students at the regional campuses and in Azusa. Rick also served in an adjunct faculty capacity over the years, and most recently has been a senior adjunct faculty member, teaching spiritual formation courses in the School of Nursing.
A champion for APU’s military-connected students, Rick served his country with distinction, retiring recently at the rank of colonel after more than three decades as a United States Air Force Reserves chaplain.
Jenny (Davis ’85) and Frank ’84 Riley Jenny and Frank both went to APU as Biblical Literature majors. Frank is the senior pastor at Excelsior Covenant Church in Excelsior, Minnesota. He’s also a Reserve Officer (Capt.) nearing retirement from the US Navy (Chaplain Corps).
Kerri Axel ’93 Los Angeles Business Journal has named Keri one of the “Women of Influence: Attorneys 2025.” She was honored as among the leading female lawyers in Los Angeles based on their legal achievements and community leadership. |
Kendall and Sandy, MEd ’03, Sullivan Sandy has been a high school counselor for Santiago High School in the Corona Norco School District for the last 20 years. Her youngest daughter, Kendall, graduated from Santiago High School and will be a junior this year at APU and on the Acro and Tumbling team.
Jenna (Eck ’04, MA ’07) Kranzberg Jenna’s cottage bakery business, Sweet Buttered Biscuits, in Dallas, Texas, was recently featured in a Bold Journey magazine article. |
Tolulope (Tolu) Noah ’04 Tolu just published her first book titled Designing and Facilitating Workshops with Intentionality: A Guide to Crafting Engaging Professional Learning Experiences in Higher Education.
Melaney Torres-Basurto, MSW ’20 Melaney is working at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a Mental Health Treatment Coordinator. She supports veterans navigating a range of mental health challenges. She is also working towards her LCSW. |
Check Out Your
Alumni Benefits
As a valued member of the APU community, you’re eligible for Alumni Engagement benefits such as campus privileges, discounts, resources, and more to help you stay connected to APU and thrive. Check out your alumni benefits now!
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Us
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Support Future
Alumni
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