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Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University (APU) is a private evangelical research university in Azusa, California. The university was founded in 1899, with classes opening on March 3, 1900, in Whittier, California, and began offering degrees in 1939. The university's seminary, the Graduate School of Theology, holds to a Wesleyan-Arminian doctrinal theology.[1] APU offers more than 100 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs on campus, online, and at seven regional locations across Southern California.

Azusa Pacific University
Former name
Training School for Christian Workers (1899–1939)
Pacific Bible College (1939–1956)
Azusa College (1956–1965)
Azusa-Pacific College (1965–1981)
Motto"God First"
TypePrivate research university
Established1899; 125 years ago (1899)
AccreditationWSCUC
Religious affiliation
evangelical Christian
(Inter-denominational)
Academic affiliations
CCCU
NAICU
CIC
Space-grant
PresidentAdam J. Morris
ProvostAnita Henck
Academic staff
947
Administrative staff
628
Students7,120
Undergraduates3,795
Postgraduates3,703
Location, ,
United States

34°07′47″N 117°53′20″W / 34.12971°N 117.88888°W / 34.12971; -117.88888
CampusSuburban, 105 acres (42 ha) on two campuses
ColorsBrick and Black
   
NicknameCougars
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division IIPacWest
GCC
MascotThe Cougar
Websiteapu.edu

Azusa Pacific University is organized into three colleges and seven schools. The academics programs are available from the Honors College, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Music and the Arts, Leung School of Accounting, University College, School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences, School of Business and Management, School of Education, School of Nursing, and School of Theology.[2] APU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.[3]

History edit

History
Training School for Christian Workers Established 1899
Pacific Bible College Renamed 1939
Azusa College Renamed 1956
Azusa Pacific College and
Arlington College
Merged 1968
Azusa Pacific University Renamed 1981

Azusa Pacific University was established on March 3, 1899, in Whittier, California.[4] Under the name Training School for Christian Workers, it was the first Bible college on the West Coast. Led by president Mary A. Hill, the school initially had a total enrollment of 12 students.[5]

Early years saw the school relocate and change leadership several times. In 1939, Cornelius P. Haggard became the school's 13th president. In response to low enrollment and a lack of donations, Haggard launched a variety of fundraising efforts. Haggard served for the next 36 years.[5]

Following mergers with three Southern California colleges, the university relocated in 1946 to the city of Azusa, where it resides today. In 1939 the Training School became Pacific Bible College, and four-year degrees were offered. In 1956, the name was changed to Azusa College. By 1965, Azusa College had become Azusa-Pacific College (APC), and three years later, APC merged with Arlington College.[5] Upon its achievement of university status in 1981, the college changed its name to Azusa Pacific University.[5]

After Haggard's death, Paul E. Sago became president, serving until 1989. Sago encouraged the development and growth of off-site educational regional campuses throughout Southern California, and presided over the addition of master's degree programs and the development of schools within the university.[5]

Richard E. Felix, became president in 1990, and initiated the university's first doctoral programs. He also introduced the university's "Four Cornerstones," Christ, Scholarship, Community, and Service, and oversaw the construction of seven new buildings, a doubling of student enrollment, and a quadrupling of graduate programs.[5]

When nearby institution, Ambassador College closed in 1997, the Worldwide Church of God and Azusa Pacific University jointly established the Ambassador Center at Azusa Pacific University for the continuation of classes for former Ambassador College students.

In November 2000, then-Executive Vice President Jon R. Wallace, DBA, became president.[6] In April 2018, Wallace announced his plan to retire and accepted his new role as president emeritus.[7]

In 2017, a new independent economic study found that APU generates $1.25 billion in economic impact within California each year. Of that, APU contributes $37 million in state taxes each year and supports 7,260 jobs statewide. The report also found approximately 47,500 APU alumni reside within California, increasing the state's productivity and earning power. Of those, 10,600 APU alumni and 600 APU employees live in the San Gabriel Valley.[8]

In 2018, two university board members resigned from the university, citing concerns over financial mismanagement and "theological drift."[9] As of 2018, the credit rating agency Moody's had downgraded its credit rating of APU's bonds to BA1, just above junk status.[10]

On April 10, 2019, APU named Paul W. Ferguson as its 17th president. He began his new role on June 3, 2019.[7]

Religious affiliations edit

A small group of Quakers (also known as Friends) and a Methodist evangelist laid the foundation for the Training School for Christian Workers in 1899.[4]

As faculty members began to embrace Evangelicalism and reject a growing liberal trend in the California Yearly Meeting of Friends, a campus church was established in 1933. This shift moved the "school church" from the local Huntington Park Friends Church to the on-campus worship gathering. The new campus church planted eight "tabernacles" throughout California which collectively became known as the Evangel Church denomination.

The series of college mergers and campus re-locations which followed helped to solidify the school's identity as an Evangelical institution.[5]

Presidents edit

The university has had a total of 18 presidents since its founding.[11]

Term President
1900–01 Mary A. Hill
1901–03 Anna Draper
1903–04 Bertha Pinkham Dixon
1904–09 Matilda Atkinson
1909–19 William P. Pinkham
1919–23 Eli Reece
1923–24 Lowell H. Coate
1924–27 George A. McLaughlin
1927–31 Ray L. Carter
1931–36 David H. Scott
1936–37 B. C. Johnson
1937–39 William Kirby
1939–75 Cornelius P. Haggard
1976–89 Paul E. Sago
1990-2000 Richard E. Felix
2000–2019 Jon R. Wallace
2019–2021 Paul W. Ferguson[12][13]
2021–2022 Andrew Barton[14]
2022–present Adam J. Morris[15]

Academics edit

Academic rankings
National
Forbes[16]300
U.S. News & World Report[17]263 (Best National Universities)

Azusa Pacific University academic resources include the Writing Center, Accessibility Services, Testing Services, Tutoring Services, university libraries, Math Center, Academic Success Center, and the Graduate and Professional Registrar. Special programs include the Friends Center, Honors College, Sigma Theta Tau (Iota Sigma), and the Western Conservancy of Nursing History.[18]

University libraries and special collections edit

The APU libraries include the William V. Marshburn Library (East Campus), the Hugh and Hazel Darling Library (West Campus), the Stamps Theological Library (West Campus), and off-campus libraries supporting academic programs at the APU High Desert, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and Murrieta locations.[19]

A unified catalog identifies the more than 240,000 books, media items, and 1,900 periodical titles in the libraries' print collections. More than 703,000 microforms include the Library of American Civilization, Library of American Literature, The New York Times, and Educational Resources Information Center collections. The university network also provides access to more than 140 online databases, which include more than 46,000 electronic journals.[19]

In the fall of 2009, Azusa Pacific University acquired a collection of antiquities, including five fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls and five first-edition prints of the King James Bible.[20] These new acquisitions were displayed in an exhibit, Treasures of the Bible: The Dead Sea Scrolls and Beyond, in summer 2010.[21][22]

Special collections of Azusa Pacific University are housed in the Thomas F. Andrews Room of the Hugh and Hazel Darling Library, located on APU's West Campus. The special collections consist of over 6,500 holdings ranging from presidential signatures to historical citrus crate labels.[23]

Research edit

Azusa Pacific University is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".[24][25] APU conducts its research through eight university research centers:[26]

  • Center for Academic Service-Learning and Research
  • Center for Research on Ethics and Values (CREV)
  • Center for Research in Science (CRIS)
  • El Centro Teológico Hispano
  • Friends Center
  • Center for Vocational Ministry (Undergraduate)
  • Office of Faith Integration
  • Noel Academy for Strengths-Based Leadership and Education

APU's Office of Institutional Research and Assessment provides resources, training, and consultations designed to help academic and student life departments successfully assess their educational effectiveness. The office also coordinates and facilitates the academic program review process.[27]

Honors College edit

APU's Honors College was launched in 2013, with David L. Weeks as dean.[28][29] An Oxford-style, writing-intensive program, the Honors College grants graduates a second major or minor in Honors Humanities and an honors scholar diploma designation. The program content replaces all general education courses. The Honors College describes its purpose as "liberally educat[ing] the next generation of intellectually-gifted Christian leaders."[30] Students study classic literature including works by Aristotle, Shakespeare, and C.S. Lewis, and are given publication and regional/national presentation opportunities.[31]

Campus edit

Azusa Pacific University's Azusa campus is situated in the San Gabriel Valley, located 26 miles (42 km) northeast of Los Angeles.[32]

The university also maintains a Los Angeles Regional Site, a Monrovia Regional Site, and five additional off-site regional centers in Southern California:

Athletics edit

 
Azusa Pacific Athletics

The Azusa Pacific athletic teams are called the Cougars. The university is a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Pacific West Conference (PacWest) for most of its sports since the 2012–13 academic year; while its women's swimming & diving team competes in the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference (PCSC) and its women's water polo team competes in the Golden Coast Conference (GCC). The Cougars previously competed in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1986–87 to 2011–12. On July 11, 2011 Azusa Pacific began the three-year transition process to becoming a member of the NCAA.[33] Azusa Pacific University decided to end its football program in December 2020 due to financial restructuring.[34]

Azusa Pacific competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis and track & field; while women's sports include acrobatics and tumbling, basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, water polo.

Azusa Pacific Athletics achieved eight consecutive wins of the Directors’ Cup from 2005 to 2012, with a total of 108 GSAC Championships and 36 NAIA National Championships.[35] Since joining NCAA Division II, the program has added 31 PacWest Conference Championships and four GNAC championships in football.

Achievements and alumni edit

A past eight-time winner of the NAIA's Directors' Cup, APU finished 17th for the second consecutive year in the 2015–16 NCAA Division II Directors' Cup standings. A total of 14 APU athletes have competed in the Olympics, including 2008 decathlon gold medalist Bryan Clay '03, and 50 other alumni have been drafted into other professional sports, including Christian Okoye '87, former Kansas City Chiefs fullback; Stephen Vogt '07, Cleveland Guardians manager; Kirk Nieuwenhuis '08, Long Island Ducks outfielder; and Terrell Watson '15, San Diego Fleet running back.[36] Several graduates have gone onto serve as leaders in higher education including J. David Carlson, Jeff Siemers, and Jacob Amundson.[37]

Student body edit

Ethnic enrollment,
Fall 2018[38]
Under-
graduates
International 3%
Hispanic/Latino American 27%
Black or African American 5%
White 40%
American Indian or Alaska Native <1%
Asian American 9%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 1%
Multiracial American 13%
Unknown 2%

Azusa Pacific University's 2018-19 enrollment consisted of 10,095 students, of whom 5,021 are at the undergraduate and 5,074 at the graduate and professional levels. As of 2018, 58 countries, 57 states (and US territories), and 56 Christian denominations are represented by the student population.[36] Approximately 68% of students are female and 32% are male.[39]

In the 2018–2019 academic year, the freshman retention rate was 84%.[38]

The university's most popular programs are in following categories:[38]

  1. Health Professions and Related Programs (31%)
  2. Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (14%)
  3. Psychology (12%)
  4. Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  5. Education (6%)

Student life edit

APU features 20 music ensembles, 11 intramural sports, and about 40 clubs and organizations, including ethnic organizations, performing arts clubs, social clubs, service clubs, academic clubs, athletic clubs, and honors societies, as well as a Student Government Association.[40][41][42][43] The university also hosts military and veteran services, including active duty military and veteran benefits, scholarships, and programs.[44]

Music ensembles edit

Music ensemble offerings include choral ensembles, vocal groups, large ensembles, chamber ensembles, commercial ensembles, and orchestral groups. Music groups require an audition, and perform at local churches as well as state and national orchestral and symphonic events.[40] In addition to these ensembles, the Artist Certificate program offers a conservatory style experience to the School of Music's highest performing musicians.[45]

Student Government Association edit

APU's Student Government Association (SGA) is composed of 28 students. The SGA has served APU since 1945 by meeting with offices on campus and conducting surveys that analyze the needs of the APU student body. The SGA's governing structure, listed from highest position to lowest, is composed of a president, five executives, two commissioners, nine senators, and nine representatives.[43]

Military and veteran services edit

APU is a Yellow Ribbon University recognized by Military Friendly as a military-friendly college, and is an approved degree-granting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.[44][46] APU was also named as one of 130 "Best for Vets Colleges 2017" in the 4-year schools category by Military Times.[47]

The university provides an ROTC program which includes scholarships and tuition assistance.[48]

APU also offers a Veterans Club intended to create a network for veterans transitioning into academic life. The club hosts regular meetings and community service opportunities.[49]

Diversity edit

In 2016, APU was recognized by Diverse Issues in Higher Education as one of the nation's top schools in awarding degrees to minority students. The university ranked among the top 100 in 11 baccalaureate categories, and ranked 5th for awarding Hispanic master's degrees in the "business/commerce, general" category, and 55th for total minority master's degrees awarded across all disciplines.[50][51] APU is recognized by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities as one of 104 Hispanic-Serving Institutions in California.[52]

Human Sexuality edit

The university has cited its Christian faith in its beliefs about human sexuality."[53] The policy has been lifted and reinstated a number of times[54] and has been the target of student protests.[55]

As of 2022, University policy states that "God-given sexuality" is to take place in the context of a marriage covenant between a man and a woman.[56][57]

The Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity edit

The Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity administers scholarship programs and provides information on internship and scholarship opportunities offered by local community organizations. SCRD also advises campus ethnic organizations, including the Armenian Student Association, Asian Pacific American Student Organization, Black Student Association, Latin American Student Association, Indigenous Peoples Circle, and the Pacific Islander Organization. In addition, SCRD coordinates a Multi-Ethnic Leadership Scholarship Program.[52][58]

Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence edit

The Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence hosts initiatives including staff and faculty diversity network luncheons, diversity ambassador training, and diversity workshops. The center also facilitates a diversity plan based on a 2016 UCLA Climate Study conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute assessing APU's social climate. The center collaborates with the Council of Christian Colleges & Universities on national diversity-related projects.[59]

Service and outreach edit

For eight consecutive years, Azusa Pacific has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary leadership in civic engagement, service-learning, and building community partnerships.[60] Azusa Pacific University, as one of 115 U.S. institutions named to the Carnegie Foundation's 2010 Community Engagement Classification, is recognized for its commitment to community service and service-learning.[61] Through APU's Center for Student Action, undergraduates perform more than 165,000 hours of service each year locally and globally.[36]

Local service edit

Local service is conducted by the City Links program, where students aid the city of Azusa and greater Los Angeles area. Services include assisting food banks and providing after school tutoring and mentoring. In addition to these weekly service opportunities, students can spend a semester living and learning in Los Angeles through L.A. Term.[62]

Mexico Outreach edit

APU students serve in Mexico through the Mexico Outreach Program, which continues a more-than-40-year relationship with churches, refugee shelters, prisons, and rehabilitation centers. Several opportunities exist throughout the year for students to serve the Mexicali community. APU also maintains a site in Ensenada–Rancho El Refugio–that is available throughout the year for students to stay at while conducting outreach in the area.[63]

Global relief edit

The Center for Student Action sends more than 250 students, faculty, staff, and alumni around the world to partner with long-term and national workers. Programs include but are not limited to: educational development, orphan work, conversational English teaching, prayer ministry, mobile medical care clinics, and anti-human and anti-sex trafficking.[64] The following are relief efforts that the Center for Student Action has worked toward mobilizing aid and volunteers:[65]

Notable alumni edit

References edit

  1. ^ "School of Theology: FAQs on Biblical Authority". www.apu.edu.
  2. ^ "Academic Schools and Centers - Office of the Provost - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  3. ^ "WASC Institutions".
  4. ^ a b (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 31, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "About APU: Our History". www.apu.edu.
  6. ^ "About the President". Azusa Pacific University.
  7. ^ a b "Azusa Pacific University announces new president". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. 2019-04-11. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  8. ^ "Azusa Pacific Economic Impact - About APU - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  9. ^ "Former Azusa Pacific University board members blame administrators for financial mismanagement, 'theological drift'". 15 December 2018.
  10. ^ "Moody's downgrades Azusa Pacific University (CA) to Ba1; rating under review for downgrade". 17 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Former APU Presidents - Office of the President - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  12. ^ "Azusa Pacific University announces new president". 11 April 2019.
  13. ^ "Azusa Pacific University President to Retire". www.apu.edu.
  14. ^ "Azusa Pacific University Names Andrew Barton Interim President". www.apu.edu.
  15. ^ "Azusa Pacific University Names Dr. Adam J. Morris as 18th President". www.apu.edu.
  16. ^ "Forbes America's Top Colleges List 2023". Forbes. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  17. ^ "2023-2024 Best National Universities". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  18. ^ "Academics - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  19. ^ a b "Libraries and Collections - University Libraries - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  20. ^ "Culture Monster". Los Angeles Times. 2009-09-09.
  21. ^ "Azusa Pacific University Acquires Five Dead Sea Scroll Fragments and Rare Biblical Artifacts". September 3, 2009.
  22. ^ "Azusa Pacific Acquires fragments of Dead Sea Scrolls". Los Angeles Times. September 9, 2009.
  23. ^ "Special Collections - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  24. ^ "Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup". carnegieclassifications.iu.edu. Center for Postsecondary Education. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  25. ^ "Research at APU - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  26. ^ "Research Centers - Research at APU - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  27. ^ "Office of Institutional Research and Assessment - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  28. ^ "APU announces dean of Honors College". Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  29. ^ . www.apu.edu. Archived from the original on 2017-08-03. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  30. ^ "Honors College - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  31. ^ "Why Choose Honors? - Honors College - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  32. ^ "Azusa Campus - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  33. ^ Reinsch, Joe. "Azusa Pacific Accepted Into NCAA Division II Membership Process". Azusa Pacific University. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  34. ^ "Football Draws to a Close at Azusa Pacific".
  35. ^ "Azusa Pacific University Athletics - Official Athletics Website".
  36. ^ a b c "Azusa Pacific University News Release Boilerplate". Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  37. ^ "PLNU Website". from the original on 2020-11-24.
  38. ^ a b c "School | College Scorecard". collegescorecard.ed.gov. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  39. ^ "Fact Sheet - Office of Institutional Research and Assessment - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
  40. ^ a b "Music Ensembles - Performance Ensemble - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  41. ^ "About Intramural Sports - Intramural Sports - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  42. ^ "List of Clubs/Organizations - Office of Communiversity - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  43. ^ a b "APU SGA". apusga.org. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  44. ^ a b "Military Education - GI Bill® - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  45. ^ "Artist Certificate Program - School of Music - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  46. ^ "Looking For Military Friendly Schools? See Who Made The List". militaryfriendly.com. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  47. ^ "Best for Vets: Colleges 2017 - Military Times". bestforvets.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  48. ^ "ROTC Program - Military and Veteran Services - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  49. ^ . www.apu.edu. Archived from the original on 2017-08-11. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  50. ^ Education, Diverse Issues in Higher. . diverseeducation.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-09. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
  51. ^ Education, Diverse Issues in Higher. . diverseeducation.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-09. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
  52. ^ a b HACU. "Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities - HACU". www.hacu.net. Retrieved 2017-08-09.
  53. ^ Whitford, Emma (October 1, 2018). "Azusa Pacific Reinstates Full Ban on Same-Sex Relationships". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  54. ^ "Former Azusa Pacific University board members blame administrators for financial mismanagement, 'theological drift'". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. 2018-12-15. from the original on 2019-06-30. Retrieved 2019-06-30.
  55. ^ Yee, Christopher (March 16, 2019). "Azusa Pacific University lifts LGBTQ relationship ban (again)". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  56. ^ "What We Believe: Human Sexuality". Azusa Pacific University.
  57. ^ Gjelten, Tom (March 27, 2018). "Christian Colleges Are Tangled In Their Own LGBT Policies". WBUR.
  58. ^ "Ethnic Organizations - Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  59. ^ "Message From the Executive Director - Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-09.
  60. ^ "2015 Honor Roll General Category" (PDF). Corporation for National and Community Service. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  61. ^ "Azusa Pacific Receives Prestigious Carnegie Community Engagement Classification - Media Relations - Azusa Pacific University". Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  62. ^ "Serve Locally - Center for Student Action - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
  63. ^ "Serve in Mexico - Center for Student Action - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
  64. ^ "Serve Nationally and Internationally - Center for Student Action - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
  65. ^ "Disaster Relief - Center for Student Action - Azusa Pacific University". www.apu.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-08.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Official athletics website
  •   Media related to Azusa Pacific University at Wikimedia Commons

azusa, pacific, university, this, article, relies, excessively, references, primary, sources, please, improve, this, article, adding, secondary, tertiary, sources, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, june, 2019, learn, when, remove, this, t. This article relies excessively on references to primary sources Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources Find sources Azusa Pacific University news newspapers books scholar JSTOR June 2019 Learn how and when to remove this template message Azusa Pacific University APU is a private evangelical research university in Azusa California The university was founded in 1899 with classes opening on March 3 1900 in Whittier California and began offering degrees in 1939 The university s seminary the Graduate School of Theology holds to a Wesleyan Arminian doctrinal theology 1 APU offers more than 100 associate bachelor s master s and doctoral programs on campus online and at seven regional locations across Southern California Azusa Pacific UniversityFormer nameTraining School for Christian Workers 1899 1939 Pacific Bible College 1939 1956 Azusa College 1956 1965 Azusa Pacific College 1965 1981 Motto God First TypePrivate research universityEstablished1899 125 years ago 1899 AccreditationWSCUCReligious affiliationevangelical Christian Inter denominational Academic affiliationsCCCUNAICUCICSpace grantPresidentAdam J MorrisProvostAnita HenckAcademic staff947Administrative staff628Students7 120Undergraduates3 795Postgraduates3 703LocationAzusa California United States34 07 47 N 117 53 20 W 34 12971 N 117 88888 W 34 12971 117 88888CampusSuburban 105 acres 42 ha on two campusesColorsBrick and Black NicknameCougarsSporting affiliationsNCAA Division II PacWestGCCMascotThe CougarWebsiteapu wbr eduAzusa Pacific University is organized into three colleges and seven schools The academics programs are available from the Honors College College of Liberal Arts and Sciences College of Music and the Arts Leung School of Accounting University College School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences School of Business and Management School of Education School of Nursing and School of Theology 2 APU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission 3 Contents 1 History 1 1 Religious affiliations 1 2 Presidents 2 Academics 2 1 University libraries and special collections 2 2 Research 2 3 Honors College 3 Campus 4 Athletics 4 1 Achievements and alumni 5 Student body 6 Student life 6 1 Music ensembles 6 2 Student Government Association 6 3 Military and veteran services 7 Diversity 7 1 Human Sexuality 7 2 The Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity 7 3 Center for Diversity Equity and Inclusive Excellence 8 Service and outreach 8 1 Local service 8 2 Mexico Outreach 8 3 Global relief 9 Notable alumni 10 References 11 External linksHistory editHistory Training School for Christian Workers Established 1899Pacific Bible College Renamed 1939Azusa College Renamed 1956Azusa Pacific College andArlington College Merged 1968Azusa Pacific University Renamed 1981Azusa Pacific University was established on March 3 1899 in Whittier California 4 Under the name Training School for Christian Workers it was the first Bible college on the West Coast Led by president Mary A Hill the school initially had a total enrollment of 12 students 5 Early years saw the school relocate and change leadership several times In 1939 Cornelius P Haggard became the school s 13th president In response to low enrollment and a lack of donations Haggard launched a variety of fundraising efforts Haggard served for the next 36 years 5 Following mergers with three Southern California colleges the university relocated in 1946 to the city of Azusa where it resides today In 1939 the Training School became Pacific Bible College and four year degrees were offered In 1956 the name was changed to Azusa College By 1965 Azusa College had become Azusa Pacific College APC and three years later APC merged with Arlington College 5 Upon its achievement of university status in 1981 the college changed its name to Azusa Pacific University 5 After Haggard s death Paul E Sago became president serving until 1989 Sago encouraged the development and growth of off site educational regional campuses throughout Southern California and presided over the addition of master s degree programs and the development of schools within the university 5 Richard E Felix became president in 1990 and initiated the university s first doctoral programs He also introduced the university s Four Cornerstones Christ Scholarship Community and Service and oversaw the construction of seven new buildings a doubling of student enrollment and a quadrupling of graduate programs 5 When nearby institution Ambassador College closed in 1997 the Worldwide Church of God and Azusa Pacific University jointly established the Ambassador Center at Azusa Pacific University for the continuation of classes for former Ambassador College students In November 2000 then Executive Vice President Jon R Wallace DBA became president 6 In April 2018 Wallace announced his plan to retire and accepted his new role as president emeritus 7 In 2017 a new independent economic study found that APU generates 1 25 billion in economic impact within California each year Of that APU contributes 37 million in state taxes each year and supports 7 260 jobs statewide The report also found approximately 47 500 APU alumni reside within California increasing the state s productivity and earning power Of those 10 600 APU alumni and 600 APU employees live in the San Gabriel Valley 8 In 2018 two university board members resigned from the university citing concerns over financial mismanagement and theological drift 9 As of 2018 the credit rating agency Moody s had downgraded its credit rating of APU s bonds to BA1 just above junk status 10 On April 10 2019 APU named Paul W Ferguson as its 17th president He began his new role on June 3 2019 7 Religious affiliations edit A small group of Quakers also known as Friends and a Methodist evangelist laid the foundation for the Training School for Christian Workers in 1899 4 As faculty members began to embrace Evangelicalism and reject a growing liberal trend in the California Yearly Meeting of Friends a campus church was established in 1933 This shift moved the school church from the local Huntington Park Friends Church to the on campus worship gathering The new campus church planted eight tabernacles throughout California which collectively became known as the Evangel Church denomination The series of college mergers and campus re locations which followed helped to solidify the school s identity as an Evangelical institution 5 Presidents edit The university has had a total of 18 presidents since its founding 11 Term President1900 01 Mary A Hill1901 03 Anna Draper1903 04 Bertha Pinkham Dixon1904 09 Matilda Atkinson1909 19 William P Pinkham1919 23 Eli Reece1923 24 Lowell H Coate1924 27 George A McLaughlin1927 31 Ray L Carter1931 36 David H Scott1936 37 B C Johnson1937 39 William Kirby1939 75 Cornelius P Haggard1976 89 Paul E Sago1990 2000 Richard E Felix2000 2019 Jon R Wallace2019 2021 Paul W Ferguson 12 13 2021 2022 Andrew Barton 14 2022 present Adam J Morris 15 Academics editAcademic rankingsNationalForbes 16 300U S News amp World Report 17 263 Best National Universities Azusa Pacific University academic resources include the Writing Center Accessibility Services Testing Services Tutoring Services university libraries Math Center Academic Success Center and the Graduate and Professional Registrar Special programs include the Friends Center Honors College Sigma Theta Tau Iota Sigma and the Western Conservancy of Nursing History 18 University libraries and special collections edit The APU libraries include the William V Marshburn Library East Campus the Hugh and Hazel Darling Library West Campus the Stamps Theological Library West Campus and off campus libraries supporting academic programs at the APU High Desert Inland Empire Los Angeles Orange County San Diego and Murrieta locations 19 A unified catalog identifies the more than 240 000 books media items and 1 900 periodical titles in the libraries print collections More than 703 000 microforms include the Library of American Civilization Library of American Literature The New York Times and Educational Resources Information Center collections The university network also provides access to more than 140 online databases which include more than 46 000 electronic journals 19 In the fall of 2009 Azusa Pacific University acquired a collection of antiquities including five fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls and five first edition prints of the King James Bible 20 These new acquisitions were displayed in an exhibit Treasures of the Bible The Dead Sea Scrolls and Beyond in summer 2010 21 22 Special collections of Azusa Pacific University are housed in the Thomas F Andrews Room of the Hugh and Hazel Darling Library located on APU s West Campus The special collections consist of over 6 500 holdings ranging from presidential signatures to historical citrus crate labels 23 Research edit Azusa Pacific University is classified among R2 Doctoral Universities High research activity 24 25 APU conducts its research through eight university research centers 26 Center for Academic Service Learning and Research Center for Research on Ethics and Values CREV Center for Research in Science CRIS El Centro Teologico Hispano Friends Center Center for Vocational Ministry Undergraduate Office of Faith Integration Noel Academy for Strengths Based Leadership and EducationAPU s Office of Institutional Research and Assessment provides resources training and consultations designed to help academic and student life departments successfully assess their educational effectiveness The office also coordinates and facilitates the academic program review process 27 Honors College edit APU s Honors College was launched in 2013 with David L Weeks as dean 28 29 An Oxford style writing intensive program the Honors College grants graduates a second major or minor in Honors Humanities and an honors scholar diploma designation The program content replaces all general education courses The Honors College describes its purpose as liberally educat ing the next generation of intellectually gifted Christian leaders 30 Students study classic literature including works by Aristotle Shakespeare and C S Lewis and are given publication and regional national presentation opportunities 31 Campus editAzusa Pacific University s Azusa campus is situated in the San Gabriel Valley located 26 miles 42 km northeast of Los Angeles 32 The university also maintains a Los Angeles Regional Site a Monrovia Regional Site and five additional off site regional centers in Southern California Inland Empire Regional Center San Bernardino Murrieta Regional Center San Diego Regional Center High Desert Regional Center Victorville Orange County Regional Center Orange Athletics edit nbsp Azusa Pacific AthleticsMain article Azusa Pacific Cougars See also List of Azusa Pacific Cougars head football coaches The Azusa Pacific athletic teams are called the Cougars The university is a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA primarily competing in the Pacific West Conference PacWest for most of its sports since the 2012 13 academic year while its women s swimming amp diving team competes in the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference PCSC and its women s water polo team competes in the Golden Coast Conference GCC The Cougars previously competed in the Golden State Athletic Conference GSAC of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics NAIA from 1986 87 to 2011 12 On July 11 2011 Azusa Pacific began the three year transition process to becoming a member of the NCAA 33 Azusa Pacific University decided to end its football program in December 2020 due to financial restructuring 34 Azusa Pacific competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports Men s sports include baseball basketball cross country soccer tennis and track amp field while women s sports include acrobatics and tumbling basketball cross country soccer softball swimming amp diving tennis track amp field volleyball water polo Azusa Pacific Athletics achieved eight consecutive wins of the Directors Cup from 2005 to 2012 with a total of 108 GSAC Championships and 36 NAIA National Championships 35 Since joining NCAA Division II the program has added 31 PacWest Conference Championships and four GNAC championships in football Achievements and alumni edit A past eight time winner of the NAIA s Directors Cup APU finished 17th for the second consecutive year in the 2015 16 NCAA Division II Directors Cup standings A total of 14 APU athletes have competed in the Olympics including 2008 decathlon gold medalist Bryan Clay 03 and 50 other alumni have been drafted into other professional sports including Christian Okoye 87 former Kansas City Chiefs fullback Stephen Vogt 07 Cleveland Guardians manager Kirk Nieuwenhuis 08 Long Island Ducks outfielder and Terrell Watson 15 San Diego Fleet running back 36 Several graduates have gone onto serve as leaders in higher education including J David Carlson Jeff Siemers and Jacob Amundson 37 Student body editEthnic enrollment Fall 2018 38 Under graduatesInternational 3 Hispanic Latino American 27 Black or African American 5 White 40 American Indian or Alaska Native lt 1 Asian American 9 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 1 Multiracial American 13 Unknown 2 Azusa Pacific University s 2018 19 enrollment consisted of 10 095 students of whom 5 021 are at the undergraduate and 5 074 at the graduate and professional levels As of 2018 58 countries 57 states and US territories and 56 Christian denominations are represented by the student population 36 Approximately 68 of students are female and 32 are male 39 In the 2018 2019 academic year the freshman retention rate was 84 38 The university s most popular programs are in following categories 38 Health Professions and Related Programs 31 Business Management Marketing and Related Support Services 14 Psychology 12 Visual and Performing Arts 8 Education 6 Student life editAPU features 20 music ensembles 11 intramural sports and about 40 clubs and organizations including ethnic organizations performing arts clubs social clubs service clubs academic clubs athletic clubs and honors societies as well as a Student Government Association 40 41 42 43 The university also hosts military and veteran services including active duty military and veteran benefits scholarships and programs 44 Music ensembles edit Music ensemble offerings include choral ensembles vocal groups large ensembles chamber ensembles commercial ensembles and orchestral groups Music groups require an audition and perform at local churches as well as state and national orchestral and symphonic events 40 In addition to these ensembles the Artist Certificate program offers a conservatory style experience to the School of Music s highest performing musicians 45 Student Government Association edit APU s Student Government Association SGA is composed of 28 students The SGA has served APU since 1945 by meeting with offices on campus and conducting surveys that analyze the needs of the APU student body The SGA s governing structure listed from highest position to lowest is composed of a president five executives two commissioners nine senators and nine representatives 43 Military and veteran services edit APU is a Yellow Ribbon University recognized by Military Friendly as a military friendly college and is an approved degree granting institution recognized by the U S Department of Veterans Affairs 44 46 APU was also named as one of 130 Best for Vets Colleges 2017 in the 4 year schools category by Military Times 47 The university provides an ROTC program which includes scholarships and tuition assistance 48 APU also offers a Veterans Club intended to create a network for veterans transitioning into academic life The club hosts regular meetings and community service opportunities 49 Diversity editIn 2016 APU was recognized by Diverse Issues in Higher Education as one of the nation s top schools in awarding degrees to minority students The university ranked among the top 100 in 11 baccalaureate categories and ranked 5th for awarding Hispanic master s degrees in the business commerce general category and 55th for total minority master s degrees awarded across all disciplines 50 51 APU is recognized by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities as one of 104 Hispanic Serving Institutions in California 52 Human Sexuality edit The university has cited its Christian faith in its beliefs about human sexuality 53 The policy has been lifted and reinstated a number of times 54 and has been the target of student protests 55 As of 2022 University policy states that God given sexuality is to take place in the context of a marriage covenant between a man and a woman 56 57 The Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity edit The Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity administers scholarship programs and provides information on internship and scholarship opportunities offered by local community organizations SCRD also advises campus ethnic organizations including the Armenian Student Association Asian Pacific American Student Organization Black Student Association Latin American Student Association Indigenous Peoples Circle and the Pacific Islander Organization In addition SCRD coordinates a Multi Ethnic Leadership Scholarship Program 52 58 Center for Diversity Equity and Inclusive Excellence edit The Center for Diversity Equity and Inclusive Excellence hosts initiatives including staff and faculty diversity network luncheons diversity ambassador training and diversity workshops The center also facilitates a diversity plan based on a 2016 UCLA Climate Study conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute assessing APU s social climate The center collaborates with the Council of Christian Colleges amp Universities on national diversity related projects 59 Service and outreach editFor eight consecutive years Azusa Pacific has been named to the President s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary leadership in civic engagement service learning and building community partnerships 60 Azusa Pacific University as one of 115 U S institutions named to the Carnegie Foundation s 2010 Community Engagement Classification is recognized for its commitment to community service and service learning 61 Through APU s Center for Student Action undergraduates perform more than 165 000 hours of service each year locally and globally 36 Local service edit Local service is conducted by the City Links program where students aid the city of Azusa and greater Los Angeles area Services include assisting food banks and providing after school tutoring and mentoring In addition to these weekly service opportunities students can spend a semester living and learning in Los Angeles through L A Term 62 Mexico Outreach edit APU students serve in Mexico through the Mexico Outreach Program which continues a more than 40 year relationship with churches refugee shelters prisons and rehabilitation centers Several opportunities exist throughout the year for students to serve the Mexicali community APU also maintains a site in Ensenada Rancho El Refugio that is available throughout the year for students to stay at while conducting outreach in the area 63 Global relief edit The Center for Student Action sends more than 250 students faculty staff and alumni around the world to partner with long term and national workers Programs include but are not limited to educational development orphan work conversational English teaching prayer ministry mobile medical care clinics and anti human and anti sex trafficking 64 The following are relief efforts that the Center for Student Action has worked toward mobilizing aid and volunteers 65 Hurricane Katrina August 2005 USA Cyclone Sidr November 2006 Bangladesh Earthquake 2010 Haiti Earthquake and Tsunami 2011 Japan Typhoon Haiyan 2013 Philippines Hurricane Harvey 2017 USA Southern California fires various years USANotable alumni editMain article List of Azusa Pacific University peopleReferences edit School of Theology FAQs on Biblical Authority www apu edu Academic Schools and Centers Office of the Provost Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 07 WASC Institutions a b Archived copy PDF Archived from the original PDF on October 31 2014 Retrieved February 15 2015 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link a b c d e f g About APU Our History www apu edu About the President Azusa Pacific University a b Azusa Pacific University announces new president San Gabriel Valley Tribune 2019 04 11 Retrieved 2019 06 13 Azusa Pacific Economic Impact About APU Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2019 06 13 Former Azusa Pacific University board members blame administrators for financial mismanagement theological drift 15 December 2018 Moody s downgrades Azusa Pacific University CA to Ba1 rating under review for downgrade 17 September 2018 Former APU Presidents Office of the President Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2019 06 13 Azusa Pacific University announces new president 11 April 2019 Azusa Pacific University President to Retire www apu edu Azusa Pacific University Names Andrew Barton Interim President www apu edu Azusa Pacific University Names Dr Adam J Morris as 18th President www apu edu Forbes America s Top Colleges List 2023 Forbes Retrieved September 22 2023 2023 2024 Best National Universities U S News amp World Report Retrieved September 22 2023 Academics Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 07 a b Libraries and Collections University Libraries Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 07 Culture Monster Los Angeles Times 2009 09 09 Azusa Pacific University Acquires Five Dead Sea Scroll Fragments and Rare Biblical Artifacts September 3 2009 Azusa Pacific Acquires fragments of Dead Sea Scrolls Los Angeles Times September 9 2009 Special Collections Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 07 Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup carnegieclassifications iu edu Center for Postsecondary Education Retrieved 28 July 2020 Research at APU Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 07 Research Centers Research at APU Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 07 Office of Institutional Research and Assessment Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 07 APU announces dean of Honors College Retrieved 2017 08 07 History of Honors College Honors College Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Archived from the original on 2017 08 03 Retrieved 2017 08 07 Honors College Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 07 Why Choose Honors Honors College Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 07 Azusa Campus Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 07 Reinsch Joe Azusa Pacific Accepted Into NCAA Division II Membership Process Azusa Pacific University Retrieved 22 July 2011 Football Draws to a Close at Azusa Pacific Azusa Pacific University Athletics Official Athletics Website a b c Azusa Pacific University News Release Boilerplate Retrieved 22 August 2017 PLNU Website Archived from the original on 2020 11 24 a b c School College Scorecard collegescorecard ed gov Retrieved 2019 06 13 Fact Sheet Office of Institutional Research and Assessment Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 08 a b Music Ensembles Performance Ensemble Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 10 About Intramural Sports Intramural Sports Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 10 List of Clubs Organizations Office of Communiversity Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 10 a b APU SGA apusga org Retrieved 2017 08 10 a b Military Education GI Bill Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 10 Artist Certificate Program School of Music Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 10 Looking For Military Friendly Schools See Who Made The List militaryfriendly com Retrieved 2017 08 10 Best for Vets Colleges 2017 Military Times bestforvets militarytimes com Retrieved 2017 08 16 ROTC Program Military and Veteran Services Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 10 Student Life Military and Veteran Services Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Archived from the original on 2017 08 11 Retrieved 2017 08 10 Education Diverse Issues in Higher Top 100 Degree Producers Graduate and Professional diverseeducation com Archived from the original on 2017 08 09 Retrieved 2017 08 08 Education Diverse Issues in Higher Top 100 Degree Producers Graduate and Professional diverseeducation com Archived from the original on 2017 08 09 Retrieved 2017 08 08 a b HACU Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities HACU www hacu net Retrieved 2017 08 09 Whitford Emma October 1 2018 Azusa Pacific Reinstates Full Ban on Same Sex Relationships Inside Higher Ed Retrieved October 22 2018 Former Azusa Pacific University board members blame administrators for financial mismanagement theological drift San Gabriel Valley Tribune 2018 12 15 Archived from the original on 2019 06 30 Retrieved 2019 06 30 Yee Christopher March 16 2019 Azusa Pacific University lifts LGBTQ relationship ban again San Gabriel Valley Tribune Retrieved March 19 2019 What We Believe Human Sexuality Azusa Pacific University Gjelten Tom March 27 2018 Christian Colleges Are Tangled In Their Own LGBT Policies WBUR Ethnic Organizations Student Center for Reconciliation and Diversity Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2019 06 13 Message From the Executive Director Center for Diversity Equity and Inclusive Excellence Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 09 2015 Honor Roll General Category PDF Corporation for National and Community Service Retrieved 2 August 2017 Azusa Pacific Receives Prestigious Carnegie Community Engagement Classification Media Relations Azusa Pacific University Retrieved 16 February 2017 Serve Locally Center for Student Action Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 08 Serve in Mexico Center for Student Action Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 08 Serve Nationally and Internationally Center for Student Action Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 08 Disaster Relief Center for Student Action Azusa Pacific University www apu edu Retrieved 2017 08 08 External links edit nbsp Los Angeles portalOfficial website Official athletics website nbsp Media related to Azusa Pacific University at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Azusa Pacific University amp oldid 1189454710, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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