At home and abroad, APU demonstrates a commitment to community. Nursing students give flu shots to local Azusa residents; student leaders-in-training feed the hungry in the inner city; teams of students travel the globe to spread the Gospel. Care for people beyond the campus boundaries characterizes the university. The Richard and Vivian Felix Event Center serves the same purpose. Even before construction plans were drawn for the building, a vision emerged for the facility to be a community resource for the San Gabriel Valley. Since its completion, the Felix Event Center has housed many community events, including church services, concerts, sporting events, and graduations. The Azusa Downtown Business Association (ADBA) utilized the center for a fundraising event last spring. The group hosted a mariachi concert to support the Mariachi Heritage Program and Azusa Unified School District. Drawing nearly 2,000 Southern Californian and Mexican attendees, the program was overwhelmingly successful. “Strengthening our partnership with APU strengthens us,” said Peggy Martinez, ADBA executive director. Local churches also utilize the facility. Grace Church of Glendora held its 2001 Easter service at the Felix Event Center. The burgeoning church, which draws a regular attendance of nearly 2,500 and offers three services, did something it had never been able to do before – hold one, unified service. “It was a dream come true for the Grace family to all worship together at the same time in the same venue,” wrote Gene Wood, senior pastor, in a letter to APU President Jon Wallace, DBA. “And what a spectacular venue for such a significant Sunday! We are grateful to the university for allowing us to partner with you to the glory of God.” As a premier San Gabriel Valley locale for large events, the Felix Event Center is a tribute to the generosity of APU’s friends and to future partnerships with community organizations.