In addition to our many accomplishments, we started a new tradition this year at orientation: a candle lighting ceremony.
Dear APU Community,
It was wonderful to join you a few weeks ago to kick off Azusa Pacific University’s 110th year! One of the most important things we do at APU is occasionally stop and take stock of the distance covered, the accomplishments achieved, and our significant victories.
Here are just a few of the amazing blessings we celebrate together this year.
• Total students served by the university last year: 10,500
• Total degrees granted: 2,500
• Current full-time university employees: nearly 400 faculty and 600 staff
• The university operated in Azusa, online, at seven Southern California regional campuses; in Los Angeles, High Sierra, and Colorado Springs; and internationally in China, South Africa, Germany, Ukraine, Singapore, Encinitas, Haiti, and Ghana.
• Our current undergraduate enrollment is the largest in university history with a total headcount of 4,300 and a full-time enrollment (FTE) of 4,215.
• We currently have 3,000 students living in on-campus residences. This, too, is our largest in history.
• We now have 15 recent graduates serving two years in a developing country, financially supported by the H.I.S.years program.
In addition to these impressive numbers, let me mention a few more accomplishments.
• Last year the university expended more than $2 million for faculty research grants, scholarship, and projects.
• APU was recognized by Diverse Magazine as the 18th school in the nation (out of 3,500) to graduate Latinos in various master’s programs.
• Our Service Learning Program was named to the U.S. President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. Stanford was the only other private college in California to be named.
• In the last two years, more than 600 APU students participated in diversity training.
• Sixteen student Fulbright grants have been awarded in the last seven years.
• This summer, APU established the Center for Youth and Family under the direction of Jim Burns, Ph.D.
• Last year was the single best year in fundraising in the university’s history. Amount raised: $12.5 million.
• The successful collaboration with Legacy Ministries resulted in a rare collection of biblical antiquities and the acquisition of Dead Sea Scroll fragments.
• Major construction initiatives included: Segerstrom Science Center, Munson Bavougian Tennis Courts, Sam’s Sub Shop, Paws and Go Mart, upgrade of the Foothill/Citrus intersection and widening of the sidewalks along Foothill Boulevard, and the Wynn Academic Center and outdoor amphitheater project (expected completion date: December 31)
I believe this last year, as measured by these accomplishments, prepares us for even greater God-honoring success into the future.
Though we’ve been blessed, we continue with caution in this turbulent economic time. This conservative and appropriate approach requires that we extend the hiring pause through January 2010 or until we gain a clearer picture of what lies ahead economically. At that time, the administration will review the need to continue or cease the hiring pause. I ask that in each of our roles we remain consistent in supporting our students with excellence.
After the completion of a busy week of Board meetings, I am encouraged by the incredible men and women who lead this institution through service as trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff who never fail to energize me. Thank you for all that you do!
Shalom,
Jon
http://www.apu.edu/president/
