It’s August, which for many of us at APU, means the school year is already up and running, though classes don’t begin until September 9.
During August, hundreds of Azusa Pacific students arrive on campus early for athletic training, leadership development, choir and orchestra rehearsals, and more. Just last week a group of APU students and staff returned from Walkabout, a 10-day backpacking trip in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Each year, about 100 Resident Advisors, Resident Directors, Student Life staff, and President Jon Wallace take part in this annual excursion as a leadership training experience to prepare for the year ahead. This year marked the 35th anniversary of Walkabout.
This year also marks APU’s largest incoming freshman class. With more than 1,000 freshman (nearly 1,500 total new students) arriving on campus for move-in and orientation beginning September 4, we are grateful for our new Segerstrom Science Center and recently renovated Wynn Academic Center which provide more classroom space for the growing student population.
We’re looking forward to some exciting events this year, starting in September with the dedication of the Segerstrom Science Center on September 3. Here are a few more highlights to watch for in the upcoming months:
Service: The annual City Links is back for three services days in the city of Azusa on September 19, 26, and October 3. The 1,040 new freshmen will be out getting to know the community and serving alongside neighbors as they clean schools, paint churches, and assist with river clean up.
Athletics: APU’s first football game v. San Diego takes place on September 5 at Citrus College this year to accommodate the growing crowd.
Music: APU welcomes the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, one of the UK’s leading choirs, for a concert on September 14.
Special Guests: Author of Blue Like Jazz Donald Miller stops by campus for his national book tour Donald Miller Million Miles on September 25.
Theater: APU kicks off the 2009-10 theater season with Evita, beginning October 1.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for more.
