Through our partnership with California Health Sciences University, you’ll participate in the fast-track program, transferring to CHSU after three years of undergraduate study at FPU and beginning a Doctor of Pharmacy program during your fourth year. This way, you’ll earn your Doctor of Pharmacy degree in just seven years, rather than eight—saving both time and money. Check out recent grad, Savannah Mangrum’s story!
Catherine Jalomo, SGA Representative for the School of Natural Sciences and Alpha Chi scholar, writes a senior reflection on her experience at FPU. She was awarded the Benedict Scholarship for Graduate School at the Alpha Chi virtual awards ceremony.
My name is Catherine Jalomo. I am a senior majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Biology at Fresno Pacific University. Throughout my high school (at Edison) and college career, I have put most of my time and effort into studying and exploring science. One of the things that amazes me most about science is that a lot of time is spent figuring out how things happen, with or without human influence.
As amazing I find science, it can also be a little overwhelming at times. One of the ways I enjoy turning away from the stresses of being a college student is through spending time outdoors. Since it is often difficult to find free time to head to the mountains, my time outdoors turns into going for a walk around campus. My favorite stopping place is the pond by AIMS Hall. It is the perfect spot to unwind, call a friend, have a devotional, and wave at those walking by. While our campus often seems small, everyone has a favorite spot that I’m sure they miss right now.
The word “transition” has been used a lot recently, but is definitely a word that most seniors could easily use to describe this last semester at Fresno Pacific. Like many seniors, I am in the middle of figuring out next steps, and I often find myself reflecting on everything that has happened since my freshman year. Every journey has its ups and downs, and my journey at FPU has been no different. I am amazed at the many components of FPU life that I have been immersed in and have shaped me to be the young person I am. At Fresno Pacific, the communities we are a part of are often difficult to distinguish from each other. Those we live with, work with, learn with, and worship with all overlap. I am grateful for every RA, professor, lab partner, and roommate that I have had over the past four years – we have influenced each other irreversibly. I have been stretched by professors and inspired by their patience. I have been supported and encouraged by my roommates and peers in ways I didn’t think was possible. As I recall all the challenges and disappointments that I have worked through and celebrated the accomplishments that have come as well, I realize my time at FPU will be unforgettable. However, as I look ahead, looking back seems impossible.
When I was younger, I often went camping with my family and our youth group. We were told to be prepared, of course, but the lesson about the outdoors that I remember the most was to leave the campsite better than I had found it. Since camping always left me feeling more refreshed and happier than I was before, I never minded cleaning up after an outing. Like my camping experiences, the many opportunities I have been given here have made me want to leave FPU a little better than I found it. My involvement around campus has been widespread and even more meaningful than I anticipated. I have been involved as an SI leader, a lab TA, a student assistant, and most recently on the Student Government team as the Natural Sciences representative. I have been challenged academically, spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially. Over the past year, facing the task of ending one part of my journey and beginning another, I could not help but wonder if I would leave FPU as prepared as I should be. I wanted to leave Fresno Pacific a little better than I found it; instead, as I worked and tried, it left me a little better than it first found me.
Whether you will be graduating soon or are just finishing your first year, make your time at
Fresno Pacific count. Let others influence you. Learn from each other, and build each other up.
The work you put into your studies cannot be taken from you, but it is something that you can
freely share. As we grow together, we have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
The first class I had as a freshman at Fresno Pacific University was Dr. Shawn Wirts’ Pre-Calculus class. I still remember the first time I needed to visit during his office hours. I waited outside Shawn’s office for 30 minutes; I ended up leaving and just returning the next day because I was so nervous to go inside. I distinctly remember a time where I had worked ahead on homework and then I missed a homework assignment that I thought I had completed. Shawn immediately sent me an email asking if I was doing okay as this was unlike me. Even though I haven’t missed another assignment in any of my other classes, this experience spoke volumes to 1 me. Most people mention how in college your professors don’t care if you fail their class, or if you even understand the material. This is definitely not the case with professors at FPU, and it most definitely does not describe Shawn.
Over my almost four years at FPU, I have been challenged, frustrated, and encouraged in Shawn’s classes. Shawn provides an open door and open ear to listen to any student and goes out of his way to get to know his students. I stop by his office at least once a day to talk about “mathy” things or just to stop-by for a check-in. Some may think that Shawn’s office has actually become my office with how often I stop in. He has consistently encouraged me and others to grapple with difficult concepts in mathematics, life, and graduate school. He encourages students to incorporate their Christian values and find purpose in the work that they are doing in mathematics. He inspired me to challenge myself and write a Syrinx article addressing ways to discuss faith and the natural sciences. He is an advocate for involvement of women in mathematics, and in his classes I am more than simply a “woman in STEM” but I am an equal, a fellow mathematician. Shawn is very intelligent and well-versed in mathematics, but is also relatable and a professor that I am comfortable around. I appreciate that I have been able to get to know him as a mathematician, Christian, and fellow scholar.
-Kelsey Lowrey, mathematics and software engineering
Every Earth Day, FPU celebrates by showcasing booths of environmental organizations, goodies, student poster presentations and a parade of electric vehicles. This year, we’re going virtual!
THEO 425 - Theological Ethics & Environment students presented their work virtually and now these presentations are available for all to peruse. Additionally, there are links to environmental information/education and connections to local options to enjoy and care for the environment.
Check it out and explore topics like “What’s Your Carbon Footprint” or “How to Reduce Waste” at http://fpubio.com/kunz/earthday/ 🌎
Nathan Carson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Program Director of Philosophy B.A., and Director of FPU Wilderness Programs has been creating a fascinating addition to the Fresno Pacific curriculum. In Summer 2018, FPU embarked on our first Sierra Summer Program and had since built a minor surrounding the topic of wilderness and wilderness training.
Carson says, “What makes [our] program unique is the attempt to integrate academic discussions and reflection into the wilderness experience. Nobody else is trying to unpack what our obligations to ecology and sustainability are while we’re out there experiencing the backcountry,”.
FPU not only wants students to learn about the Sierras but also be immersed in all of the beauty God gave us through the wilderness. Learning about ecology and preservation while walking through everything you’re learning about is both impactful ad educational spiritually, physically, and intellectually. Katie Burns, FPU wilderness operations director, says, “There is nothing more powerful than going outside and being renewed, refreshed and challenged by the outdoors.”
To learn more about the Wilderness program and the impact it has on both our students and the community, follow this link.
Fresno Pacific alumna Katie Isaac ‘19 has been a leader in sustainability both on campus and off. The Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions has recognized Isaac for her dedication in finding sustainable solutions for Mennonite Church USA congregations, creating a movement towards environmental stewardship within churches. To learn more about Isaac’s mission, follow this link.
54 Fresno Pacific University graduate students showcased their research to faculty, family and friends at the Sixth B-Annual Graduate Research Symposium on May 3rd. Participating students working toward master’s degrees in administrative services, mathematics education, STEM education, special education, teacher librarian and nursing used poster presentations to display their study of issues and concerns in their professional field. Great job, Sunbirds!
Two FPU students took home prizes for best scholarly presentations in their fields at the Alpha Chi National Honor Society convention held April 4-6 in Cleveland, OH.
Rachel Anderson, junior biology major, won The Clark Youngblood Prize in Philosophy and World Religion for her paper, “Descartes’ Dreaming Dilemma.” Loren Friesen, senior communication major, won The Brown’s Graduation Prize in Communication for his paper, “A Space of Deviance that Refuses to Other: How Reading Physical Space Helps Us Understand Our Culture of Othering.”
Two other FPU students also presented at the conference. Catherine Jalomo, junior chemistry major, presented “Sustainable Production of Bioplastics and Biofuel,” and Maranata Zemede, senior communication major, presented “New Blacks on the Block: How Children of African Immigrants Negotiate Black Identity in the U.S.”
Fresno Pacific is home to amazing students! Go ‘Birds!
ABC 30 news highlighted an amazing program we have here at Fresno Pacific for incoming first-year STEM students. Possible happens when students work together to achieve their academic goals.
Visit ABC 30′s website to learn more about this program.
