My Most Inspirational Faculty - Dr. Graciela Perez

At the end of every school year Alpha Chi senior students are encouraged to consider a faculty member who has had an especially profound influence on them. Samantha Diaz selected Dr. Graciela Perez, program director of the Spanish program.

One of the biggest blessings in my life has been the opportunity to know Dr. Graciela Pérez. Throughout my time at Fresno Pacific University, Dr. Graciela has demonstrated a love and care for her students that I had never experienced before. It is evident that her students are her priority.

She does everything for the best interest of her students and goes above and beyond for each one of us. Dr. Graciela is one of the most dedicated and hardworking professors that I have ever met. Even though she is always on the go, she always has a beautiful smile on her face. I have never seen her without a smile! Her love for Jesus is so obvious. By simply being around her one can tell that her faith is the most important thing in her life. She approaches every situation in life with positivity and what she can do to grow as an individual. She is truly one of my biggest inspirations and is the kind of teacher that I aspire to be someday. In fact, I was originally going to have a minor in Spanish. However, once I met her and took my first class with her, I immediately decided to double major and add Spanish.

Dr. Graciela takes learning to a whole new level. I actually look forward to my Spanish classes and I am eager to hear her class lectures. She creates such a positive and welcoming learning environment for her students. Although I am bilingual, I was hesitant with the Spanish language when I began to pursue my Spanish degree. Due to some personal circumstances, I had a barrier in my heart and my mind regarding my Spanish skills. My self-confidence was very low, and I struggled to see my full potential. However, Dr. Graciela saw the best in me and knew from the start how much I was capable of achieving. She saw my insecurity and anxiety as an opportunity for growth and reliance on God, rather than a stumbling block. She did not judge me nor invalidated how I felt. She took the time to hear my story and offered guidance and advice. Not only does Dr. Graciela expand my learning in academics, but she also expands my understanding of the real world and teaches me about life. Within the short amount of time that I have known her, I have probably learned the most from her than from anyone else.

Dr. Graciela’s grace and keen understanding of her students are a couple of my favorite qualities that she has. I was having a rough time one day and after our class she approached me and asked if I was okay. She said that I was quiet, and she could tell something was going on. This absolutely touched my heart. The fact that my professor took notice on how I was doing and actually cared enough to take the time and ask me how I was, meant everything to me. This is how I knew that she was different from any other professor that I had met. From that day, I established an authentic trust in her. Another important moment was when she prayed with me after class one day. I shared something with her that had been weighing heavy on my heart and she was there for me. She offered a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and brought my need in prayer to God.

My experience at FPU would not be the same without Dr. Graciela. She is one of my biggest inspirations. She is an example of the kind of teacher, woman, and servant of God that I want to be. Dr. Graciela brought healing to my relationship with the Spanish language/culture and taught me to excel. Thank you FPU for giving me such an amazing and dedicated professor.

My Most Inspirational Faculty - Dr. Daniel Larson

At the end of every school year Alpha Chi senior students are encouraged to consider a faculty member who has had an especially profound influence on them. Magdalena Wegner selected Dr. Daniel Larson, a professor in the English department.

I would like to nominate Daniel Nelson, who taught the bioethics course I took last semester. I found his teaching to be inspiring for several reasons. First, his class was my first exposure to philosophy and ethics. We went through several major schools of ethical thought and worked specifically on developing the ability to assess different issues from the perspective of these thinkers. It is one of few classes I have taken that noticeably changed the way I think about and evaluate the world.

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My Most Inspirational Faculty - Dr. Melanie Howard

At the end of every school year Alpha Chi senior students are encouraged to consider a faculty member who has had an especially profound influence on them. Claire Starbeck selected Dr. Melanie Howard, program director of the Biblical and Theological Studies program.

I first met Dr. Melly at Hume Lake for Freshman Orientation. I was privileged enough to have her as the mentor of my collegium. I remember being so relieved and enthused to meet this new person who was full of energy and seemed to be just as excited to get to know us as I was about getting to know her. Of course she was a fun mentor at orientation and then in our weeklyCP-152 classes, but this was not what has made her stick out to me over the years.

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Senior Retrospective - Carlos Garcia

Carlos Garcia was the 2020-21 Student Body President and did a phenomenal job navigating this responsibility along with his senior year. We are excited to share that Carlos has decided to stay at FPU by enrolling in the Strategic and Organizational Leadership MA program.

This past year was not what anybody had anticipated. I and the other 2021 class graduated online following a year of classes held on the same platform. However, despite all the adversity we faced, we still did it. We got through a year that seemed set on stopping us in any way possible.

Even though it was a time of discomfort due to the pandemic, being a Sunbird throughout this experience and being a part of this community made it possible. The commitment of the students in continuing to stay engaged and active in places such as new clubs and in advocacy positions was strong. It displayed an unmatched strength and was a testament to our ability to persevere. FPU faculty and staff also went above and beyond for the students and I thank them for braving these unprecedented challenges with us. I am optimistic that FPU will come back stronger than ever because I know that the faculty and staff are doing everything they can to make coming back and staying safe a priority. This year has put my classmates and I through challenges none of us could have ever expected, but our unity helped us come out on top and our faith in God made it all possible.

Freshman Paragon Scholar Paola Gonzalez-Mendez on her Medieval and Modern History  Course with Dr. Pam

Do any of your classes greet you with a song when you first sign in to zoom? Dr. Pam’s class did—and it was awesome. I had the honor of being in Dr. Pam’s History 130H class this spring semester. Particularly, I was in her Tuesday and Thursday 9:20 morning class, Go Greens! From the start I was very excited. I kept hearing rumors about some incredible Dante paper where you had the opportunity to put people in hell—what more did I need to convince me that it was going to be an awesome time? 

As the semester progressed I was not let down. I absolutely loved the atmosphere that was created in the class. I found myself always engaged whether we were learning about Charlemagne (it is a must now to sing the song) or about the black plague (spoiler alert: death was quite the Don Juan). Before taking the class I had been intimidated by medieval history in general. I was better acquainted with the epic histories of the Greek and Egyptians, than with the expansion and politics of medieval Europe. 

However that worry was short lived.

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FPU During A Fully Virtual Semester by Joseph Avila

A month ago, I began my first day of college. I woke up, got dressed, had breakfast, brushed my teeth and began my morning commute… to the couch. Many of us had a very similar experience at the start of the semester. I cannot say I was totally disappointed, afterall, I was granted an extra hour of sleep and an extra cozy seat. Under these less than ideal circumstances, I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my university experience.  

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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.

We miss all our Sunbirds! Here’s how graduating senior, Mary Reitz, is navigating these times!

Most days I try and stick to a routine. Mornings while in quarantine begin with breakfast, quick workout, then working from home or doing class assignments. Then I usually practice for my band courses or work on my jury piece. At that point it’s barely 2:00pm, so I try and do something creative such as making cloth masks for those in need like first responders, friends, neighbors, or family members. My family and I also started painting rocks to leave on our walks so that way others can see them, it’s about letting people know we’re thinking about them and praying for them. It’s been nice virtually talking to people but I do miss face to face interactions.

Senior Retrospective

SGA President and Paragon Scholar Kelsey Lowrey writes a senior reflection on her experience at FPU. You may see her work in the virtual conference presentations below. 

My name is Kelsey Lowrey, and I am a senior mathematics major with a minor in software engineering. Although I find great joy in differentiating equations, one of my favorite activities to do is read books. The part of a book that I hate the most is the ending, the last chapter, the unseen future that is alluded to. I become so intertwined with the details, the development of the plot or the purpose of the book, the journey that the character is on that I feel a sense of loss when it is all over. At first I feel a sense of relief that I have finally finished the book and have discovered where all roads were leading to. However, shortly after, I find myself longing to continue reading that story, to wake up and want to find out what happens next from where I left off, to enter a world that is not my own, to be on the edge of my seat with suspense and thrill from the book. This is where I and I am sure many other seniors find themselves about now. 

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Interdenominational Dialogue at FPU during College Hour

Veronica Mendez is an Alpha Chi member and Co-Editor of this newsletter. 

I was born into a Roman Catholic family, but we were never the type of family that attended church every Sunday morning—we attended occasionally. Nevertheless, I was raised in the general beliefs of the faith. With this background, my first encounter with the chapel sessions at FPU felt odd. I continued to attend chapel and developed mixed feelings about it. Worshipping 1 God through singing in front of other students was not something I was used to. Yet, the experience also gave me a feeling of devotion and surrender towards the Lord. 

Over the last two years my faith has become increasingly important to me and after almost four semesters at FPU I’ve grown not only very comfortable with the chapel service, but I also feel appreciated. On January 29 the FPU community welcomed Father Paul Keller from St. Paul Newman Center at the weekly chapel service, where he delivered a beautiful message of our calling to serve others. Less than a month later, on February 26th we happily welcomed him back for Ash Wednesday. The collaboration between different departments on campus and community ministries has demonstrated FPU’s openness to interdenominational – ecumenical – dialogue to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. 

Father Keller’s second visit at FPU was to offer all college hour attendees with an Ash Wednesday Service. He delivered a beautiful speech about what Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season represents. He reminded all of us, regardless of where we are in our faith journey, that this is the season to acknowledge that we are imperfect beings. He repeated that this is a time to accept that “there is something wrong with our spirit,” but also that we are loved and forgiven by the Lord. His overall message was, even in our imperfectness, the important thing is our willingness to acknowledge the brokenness within us to seek solutions, build a relationship with God, and above all honor God. Lastly, he distributed ashes to all who felt called to receiving them, whether a member of the Roman Catholic Church or not.

“Awesome experience.” “The real deal.” “Opportunity of a lifetime.” “So worth the drive.” These are just a few of the comments from students who traveled to Sacramento on October 4 to make a presentation to the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) and tour the Sacrament State Aquatic Center.

Hands-on experiences like this are a part of what makes FPU so great!

Seminary alum Rose Letkemann recently spoke at the Wertvoll Women’s Conference in Loma Plata, Paraguay. Letkemann spoke about what it means to be valuable in God’s eyes and how faith and a relationship with Christ can be a part of the healing process for women dealing with eating disorders. If you’d like to share how God is shaping your ministry, email us at [email protected] or use the hashtag #featuremefpu.

Finding my Place in Creation

Paragon Scholar Matt Wilfong reflects on his experience in the summer of 2019: on a solitary trip he began to synthesize all that he had learned, seen, and experienced.

 I found myself sitting on a boulder in a state of wonder. A fairly new state of mind in a fairly familiar place. I could sense a presence all around me and moving through me as well. It was this divine presence that defined me and created me. I marveled at creation, from the mountain ridge to the baby pine to the ants clearing their hole. I sat in awe of a great landscape, and I knew my place within it. I understood that I was a part of the creation that surrounded me, but was set apart by my ability to admire it as well as model the actions of the One who created it.
It is this ‘creation’ aspect of the world that gives it value: what you see is valuable because of the Divine that created it, imbuing it with value. Because such value can be found in nature, we have a moral obligation towards nature and the care of it. On my trip into the wilderness—the John Muir Wilderness, among others—I was struck by what I can only describe as a ‘close-encounter’ with God, with my creator, that inspired my personal ecological ethic and appreciation of creation.

“Explore until you can explore no further” - Justin Dueck ‘17

The beginning of a new school year creates an atmosphere full of new opportunities and experience that are possible. For freshmen, this school year will bring great memories and will help shape who you will be by the time you graduate. Seniors, this is the last year to create experiences at FPU, so make the most of it!

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.