Julia Reimer, Ph.D., associate professor of theater, completed a master’s in applied theater from City University of New York (CUNY), as part of her two-year sabbatical/study leave. She also joined the Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission and attended the annual meetings in Winnipeg in June 2013. After the meetings, she performed her one-woman drama Geertruydt at River East MB Church, Winnipeg. The drama recounts the life of Menno Simons—the early Anabaptist leader from whom Mennonite groups take their name—and the struggles of the early Anabaptists through the eyes of the Menno's wife, Geertruydt.

Cory Seibel, Ph.D., assistant professor of pastoral theology, published an article in Christian Leader, the magazine of the United States Mennonite Brethren Conference. “Faith that Sticks,” appeared in the April/May 2013 issue.

Walter Saul, D.M.A., released a CD of original compositions titled Walter Saul: Sonatas and Meditations for Piano. The recording will be released by Enharmonic Records in the summer of 2013. Compositions include “Sonata #5 for Piano,” “On the Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus,” “Sonata #2 for Piano, “Palingenesia,” “Sonata #1 for Piano,” “For God Alone My Soul Waits in Silence” and Sonata #4 For Piano.” A CD release event is planned for January 2014 as part of the Pacific Artist Series.

A new book from a well-known author was celebrated April 16.

Peter Kopriva, Ed.D., professor of early childhood development and special education, gave two presentations at the 29th Annual Conference on Character and Civic Education hosted by the Kremen School of Education and Human Development at California State University, Fresno, April 12, 2013. One presentation was with his wife, Sijmontje Renema-Kopriva, M.A., a special education teacher at Edith Storey Elementary School, Fresno.

Darren Duerksen, Ph.D., assistant professor of intercultural studies, published “Ecclesial Identities of Socioreligious “Insiders”: A Case Study of Fellowships among Hindu and Sikh Communities” in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research. See the article at internationalbulletin.org/archive/all/2013/4

Ryan Schellenberg, Ph.D., assistant professor of biblical and religious studies, published “τὸ ἐν λόγῳ ἰδιωτικὸν τοῦ Ἀποστόλου: Revisiting Patristic Testimony on Paul’s Rhetorical Education.” Novum Testamentum 54 (2012): 354–68.View the abstract at booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/10.1163/15685365-12341403;jsessionid=1q14v154iric9.x-brill-live-01

President Pete C. Menjares, Ph.D., is writing and speaking about diversity. 

Several members of the FPU music faculty were mentioned in a Fresno Bee article on the local chamber music scene.

“Chamber music charms with its intimacy,” by Donald Munro, was published February 17, 2013, on the front page of the Spotlight section. Those listed included:

• Dieter Wulfhorst, D.M.A., associate professor of music
• Susan Doering, D.M.A., adjunct instructor, violin and viola
• Jennie Blomster, adjunct instructor, horn
• Jeanette Erickson, adjunct instructor, flute
• Rachel Aldrich, adjunct instructor, oboe

Pictured: Doering and Wulfhorst

Hope Nisly, M.L.S., acquisitions librarian, published “Morning in America,” a creative nonfiction/memoir, in CMW Journal, v.5, no. 1, in January 2013. The CMW Journal is a bi-monthly publication of the Center for Mennonite Writing. See Nisly’s article at mennonitewriting.org/journal/5/1/morning-america/

Randy White, D. Min, spoke at a conference connected to the 61st National Prayer Breakfast February 7 in Washington D.C. He also attended the prayer breakfast, which is attended by the President of the United States, as well as leaders from throughout the world. At the conference, White spoke on mechanisms for uniting communities for transformation, as well as ways of seeing cities through the eyes of God. His co-presenters included Bill Milliken of Communities in Schools, Art Erickson of Urban Ventures in Minneapolis and several other key leaders. While in Washington, Randy also sought to influence the conversation on comprehensive immigration reform. Congratulations, Randy, on this great honor!

Duane Ruth-Heffelbower, M.Div., J.D., associate professor of peacemaking and conflict studies/business, was presented with the 2012 Presidential Award by Association for Conflict Resolution President Perri Mayes in New Orleans at the conclusion of the 12th annual conference in September 2012.

Chris Janzen, MFA, is an assistant professor of art who keeps a busy schedule of art shows and jazz performances in the Fresno area

Publications: May 2012, Fig Tree Gallery 50th Anniversary monograph, published by the Fig Tree Gallery, Fresno

Art shows: March 2012, Fig Tree Gallery, Member's Gallery March 2012, Chris Sorensen Studio, Artists of the Studio April 2012, North Fresno Church Gallery, "Intervention"  May-September 2012, Fresno Art Museum, "Fig Tree Gallery: 50th Anniversary Exhibition," September 2012, Fig Tree Gallery, "Self" November 2012, North Fresno Church Gallery, "10th Anniversary Exhibit" December 2012, Fig Tree Gallery, "Annual Holiday Exhibit"

Jazz guitar performances: Every Wednesday 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Dusty Buns Bistro, Fresno First Thursday monthly as part of JazzHop; performances at Fresno ArtHop galleries Second Sunday monthly, original arrangements for church service at Mennonite Community Church Fourth Sunday monthly at Ooi Japanese Restaurant

Randy White, D. Min., associate professor of community transformation, presented “What it Takes to Transform Your City” at the Urbana 12 Student Missions Conference sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship December 27-31, 2012, in St Louis.

Almost 600 people attended the seminar, which addressed strategies believers might pursue to contribute to the long-term transformation of their communities into places of abundance and shalom through a combination of urban ministry, community development, and coordinated Christ-centered civic renewal.

Audio for this seminar and more at urbana.org/urbana-12/seminars

The School of Education celebrated the contributions of Dave Derby and Donald McHatten December 5 in BC Lounge.

MaryJo Burchard, M.A., assistant director for School of Education graduate admissions in the Visalia Center, presented at the Third Annual Virtual Conference on Moral Leadership December 9-12, sponsored by the Regent University School of Business & Leadership. The conference theme was the 10 Commandments. Burchard’s presentation, "Fidelity and Intentional Wholeness: An Exploration of the Impact of the Sixth Commandment on Contemporary Organizational Leadership,” was on the sixth commandment. More at regent.edu/acad/global/conferences/virtual/home.cfm

Fay Nielsen, Ph.D., associate dean of retention; Shirley Warkentin, M.A., policy analyst and director of operations for degree completion; and Melissa Kent, M.A., student success coordinator; attended the National Symposium on Student Retention October 29-31 in New Orleans. Warkentin won the Director’s Award for her paper "Approaches to Serving Under-Resourced, Undergraduate Adult Student Populations." Nielsen participated as a poster session judge. The symposium was sponsored bythe Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange (CSRDE).

Nielsen and Melinda Gunning, M.A., director of academic support services, led a round table discussion on small college/university issues at the National College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA) meeting November 7-10 in Houston.

FPU added faculty throughout the university during the fall semester. Here is a list of new and promoted faculty as of November 1, 2012.

Ron Claassen, D. Min. (BA ‘67), professor of peacemaking and conflict studies/leadership studies, received the Ester Soriano Award for Excellence in Community Mediation from the California Dispute Resolution Council (CDRC). The award was presented by Doug Noll (MA ‘02), president of CDRC board, at the group’s 18th Annual Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Policy Conference November 3 at Golden Gate University Law School.

Fresno’s Leading Young Professionals announced its 2012 award winners—and an FPU staff member was on the list: Jill Coppler, regional center communications specialist, is FLYP’er of the Year.