Arthur Wiebe, former Fresno Pacific University president, received two honors recently. Fresno Compact, an association of educational, civic and business leaders, announced Wiebe will be the 2003 winner of the Harold Haak Award for Educational Excellence. The award was created in 2002 and named for Harold Haak, FPU president from 2000-02, who was also its first recipient. The presentation to Wiebe is set for March 5.
In November Wiebe received the Distinguished Achievement Special Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) California Valley Chapter. The AFP is an international organization dedicated to enabling people and organizations to practice effective and ethical fundraising.
Wiebe was honored for his many contributions to FPU and the Fresno community. President of the university from 1960-75, he and the late Larry Ecklund co-founded AIMS Education Foundation, which creates mathematics and science curriculum for students and teachers. The foundation provided the major gift for the new AIMS Hall of Mathematics and Science at FPU, as well as two endowed professorships and numerous scholarships.
He was also involved in the creation of San Joaquin College of Law, serving on its board for 20 years. More recently Wiebe was instrumental in forming the Southeast Fresno Community Development Corporation. The group brings together FPU, AIMS Foundation, Butler Mennonite Brethren Church, Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary and Mennonite Brethren Missions Services International to improve lives in their surrounding neighborhoods.