The new leader of the denomination that sponsors Fresno Pacific University will be the speaker and a past president will receive a rare honor at commencement May 6, 2025.
Ceremonies will be in Selland Arena, 700 M St., Fresno. Commencement for undergraduates begins at 10:00 a.m., and at 3:00 p.m. for graduate students, including Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary.
Each ceremony will be Livestreamed:
- Watch the 10:00 a.m. undergraduate ceremony at Undergraduate Ceremony
- Watch the 3:00 p.m. graduate ceremony at Graduate Ceremony
A total of 863 students are eligible to graduate, according to university estimates, with 803 confirmed to participate in one of the commencement ceremonies. The number of graduates breaks down to 183 from traditional undergraduate programs, 284 from bachelor’s degree completion programs and 396 from graduate programs, including 23 from the seminary.
Traditional undergraduate students are typically those recently out of high school or community college, and they study at the Fresno Pacific main campus in Southeast Fresno. Bachelor’s degree completion students are generally working adults with some college credit, while graduate students are seeking to grow in their profession through master’s degrees. These two groups attend campuses in Merced, North Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield. Seminary students pursue master’s degrees in counseling and ministry at the main campus. Students from all areas take advantage of FPU’s online options and programs.
Speaker Aaron Box
Aaron Box, MBA, national director of the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, FPU’s sponsoring denomination, will be the speaker at both ceremonies. Before starting his current duties in the summer of 2024, Box served as senior pastor of North Park Community Church in Eugene, OR. He began his ministry more than 20 years ago as a youth pastor in Darmstadt, Germany and was later a youth pastor and interim lead pastor at Seaside (OR) Christian Church. Box has also been project manager for Stadia Church Systems and a co-founding pastor of Restore Community Church. His extensive volunteer work includes membership on the USMB Leadership Board and the executive committee of Harlow Neighbors Association. Box earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible/Theology and Youth Ministry from Multnomah University and a Master of Business Administration with a management concentration from Bushnell University. He and wife Jennifer have two children and reside in Eugene.
Honorary Doctorate for Edmund Janzen
In the morning ceremony, FPU will bestow an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters upon a distinguished leader, scholar and servant of Christ—Edmund Janzen.
Janzen has exemplified a life dedicated to faith, scholarship and service. As a professor, mentor and administrator, he shaped generations of students, guided faculty with wisdom and strengthened the mission of Christian higher education. Janzen served as the fifth president of Fresno Pacific from 1975 to 1985. His deep commitment to the integration of faith and learning has left an indelible mark on this institution and the global Anabaptist community. Janzen’s influence extends beyond the classroom. Through his leadership in biblical education and his steadfast dedication to the church, he has helped bridge the worlds of academia and ministry, always pointing others toward Christ-centered excellence. His legacy is one of integrity, humility and an unwavering commitment to truth and service.
Also participating in commencement will be FPU President André Stephens, Ph.D.; Joshua Wilson, J.D., M.A., chair of the FPU Board of Trustees; and Alison R. Noble, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. Special music will be provided by the university concert choir.