Retirees 2025

Kevin Enns-Rempel (1984)
Emeritus Director of Hiebert LibraryDirector of the Mennonite Brethren Archives

Kevin Enns-Rempel (BA ’82) spent 40 years at FPU—all in one building: 26 years as archivist at the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies, then 14 years as director of Hiebert Library. “My father lived no more than 1.5 miles from the same intersection in Dallas, Oregon, for his entire life,” he says. “We both seemed to have had a skill for picking a lane and staying in it.”

One thing Enns-Rempel’s hometown could boast was Mennonite churches, with three. While one was Mennonite Brethren (MB), his family attended the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church. He applied to Fresno Pacific because his mother’s family were MB and her siblings were alumni.

Arriving without clear goals, one faculty member reawakened Enns-Rempel’s childhood love of history and libraries. “One American history class from Paul Toews convinced methat I should major in history,” he says.

The wily Toews suggested that the archival profession might be a good fit. Knowing the then-archivist was retiring, he saw the timing would be perfect for Enns-Rempel to earn his master’s and return. The plan worked. “I graduated from FPC in 1982 and completed a master’s degree at the University of California, Riverside, in 1984. A few months before completing that degree I learned that I had been hired,” he says.

Four decades has provided the freedom to pursue professional interests, including California Mennonites and the library art collection. He and Toews worked on numerous books. “My professional relationship with him was profoundly meaningful. I miss him a lot,” he says. Toewsdied in 2015.

A fellow student became a personal interest—eventually. After graduation the friendship of Kevin Rempel and Connie Enns (MA/MFT ’93, BA ’84), deepened and they joined names as well as lives. “She’s still the best part of what I got from my time here,” he says.

Wayne Steffen (1996)
Associate Director of Publications and Media Relations

A desire to leave home and contribute to a larger good brought Wayne Steffen to FPU and kept him here for over 28 years.

The Indiana native discovered Mennonites while working at Goshen College (GC), a Mennonite Church USA school, after about a decade in community newspapers. “Not being born into the tradition, I didn’t know the difference between Mennonite Church USA and the Mennonite Brethren,” he says.

All Mennonites have been welcoming, Steffen says. “At GC I called myself an adopted kid, and atFPU I’m an adopted kid working for the MB cousins.” Marrying GC piano faculty Arlene Hinckle brought him further into the fold. At FPU she spent 25years as a piano instructor, choir conductorand accompanist.

One look at the FPU website convinced Steffen to come west. “When I saw palm trees on campus, I knew this was for me.”

Logistics did cause the couple pause. “Many things came together for us to sell one house, buy another and move myself, a very pregnant Arlene and our older son, still in diapers, across seven states and three time zones,” he says. First FPU boss Joy Hofer hosted him until the new house was ready and the rest of the family came out.

Editing Pacific magazine, making friends across the university and being a go-to guy for editing have been highlights. “A few faculty friends would like to see more commas and capitalization, but our discussions are always friendly,” he says. “I really love this place; so many wonderful people.”

Friendships have been crucial in facing the challenges of working in higher education. “Critique is the culture in academia, where every idea and decision is always up for discussion,” he says. “Sometimes we just need to take a break to remember all the good FPU does.”

Jeffrey Wilson, D.M.A. (2020)
Professor of MusicDirector of Choral Activities

Jeff Wilson brought FPU a wealth of experience. Before his 20 years at Greenville (IL) University, he taught K-12 vocal music in Iowa and Illinois. His choirs toured North America and Europe, performing with nationally known ensembles. Wilson is also an organist and church musician.

A Maine native, Wilson grew up in Illinois with interests in sports, math and science. “Music turned out to be the field that chose me,” he says.

That sense of being chosen helped him start a new position far from family in a very different part of the country during COVID. “I stayed because I was called to be here, enjoyed working with my students and colleagues, and felt supported and appreciated by community members,” Wilson says.

FPU highlights include Festival of Lessons & Carols services and Masterworks Concerts, moving into the Warkentine Culture and Arts Center and the 2022 choir tour of the Central Valley and Midwest. One challenge? “Teaching choral music online,” Wilson says.

Plans now are time with family—think grandchildren—continuing to make music, especially in church, traveling, hiking, reading and composing. “Many thanks to the FPU community for making me feel welcome and partnering with me,” Wilson says.