1996

Fit for Life (January): The University Fitness Center opens, providing state-of-the-art exercise equipment for use by faculty and staff.

Going Beyond (March): The $20 million comprehensive campaign, Going Beyond, enters the public phase with an announcement made by President Felix at the President’s Circle dinner.

It’s a Classic (April): Ilene Smith-Bezjian, DBA, then professor of marketing and later the dean of the School of Business and Management, creates the first annual Soapbox Classic, an innovative program that partners students with the surrounding community and its businesses to host a family-oriented, daylong extravaganza. The event, renamed the Canyon City Classic Soapbox Run, has become a much-anticipated annual event that today draws close to 12,000 participants.

Seal of Approval (April): The School of Nursing receives an eight-year reaccreditation, the longest extension feasible, for its undergraduate and graduate programs.

Service with a Smile (May): By graduation day, APU students collectively donated more than 100,000 hours of community service through a multitude of school-sponsored activities and private organizations. This undertaking sustained the founding mission of the Training School for Christian Workers, APU’s predecessor, to prepare men and women for the mission field, whether near or far.

Turning 25 (September): The School of Business and Management celebrates its 25th anniversary. Today, with extensive undergraduate offerings and master’s degree programs in business administration, human and organizational development, and organizational management, the school seeks to offer challenging and relevant course work with a Christ-centered difference.

Face Lift (December): Renovations are complete on Building #3 of West Campus.