2000

End of an Era (April 27): After 10 years of unrivaled leadership and significant accomplishments in the areas of fundraising, enrollment, and building endeavors, Richard E. Felix, PhD, announces his retirement, effective June 30.

Acting Up (July 1): The Board of Trustees names Jon R. Wallace, DBA, acting president, while also authorizing a comprehensive search for the institution’s 16th president.

Dig Deep (Summer): Don Isaak, PhD, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics, secured a $250,000 NSF grant through his lab at the University of California, Los Angeles. With these funds, Isaak intends to investigate the mineral pyroxene, which holds information about the earth’s interior.

Totally RAND (Summer): Former RAND Corporation scientist Leslie Wickman, PhD, assumed the role of director of the Center for Research in Science, which exists to promote research in science, science in education programs, and dialogue between faith and science.

Down Under (September 15-October 1): Four APU alumni competed in the Sydney Olympic Games: Julie Swail, MEd ’99 (water polo); Maureen O’Tool, MA ’90 (water polo); Chris Oeding, MEd ’98 (captain of the U.S. Men’s Water Polo National Team); and sprinter Fatima Yusef ’95, who ran for Nigeria.

Into the Community (October 13): APU’s Child and Family Development Center moved into offices directly across the street from East Campus in order to be more accessible to community clients. The open house drew campus and community leaders. This outreach, established in 1989, is part of the Department of Graduate Psychology (now the Department of Clinical Psychology).

Hall of Scholarship (October 26): APU welcomed 22 distinguished alumni, representing the five schools and one college, into the inaugural Academic Hall of Fame during Homecoming/Family Weekend.

Batter Up (Fall): With the acquisition of the 11.5 acre Krems property, near APU’s West Campus, the softball team acquires a home field for the first time in the team’s 15-year history. Plans also call for soccer fields, athletic department offices, additional parking, and perhaps even tennis courts.

Treasure Hunt (Fall): Led by Librarian Ken Otto, MS, MLS, the university unveils its revamped Special Collections, home to the 6,300-item American West and California history collection, 300-volume Ernst Magnus Collection with a 1836 artillery manual penned and signed by Napoleon Bonapart, and other key collections.

Note of Excellence (Fall): The prestigious Jascha Heifetz Society chose APU’s School of the Arts as host site for its master classes and concerts, targeted toward aspiring violinists. This endeavor reaped substantial coverage by the Los Angeles Times throughout the fall, winter, and spring.

Welcome, Mr. President (November 27): The 14-member Presidential Search Committee, comprised of trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students, recommends to the full Board of Trustees that Jon R. Wallace, DBA, be named president. The board sanctioned the choice on November 27.

High Tech Hire (November 27): John C. Reynolds joins the APU administrative team as the first vice president for Information and Media Technology. This South African native hails from World Vision International where he served as chief information officer and provided technology support to 42 countries around the globe.

Next Generation (December): APU introduces the next generation of www.apu.edu, featuring redesigned homepages, start pages for specific users, dynamic content, and simple navigation.

Dream Come True (December 15): The 70,000-square-foot Richard and Vivian Felix Event Center opens, playing host to the winter commencement exercises. The $14 million, 13-month project represents a great means to build community partnerships.

Legends in the Hall (December 30): APU veterans Hank Bode, JD, and Cliff Hamlow, PhD, contributed more than 80 years of combined service to the university before announcing their retirements, December 30, 2000, and June 30, 2001, respectively.