2004

APU Featured in TIME: A TIME magazine reporter takes an in-depth visit to APU leading to a three page article discussing the increasing trend toward enrollment at evangelical colleges. Featuring quotations from faculty, staff, and current students, the article explores spiritual and educational issues in the classroom.

Bringing Passion to APU: APU hosts a special screening of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, giving students an early viewing of the emotional film. More than 3,800 students, faculty, staff, and local community members fill the Richard and Vivian Felix Event Center for the event.

Clay Goes to the Olympics: APU alumnus, Bryan Clay, competes to win the silver medal in the decathlon at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Clay earned the highest individual medal ever among the 11 Cougars who have competed in the Olympic Games. Alumna Stephanie McCann also competes in track and field at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in the women’s pole vault event. Representing her home country of Canada, she finished tenth with a height of 14'15 ¼".

Ginny Dadaian Named Director of Community Relations: APU’s general counsel appoints Ginny Dadaian as director of community relations. In this position, Dadaian serves as a connection between the Azusa and APU communities.

School of Nursing Introduces PhD Program: APU becomes the only evangelical, Christian university on the West Coast to offer a PhD in Nursing Program. The program provides students the opportunity to concentrate in family, community, or international health.

New Campus Pastor: Bringing more than 14 years of pastoral experience, Jim “Woody” Morwood joins APU as the new campus pastor. Morwood speaks in chapel, maintains daily interaction with students, and coordinates the annual spiritual life retreat, but his main focus is guiding the students’ spiritual lives.

Garden Links Community: At the fourth annual City Links, APU works with the community to plant a community garden, fostering relationships while working the land. The garden’s success and several sponsorships served as a pilot project to create additional community gardens.