Dylan and Cheri Harris ’98 are Fulfilling their Call with Shelter on the Lake

This article was originally published on APU’s website and in the APU Life magazine Spring 2023 issue.

Dylan and Cheri (Hacker) Harris ’98 are spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth, or about as close as you can get to that. In 2011, after years of traveling across Asia and Europe and down the Pan-American Highway, the couple settled with their three kids—Ritter, 15, Amelia, 13, and Tobin, 11—in San Carlos de Bariloche, a lake town at the base of the Andes mountains in southern Argentina. Dylan and Cheri decided that this would be the perfect spot to launch a ministry—one geared toward backpackers.

“We spent a lot of time sharing the Gospel with locals on our travels, but they weren’t generally very receptive,” Dylan said. “Backpackers, on the other hand, were much more willing to talk about their faith. They’re searching, exploring, and are open to learning about Jesus.”

The couple runs Shelter on the Lake, which offers up to eight travelers at a time a spot to stay for free. Though lodging is free for guests, most contribute by helping pay for community food and participating in cleaning, cooking, and upkeep projects. Travelers come from all over the world, passing through on their journey north. During the day, guests and volunteers spend time on outdoor adventures including rock climbing, hiking, and paddle boarding.

“We purposefully spend time with them, getting to know their story, who they are,” Dylan said. “It’s when we’re out in this gorgeous Argentine paradise that we talk about Jesus.”

Shelter on the Lake is staffed by a rotating handful of volunteers from the U.S. who spend a few months at a time furthering God’s Kingdom. “When backpackers stay with us, they step into this Christian community where we truly do life together,” Dylan said. “We get to know them and pour into them. They’re overwhelmed by this love in word and deed that they’ve never experienced before.” Before the travelers depart, they’re given a small, lightweight Bible in their language to bring with them on their journey. “Our vision is for them to hear the Gospel, see it in action in the community, and take it with them,” Dylan said.

This ministry is possible because of what Dylan and Cheri learned while students at Azusa Pacific. Dylan worked full-time in the bookstore and helped lead Walkabout with former APU President Jon Wallace. “I was a nobody, but Jon made me feel like the most important person in the world,” Dylan said. “His listening and caring inspired me.” Dylan uses these same skills with guests and while discipling volunteers.

Cheri graduated with a degree in Spanish and Christian ministries and a minor in art. “Our ministry is a direct result of being equipped with the education we received at APU,” she said. Cheri used her creative skills to design the building for Shelter on the Lake, as well as make the furniture, crockery, and art inside. She uses her Spanish knowledge to communicate with locals and run the shelter. The couple also operates a small church out of their house, allowing Cheri to use what she learned in her ministry classes.

Dylan and Cheri are exactly where they want to be. “We’re living our dream. Everything that God created us for—outdoor adventures, travel, ministry, language, art—it all just came together,” Cheri said. “At APU, there were always conversations about doing what God has called you to do. We’re blessed to be doing the work that God made us for.” To learn more about Dylan and Cheri’s work with Shelter on the Lake, arrange a visit, or volunteer for the season, contact them at shelteronthelake@gmail.com.

The Sword Project: Blessing Athletes with Personalized Bibles

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Carrie Webber, Azusa Pacific University’s head softball coach, was on a mission. She walked onto the field with a stack of thick leatherbound books in her arms, knowing that this moment meant more than any win ever would. These were no ordinary books; in fact, they were copies of the bestselling, most read book of all time. Titled the Sword Project, APU’s Athletics Department gives personalized study Bibles to all incoming athletes.

For Webber, the inspiration for the Sword Project came from former player Becca Jewett ’21. While Jewett was an upper-division student at APU, she went into her own pocket to buy Bibles for the freshmen on the team. “Becca would have dinner with them and present them with a Bible with their name on it,” Webber said. “It was awesome watching the impact that had. It definitely meant a lot to them.” Webber began to notice that many incoming athletes didn’t have Bibles. “I think that one of the best things that we can possibly do for our athletes is to put a Bible in their hands,” she said.

As Webber began to look for the right study Bibles, she encountered a problem—the Bibles weren’t cheap, and the cost added up quickly with the large number of athletes. This problem was solved thanks to a generous donation through a foundation by Jamen Wurm, CPA, MS ’98, a member of APU’s 1998 NAIA national-championship-winning football team. Wurm, a partner at Goehner Accountancy, is a big believer in giving back to the program that helped shape him into who he is today. When APU announced the closure of the football program in 2020, he asked former football coach Bo Beatty ’94 if he had any ideas about where the funds he had donated could go. Beatty told him about the work Webber does and got them in contact. After talking with Webber, Wurm knew he wanted to be a part of the Sword Project. “I’m very excited to know that this is going toward such a great cause,” Wurm said. “It is a blessing to be a part of possibly providing a student-athlete with their first Bible ever.”

The Sword Project’s name comes from a hand-engraved sword on the cover of each Bible, referring to the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Inside the sword, Webber can inscribe up to 12 characters, which athletes choose. Many ask for their names or the Scriptural location of their favorite Bible verse. Webber has received lots of encouraging feedback from the athletes. “One girl had wanted a Bible for years, but cost was always an issue. She was so excited to receive one,” Webber said. “Another girl had an old hand-me-down Bible. She said it was hard for her to open it, for many reasons, but this Bible is her own and has given her the newfound motivation to open it and experience God’s Word.”

APU athletes have a unique opportunity to grow in their faith, according to athletic director Gary Pine ’84, who conducted a survey on their spiritual growth. “While Bible classes and chapel are an integral part of APU’s Christian education, the resounding response from athletes was that they saw the most spiritual growth from meaningful conversations with their teammates and coaches,” Pine said. “The beauty of athletics is that when you’re on a team, you develop a bond that allows for vulnerability. People feel comfortable asking deep questions that they might not feel comfortable asking elsewhere.”

In academic classes, APU faculty find ways to integrate their faith with the subject material. On athletic teams, coaches model a Christian lifestyle and walk alongside their players. “We want to impact our athletes beyond the four years they’re here. Nothing can impact your life greater than the Word of God,” Pine said.

“When our student-athletes walk across that commencement stage, they’re no longer a student and no longer an athlete. We hope to pour into them enough so they know their identity is not in academics or athletics, rather it is in Christ. Now they’ll have their own Bibles, and it’s a book they’ll continue to use long after they graduate.”

Each coach has their own ways they pour into their players—some do Bible studies, others have team movie nights featuring Christian productions such as The Chosen, and others pray with their team before and after practices. All APU coaches are available to talk to their players when deep questions arise. “I had a player call me recently and say, ‘Coach, I know God’s real, and I don’t know much more, but I really want to know. Can you sit down with me and tell me more?’” said Webber. “I told her I absolutely could. I live for those moments. Wins are pretty cool, but the joy from those moments lasts way longer. I don’t always get to be there for that moment when they say yes to their faith and yes to God. But while I might not get to see that moment, I definitely notice how they’ve been transformed at APU. That’s very special.”

APU Libraries Display Special Collection Exhibit: Advent Voices

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Azusa Pacific University’s Libraries will display a special collections exhibit entitled Advent Voices: Waiting Between Time for the Star of the East from Dec. 1-16, 2022 in the Darling Library Rotunda. Curated by librarian Luba V. Zakharov, MA, MTS, MLS, MFA, this exhibit includes a variety of illuminated manuscripts, books, leaves, and images dated from as far back as 1380 A.D.

“The inspiration for this exhibit is Advent, a celebration of longing for the return of Christ who has already come,” Zakharov said. “At APU, people come from so many different religious backgrounds. Not everyone knows the history of these liturgical traditions. The goal is to provide a space for people to come in and reflect on Advent and perhaps glean insight from the voices of those who spoke from that time period.”

Included in the exhibit are illuminated manuscripts and Bibles, including the Saint John’s Bible, which consists of seven volumes, of which only 299 copies exist worldwide. Illuminating means writing each letter by hand and surrounding the text with ornate illustrations, sometimes using solid gold to brighten up the text. Using this process, the St. John’s Bible took 15 years to create. “The intent of illumination is to make the words on the page live, as opposed to running it through a printer,” Zakharov said. “It makes you truly look at each word.”

APU students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to take in Advent Voices. Zakharov hopes people will make the connections between the individual items to see the flow of the story with its central theme of Advent. “We live in a hurried culture. I hope people will pause for long enough to benefit from reflecting on Advent through the lens of voices from the past,” she said. “After all, advent takes time and turns it on its head, saying this has happened, but it’s also coming in the future.”

Prospective Students Find Belonging at APU

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

On a rainy Saturday in October, more than 180 students from Kern High School District (KHSD) filed onto six school buses and headed down the I-5. After a two-hour journey, they arrived on Azusa Pacific University’s campus and were welcomed into the Upper Turner Campus Center (UTCC) by a team of students, faculty, and staff. Led by Bryan Bowens, EdD ’14, the students made the trip as part of Project BEST (Black Excellence in Scholarship and Teaching). “I am a product of Project BEST and the Black Student Union from KHSD,” Bowens said. “I wanted these students to experience APU in the same way I experienced APU, to consider it as a viable option for college because it could change their lives in the same way it changed mine.”

As the high schoolers enjoyed breakfast, Keith Hall, EdD, vice president of student belonging and chief diversity officer, took the stage to deliver a keynote address. “I wanted to give students a vision of our hope as Christian higher education leaders and professionals for prospective and current students to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually—to consider ways they can acquire clarity on their calling and steward the knowledge, personal agency, influence, and faith to carry out a God-given purpose,” Hall said. Hall also spoke about the value of education and the choice students have to prioritize the educational experience in high school and college to open pathways to personal development, critical thought, social engagement, and an invaluable avenue to offer a meaningful contribution and make a difference in the world.

Following Hall’s keynote address was a panel discussion themed “Black Excellence in Higher Education,” featuring Michelle R. Cox, PhD, director of the School Counseling Program; LaShan Epperson, DBA, assistant professor in the School of Business and Management; Ta’Tyana Leonard, MA, campus pastor and associate director of the Office of Corporate Worship; Candice R. Williams, PhD, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice; Xavier Whitaker, EdD, dean of students; and Paul Dennis, executive director of Campus Safety. “They each shared their story of how they obtained their education and the obstacles they overcame in doing so. It was really powerful and their stories definitely resonated with the Kern students,” said Tina Sprague, enrollment partnerships manager, who helped put the event together.

The students then split into groups. One group heard from a panel of student club leaders, while the other group heard advice from the Gen1 Scholars Program. The students enjoyed a catered lunch from Chick-fil-a and talked with current APU students about their experiences. After lunch, the students headed to West Campus where many went on tours and participated in a workshop led by Bowens, while others worked with admissions representatives in an “on the spot” event. A total of 25 students filled out applications and were admitted to APU that same day.

These students benefit from APU’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with KHSD, a partnership that helps students fulfill their A-G requirements to be ready for college. With the MOU, Kern students are guaranteed to receive an academic scholarship from APU as well as an additional $1,000 scholarship to support their education if they maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. “We’ve created a pathway for students to be able to afford a degree in higher education through our MOU with KHSD,” Sprague said. “When you go through higher education, more doors open for you. I have a passion for all students to have that opportunity, to be able to obtain a degree that will open a world of possibilities.”

The day concluded with a keynote speech from Antoine Hawkins, PhD, superintendent of the Evergreen Elementary School District in San Jose. Hawkins and Bowens are both members of Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest African American fraternity in the U.S. which develops leaders, promotes brotherhood, and academic excellence. Hawkins emphasized the importance of focusing in high school to the students, that college is within reach if they buckle down. Bowens seconded this message, encouraging his students in Project BEST to do everything they could now to prepare for college. “Higher education enhances one’s life, providing different perspectives of cultures and lifestyles and equipping students with the tools to think critically for themselves,” he said. “I want my students to know that they can do all things, including getting a degree, through Christ who strengthens them.”

Bowens recollected his time at APU fondly, talking about how he felt welcomed at APU and was inspired by seeing other leaders of color in the Educational Leadership Department. “I was around people that looked like me and shared the same lived life experiences as me. We motivated and pushed each other,” he said. “I had a strong sense of belonging and knew I was supposed to be here. I am who I am today because of how I was transformed as a leader at APU.” Bowens advises all of his students in Project BEST to apply to two colleges: Cal State Bakersfield (their local university) and APU. He said that his students were treated so well that he has already started planning another trip for at least 120 more Project BEST students to visit APU in the spring. “My students felt that same strong sense of belonging on APU’s campus. They loved being welcomed so warmly and I truly hope some of them matriculate to APU after graduation.”

Eileen O’Neall: Restoring Hope Overseas Through the Arts

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

One trip changed the trajectory of Eilen O’Neall’s (’12) life. During her junior year at Azusa Pacific University, O’Neall went on a Center for Student Action (CSA) trip to the Himalayas. O’Neall, who majored in music education and performance, was on the way to teach music classes at a Mother Theresa home in Kolkata when she saw a blind boy begging for change. “He was singing and he had such a beautiful voice,” O’Neall recalled. “That was my first time seeing the effects of human trafficking. It was an eye-opening experience.”

Many children like this in the region and across the world are intentionally harmed by adults because they’re likely to earn more as beggars if they have disabilities. “I learned that his eyes had been damaged on purpose. This didn’t sit well with me and I knew I had to respond,” O’Neall said. After returning to California, she began to research the problem and what was being done to fight it. “I asked myself, what can I do as a music educator? How can I help solve this problem?”

O’Neall made it back to South Asia after finishing her undergraduate studies at APU. “The reality of the vulnerable children I had encountered in the Himalayas never left my mind,” she said. O’Neall decided to found a nonprofit organization, Creative Hope International, with a small group of artists, all connections from APU. They led music and dance camps in countries in South and Southeast Asia with high rates of human trafficking. The camp made an impact in the lives of these children. “Girls that had been rescued from abuse and trafficking got to learn how to express themselves through dance, reclaiming their bodies for something beautiful. It gave them so much confidence. The counselors said it was amazing to see how big of a contrast there was in the girls after the camp.”

Although the group was limited by their school schedule, including O’Neall who was pursuing her master’s at Cal State Long Beach, they traveled across the world again the following year to continue the camp. After finishing her master’s, O’Neall moved to South Asia and the work with Creative Hope International became a full-time job. Since then, the nonprofit has expanded with a team of local staff in the Himalayas and a long-term partner in Southeast Asia. They’ve helped more than 1,000 people since 2014 through teaching singing, musical instruments, folk music, and dancing. “We believe love and creativity changes oppressive minds and systems. When people create, they can embody justice, beauty, and hope,” O’Neall said. “Music and the arts provide a powerful avenue for healing, restoration, and empowerment. We’re giving students channels of connection where they can realize their potential and have a better future.”

A large part of the impact O’Neall is making through her nonprofit is a result of the music education she received at APU. From being a part of the University Choir and Orchestra to participating in CSA mission trips, O’Neall said she was equipped for her current work through her time at APU. “I really loved my ethnomusicology class. It’s especially useful for my instruction today because it explores music in different cultures. Classical western music isn’t as appropriate in South Asian music classrooms,” she said. “The music education classes had us do a lot of observation and participation type of learning, which was really helpful.” While her music classes were vital to her current teaching, one of O’Neall’s biggest learning moments came in her Christian Life Faith and Ministry class with Michael Bruner, PhD. “I realized that being who God called me to be is Christlike.”

Faith plays a major part of O’Neall’s life and work. “I believe that God loves all people, especially these vulnerable children. My faith enables me to keep going and face challenges with confidence,” she said. “My work is 100 percent based on His faithfulness and His promises.” O’Neall said she has seen many examples of God moving in the Himalayas, including stories of her students letting go of negative and oppressive labels. “I catch a glimpse of the story God is weaving, and I love seeing how God’s love changes people’s hearts and lives.”

STEM Research Symposium Offers Undergrad Students Unique Opportunity

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Azusa Pacific University’s Center for Research in Science (CRIS) recently hosted the fourth annual STEM Research Symposium. The symposium, held in the Segerstrom Science Center, provided an opportunity for more than 30 undergraduate students from the departments of Biology and Chemistry; Engineering and Computer Science (ECS); and Math, Physics, and Statistics (MPS) to share the research they conducted under guidance of faculty advisors. “The symposium provides an excellent opportunity for our undergraduate researchers to disseminate their findings,” said Louise Huang, director of CRIS and acting dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

A unique part of this event is the collaboration between departments. While working only a few classrooms away from each other, students rarely get to see what kinds of research other STEM majors are doing. “It was great to see other student’s research,” said William Dortch, a sophomore systems engineering major. “I was amazed at how much work they put into it. It inspired me to go further in my research.” Dortch, alongside sophomore Isaiah Chang, worked with faculty advisor Aisha Chen, PhD, to research music therapy and machine learning. “It’s such a fresh field. We gathered lots of research to assess the best music therapy practices in order to improve movement for patients with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.”

Unlike most larger public and private institutions, STEM students at APU have the opportunity to conduct research during their undergraduate years. Dortch said this invaluable experience has taught him a lot. “I definitely learned the importance of time management and having excellent writing skills,” Dortch said. “Doing research at 19 is a lot of responsibility. It’s going to make me better and sharpen me at the end of the day.” Emily Gottry, a senior applied math and honors humanities major, echoed Dortch’s sentiments. “Research was a top priority for me when I was deciding where to go to college,” Gottry said. “I love to see math in action. The opportunity to do that for multiple years during undergrad with an expert to guide me is so impactful.”

Gottry won the “Outstanding Oral Presentation in ECS/MPS” award for her research on multipulsing and bifurcations of optical solitons in the 2D complex cubic-quintic Ginzburg-Landau equation with faculty advisor Edwin Ding, PhD. Since fall 2020, Gottry has worked with Ding to investigate optical solitons, waves that behave like a particle. “They can do some funky things, oscillating or forming two or three pulses instead of just one. The difficulty is that full simulations take a long time,” Gottry said. “We’re building a model to qualitatively reproduce it without taking so long. It’s neat to apply a statistics model on a physical problem.” Gottry said this research experience was paramount in helping her find internships over the past two summers: one at a government research facility and the other doing business analytics for State Farm. She thinks it will also be helpful when she goes to find a job in signals or data analysis.

The symposium prepared students to practice presenting their research, both in written and verbal mediums. Students put together posters showcasing their research, explaining what they had found with other students, faculty, staff, and members of the APU community. For senior organismal biology major Halina Liu, this was her second time presenting at the symposium. “Public speaking was never my strong suit. I was really nervous the first time, but I’ve gotten a lot better and really improved this year,” Liu said. Liu’s research focused on characterizing the kinetics of non-photochemical quenching and efficiency of photoprotection in Helianthus annuus, Venegasia carpesioides, and Celtis reticulata.

Under the direction of faculty advisor Charles Chen, PhD, Liu practiced formulating questions, composing a hypothesis, planning the steps of how to tackle the problem, and finding a solution. Two plants they experimented with were common types of sunflowers, since they’re an important economic crop in the U.S. with their seeds and oil being used frequently in food production. “We investigated how photosynthetic abilities and the photoprotective mechanisms differ in plant species,” Liu said. “By getting familiar with these characteristics, we may one day be able to manipulate these plants in order to increase harvesting, grow food crop yields, and fight food scarcity.” Liu said the research process has taught her a lot about problem solving. “That will be really important going forward after graduation. I’m so glad to have done research in undergrad. It’s a great opportunity at APU and I’d recommend it for anyone who’s interested.”

APU Opens Revamped Duke Student Commons

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Azusa Pacific University recently celebrated the opening of the new John and Marilyn Duke Student Commons on West Campus. The completely redesigned 27,000-square-foot-space, which was formerly known as Heritage Court, enhances the campus experience for all students. “The Duke Commons is intentionally designed to facilitate student connection, engagement, and belonging,” said Keith Hall, EdD, vice president of student belonging and chief diversity officer. “The Commons is a perfect environment for graduate and undergraduate students to organically cultivate new relationships or deepen existing ones with peers, faculty, and staff."

As you enter through the main entrance off of Parking Lot H, the space is filled with a variety of booths for meeting and leisure pods conducive to studying. “Although APU has a number of places across East and West campuses where students can gather, connect, and socialize, the Duke Commons provides a centralized space for students to relate, recharge, and refresh before, in between, and after classes. It offers utility that can serve as a home away from home,” Hall said. Commuter student Eli Herrera, a sophomore psychology major with a music minor, enjoys the many amenities Duke Commons offers. “The seats are comfortable and there are so many that I never have to spend time searching for a place to sit,” Herrera said. “I like how nice and organized it is.”

The Commons also features stadium seating, with seven levels for students to gather under a Cougars banner. “We put a huge, drop-down screen facing the stadium seating, so professors can reserve the space if they’d like to show a film for class, clubs can have a movie night, and we’re planning on doing community events like World Series watch parties,” said Heather Snyder ’99, MBM ’09, director of auxiliary services.

The three eateries on West Campus have also been revamped. Hillside Grounds has a more open design that offers students a perfect spot to enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee. The Grill now features a broader menu including Mexican cuisine and a student favorite, loaded tater tots. The Market allows students to quickly grab a snack or beverage on their way to class. “With these dining venues, there’s something for everyone,” Snyder said. “Whether you’re in the mood for a sandwich, a burrito, or just a quick snack on the go, you can find it here.”

A popular change to the space is the addition of the Campus Store, which offers an extensive selection of APU gear, including t-shirts, polos, tank tops, sweaters, jackets, shorts, and hats. The store also stocks an impressive variety of APU accessories including mugs, water bottles, backpacks, stickers, ornaments, and more. Students can stock up on any necessary class materials from books to binders. Also located in the Commons, Cougar Tech features all the latest Apple products.

At the other end of the Duke Commons sits the Commuter Desk. This desk offers a one stop hub for commuter students to receive services including one free snack per day and access to a printer where they can print up to 10 pages for free each day. They can also store extra materials in lockers, keep their food in a refrigerator, and use microwaves to cook it between classes. “By nature, commuter students do not have the ability to run back to their residential areas, to rest or grab something, so we want to make their lives easier,” said Matt Browning, EdD, director of Commuter Life. “Commuter students are an integral part of the APU community. These students work especially hard to be here and balance work, family, and school. We’re proud to serve these extraordinary students.” APU has more than 1,200 commuter students enrolled for the 2022-23 academic year. Victoria Ramos ’22, a graduate social work student who commutes from Ontario, said the Duke Commons benefits commuters in ways Heritage didn’t. “This is a place where I enjoy spending time.”

APU students make an impact, working for biotech leaders developing COVID-19 drugs

This article was originally published on APU.edu.

When David Dyer, Ph.D., became the executive director and professor of the newly designed M.S. in Biotechnology program at Azusa Pacific University, he may not have anticipated the significant work his students and graduates would be doing just three years later when COVID-19 struck. Dyer, a researcher and industry consultant for drug development and testing, led the nation’s first multi-campus biotech graduate program for California State University before launching APU’s Master of Science in Biotechnology in 2017. With a focus on training California’s growing high-tech workforce, APU’s program, housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, helps numerous students land prestigious internships and jobs at major companies in the industry.

One of these biotech leaders, Gilead Sciences, located in San Dimas, has developed a promising medicine for the coronavirus called Remdesivir. “Gilead is a highly ethical pharmaceutical company that does things the right way,” Dyer said. Gilead CEO Daniel O’Day pledged to donate 1.5 million doses of Remdesivir to those afflicted with COVID-19. This will enable up to 140,000 patients to receive the potentially life-saving medicine.

Keep Reading: The Benefit of Hands-On Experience in Biotechnology Graduate Programs

Graduate student Najeh Salamah, M.S. ’20, interns at Gilead, where he has logged more than 900 hours so far working on a data integrity project. He is happy to work for a company striving to find a solution to the pandemic. “The manufacturing department is working around the clock with a huge demand and need for Remdesivir, the experimental drug to treat COVID-19,” Salamah said. “Medicines help diagnose and cure illnesses, which enable us to live a safer and better life. Because of continuous mutations of viruses, we need to have tangible technological advancements in order to keep up with epidemics and pandemics. The coronavirus exemplifies this acute need.”

Several APU biotechnology students work at Grifols, another industry leader. Grifols is currently working on a medicine called Anti-Coronavirus Hyperimmune Globulin, made from the plasma of COVID-19 survivors. The drug contains the antibodies of patients who beat the coronavirus and may help others fight the virus if they become infected. Graduate student Helke Criado, M.S. ’20, interned at Grifols for seven months before securing a full-time position. Prior to Grifols, Criado worked as a clinical laboratory scientist for six years, but chose to make a change. “I decided to transition to the biotech field and found APU’s program. It was the best move I’ve made in my career,” she said.

Keep Reading: California’s Biotech Industry Boom and What It Could Mean for You

Criado selected APU because of the program’s success with placing students and graduates in jobs. According to Dyer, the biotechnology industry experiences up to a 40-50 percent employee attrition rate in new hires. “It’s expensive for businesses to hire and train new people. If they move on within a year or so, the enterprise loses that investment,” he said. “At APU, we also focus on the business side of biotechnology, including project management and regulatory affairs. This way, our students are more prepared and well-rounded and companies don’t have nearly as much turnover. Our industry partners love our students.”

According to Dyer, 92 percent of APU’s biotech students get hired immediately after graduation. Many students, like Criado, are hired at the companies where they intern. He believes that Gilead, Grifols, and other pharmaceutical companies also choose APU students because of their strong moral character. Biotechnology professionals often face ethical situations in the development of new drugs and treatments.

“Gilead and other leading industry partners are interested in partnering with APU to create groundbreaking ethical training for the entire industry,” Dyer said.

Jason Richardson '10 lands deal on Shark Tank

This article was originally published on APU.edu.

Azusa Pacific University alumnus Jason Richardson ’10 walked onto the set of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” with his heart pounding and adrenaline coursing through his veins. “That was probably the most nerve wracking moment of my life, other than proposing to my wife,” he said. Despite the high stakes and pressure, Richardson artfully delivered his business pitch to the celebrity judges and a television audience of millions, negotiating his way to a deal with a spectacular finish.

Richardson, who holds a marketing degree from APU, came into the tank asking for $300,000 for 10 percent of his company Bad Birdie, a golf clothing brand that designs “the freshest polos in golf.” As he stood in front of the five wealthy sharks, Richardson described the inspiration behind his business. “I went into a store to buy a polo for a golf tournament and I walked out with a basic shirt. I had an epiphany that all golf polos are the same. They’re dominated by solid colors and stripes, and are very boring. I’m someone who likes to wear bolder stuff,” he said. Richardson hunted online and in retail stores for something more exciting, but couldn’t find any golf shirts that appealed to him, so he decided to create some himself. Six months later, in May 2017, Richarson launched Bad Birdie.

With no fashion industry experience, Richardson researched the steps to make polos and found a designer to help him create bold prints that would be sure to grab attention on the golf course. The challenge came in finding a manufacturer to make the shirts. His business was so small at the time, that his orders weren’t large enough to meet factory terms. He improvised, buying plain white fabric in bulk, taking it to a printer, and bringing the designed fabric to a seamstress who sewed the polos by hand in a 1,000-square-foot space.

Initially, Richardson’s company struggled to lower manufacturing costs, but he gradually brought prices down as the demand for his product skyrocketed. In his first year of business, Bad Birdie captured $72,000 in sales, then grew to $412,000 in 2018, and to more than $1 million in 2019. “People love the look. They see Bad Birdie polos for the first time and say that’s exactly what they’ve been looking for,” he said. “The majority of growth has been word of mouth. People come up to each other on the course and ask where they got their polo, what brand it is.”

While Richardson has learned a lot in the three years since starting Bad Birdie, the road hasn’t been easy. “There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes. You might think, this guy started his own company, so he’s got it made, but it never lets up. Your back is against the wall every day. That’s why I wanted to bring in an investor who has done this many times already and can help us continue to grow year after year.”

That investor is tech mogul Robert Herjavec, and winning him over required some creativity on Richardson’s part, providing an entertaining television moment for “Shark Tank” viewers. While Herjavec clearly wanted a deal, he wasn’t willing to sway from $300,000 for 25 percent of the company. In response, Richardson walked behind his set display, pulled out a putter, and proposed that the shark make a six-foot-putt for a 25 percent deal, but if he missed they would settle on 20 percent. Herjavec accepted the challenge. The other sharks jeered and jibed as Herjavec lined his shot up and it stopped just an inch short of the hole. “I may not have made the putt, but I made the deal. Jason’s a great guy and it’s a great company. I’m really looking forward to getting out there,” Herjavec said in an Instagram video.

Richardson said he is extremely excited for the partnership and where his company is headed. He is also grateful to integrate the sport he loves into his business while continuing to enjoy it as a pastime. “I try to get in at least nine holes once a week. I don’t have nearly as much time to play as when I was a student at APU,” he said. Richardson recalls his final semester as a senior in college when he only had a couple classes, so he used his extra time to play golf every morning at Rancho Duarte Golf Course with his roommates.

If it had not been for those early morning rounds on the green, Richardson’s career path might have taken a different trajectory. “There’s a letter, a little prayer to God, that I wrote in my room. A week before I went on the show, I said, ‘I’m giving this all up to you and seeing what happens.’ That’s been my mantra this whole time,” Richardson said. “I have the huge privilege of running this company. At the end of the day, I’m trusting God. I’m not in this alone.”

Michael Lee '90 runs his race

Michael Lee ’90 flew headfirst in the icy slush and tumbled down the ski slope, hearing a snapping sound as he landed on his neck. Nearby skiers quickly called for rescue, and Lee was rushed to the hospital to receive a diagnosis that would change his life—a fractured C5 and partial paralysis in his left arm.

As an avid skier and runner, Lee initially felt terrified, and called out to God in his despair. “I said to Him, ‘God, no matter what I'm facing, your goodness is not on trial here. Whether I am healed or not in the way that I want to be, you're still good and you are going to cause this to work together for good in my life,” Lee said. “I started crying, but they were tears of joy.”

Lee’s response of steadfast trust stemmed from years of journeying with God, beginning when he arrived at Azusa Pacific University in 1986 as a new believer, eager to learn more. As a student, he played on the soccer team, joined the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, served as a resident advisor, and participated in a discipleship group led by former President Jon Wallace, DBA—as the APU community strengthened his faith in God. Lee’s mentoring relationship with Bible professor Bruce Baloain, Ph.D., led him to add a Biblical studies major on top of his business degree.

As his relationship with Christ grew, Lee wanted to share the Gospel with others. When he received an opportunity to work for the Duncan Toys Company and became a professional yo-yoer, a unique ministry emerged. Over time, he shared his testimony through yo-yoing to more than 1.7 million children in all 50 states and four continents, even performing three times at the White House. Lee saw God moving through his ministry—cultivating an even deeper faith in Him.

Following his yo-yoing career, Lee opened his own business in Seattle where he helps companies find administrative staffing. After a long week of work at his new job, on Valentine’s Day in 2016, Lee decided to go skiing, a decision that would alter the course of his life.

When he woke up in the hospital the day after the crash, an elder from his church stood by his bed, praying over him. Those prayers were heard. Two days later, Lee was released from the hospital with just a neck brace.

“My neurosurgeon said my neck had broken in just the right way,” Lee said. “He thought I might need surgery at first, but he determined the neck brace would be enough.”

With the help of meals from his small group and the care of his roommate, Lee began the slow road to recovery, trusting God along the way. After undergoing physical therapy, during his final appointment with the neurosurgeon, he received clearance for physical activities.

Just six months after his accident, Lee stood at the start line of the Spartan Race, wondering what he had gotten himself into. In contrast to popular races like the Tough Mudder, the Spartan presents even more physically challenging obstacles. If participants cannot successfully navigate an obstacle, they must complete 30 burpees before moving on. Many failed obstacles and more than 200 burpees later, Lee crossed the finish line in last place. Most importantly, he finished the race.

Lee decided to try it again, and again. Although he continued to finish near the back of the pack at first, he kept at it. He started to get better, train more, and work harder, as his rankings steadily improved until he achieved his first podium.

Lee went on to earn three more podium spots in 2018 and five in 2019, including a first place finish in his last race of the year. So far in 2020, Lee has competed in four races, placing among the top five competitors in all of them.

“I’ve had two races this year where I went head-to-head with Kevin Gilloti, a member of the Spartan Pro Team,” said Lee. “I was running neck and neck with him. I was pushing him and I couldn't believe it.”

Looking back, Lee said there is no way he could have predicted he would be here after his accident, when he cried out to God in his hospital bed. His trust in God, developed through his journey at APU, pushed him to keep moving forward.

“I want to use my Spartan journey to inspire others to run their race: I believe all things are possible to those who believe. God is able to do exceedingly more than we ask or imagine,” he said. “If this 52-year-old man can survive a near fatal accident, come back, complete 85 Spartan races, and thrive, others can too. What’s your race and how can you run it?”