Beatrice Buob ’03: Sharing the Gospel Through Happy Voices

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Beatrice Buob ’03 had almost given up on her dream of pursuing a career in music when she learned of Azusa Pacific University. Originally from St. Gallen, Switzerland, Buob had been told by Swiss music schools that she was too old for their programs. Fortunately, her brother lived in San Diego. Buob searched for Christian universities in Southern California that didn’t have age limitations. After being accepted at APU, she moved more than 6,000 miles to pursue her dream. Although she originally planned on only taking a few classes, Buob enjoyed the program so much that she went on to earn her Master’s of Music in Conducting.

From her first day on campus, Buob was struck by how different APU’s community and welcoming environment were compared to her educational experience in Switzerland. “Students would come up to me and check in to see how I was doing. If I said I wasn’t so good, they would stop and pray with me. I was impressed by their friendliness and faith,” she said. Buob felt this same reception from the faculty. “I had professors who invited me to join their family for dinner. Even now, when I come back, they still invite me.”

After graduating, Buob was offered a job leading the African Children's Choir. She traveled to Ireland, England, and Scotland with the choir, supporting children from Rwanda and Uganda as they sang to vast audiences. Three months later, Buob returned to Switzerland and her home church, where she taught private voice lessons and began a Gospel choir. “I started Happy Voices in October 2004 and it’s still going nearly 20 years later,” she said. “I always wanted to be a missionary. He sent me back to Switzerland because this community choir is my mission field.”

Happy Voices performs regularly at the local Reform Church. The choir also sings at eight concerts every year in churches across Switzerland. Buob loves watching the choir grow. “As a conductor, you have the gift of seeing what a choir is capable of. I like to push them. They are surprised at what they can accomplish by the end of the season,” she said. “They have to believe so they can do more than they thought possible.” Under Buob’s care, the group has grown to 24 members with more planning to join.

Buob said many who attend the concerts are not believers. Through the Christian songs Happy Voices sings, Buob hopes to change that. “For people who come to our concerts who don’t believe in God yet, I hope to plant seeds,” she said. “I preach a bit between songs, talking about my personal experiences with God. I think that touches people’s hearts because they can relate to it.” Buob also aims to spread her faith in other ways. She hosts weekly events in her home where people can come to enjoy baked goods and coffee, fellowshipping together. Buob also holds worship nights at her house once a month. “Through this fellowship and Happy Voices, I’ve seen people become born again Christians.”

Reflecting on her personal journey, Buob said she is grateful to be using her God given talents to serve others. “I never thought I could actually conduct music in Switzerland,” she said. “But APU made that possible and here I am.”

APU Study Away Opportunities: Natasha Zimmerman’s Oxford Experience

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

One of the most exciting parts about college is experiencing living in a new place. Students at Azusa Pacific University have the opportunity to study away at a variety of different locations for a few weeks (GO Terms) or a full semester. These study away opportunities include options in Ecuador, Ireland, Kenya, Israel, Jordan, Washington D.C., England, and other countries in Europe. Perhaps the most unique opportunity to study away is the Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford (SCIO) semester through the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) GlobalEd programs. During this program, APU students study at the University of Oxford, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. 

Natasha Zimmerman ’24, a junior honors humanities and public relations major, studied away at Oxford during the fall 2022 semester. Her experience at Oxford was transformational. “It was so amazing. I studied American history in a different country, which was always a dream of mine,” she said. Zimmerman also studied English literature and took an undergraduate research seminar. While the classes were as rigorous as her APU classes, Zimmerman’s courses at Oxford followed a completely different format. While lectures were offered, they were not required and not the main instruction method. Zimmerman was tasked with reading assigned texts, writing eight page research papers on the reading, and then meeting with her professors to discuss her papers in a one-on-one setting. As one of the world’s top research universities, Zimmerman benefited from learning from Oxford’s talented and renowned faculty. “Oxford’s programs are so different from the way we learn in the U.S., but it broadened my horizons and helped me grow immensely in my writing and research skills.”

Zimmerman’s experience outside of the classroom also made the study away opportunity a once in a lifetime experience. Prior to Oxford, she had never been outside of North America. During her semester away, Zimmerman traveled across England to London, Bath, Winchester, and Cambridge. On weekends, Zimmerman would go on short adventures, including seeing a play at William Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. During a short break in the fall, she traveled with friends from the program to Vienna, Austria. “Traveling with my new friends is something I’ll definitely remember and cherish.” 

A big takeaway from Zimmerman’s experience at Oxford is how different England is culturally from the U.S. Aside from learning entirely new terminology, Zimmerman appreciated finding historical sites and buildings seemingly everywhere she went. “I didn’t realize how new everything is back in the U.S. A building back home would be considered ancient if it’s more than 200 years old,” she said. “In Oxford, there’s a tower from the 13th century and a covered market from 1769. So many of the buildings in England are older than our country. I love the huge depth of history.”

Zimmerman said she was excited to return to Azusa, where the sun shines more often and she could see all her APU friends. She is immensely happy that she studied away at Oxford. “I would absolutely recommend Oxford or studying away in general to anyone,” she said. “Traveling to these new places is truly eye-opening.”

To learn more about these study away opportunities, email studyaway@apu.edu or call (626) 857-2440.

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.”

The Freshmen Honors Experience: Transforming Together

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

On a sweltering Tuesday in August, 12 strangers walked into a small classroom and sat across from each other in a circle. The room was quiet with uncertainty as the students nervously pulled out their copy of The Prince by Niccoló Machiavelli. The group of freshmen in Azusa Pacific University’s Honors College were about to participate in their first colloquy, a student driven discussion of great texts throughout history. As David Weeks, PhD, dean of the Honors College, led the conversation, the freshmen began sharing their thoughts on Machiavelli’s views of leadership. Although they didn’t know it at the time, they were cultivating the seeds that would later sprout into what one student called her “new family for this season of life.”

Over the course of their first semester, the students read an astonishing amount of great works from authors such as Aristotle, Mencius, Erasmus, Martin Luther King, Jr., Sun Zi, William Shakespeare, and several books of the Bible. After reflecting on all he read, Heath Koranda ’26 decided Erasmus’ The Education of a Christian Prince was the most influential for him. “I loved it because he established Christ as the ultimate standard that every leader should aspire to, but he also added supplementary wisdom from human thinkers,” he said. “The uniting of those two makes for an amazing leadership guide.” While Abigail Tam ’26 appreciated Erasmus, she contended that King’s Strength to Love was the most impactful. “MLK’s wisdom was so powerful,” Tam said. “It convicted me to truly follow Jesus’ example and live as a witness of Christ.” Nadia Ibarra ’26 expressed a similar sentiment, “God has shown Himself to me through what I learned in the Honors College. Being able to see His work was a life changing experience, and it affirmed my faith in Him.”

While academic growth is an integral part of honors, building a community outside the classroom is also a fundamental component of the students’ learning experience. Mia Guillen ’26 shared that “listening to others rather than relying solely on myself made it a lot easier to tackle difficult readings, such as Aristotle.” Tam affirmed the value of learning from her peers. “The relationships I built gave me the freedom to express and debate different ideas and beliefs,” she said. “It has been so refreshing to discuss polarizing subjects in a friendly manner.” Koranda compared the friends he made in honors to the friendships of virtue described in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. “Friends of virtue sharpen and want the best for each other. I've definitely felt that here,” he said. “I love deep and real conversations. Having these purposeful discussions with other like-minded people is such an amazing opportunity.”

Ultimately the Honors College prepares students to continue developing their intellect, character, and faith for the common good. “My dream, God willing, is to become a surgeon. I’d like to open up a hospital in a disadvantaged area—there are some places where the nearest hospital is more than 50 miles away,” Rami Ezzeddine ’26 shared. “Honors College has prepared me for that career path because in health care, you’re going to be helping a lot of people from different backgrounds.” Modern culture can tend to be self-orbiting, but the honors curriculum encourages students to consider a variety of perspectives in order to impact the lives of others. Koranda recalled Erasmus’ compelling notion of a “leader that takes up burdens to ensure the safety and wellbeing of others even at the expense of their own comfort. This idea is so powerful to me.”

Just four months after that first colloquy, the students gathered together for their last class of the semester. Though they sat in the same seats, they approached their final conversation in a much different way. As the freshmen devoured donuts and Crumbl Cookies, they recollected the formative parts of the semester. The students shed tears of joy and their bouts of laughter echoed down the hall as they shared the impact they had on each other. “Growing up, I was homeschooled. You were the friends I always wanted to have,” Tam said. “Thank you all for giving me the best school experience of my life.” Koranda seconded Tam’s sentiments, describing how much he enjoyed being with his classmates in the honors setting. “I never knew this kind of life was possible, an immersion in great people, great books, and great conversation,” he said. “It is my life now, and I truly cannot believe it. I am so happy that I am living that life at APU.” Koranda said he is sad that this semester in Weeks’ colloquy is over, but he is excited for the next seven semesters in honors. “This journey is one that I am absolutely sure will transform me.”

Taylor Mabuni ’21: More Than a Carpenter

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

On a chilly December morning, Taylor Mabuni ’21 pulled up to a house surrounded by construction equipment and film crews. Mabuni leads a team of seasoned construction workers as they take on custom home builds. Many of these renovation projects are featured on HGTV shows like Celebrity IOU with the Property Brothers, Revealed, Help! I Wrecked My House, and First Home Fix. “Most of what we do is the actual building that happens behind the scenes. It’s fun to watch as the film industry collaborates with our construction,” he said. “I tell my friends and family that you might see me in the background on the shows, but the truly exciting part for me is not being on TV, it’s getting to see the end result of projects. It’s so rewarding to see how my skills are a part of giving someone a beautiful home.”

While Mabuni loves his work, it’s not the career he had pictured pursuing when he came to Azusa Pacific University as a trustee scholar. Mabuni entered college with plans for a career in aerospace engineering. However, after interning at a helicopter manufacturing company, he knew it wasn’t the right major for him. Mabuni then tried studying business, before he decided to switch majors to interdisciplinary studies, which allowed him to combine his experience and create his own degree with emphases in applied mathematics, business, and leadership. “I never really fit the mold of any one of those areas. Interdisciplinary studies was the perfect solution,” Mabuni said. “I highly recommend the program because it allows you to gain a broad range of skills from different fields while not being locked in to any one of them.”

While Mabuni finished his degree at APU, he began working for Facilities Management. He had always liked working with his hands and loved to create. After graduating in May 2021, he took a week off to go back home to Kona, Hawaii, then returned to APU to work full time on the maintenance team. Mabuni learned the skills of carpentry and welding, and got to work on many projects around campus like the Shalom Cafe sign. “I told my friends and family that it was just a temporary job, just a way to save up money until I figured out what I was going to do post graduation, but it actually ended up opening the doors for my career now,” he said. After eight months working for APU, Mabuni was approached by a contractor, Bohler Builders Group based in Glendora, where he was offered a job as a carpenter. Less than a year into the job, Mabuni was promoted to site manager.

Mabuni loves that he gets to apply what he learned in his classes at APU. He uses knowledge from his mathematics courses when he uses calculations and diagrams for house blueprints and plans. He draws upon his business and finance classes when he oversees budgets for clients during projects. He also takes what he learned from his leadership studies and applies it as a manager, communicating with others and bringing out their strengths to get the job done best. “People have this perception that construction and college are mutually exclusive, that going into construction after college is a waste of a degree,” he said. “That’s just not true. More than the hard skills, college prepared me to be a critical thinker, problem solver, and communicator. These are skills that I use in my job every day.”

Being a manager provides Mabuni with a great opportunity to share his faith. “I get to reflect the heart of Christ in the way I treat and lead others,” he said. Like many, he grew up in a Christian household but was challenged with making his faith his own when he moved out. “Living on my own was the first time I had to choose what I was going to let take up my time, what I value, if I wanted to continue going to church on Sundays or use it as just another day to do homework and hang out with friends,” he said. “I’m glad I chose to value my faith.” Mabuni began attending One and All church in Upland, joined a small group, and found mentors to pour into him.

Mabuni was never steered toward construction when it came to career advice. He was told that construction is for people who couldn’t make it in college. Yet, at just 23-years-old and less than two years removed from graduation, Mabuni recognizes an important life lesson that he hopes to pass onto others. “Construction has opened up incredible opportunities for my career of working alongside industry leading designers and builders who are regulars on renovation TV shows. But what’s so much more important than that is getting to use the gifts that God has given me in carpentry and the trades to bless others and honor Him,” he said. “I’m passionate about sharing that lesson. It’s not about building homes, it's about pursuing the gifting and passion that God gave to me to work with my hands. There are unique skills and talents God has given to each of us and we get to choose how to respond with what we’ve been given. Using our God given gifts is one of the most powerful ways we can bless others and give all glory to Him.”

Bailey Wilson '18: If the Lord Leaves a Door Open, Run Through It

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

When Bailey Wilson ’18 opened her food truck, Bondi Bowls, she had no idea that it would become so popular and grow so rapidly. The idea for the business had come from her mother after noticing how bored Wilson was laying around her house in Oklahoma in the early days of the COVID pandemic. “She said, ‘Bailey, you need to get out of the house. You’ve been making these delicious acai bowls for Dad. He loves them. Your friends love them. You should share them with the community.’” Wilson found a used food truck on Facebook Marketplace, fixed it up and repainted it with her father, and launched Bondi Bowls on June 1, 2020. “I didn’t think many people would show up,” Wilson said. “But when my sister and I opened the window, there was a line of people so long it went through the entire parking lot. We literally hit the ground running.”

What began as a simple idea to help her make it through the pandemic quickly turned into much more. Just two-and-a-half years later, Bondi Bowls is a franchise with 17 food trucks in eight states, one brick and mortar location, and two kiosks in Oklahoma sporting venues. “In the beginning, I had no plans to hire employees, but we needed to,” she said. “Once we started franchising, we’ve continued to grow and now have more than 100 employees across the company.”

A big factor in this growth came about a month after Wilson opened her first truck. She was serving her bowls at a CycleBar event when a man approached her to talk about the business. “It turned out he served as a top executive at Disney for a long time. He also worked closely with Steve Jobs and helped start iTunes,” Wilson said. “He’s been my mentor ever since.”

Wilson also attributes her business growth to a vital lesson she learned while a student at APU. “I learned it’s so important to operate your business correctly, obey the rules, not taking shortcuts for short term gain, running it the right way and watching the Lord bless your business,” she said. “Everything we do is connected to the mission and mindset of growing the Kingdom. I’m so glad APU taught me the right way to do business.”

The food Wilson serves echoes this idea as well. Bondi’s acai bowls are made without any sugar or preservatives. The granola and nut butters are created in house and the acai base is blended fresh daily. “We spend a little more money, but we’re serving clean, healthy food, which is really important to me,” she said. “It’s literally part of our mission, to encourage God honoring conversation while providing clean and healthy meals.” Wilson decided on Proverbs 16:3 (Commit to the LORD whatever you do and He will establish your plans) as her company verse before Bondi Bowls even officially started. “We want to serve the Lord,” she said. “That’s our why. It’s what keeps us going.”

Although Wilson’s mother helped come up with the idea for Bondi Bowls, it never would have been possible without her father. After graduating from APU in 2018, Wilson decided to travel around the world. “Coming to APU from Oklahoma was a big test of my faith,” she said. “I wanted to test it again. It’s exhilarating once you enter an uncomfortable situation, but grow so comfortable in that decision because of the Lord.” Wilson moved to Australia, even though she didn’t know anyone there.

“I never got a sure yes from the Lord, but He also never shut the door. One thing that I’ve learned is that if the Lord leaves a door open, run through it.”

Wilson lived in Australia for two years. During this time, she worked at a cafe and a study abroad company that took college students on adventures. From leading tours of the Sydney Opera House to scuba diving and surfing trips, Wilson thrived with her job in Australia. “I loved the people and the culture there. There was always something fun to do.”

It was while living in the world famous Bondi Beach that Wilson got some bad news. “My dad called to tell me he had a 6-centimeter tumor in his bladder. The doctor was honest with him. It didn’t look good. He had emergency surgery the next day.” Wilson flew back home in March 2020 to be with her father, who ended up making a complete recovery. Unfortunately, Wilson was unable to return to Australia due to lockdown restrictions. “Bondi was such a special place to me for my faith and growth. When I moved back to the U.S., there were still nine months left on my lease in Bondi, so I say my time there wasn’t finished, which is where the name for Bondi Bowls comes from.”

While Wilson has experienced rapid success with her business, she remembers she’s just a few years removed from being a humble college student who worked multiple jobs to get through. “I was an RA in Adams Hall. I was an Alpha Leader. I worked as a social media intern for Communiversity (now Commuter Life). I was your typical APU student,” she laughed. One of Wilson’s favorite memories from APU is taking a Senior Seminar class with former APU President Jon R. Wallace.

Perhaps her biggest takeaway from this class was the idea of servant leadership. She models this in her business by making sure to never spend more than two hours in her office at a time. She’ll pop out of the office and ask her employees what they need help with. Sometimes she’ll serve bowls, other times she’ll deep clean, even scrubbing trash cans. “I never forget where I came from and that I’m not too big for the little day-to-day tasks,” she said. “I learned that from Jon Wallace. He was the epitome of servant leadership. I miss that man so much. I wish I could have shown him Bondi, but I know he’s looking down and smiling. He passed that knowledge from one generation to the next and I hope to do the same.”

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.”

Zuleika Franco: Getting to Know God Better Through Biology

This article was originally published on APU’s website.

Azusa Pacific University senior biology major Zuleika Franco ’23 dreams of becoming a physician one day. She took a big step toward achieving this goal last summer when she interned at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the top hospital in California and second ranked hospital in the nation. More than 600 students from across the country applied to the summer program and Franco was 1 of just 20 selected to participate. “It was pretty intense. I honestly didn’t expect to get it, but I’m so grateful that I did,” she said. “It was an amazing opportunity to learn from renowned physicians and other healthcare professionals.”

During the internship, Franco shadowed Bahareh M. Schweiger, DO, MPH, a pediatric endocrinologist, and Wendy L. Sacks, MD, an adult endocrinologist. “Dr. Sacks specializes in thyroid cancer. I got to see a lot of thyroid ultrasounds and I learned to identify some of the major things when looking for thyroid cancer or when looking at someone who has hypo or hyperthyroidism. I learned so much from both her and Dr. Schweiger.”

Franco also participated in Cedar-Sinai’s Pre-Med Student Volunteer Program overseen by Jason S. Cohen, MD, which focused on radiation oncology where she learned from radiation therapists and worked with cancer patients. From these two experiences, Franco formed a major takeaway. “Doctors don’t just fix the body. You deal a lot with the mental and spiritual aspects too,” she said. “You have to be careful with how you word things. You are talking to a person who might be at a very low point in their life. So you need to be sensitive while also making sure they’re educated on what’s going on in their body.” Franco recalled the most memorable part of the program, witnessing the emotional moment when a patient was able to ring the bell, symbolizing that they finished their treatment. “It was amazing to hear that bell.”

Franco’s passion for medicine and science began at a young age. “I’ve always had this love for science, the complexity of it,” she said. After graduating from high school in South Central Los Angeles, she wanted to attend a university where she could embrace both her faith and love for science. When she visited APU, she knew it was the right place for her. “Everybody was just so friendly,” she said. “The classes here are small and all of the professors genuinely care about us and want to help us succeed.”

Franco experienced the dedication of APU faculty during her freshman year when she had to withdraw from a chemistry course. “I didn’t have a strong foundation in chemistry. I just couldn’t understand what was going on in class,” she said. Franco took a level 100 chemistry class to get the basics, then retook the course she had dropped. “My professor, Elijah Roth, helped me so much. He was very passionate about not just our academic learning, but our mental and spiritual well being. He pushed me toward a journey of self discovery.”

Franco’s studies extend beyond the classroom. She has worked on a research team with Sarah Richart, PhD, professor in the Department of Biology and Chemistry, for the past two years, most recently studying the effects of fungi on termites. Franco said Richart has taught her about independence in research. “She gives you a general idea of where you’re going and wants you to explore it yourself. If you mess up, it’s not a mistake, it’s a learning opportunity,” Franco said. “You have to come up with these questions and figure out how to solve them, and then more questions arise. That’s the whole point of research, so I’m glad for how she’s helped me grow as a researcher.”

Franco has also experienced growth in her faith during her time at APU. “You can see God’s attributes through creation,” she said. “I’m literally studying creation because biology is the study of life. I feel like I’m getting to know God better through what I’m learning in my biology classes and research.”

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.”