Patti McGuire, our Gala Chair, captured it best, “I have lived in Anchorage for more than 30 years and have never been to such an event. It will remain the talk of the town until next year at this time. And it was the talk of the town. Darl Schaaff told me his cell phone…
President's Blog
University’s tuition rollback should get Alaska families’ attention, Daily News says
An editorial in today’s Anchorage Daily News praises the University for its decision to cut undergraduate tuition by 34 percent, calling APU’s rollback a “fresh breeze” in a higher education climate dominated by steadily climbing tuition. “APU adds to the richness of choice in higher education” in Alaska, the Daily News said. “The tuition cut…
Better every year, each year better
APU Nordic ski coach Erik Flora likes to end his team meetings with the mantra “better every year.” The description fits: By all measures—podium finishes, international and national awards, community service recognition—APU accomplishments as a team, as individual skiers, and as coaches attest to better every year. And as I look back on the academic…
Affordability, Part 2: APU’s Proposed Tuition Sticker Price Reduction
One year ago, I wrote a piece on “Affordability and Quality at Alaska’s only Private Baccalaureate Liberal Arts University” for this blog and described how APU strives to provide value i.e., excellent educational outcomes at an affordable price. Today, the number one issue in higher education is still affordability as evidenced by the media, parents,…
On the subject of roads
The UMED district continues to experience rapid growth in large part due to ongoing capital projects on the UAA and Providence campuses. The Dowl HKM Study Report (see link to their report below) provides excellent background re: this growth and the resulting traffic impacts. Currently, two roads projects are being planned on or adjacent to…
Fall Updates
Energy Upgrades The Board of Trustees approved APU’s Climate Action Plan at their Board meeting on October 26. At their summer meeting they authorized Phase One ($1.6 million) of a two-phased $6.2 million Performance Contract with Johnson Controls, Inc. to install energy efficient measures throughout campus with the goal of decreasing energy consumption and utility…
Standing on the Shoulders of Fred McGinnis
Fred McGinnis, one of the Founders of Alaska Methodist University, passed away this month at the age of 91. Fred’s picture is on the hallway I pass through on the way to my office, a daily reminder of the broad, strong shoulders that I stand upon. His strength, moral character, intellect and compassion have been…
Northwest Commission reaffirms APU accreditation, includes year-old PsyD
Alaska Pacific University has earned reaccreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities following a self-study and comprehensive site visit. The Commission’s Year-Three Resources and Capacity Peer Evaluation Report contained three commendations and five recommendations. The commendations acknowledged leadership for confronting [APU’s] financial situation; faculty for their commitment to active learning and student success;…
APU’s Strategic Plan
APU’s accreditation visit occurred during Fiscal Year 12. We approached it by conducting an open and honest self-reflective assessment. The accreditation team’s report acknowledged that and commended us. As a part of this process APU faculty, staff, and students convened a two-day Summit to produce a Strategic Plan while concurrently, the Board of Trustees appointed…
July Commencement: ‘I couldn’t have done it without APU’
They claimed diplomas, shook hands, smiled for the camera and exited the commencement stage into life’s next chapter. A typical scene, except that APU’s graduation ceremony July 14 featured no keynote speaker. That role was filled by each of 17 graduates who paused briefly at the microphone of the Earl R. Brown Auditorium in Grant…
