Liberal Studies
Prof. Rawson and ‘We the People’
APU Associate Professor Timothy Rawson was among judges taking part in a statewide competition of high schoolers vying to show who knows the most about the American political system. Organized in 1987 by the Center for Civic Education, “We the People” has involved more than 30 million students and 90,000 educators in a nationwide study…
Only in Alaska: Dungeon of Doom, Pyrotechnics, and Liberal Studies
by Kylie Clark I rest peacefully in the little bedroom of our family camper, happy to relax for a few hours. The cacophony outside is a familiar lull in the background. As I slowly drift between that space of sleeping and waking, I hone in on each sound, mentally checking in to make sure we…
Noted Alaskan Author, Don Rearden, Visits APU Class
Dave Onofrychuk’s “Epic Journeys” September block class welcomed special guest Don Rearden, author of one of the course’s texts, “The Raven’s Gift,” on Thursday, Sept 13. Students enjoyed reading this post-apocalyptic tale of survival in a barren southwestern Alaska landscape ravaged by a bird flu epidemic. None had read an Alaska novel of this kind,…
Getting the Story Right
Earlier this month, Visiting Writing Instructor Dave Onofrychuk addressed banquet attendees at the annual fall conference of the Alaska Writers Guild held in Anchorage. He described the transformation he sees in his APU students who eagerly begin the novel they’ve always wanted to write, and later – 100 pages into their first drafts – find…
Bantz welcomes Early Honors students: ‘Call me Don’
Advanced high schoolers enrolled in APU’s Early Honors program gained an up-close view of active learning when President Don Bantz strode into the classroom for a student-led interview and handed out his business card. The first slightly nervous question: How should high school seniors address the university president? “Call me Don,” he said. And they…
Faller’s metaphysics scholarship is selected for new anthology
APU Philosophy Professor Mark Faller is among contributors to a collection of theoretical essays on metaphysics, a discipline attracting renewed interest among thinkers. “My work is somewhat edgy,” Faller said. “Three of the other authors included in the anthology are among top metaphysicians in the world. I appreciate the opportunity to be in such fine…
APU’s Pilch offers a glimpse of the heavens in art
An APU art instructor whose work is in private collections around the world, Anchorage-based artist Tracey Pilch will exhibit an interdisciplinary compilation of work stemming from her observations as an amateur astronomer. “I’m proud to reflect APU in the community,” Pilch said. On view through Sept. 30 at the APU-UAA Consortium Library, “The Art of…
Dr. Esther “Beth” Sullivan – Chairperson – Liberal Studies Department
Dr. Esther “Beth” Sullivan Associate Professor of Theater Chairperson – Liberal Studies Department Chances are; if you have been to at APU theater production in the last few years, you might have run into Dr. Esther “Beth” Sullivan. Her passion for theater and the arts led her to APU as she has been in Alaska…
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…
APU receives $100,000 Rasmuson grant for sustainability
Alaska Pacific University has received a second consecutive Rasmuson Foundation grant aimed at capacity building and sustainability. Sought by APU President Don Bantz, the $100,000 award will concentrate on attracting more students and enhancing alumni engagement. The grant announced June 29 follows a fundraiser in June that garnered more than $600,000 for the university. A…
