Around 400 students will be eligible to graduate from Fresno Pacific University at the 2022 Fall Commencement. The ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17, 2022, in Selland Arena.
Some 214 students from the bachelor’s degree completion program, 122 from master’s programs, 59 from traditional undergraduate programs and two from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary will make for a total of 397, according to estimates from the Registrar’s Office.
Graduates from traditional programs and the seminary attend classes at the main FPU campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno. Degree completion and master’s students attend regional campuses in Merced, North Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield.
The commencement can be attended virtually at fpu.edu/commencement
The Fall 2022 Commencement is the first for FPU President André Stephens, who joined the university in July. Stephens has 30 years of experience in Christian higher education in California, most recently as vice president for student development at Biola University.
This year’s guest speaker is Fresno Deputy Mayor Matthew Grundy, a leader recognized for his strategic vision, entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and passion for building organizations. As CEO for Habitat for Humanity Greater Fresno Area, Grundy drove expansion projects and helped lead strategic vision nationally for 1,200 Habitat operations across the U.S.
Today he is responsible for implementing Mayor Jerry Dyer’s vision and initiatives, working closely with the mayor and his staff to crystalize the “One Fresno” mission—both within the walls of Fresno City Hall and throughout the community. Grundy has expertise in organizational development, real estate, finance and capacity building. Grundy and wife Jocelyn have six children and delight in seeing God’s Kingdom demonstrated “on earth as it is in Heaven,” in Fresno and the greater region.
Other speakers will include Joshua Wilson, chair of the FPU Board of Trustees, and Gayle Copeland, provost/vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer. Students and faculty will provide music.
Fresno Pacific University is California’s Central Valley’s only accredited Christian university, connecting every student’s untapped potential with unlimited opportunity for professional, personal and ethical growth. Nonprofit and independent, FPU offers more than 100 areas of study to about 4,000 traditional undergraduate, adult degree completion, graduate and seminary students at the main campus in Southeast Fresno and throughout the Valley at regional campuses in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced as well as online.
