Greetings from President Brower
In recent weeks each of us has become much more aware of the complexities and interrelatedness of the financial markets and their affect upon us as individuals, businesses, and communities. As we have witnessed the events of the last few weeks one question I have been often asked is, “What is the affect of this financial situation on PLNU?” Although events seem to be unfolding in new ways each day or so, let me provide just a brief highlight of where we are as a University in these times.
· PLNU is and remains a strong institution and continues a financial operation that is sound
and again produced an operational budget in the black.
· Enrollment this fall is strong. Last spring the Cabinet anticipated uncertainty in some areas
of student loan financing and adopted a more aggressive admissions model. The result was
a deeper pool of equally qualified accepted and placed students for our undergraduate
enrollment. When our expected summer withdrawals occurred, we were still able to achieve
a full undergraduate enrollment. Fall headcount is 2394, our highest ever.
· Graduate MBA and MSN programs have shown increased interest and enrollment for the fall
semester.
· Student loans, while dramatic changes have occurred, are generally still available to our
students. This availability is particularly helped by the very high repayment rate of our
students.
· The University’s Foundation has stocks in its investment portfolio and that portion of
investments has declined with the market. The diverse nature of the Foundation’s
investments continues to produce the returns necessary to fund the endowment obligations
for scholarships and programs. As is the case when stocks are going up, these declines
are currently “unrealized” as long as the investment is not sold or liquidated. The Foundation
takes a long-term view in its investments and has experienced both strong up markets and
down markets throughout its history.
· We continue to budget conservatively and look for strategies to more effectively use the
resources we have and reduce costs where possible.
I am grateful for your continued interest in PLNU and invite you to support us during these unique days with prayers for God's wisdom and provision.
Positively,
Bob Brower
President
We'll Provide the Shirt if You'll Provide the Cheer! Spirit Competition and Tip-off Tailgate Dinner
PLNU students have challenged the alumni in a Homecoming Spirit Competition! Last year, the initial year of the student/alumni competition, the students were victorious. Come unite to triumph this year in a battle of energy, wit and spirit. Originating as a dorm competition, students rallied against each other to take hold of the PLNU Spirit Bell prize. Last year, students challenged the alums in the Homecoming Spirit Competition. Alums and students now come to the men’s Homecoming basketball game dressed in a sea of matching spirit shirts (gold for alums, green for students), their faces brightly painted, and cheering their loudest. Spirit T-shirts are included in the ticket price to the men’s basketball game.
The spirit of the student and alumni teams is judged through a set of criteria including creativity, originality, unity, positivity and effort. The winner is awarded the PLNU Spirit Bell, which is exhibited in the foyer of the Nicholson Commons. A plaque depicting the winners is displayed below the bell. Read more about the history of the PLNU Spirit Bell.
Before the men’s basketball game, join friends and other alumni at the Tip-Off Tailgate Dinner! Enjoy pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, a salad bar, beverages and dessert – all for only $7. Come and go at your convenience and celebrate with us between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Buy tickets now to reserve your spot!
Visit the Spirit Competition site for information.
Visit the Tip-off Tailgate Dinner site to reserve a ticket!
Don't Miss Your PLNU Class Reunion!
The following classes are gathering for a dinner on Friday, November 21:
Class of '63 = 4 p.m.
Class of '58 = 5 p.m.
The following classes are meeting on Saturday, November 22 at 11:30 a.m. for a reunion luncheon:
Class of '73 Class of '93
Class of '83 Class of '98
Class of '03 MBA
The following classes are meeting on Saturday, November 22 at Noon for a reunion luncheon:
Class of '53 Class of '68 Class of '88
Class of '58 Class of '78 Class of '03
Class of '63
Congratulate Our Distinguished Achievement & Alumnus of Point Loma Award Honorees
The Alumni Association of PLNU presents Distinguished Achievement Awards annually to two alumni who have exhibited outstanding lifetime accomplishments in a profession, in an academic field, or in service to a nonprofit organization - alumni with a strong Christian testimony and who have made an impact on the lives of others.
The PLNU Alumni Association also presents awards to alumni who are part-way through their career, and have displayed remarkable success in a profession, in an academic field, or in service to a nonprofit organization. The alumni honored with this Alumnus of Point Loma (APL) Award have also significantly influenced the lives of others.
Joy Straub (’82), Dr. Julie Hudson (’80), Pastor Shawn Mitchell (’83) and Dr. Bill Hetrick (’84) are this year’s APL awardees. Please join us in celebrating these Alumnus of Point Loma award recipients during Homecoming Chapel on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 9:45am in Brown Chapel. On Homecoming Saturday, November 22, enjoy music by the Derren Raser Band and congratulate our Distinguished Achievement Award Honorees, Rev. Fred Forster and Dr. David Haney, during The Main Event in the Crill Performance Hall, 3:30 p.m – 4:30 p.m. This is a free event, doors open at 3:00 p.m.
Sip Coffee, Enjoy Adalberto's Food, and Mingle at Café 10
Did you graduate from PLNU between 1998 and 2008? If so, come connect and reunite with friends after the men’s Homecoming basketball game on Saturday, November 22 at Café 10. Enjoy a fun, casual and comfortable atmosphere where there will be coffee, food from Adalberto’s available for purchase and various alumni music artists from the last decade on CD. Admission is free! Come to the Rec Room at 7:30pm or directly after the men’s basketball game.
Special Homecoming 2008 Events
The following events are a unique occurrence this year during Homecoming. Be sure to catch these exciting and meaningful opportunities to congratulate individuals, reunite with friends, visit with past professors and meet current students.
Athletic Hall of Fame
Be a part of honoring present and past athletes, and coaches at the Hall
of Fame Dinner, which takes place after the Homecoming Men's Basketball
game, from 7:45 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. in Nicholson Commons Dining Hall.
For more information, and to view this year's list of honorees, visit
the Athletics Hall of Fame website.
Forensics Alumni Dinner
Join fellow alumni team members and supporters of forensics competition in a
dinner on Friday, November 21st, 5 - 6:45 p.m. in Cunningham Dining Room.
Many outstanding competitors and coaches from past years will be present.
For more information, e-mail Skip Rutledge at skiprutledge@pointloma.edu
Smee Hall Dedication
Come celebrate the dedication of Smee Hall, our new Center for Pastoral
Leadership and School of Theology and Christian Ministry facility. This building
provides space for pastoral conferences and training, as well as a central
location for students, staff and faculty to collaborate and learn. This building
was made possible through generous donations from many.
Read more about Smee Hall.
Concert & Reception Honoring Dr. Keith Pagan
On Sunday November 23, Music Alumni and the Music Department will
honor Dr. Keith Pagan with a concert in Crill Performance Hall at 1:30 p.m. Both
current students and former choir members will be performing. This year marks
the 10-year anniversary of Dr. Pagan's retirement from PLNU.
Read more about the concert & reception honoring Dr. Keith Pagan.
Alumni in Student Government Reunion
Did you serve in student government at PLNU? If so, the current ASB
leadership team invites you to gather and meet fellow PLNU alums who have
been a part of student government. The reception is being held on the Ryan
Plaza Deck on Friday, November 21st, 2 - 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 per adult,
$5 per child. For more information, visit the Alumni in Student Government
Reunion website
Pony Rides, Games, A Bounce House and More at the PLNU Homecoming Family Fun Fair
In addition to catching up with friends, eating delicious food and listening to great music, families can enjoy children’s festivities at the Family Fun Fair (part of the Homecoming Extravaganza on the Campus Mall). There will be pony rides, a bounce house, a tandem bungee, games, crafts and opportunities to take pictures with Roary, our university mascot. The fair will be open from 10am – 2pm at the south end of the Campus Mall on Saturday, November 22nd.
Drink Coffee, Help PLNU Student Scholarships
Who would have thought that drinking coffee and supporting your alma mater could occur in the same gulp? If you love coffee and want to support PLNU, then the alumni association’s new partnership with Crown Coffee is perfect for you.
Operated by two PLNU alumni, Joe and Mandy Arioto (2000), Crown Coffee produces premium coffee that is micro-roasted for the best blends and flavors in the industry. They currently offer twelve different varieties of fair-trade produced coffee, including seven organic options. Sales from Crown support many non-profit organizations around the world.
If you would like to participate, the process is simple. Just click on the link below and sign up for the 12 month membership program. Crown Coffee will donate a percentage of the sale to the PLNU Alumni Association Student Scholarship Fund to help current and future students. Each membership will directly impact the lives of students.
This membership will provide two 12 oz. bags of coffee delivered to your door every month in either ground or whole bean varieties. In addition, this membership comes with free shipping and will provide you a perfect opportunity to support PLNU students.
To order coffee and read more about the PLNU and Crown Coffee partnership, visit the PLNU Crown Coffee website.
PLNU Alums Get T-Mobile Discount
T-Mobile is offering PLNU Alumni an 8% discount on qualifying monthly recurring charges! This offer is available to both new and existing customers.
PLNU Alumni may also purchase a T-Mobile G1 for $179.99 instead of the regular price of $399.00 T-Mobile will also include a free bluetooth headset or car charger with purchase of the T-Mobile G1. This offer does require new activation on a qualifying rate plan.
Call T-Mobile at 1-866-464-8662 or visit the T-Mobile web site to sign up. This discount offer is good through December 31, 2008.
Learn more about the T-Mobile Discount.
PLNU Alumni & Friends Trip to Italy
Travel with PLNU alumni and friends through Rome, Florence and Venice, March 7 – 15, 2009! Join this small group of travelers including President Brower and Reuben Welch on an adventure exploring the best sights and attractions of Italy!
Ride a gondola, tour the Colosseum, and dine on Tuscan cuisine. Marvel at the Sistine Chapel ceilings, stroll around the Fontana di Trevi and sip coffee at a Venetian café in St. Mark’s Square. Visit these marvelous sights and have plenty of time for exploration on your own!
Space is limited, reserve your place today!
View our PLNU Alumni & Friends Trip to Italy itinerary and cost information.
*Links to past newsletters can be found in "Archives"