Alaska Pacific University

Alaska Pacific University (APU) (formerly Alaska Methodist University) is a small liberal arts college located in Anchorage, Alaska, that emphasizes experiential and active learning. The university is a member of the Eco League, a group of five small universities and colleges with strong programs in Psychology and Environmental Studies as well as related topics.

History
Alaska Pacific University, chartered as Alaska Methodist University by the Territory of Alaska in 1957, dedicated its campus on June 28, 1959. Alaska Pacific University is the most recent of the more than 1200 United Methodist educational institutions founded in America over the last 200 years.

When the first students enrolled in classes beginning October 1, 1960, campus facilities were limited and consisted only of Grant Hall—the academic and student center—and Gould Hall, the student residence. As enrollments and programs grew significantly, other buildings were added, including the Atwood Center, the Ruth and Homer Moseley sports center (1982), and the Carr Gottstein Academic Center (1992).

After a 1977 reorganization led by new president Glenn Olds from Kent State University, and assisted by Natale Sicuro from Kent, academic programs were restructured, and in November 1978 Alaska Methodist University was renamed Alaska Pacific University to better reflect its educational mission and geographical location. Although the university continues to be firmly rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of United Methodism, it espouses no narrow sectarian or doctrinal creed and welcomes all learners and teachers who wish to engage in the search for truth. In 1991, the university established the Cardinal Newman Chair of Catholic Theology through an endowment from the Catholic Archdiocese—a significant example of the university’s ecumenism.

Academics
The Early Honors Program is both an alternative to the senior year in high school and a challenging springboard into college. During both semesters, Early Honors students enroll in a common university-level curriculum which is intended to satisfy the senior level requirements of the Anchorage and Mat-Su School Districts. Depending on the student's remaining requirements, they will have the opportunity to select courses from the Alaska Pacific course catalog relevant to their academic interests. The Fall Block starts off the Early Honors program with Critical Thinking. Students move into the Session in late September and finish their semester by mid-December. Many of the students elect to participate in the Study Abroad option for the Spring Block but alternatives are available on-campus. The Spring Session begins in early February. The Early Honors program is heavily promoted within Anchorage and high school students are very prominent on campus and in classes.

Campus undergraduates often take advantage of Active Learning, Personal Attention, the Block and Session system, Journeys, Travel Courses, the Eco League, and the Senior Project. Campus life is vibrant and varied, and the Outdoor Program opens the door to Alaska adventure for all students. This spirit of adventure and challenge exists in all academic areas — Business, Psychology, Earth Sciences, Education, Environmental Science, Liberal Studies, Marine Biology, Environmental Studies, and Outdoor Studies.

Alaska Pacific University offers nine different graduate programs including: Master of Arts (MAP), Master of Business Administration (MBA), MBA in Information and Communication Technology (MBAICT), Certificate of Graduate Studies in Investments, MBA with a concentration in Health Services Administration (MBAHSA), Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES), Master of Science in Outdoor and Environmental Education (MSOEE), Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP), Certification Only - Option Program (CO-OP), & Master of Arts in Teaching (K-8) (MAT). At Alaska Pacific, graduate students should maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Good time management skills, being focused and persistent are equally important. Perhaps the most important quality is the ability to establish good working relationships with your fellow students, faculty and internship mentors. Many classes are cross-listed, meaning classes are made up of graduate, undergraduate and Early Honors students. No graduate specific classes are offered.

Adult Undergraduates can take advantage of the many degree options designed for busy adults. The degrees available to adult undergraduates seek to build a competency base relevant for professional careers in Accounting, Business Administration and Management, Health Services Administration, Human Services, and K-8 Education. Adult Undergraduates can complete these degrees on-campus in the evening, online, or a mixture of both. APU developed a life-friendly schedule for their Adult population. During a 15 week semester most 3 credit hour courses are offered in two 7 week modules and 4 credit hour courses last for 11 weeks.

Residences
South Atwood is three stories tall and has 12 suites. It is the default boarding location for incoming freshmen.

North Atwood is located directly across from South Atwood and is a three-story building consisting of suites of upper-class students. There are a variety of suites available in North Atwood, ranging from one person suites to spacious multi-bedroom suites. Historically, North Atwood is home to returning students, transfer students and graduate students.

The University Village is composed of five, two-story duplex homes with a total of ten living areas located a short distance from Atwood Center. Each house has an upper & lower unit, and each unit has three or four bedrooms, a dining area, kitchen, living room, and two full bathrooms.

Segelhorst Hall (which opened in August 2007) has six four-bedroom apartments. Each apartment features a common living area, kitchen, and two full bathrooms.

Academic Buildings
Grant Hall is the oldest academic building and is home to the Environmental Science, Liberal Studies, Marine Biology, and Outdoor Studies programs. On the first floor of Grant Hall are located business offices such as Information Technology, Accounting and Finance, Student Financial Services, Registrar, and the President’s Office. On the second floor are classrooms reserved for a number of classes. Most Liberal Studies instructors and Professors officers are here, as well as the Office of Advancement. The third floor has the Outdoor Studies gear room, the GIS lab, the chemistry lab and the biology/geology lab where there is a top notch aquarium system.

Carr Gottstein is the most recent academic building and where most of the Psychology and Education programs/instructors are located. The Admissions and RANA offices are found on the first floor along with some classrooms. The second floor has most of the classrooms and offices.

The Moseley Sports Center is where the pool and gym are found. This facility is of great value to students and is often taken advantage of by even members of the greater Anchorage community. The pool and gym hours vary from academic year to summer and can be found on Alaska Pacific University’s website.

Atwood Center is located directly in between the dormitories of North and South Atwood. Here, the kitchen/cafeteria is located. On the second floor, north side, the current student center is equipped with three computers, a T.V. with satellite, and a projection screen and projector, as well as couches for students to relax in. In the back of the south side of Atwood Center, is the Academic Support Center. This facility is used by students and run by students. Both Windows and Mac computers are available for use with the most recent software. Color and black and white printers are at the students’ disposal as well as a copier. This area is also used for tutoring in every subject. On the first floor, in the front, the campus bookstore, art room and Dean of Students office can be found. As you walk towards the back on the north side, you’ll find the Counseling Center, Conferencing, Campus Safety, the Director and Assistant Director of Residence life and Student Activities and Career Services. In the back of the center are the student government office (ASAPU) and the campus chapel. The Atwood Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Other buildings on the campus include the Gould Hall, Grace Hall and a new office building, buildings that are all occupied by the USGS. A medical building is also located on the APU campus, the Spinal Institute. The President's house is located directly behind the Mosley Sports Center. In Palmer, AK, there is the Kellogg farm of 700 acre that was donated to Alaska Pacific University in 1973 by the first woman to serve on the AMU board of trustees, Louise Kellogg. Today this is the place for the study of nature and sustainability.

Athletics
Alaska Pacific University is renowned for its Nordic Ski Team. The team of 2007-2008 consists of 22 skiers, one of which is Kikkan Randall, who has been the 1st American Woman World Cup Podium, 1st American woman in the Olympic top 10 and is a 7 time U.S. National Champion. The ski team is composed of members who are not all students at APU, but are members of the community funded by APU.

Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center began a decade ago as a regional Olympic training center for cross-country skiers. The program developed some of the best elite skiers in the country including many Olympians and national medalists. The Nordic Ski Center’s unique blend of educational opportunity and first-class coaching has drawn student athletes to Alaska Pacific University from all over the country. With the addition of the Thomas Training Center on Eagle Glacier, skiers can train on snow from November to August, longer than anywhere else in the country.

Clubs/Associations
Associated Students of Alaska Pacific University (ASAPU) is the elected body for student government. ASAPU members represent student interests and oversee student clubs and organizations. ASAPU is the students' “voice” on campus and many students are involved. The positions include: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasure, Senior representative, Junior representative, Sophomore representative, Freshman representative, Graduate representative, Degree Completion representative, Early Honors representative, and the Non-Traditional representative. Examples of some clubs that ASAPU oversees and that are available on campus are: Campus Ministry, The Drama Club, SPECTRUM ( a combination of Crossing Over Lines of Racial Segregation (COLORS) and Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)), Environmental Club (Eco Club), Basketball Club, Nordic Ski Club, Photo Club, the Journal, Recreational Programs, Outdoor Programs, and many others.

Residence Hall Council is the club/organization that students who live in the dorms can go to for movies, games or other recreation. The offices include: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasure, and representatives from each of the dorms. RHC works closely with the Residence Life office and in correlation with ASAPU.

Tuition
Full-time is 12 or more credit hours: Full-time rate is $13,500 per semester (up to 18 credits).
 * The Campus Undergraduate Program

$7,500 per semester (up to 18 credits)
 * Early Honors Program (EHP)

$400.00 per credit hour $250.00 per credit hour (Active Duty Military)
 * Degree Completion Programs (DCP)

$400.00 per credit hour
 * Rural Alaska Native Adult Program (RANA)

$630 per credit hour
 * Graduate Programs other than the Master of Arts Program (MAP)

$575 per credit hour
 * Master of Arts Program

Scholarships
Institutional Scholarships are determined by your financial need, merit and involvement with your school. The most common of these is the Atwood Distinguished Scholarship, which are renewed every year based on the same criteria. If you received these scholarships they will be on your financial aid award letter.

Benefactor Scholarships have varied amounts and due dates. They are awarded throughout the year. Applications and more information can be found on the Alaska Pacific University Website.

President’s Forum Scholarships are based on a 3.5 GPA and your extracurricular activities. There is also the President’s Forum Trotter Scholarship which has similar criteria. There is also a sister scholarship, the President’s Forum Travel Scholarship, which is awarded to a student who is interested in taking a travel block course. All of these scholarships are awarded at the end of the academic year at the APU Honor’s Assembly. These awards are limited to undergraduate students. There is no funding offered from APU for graduate students in any fashion.

Private Scholarships are monies awarded to you from a source other than APU. APU strongly urges all of its students to use FastWeb and other scholarship data bases and apply for as many as they can.

Notable alumni

 * Sharon Cissna, member of the Alaska House of Representatives
 * Mari Gallion, author of The Single Woman's Guide to a Happy Pregnancy
 * Katherine Gottlieb, 2004 MacArthur Fellowship recipient
 * Albert Kookesh (class of 1971), member of the Alaska Senate
 * Walt Monegan, former police chief of Anchorage
 * Kikkan Randall, cross-country skier (Olympian in 2006)
 * Scott Stephens, vocalist for Liquid Blue
 * Katie Lovegreen, Miss Alaska 2011