Alaska Pacific University

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.

Campus

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 websit.

The Atwood Center, named for Robert Atwood, 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 as the location (along with North and South Atwood) of a major conference of Alaska Natives at the time of the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971.

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 acres (2.8 km2) 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.