US Mennonite Brethren

The Fresno Pacific University Board of Trustees has selected a candidate for the university presidency.

Pete Menjares, Ph.D., was approved by the board January 27 on recommendation of the presidential search committee. He currently serves as Vice Provostfor Faculty Development andAcademic Effectiveness at Biola University.

Menjares received his Ph. D. in education:language, literacy and learning, fromthe University of Southern California in 1998. His master of arts in education: teaching and curriculum, is from CaliforniaState University,Dominguez Hills, and his bachelor of arts in religion in pastoral ministries is from VanguardUniversity.

Along with his wife, Virginia, Menjares will visit the Fresno Pacific University main campus February 14-16, where the couple will be introduced to faculty, staff, students and others in a variety of formats. After input from the campus, the board will make the final decision for the appointment of thepresident at its regular board meeting March2-3.

The decision to invite Menjares as a candidate was unanimous. “The board of trustees is deeply grateful to the members of the search committee for their diligence and dedication in carrying out thesearch process," says Larry Martens, co-chair of the search committee. "The committee’s careful and prayerful process, together with the work of consultant, Bruce Dingman, resulted in the assembly of a pool ofhighly qualifiedpresidential candidates.” 

The search committee included faculty, staff, students, board members and community representatives. John Thiesen, FPU board chair, is the other co-chair. 

The next president of FPU will replace D. Merrill Ewert, who will retire effective July 31, 2012 after a10-year tenure. Ewert made his announcement in June, 2011.