March 22, 2010 issue
MB Seminary anticipates changes with transfer to FPU
By Laura Kalmar Mennonite Brethren HeraldPage:
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Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary’s Fresno, Calif., location will see significant changes after the transfer of its property and programs to Fresno Pacific University in June.
With FPU as its new owner, governance of the U.S. seminary will fall to the Pacific District Conference of MB Churches, leaving MBBS-Association of Theological Schools in Langley, B.C., and MBBS-Winnipeg in the hands of the Canadian conference.
The Fresno seminary expects to change its name to better reflect its intention of serving the MB church, as well as the evangelical community of California’s Central Valley.
Staff layoffs were also announced. MBBS-Fresno will lose seven positions in accounting, student aid, recruiting and maintenance. Many of these staff members have been with the seminary for 15 years or more.
“This is a pastoral concern for the board,” said MBBS president Lynn Jost. “All these people have served us well, with character and dedication. When they heard the news, they were extremely gracious.”
As announced last May, the seminary will bid farewell to professors Delores Friesen and Jon Isaak.
“No loss is more painful than that of faculty positions,” Jost said. “The contributions and skills of Jon and Delores have been highly valued by students and colleagues.”
Eight faculty and staff will move with the seminary to FPU.
Division of assets
Financial assets of the Fresno campus will be divided between the U.S. and Canadian conferences, with ownership of the student loan fund going to Canada, along with Canada-based endowment funds and money for a distance education plan.
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