LINNEA SWENSON | guest writer

Jon Wallace talks about his APU past and why he's grateful for his past.

As we sat down at his table to begin the interview, President Jon Wallace casually opened our time together with a word of prayer. I immediately felt comfortable and encouraged in his presence. As I talked with people around campus, I found others shared mutual feelings.

Jon Wallace spent most of his adolescent years in the small down of Banning, Calif. He was raised on a farm and took on responsibilities at a young age.

“I was eight years old and I drove a truck through the peach orchards of the ranch my dad managed. People would load crates of peaches onto the back as I drove through,” Wallace said.

Although it may seem like our president has had it together since the young age of eight, this is not the case. When it came time for college, due to his lack of motivation, his mother applied to school for him.

“Here’s the true story. I didn’t choose APU; my mother did. She applied for me! It wasn’t quite the process it is today,” Wallace said.

His mother applied and later told him he got accepted. He says he was excited but still lacked the motivation. Wallace entered APU on a track and football scholarship in 1976. That same year, he flunked out and lost both scholarships. He then took the next semester off school to work, and returned to APU the following spring.

“God really worked in me to grow me up,” Wallace said.

Upon returning to APU, Wallace got involved with campus activities and became the director of communications his junior year, followed by student body president his senior year. Wallace married his wife, Gail, the summer before his senior year and their first year of marriage was spent in the newly constructed Shire Mods.

After getting his MBA in business at APU, he continued to get his Master’s while working on the custodial staff. Except for a summer spent at Harvard and a two year sabbatical, Jon Wallace has been at APU for the last 31 years.

He has worked in almost every facet of the auxiliary services, including the bookstore and cafeteria. After a few years, he moved to the dean of students position. He held this position for the next 12 years and served as campus pastor in the 90s. In 2000, he became the president of APU. November marks his eighth year.

“God has been waking me up to think, dream, and pray about what the future will look like,” Wallace said.

“The number one thing I’ve learned since working at Azusa is the joy of problem solving,” Wallace said as he repositioned his shoeless feet on the chair next to him.

Wallace finds great joy in discovering innovative ways to solve problems. He is future focused and lives out the school motto of “God First.”

Facilitator of Heart-to-Heart ministry and inspiration to Wallace, Gladys Wilson said, “The one thing that really impresses me is that he encourages us [the staff] to keep God first in all we do. He is continually reminding us of our goal.”

Wilson’s connection to Wallace goes back to the 1970s when she first heard mention of him through her eldest son who became best friends with Wallace while attending APU. She has worked part-time at APU since 1985 and took over the Heart-to-Heart Ministry in 1990.

“I appreciate his sense of humor,” Wilson said. “He’s always teasing me.”

Wilson also mentioned her appreciation for his genuine concern for others.

“Just yesterday, he was walking through campus with one of his advisors and he took the time to stop and give me a hug,” Wilson said.

Sophomore applied health major and Engstrom Resident Advisor Jonny Hong had similar things to say concerning Wallace’s interactions with students.

“It’s the little things he does and says. It’s not like a big deal; and it’s often in passing. But it means a lot to others. He is so incredibly intentional. He makes others feel appreciated and loved,” Hong said.

When I asked President Wallace what his favorite time of the school year is, the answer always came back to an event or occasion when he gets to spend time with students.

“I like commencement. I get to give every graduate his or her diploma. I try to let them know how much I appreciate their journey at Azusa. I love Agape on Walkabout. I love move-in weekend. I love the first chapel of the year when we all come together under one roof. I love too many things,” Wallace said.

Wallace’s passion for students stands out. He’s not just a name you hear around campus; he’s the face you see on Cougar Walk, in chapel, or at the cafeteria. He meets with students at their level and develops personal and meaningful bonds with them.

To close the interview with President Wallace, I asked him to give me one word that described him most accurately at this point in his life. His answer was simply stated but deeply heart-felt.

“Grateful—absolutely grateful. You don’t know many people as grateful as I am. I am grateful God revealed his love for me. God changed my heart. God taught me how to be thankful,” Wallace said.