Alaska Pacific University is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a homecoming celebration featuring a variety of alumni and community events, June 26-28. Alumni from Alaska and across the U.S. are expected to attend sightseeing, reunion and celebration events, while Alaskans are invited to community events throughout the weekend.

Alaska Methodist University was dedicated in 1958, and the first campus building, Grant Hall, was built in 1959. The university opened its doors to 152 students in the fall of 1960, then was re-named Alaska Pacific University in 1978.

Dale Sellin, the first student registered, will be on hand for 50th anniversary events, as will the son of former President Fred McGinnis.

Activities planned include alumni tours on Friday, June 26. Choices include a train trip to Seward or rafting in Eagle River. Family Fun tours will be given at the Kellogg Farm in Palmer including tours of the gardens, animals and sustainable agriculture. The farm was gifted to the university in 1984 by V. Louise Kellogg and today serves as home to APU's master in outdoor and environmental education program. The tours are free, but pre-registration is required.

On Saturday, June 27, a welcome lunch will be followed by class year and program reunions. At 4 p.m. there will be showing of an APU historical documentary at Grant Hall Theatre. At 5 p.m., the cornerstone at Grant Hall will be removed and a time capsule that was enclosed there 50 years ago will be opened. The capsule's contents will be revealed, then contemporary items will be put in and the capsule resealed. The evening will conclude with a Golden Anniversary Dinner and Dance in a tent outside of Carr-Gottstein Academic Center.

On Sunday, a special worship service commemorating the 50th anniversary and APU's ties to the Methodist community will be held at First United Methodist Church, 725 W. Ninth Ave., at 8:30 a.m. At noon, the APU Alaska Spine Institute Family Fun Run will be held, starting at Moseley Sports Center. The public is invited to join in the 1.5-mile or 3-mile walk or run along the APU ski trails and University Lake, then stay for a BBQ afterward. Register for the race in person between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at University Advancement, or download a registration form at www.alaskapacific.edu/alumni/50thAnniversary. Cost is $10 for children, $20 for adults and $50 for a family and includes the BBQ, a T-shirt and kid's medals.

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary, APU will bestow several community leaders with the university medal, recognizing members of the board of trustees who have served for 15 or more years. The medal was introduced in 1986 and is given upon recommendation of the president for outstanding service to the university. Past recipients have included Glenn A. Olds, Rev. P. Gordon Gould, Rev. David Fison, James Davis, Robert Pease, Eunice Beene, Leah J. Peterson and Registrar Emerita Jeanette Brooks. The awards will be announced at the Saturday evening Golden Anniversary Dinner. Recipients not in attendance Saturday will receive their medals at APU's next graduation ceremony.