Warner Pacific Graduates Embody Bold Futures

At Warner Pacific University, purpose isn’t a slogan. It’s a calling. And for this year’s graduating class, it’s a calling they answered with conviction, compassion, and courage.

Two of those graduates, Ivonne, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing recipient, and Jacob Ribail, who earned his MBA, exemplify what it means to pursue an education that transforms not only their own futures but the lives of others.

Ivonne chose nursing because she was drawn to spaces where urgency meets impact. Her clinical rotations, especially in psychiatric care, revealed a deeper passion: serving vulnerable populations often overlooked in conversations about healthcare. After graduating in May, she began her career at Oregon State Hospital, stepping directly into the work of mental health advocacy and compassionate care.

Her time at Warner Pacific was defined by more than academics. As a student government leader, she grew into a voice for her peers, balancing a demanding course load with a commitment to justice, service, and equity. Her journey was not easy. There were long nights, moments of doubt, and the weight of responsibility, but it was deeply formative.

“WPU has been more than just a school,” Ivonne said. “It’s been a community that challenged me, supported me, and shaped me into the person and nurse I am becoming.”

Jacob’s path to purpose was shaped by both community and ambition. A member of the Men’s Soccer team and a resident assistant, he also worked as an intern in the School of Business while completing his graduate studies. With roots in the Seattle area, Jacob returned home after graduation and is now pursuing opportunities within Costco’s corporate division. This next step is fueled by his belief in business as a tool for leadership and impact.

“WPU is a special place, and I have been blessed to be able to spend the past four years there,” Jacob said.

Their experiences reflect the heart of Warner Pacific: a Christ-centered, Minority-Serving, and Hispanic-Serving Institution committed to equipping students not only with knowledge, but with the spiritual foundation and moral courage to serve others and lead lives that reflect Christ’s love in action.

Here, students are not just prepared for careers. They are prepared to step into their God-given calling. Whether in hospitals or boardrooms, on soccer fields or in city councils, Warner Pacific graduates are sent out as servant-leaders, equipped, empowered, and grounded in faith.

From Portland to the world beyond, Ivonne and Jacob have joined a growing network of alumni who are reshaping systems, challenging norms, and bringing hope, healing, and purpose into the communities they serve.

Their stories are not exceptions. They are the fruit of a university that believes wholeheartedly in the transformative power of Christ-centered education and in the students who are called to carry it forward.

At Warner Pacific, we don’t just educate with excellence. We educate with purpose.