2008

Sacrifice and freedom are not things people typically pair in the same sentence. But surgeon Scott Nelson, '92, wants his life experience to inspire people to just that — “to make sacrifices and live with freedom.” His story is, in some ways, straightforward. At the age of 8, he felt the first tug of destiny when he visited his grandfather Olavi Rouhe, a surgeon who spent 25 years of his career in central Zaire (and also a 1929 graduate of PUC). That visit sparked Nelson’s ongoing interest in medicine and, he says, “With a sense of adventure and a desire to serve it was only sensible that I would follow in his footsteps.” Other influences were added to his grandfather’s. “I owe a great deal of thanks to Pacific Union College, Adventist education and a heritage of sacrifice and mission which we can proudly share with the world,” Scott says. At the PUC dining commons, Scott met one person who would be a big part of that influence: Marni Miller, ’91. After their PUC graduations, Scott and Marni married. “It is largely because of her sacrifices and encouragement that we have been led to do the work we do,” Scott...

On Monday, April 14, the PUC community received a special opportunity to experience the California premiere of Chinese filmmaker Jian Yi’s documentary, “Super, Girls!” PUC resident artist Mei Ann Teo introduced the screening to a full audience and hosted a Q & A session with the director after the screening. As part of a brief U.S. tour for the film, Yi’s visit to PUC was preceded by a packed screening at NYU and followed a day later by a stop at UCLA. The event presented students and faculty with a chance to experience world-class independent filmmaking.The film, “Super, Girls!” is a provocative and private glimpse into the world of the media machine and how it permeates the most personal depths of Chinese society. It begins by introducing the “Supergirls” singing contest, an anyone-can-win singing game show structured in the tradition of “American Idol.” “Supergirls” quickly became the most popular television show in the nation’s history, garnering nearly 450 million viewers during its peak of recognition in the latter half of its two-year run. The show wasn’t just a sensation, it was a movement. At the height of its popularity, it was banned by the Chinese government on accusations of being...

On April 10-13 in Irvine, California, thousands of people attended the Western Psychological Association’s 88th annual convention. Twenty-three of the attendees were from PUC. Twenty students and three teachers traveled to Southern California to take part in this annual convention where cutting-edge research is presented and world-renowned psychologists present lectures. It is an opportunity for students to be exposed to the professional world of psychology and allows them the opportunity to interact with professionals who have worked or are working in specialized fields of psychology, as well as make valuable academic and professional contacts. But PUC students did not go simply to absorb information; they also shared their own research. Every year a few PUC students spend a great deal of the school year working closely with professors to develop professional papers to present at the convention. Paper topics emerge out of personal interests, labs or previous projects that have gone very well. Students must submit proposals to the convention in November. Once accepted the real work begins. They must refine the work they’ve already done by doing further research and further developing their ideas. Students meet with a professor for at least an hour each week to work on...

Soloists and small ensembles in strings, handbells and chorale will perform a spring concert featuring Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings and works by Walton, Bruch, Chopin, Saint-Saens, Schubert, and others. The Octet for Strings is “a beautiful and exciting work that is not performed frequently because it requires eight very fine string players,” says Rachelle Berthelsen-Davis, PUC professor and orchestra director, “so it is a privilege to have the personnel to do so.” Tickets are $20 for general admission and $18 for members. A portion of the proceeds benefits the PUC music department. Tickets may be purchased online, by phone or at the ticket window at COPIA. Doors open for the concert at 7 p.m. and seating is on a first come, first served basis. For more information, call (707) 259-1600 or go to www.copia.org...

One question stood at the center of this year’s Student Week of Prayer: What do we believe? Despite any misconceptions that young people may have about the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Adventism, the reality, campus chaplain Roy Ice says, is that they are “pretty basic things.” Starting Monday, April 7, and going through the Sabbath of April 12, 11 students shared their unique testimonies on 11 different fundamental beliefs and how they make up the fabric of Adventism. The theme was about understanding your reasons for believing. As Krista Brieno put it, “It is important to know the faith you claim. I say I’m an Adventist, but do I really know what all that includes? The 28 fundamental beliefs really seal the deal in that respect.” Part of the purpose for covering the fundamental beliefs was to clear up the stereotypes. Brieno stated that there is a misconception of the 28 beliefs as “a set of very strict and rigid regulations telling us what we can and can’t do. But they are really inspired and we should be proud of them.” The pattern of breaking down the old stereotypes continued throughout the week. The programs not only gave students a...

Thursday, April 17, begins the first Green Week at Pacific Union College. In an effort to promote awareness of eco-friendly living, PUC has planned six days of fun activities that inform, entertain and encourage participation in taking care of our local and global community. Green Week kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in Dauphinee Chapel with a lecture by Dr. J. Matthew Sleeth, author of Serve God, Save the Planet. A former emergency room doctor, Matthew Sleeth will share his personal and spiritual journey to environmental stewardship and discuss sobering rationale for life changes, and a “how-to” guide for lifestyle changes that will help care for others and protect the earth. Admission is free of charge. Other Green Week activities include an Angwin trash-pick-up day on Friday, April 18, 2-5 p.m. and an Earth Day Bazaar on Tuesday, April 22, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Electric cars will be on display and available for rides. Other bazaar activities include a thrift shop on campus, tours to the co-generation plant and live music. Come learn more about how to take care of your planet and participate in PUC’s first Green Week. All events are free of charge and open...

A summer-like day welcomed 415 pairs of wheels to Angwin on April 13, along with 415 helmets gleaming in the sun — and every imaginable color of spandex. The event was the 2008 Napa Valley Dirt Classic mountain bike race, an annual 22-mile ride that is part of the NorCal Mountain Bike State Championship Series and is hosted by Pacific Union College on its back trails. The pre-race hours welcomed a wide spectrum of riders to the campus, from two in the 14-and-under category to PUC alumni and student riders, and both local and out-of-town (and even out-of-state) participants. “We’ll see how it goes,” said student Zack Belnap, who had been “training pretty easy” because he thought the race happened later than it actually did. But he seemed optimistic under his helmet, and four of his PUC classmates were there to cheer him on. “We’ll be here for the start, go get breakfast, and be back in time for the finish,” grinned one of Belnap’s friends. It turned out to be a good race, though warm. Barry Wicks won at 1 hour, 23 minutes and 44 seconds. “It was a great day,” said Mike Hellie, race director and chair of...

In the first all-school colloquy program of the spring quarter, PUC embarked on the third phase of its year-long emphasis on service. The spring quarter colloquy theme is “A Sense of Pride,” and campus chaplain Roy Ice introduced the program by saying, “This quarter we’re going to do a little celebration … by saying, ‘Look what God has done.’ We’re celebrating what has happened and asking, ‘How much more can we do?’” Ice told students, “I want to challenge you … to really think about what the goal of God’s command [to love] really is.” Service has been very real to students this year, with new students getting involved in existing projects and starting up new ones. During the colloquy program, students gave personal accounts of the service they’ve been involved with this year. Student Krista Brieno recounted how, inspired by World AIDS Day on December 1 and the realization of how many resources we have at PUC, she asked the church for money — and, inspired by Gideon, asked God that they would raise $1,000. During the two services that morning, $2,100 was contributed to support ADRA’s fight against AIDS. Later, when planning a womens prayer breakfast for the...

On March 30 the PUC film and television program began the production of its annual senior digital film project, this year entitled “The White Abyss,” and wrapped up shooting four days later. Directed by student Craig Church, the post-apocalyptic short was shot on location at the PUC farming facilities in the old dairy. In the tradition of the program’s major productions, the shoot was a family affair, drawing a fully-volunteered crew of nearly 15 film and television majors, as well as the help of various non-majors who found their place on set. The film is the third in a line of diversely ambitious pieces to come from the senior digital film class. In 2006 Eryck Chairez helmed the award-winning “Three Courses,” which was followed the next year by Zach Dunn’s “Thunder and Lightning.” Like the projects before it, “The White Abyss” offers students a unique type of hands-on, real-world filmmaking experience that cannot be taught in a classroom. The roles of producer, art director, sound engineer and cinematographer were all given to students and allowed them to hone their skills with professional actors and high-quality equipment. Director of photography Ryann Pulido, a sophomore, said, “I’ve really grown a lot from...

Each year, Pacific Union College welcomes a small group of musicians for the Academy Keyboard Festival. The students, who mostly come from Northern and Central California academies, spend three days rehearsing, participating in master classes, enjoying demonstrations, and performing. This year, the Festival took place April 3-5, with 11 students. Lynn Wheeler, chair of the PUC music department, led the ensembles and master classes, with assistant music professor Rosalie Rasmussen leading the handbell choir and associate music professor Bruce Rasmussen doing a demonstration session on the Rieger organ. The students performed their solos, group keyboard pieces, and bell choir pieces on Sabbath evening, including such works at Schaum’s Battle Hymn of the Republic, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, and Mendelssohn’s If With All Your Hearts. For more information about the Academy Keyboard Festival or other music events, call the music department at (707) 965-6201....