New Scholarship Program at PUC

This spring, Pacific Union College unveiled the Malcolm and Eileen Maxwell Scholar, a program that honors high school seniors who have demonstrated high academic achievement, a commitment to Christian service, and outstanding leadership skills. Each year, up to five scholars will be chosen, and recipients will receive $10,000 towards their freshman year at PUC with the opportunity to renew the scholarship.

Students applying for the Maxwell Scholar Program must be accepted to PUC and meet GPA and test-score requirements. As part of the process, students must write an essay, submit a resume outlining service and leadership activities, and send in letters of recommendation by the scholarship deadline, May 1, 2009. Finalists will be announced in June.

The Maxwell Scholar Program honors Dr. Malcolm Maxwell and his wife, Eileen, and their commitment to Adventist education. Dr. Maxwell was the first alumnus to serve as president of PUC, and he had the longest tenure at 18 years.

Dr. Maxwell, son of famed Seventh-day Adventist author Arthur S. Maxwell, graduated from PUC in 1956 with degrees in theology and biblical languages. He completed his master of arts in systematic theology at Andrews University and earned his doctorate in biblical studies at Drew University. At Drew, Maxwell was honored as a Rockefeller Fellow and Drew University Scholar.

In 1983, Dr. Maxwell accepted the call to serve as president at PUC. He retired from the presidency in 2001 but continued to work at PUC as a professor in the religion department until 2006.

Eileen Maxwell's commitment to Adventist education was tremendous. At PUC, she worked in the records office as a graduation analyst and later in the education department as a credentials analyst. As first lady of PUC for nearly two decades, she was a constant support for official college functions. Eileen's generosity and caring spirit also made her a valued member of the community.

Both Dr. Maxwell and Eileen passed away in 2007.

The Maxwell Scholar is part of PUC's revamped merit-based scholarship program. Students with high grades or test scores can earn up to $5,000 a year. Those who participate in school and church leadership functions are eligible for up to $3,000 for their freshman year.

"We have extraordinary young people in our Church, and they are doing extraordinary things in their communities. These are the kinds of students we want at PUC, and we want to reward them for their vision and commitment to excellence," says Richard Osborn, president of PUC.

PUC provides need-based financial aid to deserving students and a special student loan program. The college, in partnership with La Sierra University, also conducts free financial aid workshops all over the Pacific Union Conference to educate parents on federal and state grants, loans, and scholarships available to their students.