2012

At Colloquy on March 15, Pacific Union College paid tribute to Richard Rockwell, this year's new professor emeritus. Rockwell, professor of mathematics, is retiring at the end of the academic year after teaching at PUC for more than four decades. Rockwell began his career in the classroom while attending PUC; during his sophomore year in college, he taught a yearlong computer science course. After graduating from PUC in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, Rockwell went on to the University of California, Berkeley, where he received his master’s degree in 1969. Immediately after, PUC hired Rockwell to teach in the math department; a few years later, while teaching, he earned his doctorate from U.C. Berkeley. In the 1970s and 1980s, Rockwell was the chair of the math department for over a decade. At the Thursday morning colloquy program, Steve Waters, also a professor of mathematics, shared his memories of studying under Rockwell in the 1970s. “I first got to know him personally my sophomore year at PUC, and he became my advisor and mentor,” said Waters. “Whether he knows it or not, he’s never stopped being my advisor and mentor.” Waters followed in Rockwell’s footsteps, graduating from PUC with...

Students from Pacific Union College’s Introduction to Biology class worked on protecting the ecosystem in a project with the Land Trust of Napa County on March 4. The project involved removing foreign plant species that had begun to invade the plant ecosystem surrounding Linda Falls, a small waterfall in Angwin. The waterfall, located on property owned by the Land Trust, is a short walk from campus. “This is a long-term partnership that will allow students on campus to have an impact on a place many students, staff, and faculty enjoy,” explains Aimee Wyrick, an associate professor in the biology department who coordinated the project. For students, the trip offered a chance to get out of the classroom for a good cause. “It was an opportunity to do something with your community,” said Jesse Jewett, a freshman liberal studies major. “Up here on the hill, we forget that anyone else is here...we think its just PUC, but there’s a whole community here.” Jewett adds, “Whether it was getting rid of invasive plant species or just picking up litter that’s accumulated, it was just cool to get out and feel like we were doing something to benefit the environment around us.”...

Starting in fall 2012, Pacific Union College will begin offering students a new degree: History, Political Studies, and Ethics. The bachelor's degree, which will be based in the history department, will combine classes in American history, politics, and ethics to educate students in politics, government and a life of public service. “In a national environment charged with politics and political activism, it is not surprising that prospective students…consistently ask about offerings in political science,” says Amy Rosenthal, associate professor of history and chair of the department. “[The new program] is designed to educate students in the workings of government and the characteristics of modern politics…in preparation for careers of service in local, state and federal government, law, public policy and political science.” “We’re very excited about the possibilities this new degree brings to our campus,” relates PUC academic dean Nancy Lecourt. “The degree in political studies will make PUC an even more attractive option for students by further expanding our offerings in the liberal arts. We expect that the program will be particularly attractive to students interested in pursuing graduate school in law and public policy.” The Princeton Review ranks political science as one of the top ten undergraduate majors...

At a Thursday morning presentation at PUC’s visual arts department, PUC alum Rayme Inae, ’01, encouraged students to always be on the lookout for new opportunities. Inae is the creative director for—and helped start—GoJane.com, a popular online retailer of fashion-forward apparel for young women. “People want decisions made for them,” he told the students. “Grab the steering wheel of your own life!” A big man with a big smile, Inae shared his advice and his success story in a lively and frank presentation that energized the room. He described his experience at PUC as an active—if not always stellar—student and encouraged the visual arts majors to view their course work as a chance to build a meaningful portfolio that would serve them in the job market. After graduation, Inae said he couldn’t find work as a graphic designer—his area of study. But his friendly and enthusiastic personality landed him a job in advertising sales. In one year he advanced rapidly in the company and saved up a sizeable cushion from commissions on large clients like the Golden State Warriors. But after an ethical disagreement with the company, he quit—and realized that he didn’t know what he wanted to do next....

At a special Colloquy program Thursday morning at Pacific Union College, Hollywood movie executive DeVon Franklin opened with a bold statement. “God has sent me here to deliver you a message,” he said. “Someone here has a calling—something God wants you to do—but fear is holding you back from following that dream. I’m here to free you from that fear.” Franklin is vice president of production at Columbia Pictures, and has been involved in the production of films including The Pursuit of Happyness and the recent remake of The Karate Kid. He’s also a Seventh-day Adventist, and has recently written Produced by Faith, a book about maintaining a relationship with God while working in the entertainment industry. Franklin described how movies like The Color Purple, Rocky, and Back To The Future captivated him as a boy. He remembered wanting to make those images, but when he shared his dream with others in the Adventist community, he was often met with skepticism. This did not stop him from having faith that God would take him where He wanted him to be, he said. Franklin advised students to actively seek and pursue their God-given purpose in this world. “So many times we...

David Burgess, a critically acclaimed Latin guitarist, performed Sunday, February 19, as part of Pacific Union College’s Fine Arts Series. Burgess, who has spent years abroad studying the musical traditions of Brazil, played pieces by artists Aníbal Augusto Sardinha, Raphael Rabello, Vinicius de Moraes, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. The concert became more than just a musical performance, as Burgess paused often between songs to speak about the composers whose work he played, as well as Brazilian music in general. Burgess performed the concert on a seven-string guitar—virtually unheard-of in the U.S., but common in Brazil. After Burgess finished the last piece on the program, he walked off the stage only to return a few seconds later to powerful applause. For his encore, Burgess played a piece written to imitate the sound of the berimbau, an African-influenced Brazilian string instrument. “He’s been really great to work with,” said Rachelle Berthelson-Davis, chair of the PUC music department. Davis was glad to have Burgess here, she said, as his music “speaks to something broader than traditional Western music.” She also mentioned that she thinks Burgess’ music will enhance this quarter’s world music class at PUC. Burgess has studied with a number of renowned...

On February 6, principals, superintendents, and education directors from throughout the western United States arrived at Pacific Union College for Education Days, an annual networking event for future educators. Organized by PUC’s education department, Education Days offers education professionals an opportunity to mingle with and interview teacher candidates from the education program at PUC. “Its an opportunity for graduating seniors to find teaching positions by connecting with potential employers,” says Tom Lee, chair of PUC’s education department. The event began on Monday evening with a dinner bringing teacher candidates together with potential employers in a personal setting. The candidates also continued a tradition of the Education Days banquet by giving brief presentations highlighting their reasons for teaching and the areas in which they are credentialed to teach. The following day there was a job fair allowing graduating seniors an opportunity to interview with hiring officials in a more formal setting. Attending this year’s Education Days were administrators from throughout the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Also in attendance were Napa County's superintendent of education, Barbara Nemko, and the director of education for the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, Lisa Beardsley-Hardy....

Pastor Paul Graham spoke for PUC’s Winter Revival, January 25–28. The theme of the four-day series was “Grounded in Love,” and Graham emphasized the importance of building a foundation in Christ. Being rooted in Christ enables one to look past the day-to-day difficulties of life and believe that God has already overcome, said Graham. Among other Biblical stories, Graham examined the parable of the prodigal son, likening the prodigal son’s venture away from home to the way one may venture away from God by choosing activities that are not pleasing to Him. Graham encouraged students to surround themselves with friends that will help—not hinder—one’s walk with God. After Friday vespers, Graham addressed a Q-and-A session in Scales Chapel. Student leaders had previously distributed index cards and pens in the lobby of the church for students to write any questions they had for the pastor. Many students submitted requests for guidance in their personal relationships. Graham addressed these questions directly, also taking questions from the students in attendance. The chapel filled quickly with students eager to find answers. Graham is originally from Brooklyn, New York, and currently serves as senior pastor at the Restoration Praise Center in Lanham, Maryland....

Pacific Union College held its first annual Service Day on January 20, 2012, by organizing a fair featuring service opportunities for students from local and international non-profits. The day aimed to inspire students to serve their world and showcased opportunities to put that inspiration into action.According to PUC Service Coordinator Fabio Maia, the idea was to create more volunteer opportunities for students. "We brought in non-profits in the area to provide opportunities students can signup for," said Maia. "But it's not just a signup list for them to be contacted at a later date. We wanted to provide real opportunities so they can start serving."Among the organizations at the fair were St. Helena Hospital and Rose Haven, the Napa Youth Advocacy Center, the St. Helena Family Center, and other organizations serving the Napa Valley. Alongside the local organizations were groups like Developing Communities Nicaragua, and Project Pueblo that showcased opportunities to serve outside the Valley. The mayors of Calistoga and St. Helena, Jack Gingles and Del Britton, were also present.Mayor Britton said he believes PUC contributes positively to the Napa Valley. "One of the nice things about PUC is its 'service first' philosophy," he said. "The advantage of a fair...

Pacific Union College held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Colloquy on January 12, 2012, celebrating the legacy of this civil rights leader ahead of Monday’s federal holiday in his memory. The program featured a presentation by Norman Knight, PUC’s outreach chaplain, entitled Beyond the Red Sea and highlighted the college’s diversity and its commitment to continued progress in the area. Knight focused on the message King would have had for young people on college campuses across the country were he still living today. Knight opened his address by reading the account in Exodus 16:1-3 where the Children of Israel were grumbling to their leaders. Knight used this as a springboard to weave a puissant narrative paralleling the civil rights movement with the struggles of oppressed people everywhere and the responsibilities that come with arrival in the “promised land” or an end to oppression. Knight discussed the movements of people standing up for their civil rights as springing from an innate human force which refuses to be suppressed. “It is always true that when you have one force dedicated to denying people their freedom and dignity, you will always have another force committed to ensuring liberty and liberation. The...