2014

Pacific Union College has been honored as a College of Distinction for the 2014-2015 school year. PUC is one of a select group of colleges to earn this prestigious designation, based on its excellence in Four Distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant campus communities and successful outcomes. High school college counselors and educators nominate colleges and universities for recognition by Colleges of Distinction, which then evaluates each school based on qualitative and quantitative research. The colleges and universities are not ranked and instead are members of a consortium of other equally impressive schools. “It is an honor to be recognized as a college that excels in providing a student-focused education,” shares PUC Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment Services Jennifer Tyner. “In keeping with PUC’s mission, we are committed to offering our students an excellent Christ-centered education that prepares them for productive lives of useful human service and uncompromising personal integrity.” Colleges of Distinction looks beyond rankings and test scores to find colleges that are the ideal places to learn, grow and succeed. The selection process reviews such factors as the school’s first year experience, general education program, experiential components of the curriculum, the strategic plan and alumni success and...

Where better to view the work of the masters than in the hub of European artistic ingenuity itself? That’s exactly what 15 students in Pacific Union College’s Honors Program did this summer when spending four intensive weeks studying art in Florence, Italy. The summer seminar abroad was a combination of lectures, artistic assignments, and tours aiming to provide the students with a comprehensive and contextual idea of “Beauty” (the course’s title) from the medieval age to Modernism. With a huge amount of material to cover, the students worked hard to digest the most information possible in each three-hour class session. “The trip was a once in a lifetime experience to actively learn about art and the pursuit of beauty,” said senior Spanish and music student Rachel Veszpeller. “I learned first-hand how to see ordinary objects how an artist might see them. And to get to know art in Italy was incredible. Especially in Florence, you could almost feel the creativity in the air. It was a challenging trip that opened my eyes to a lot of concepts that I had never encountered before.” Villa Aurora, an Adventist school in Florence, hosted the PUC travelers for the duration of the trip....

An important element of Pacific Union College’s mission is preparing students for productive lives of useful human service, and during the 2013-2014 school year the college further committed to this calling by establishing a formal service-learning program and hiring a service-learning coordinator. “Ultimately, service-learning aims to create a reciprocal relationship between the college and the community in which both students’ learning goals are met, and the community also benefits in a positive way,” explains Alisa Jacobo, PUC’s new service-learning coordinator. Jacobo, a PUC graduate who holds a master’s in social work from the University of Michigan, accepted the new role in addition to her teaching responsibilities as an instructor in the department of psychology and social work. Service-learning is a teaching method that involves service projects selected by the faculty. Projects chosen for a course will addresses a community identified need while simultaneously fulfilling student-learning goals. Students work directly with the local community while receiving assistance from community leaders and a specially chosen professor. In completing the service-learning process, students increase their knowledge of human service while expanding their viewpoint about their own involvement in the community. Although PUC has always been dedicated to including service as part of its...

Academically outstanding students in grades seven to ninegot a weeklong taste of college life from July 20-25 at PacificQuest, PUC’sannual summer program. During the week, the 19 PacificQuest campers livedon-campus and experienced college-level coursework.“The mission behind PacificQuest is to provide academicallygifted junior-high students with an opportunity to collaboratively exploretopics that they may not have the opportunity to engage in otherwise within thetraditional school curriculum—all while getting a small taste of PUC campusculture!” shared PacificQuest Academic Director Tauva Hellie.Students participated in two courses, a core class and anelective option. This year’s core class was Music and Storytelling, taught byRachelle Davis, professor of music and chair of the department of music. Thecourse explored the fundamental elements that are used to express emotion andtell stories through music. At the awards program on July 25, groups ofstudents demonstrated what they had learning by sharing short videos thatutilized carefully chosen music.In addition to the Music and Storytelling course, studentschose between The Legacy of Graphic Design: Leave Your Mark and Physics: Beyonda Mere Observation, both challenging and inspiring options for the buddingintellectuals in attendance.In The Legacy of Graphic Design course, students learnedabout the exciting history of graphic design through hands-on learning and techniquesincluding calligraphy, bookmaking, and...

During the end of July and beginning of August, Pacific Union College representatives travel to Seventh-day Adventist Camp Meetings in northern and central California along with Adventists from around the state to fellowship, meet alumni and friends, and to share what is happening at the college. Additionally, the college hosts the Korean West Coast Camp Meeting on its Angwin, Calif., campus. During the Soquel Camp Meeting, the Central California Conference’s yearly gathering near Santa Cruz, Calif., a group of PUC students are leading the praise music in the Youth Tent each morning and evening, while representatives at the PUC booth are answering questions and sharing information about the college. During the final Sabbath of Camp Meeting, July 26, the Alumni Relations team will host a Sabbath luncheon in the Earliteen Tent following the worship service. Alumni Relations Director Mark Ishikawa will be speaking at the Youth Tent July 24-26. During Redwood Camp Meeting, July 24 to August 2, PUC will be travelling to the beautiful forest of Humboldt County to worship with members of the Northern California Conference. Pastor Larry Graack, an enrollment counselor for the college, will be worshipping in the Youth Tent during the week, and the PUC...

Among the incoming freshman coming to Pacific Union Collegein September are five exceptional students who have been chosen as this year’srecipients of the Maxwell Scholarship. Named for PUC’s iconic presidentialcouple, Dr. Malcolm and Eileen Maxwell, this prestigious award is given tostudents who show outstanding academic achievement, exceptional leadershipexperience, and a commitment to Christian service. The Maxwell Scholar Programawards recipients a $15,000 renewable scholarship for all four years theyattend PUC.Alexander Chang of Grass Valley, Calif., dedicated hishigh school career at Pine Hills Adventist Academy (PHAA) to scholastic,athletic, and extracurricular success. The Grass Valley, Calif., native wasstudent association president his senior year, starting new programs likePHYSICS (Pine Hills Youth Spiritually Invigorating Campus Soldiers) and a Kicks4 Kids shoe drive. During high school this natural leader also won awards inmultiple sports and captained the basketball and flag football teams. Alex hasbeen on six mission trips since 2006, assisting with construction projects,medical and dental services, Vacation Bible School, and Week of Prayerprograms. He also succeeded scholastically as a member of the National and asthe recipient of PHAA’s top academic awards in multiple subjects. Alex islooking forward to starting classes at PUC in September. “I'm really excited tostudy subjects that really interest me, meet new...

Pacific Union College and the PUC Church are pleased to welcome Pastor Jonathan Henderson to his new position as Pacific Union College campus chaplain and associate pastor of the PUC Church, effective September 1, 2014. Henderson is a graduate of PUC, where he completed a bachelor’s in theology in 1999. Henderson started his career at the PUC Church as outreach minister, followed by three years at the Campus Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church in Loma Linda, Calif., where his ministry focused on collegiate and young adult groups. Since 2003, Henderson has served as lead pastor at Grand Advent Seventh-day Adventist Church in Oakland, Calif. “Henderson’s vision for connecting students with their Maker, encouraging stronger relationships with Christ, and training leaders to help in this endeavor make for a good PUC match,” said Lisa Bissel Paulson, vice president for student services, in her announcement to campus about the appointment. A dynamic and enthusiastic speaker, Henderson is a frequent visitor to PUC, often speaking for Friday Vespers, Week of Prayer, and for Sabbath worship services. Henderson looks forward to being on-campus full time as chaplain. “I’m excited to return to the place where I clearly received my call from God,” Henderson shares. “It...

Teresa Reeve, associate professor of New Testament at Andrews University, has been appointed as the new associate dean of the Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Mich. Reeve, who graduated from Pacific Union College in 1982 with a bachelor’s in education, is the first woman to serve as associate dean. “Reeve’s appointment is especially significant because she is the first female associate dean in seminary history,” said Jiří Moskala, seminary dean, in a statement released by Andrews University. “This is an historical nomination, and I am glad I can play a part in it. With this appointment comes unique diversity in our seminary.” After graduating from PUC, Reeve taught in Adventist and Montessori schools for ten years and earned an M.A. in educational and developmental psychology from Andrews. She received her M.Div. and Ph.D. at Andrews, where she teaches in the New Testament department. An author of numerous articles, Reeve has served on a number of Seventh-day Adventist Church and seminary committees, including the Biblical Research Institute Committee, the Theology of Ordination Study Committee and the Seminary Deans’ Council. In Andrews’ press release, Reeve shared her plans for her new position. “My central focus will be to...

Pacific Union College Professor of Education Jim Roy has published a biography of William Glasser, a pioneer in the field of psychiatry through his research and publications on choice theory. In his book William Glasser: Champion of Choice, Jim Roy records both the professional and personal life of an American psychiatrist who devoted his extensive research to reality therapy and choice theory. Glasser’s controversial and groundbreaking ideas included challenging the very definition of mental illness, and creating insightful new methods with which it could be treated. Glasser’s illustrious career stemmed from his desire to empower people through individual free will and personal choice, Roy observes in the book. “Glasser wanted people to realize that they could be the architects of their own mental health and that we don’t need to be victims of our circumstances,” states Roy. “He so much wanted people to learn how to be responsible for their own happiness and to thrive in every way.” Roy chronicles Glasser’s journey as a visionary psychiatrist and respected author, including the personal struggles he endured. Glasser contributed his unpopular opinion that “talk therapy” should be equal to, if not more crucial than, mainstream “drug therapy.” Through over 20 books and...

Beaming graduates and their families, exclamations of “Congratulations!” and the faint scent of airborne corn tortillas filled Commencement Grove at Pacific Union College, as the class of 2014 prepared to graduate on Sunday, June 15. The class is the largest in eight years to graduate from PUC, Napa Valley's only four-year college. “I accomplished it with the support of family, friends and especially God,” said Shayla Huerta, who graduated with an associate’s degree in nursing. She is the first person in her family to graduate from college or enter the medical field, and plans to complete her bachelor’s degree in nursing next year. “It’s very satisfying to set an example for my siblings and cousins to pursue a education our parents never had,” Huerta adds. All told, the 382 graduates received 394 associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees. The largest departmental groups were the department of nursing (129 graduates from the associate of science and bachelor of science in nursing programs), health sciences (41), business administration (37), and psychology and social work (34). The class also included 19 summa cum laude graduates, 20 magna cum laude graduates, and 64 cum laude graduates. Graduation weekend began with a consecration service Friday evening...