2018

Shasta Nelson, author, speaker, and one-of-a-kind friendship expert shared insights about building lasting relationships at PUC’s November 8 Colloquy. Nelson’s resume is impressive, as she has appeared on the Today Show, been featured in numerous national magazines, and has contributed to the New York Times and the Huffington Post. She has also published two books, Friendships Don’t Just Happen and Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness. In her own words, Nelson explained a “friendship expert” is much more than an extrovert’s desire to make acquaintances.“Whether as a pastor who was training and facilitating small groups, an author who has written two books about healthy friendships, or a speaker who teaches and trains others to respond to their loneliness, my entire career has been devoted to relationship growth and health,” she says. “Having studied friendships, loneliness, and relationship health for the last ten years, while running a company devoted to helping women build better friendships, and traveling the country hearing the stories of growing loneliness, my favorite thing to do is turn around and share what I have learned.”Her devotion to sparking connections between people has blossomed into an exciting career in which Nelson has honed her...

Three Pacific Union College men’s soccer team members were recently selected for awards by California Pacific Conference (CalPac) athletics. CalPac is the largest conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in the western U.S.Ricky Mazariegos, senior business accounting major and pre-law student who has been on the team for four years was named a Champion of Character.“I feel honored to receive this award because it means I was a great example to my teammates,” he says. “I was able to guide the younger players and show them what it means to have character both on and off the field.”Mazariegos can play nearly every position on the team, but his natural position is left back, right back, or center back. He has served his team as captain for two years.Jonathan Manurung, sophomore pre-nursing, and Carlos Piedra, sophomore exercise science and pre-physical therapy student, were both awarded Honorable Mention.“I wasn’t expecting to get the award, but I give my best to help the team,” says Manurung. “It’s truly an honor to be given this recognition during my first year on the team.”Manurung plays primarily striker, but occasionally as center attacking midfield.“This honor would not have been possible without my teammates,”...

Pioneer Connect is the result of roughly two years of brainstorming, planning, and organizing by members of PUC’s alumni and advancement office. When asked to describe the background and reasons for Pioneer Connect, Nic Miller, a database manager for PUC, leaned back in his chair and nodded. “Two summers ago, we really started thinking about a platform or point of connection for our alumni to get in touch with junior and senior students preparing to enter their professional careers. We are located only 70 miles north of all the amazing tech innovation in the Bay Area, and that realization really sparked the idea of connecting with our alumni, not just there but in all fields,” he explained. In seeking out methods to bring Pioneer Connect to life, Miller explained they came across Graduway, a vendor that provides predeveloped platforms for alumni management. It was perfect. In avoiding development costs, PUC was able to invest in the platform and officially began piecing together what would ultimately become Pioneer Connect. “Once the site was up, we decided to run a pilot program with a select group of alumni, and their initial reactions have all been positive,” Miller smiled. Similar to sites like...

The Rasmussen Art Gallery on the campus of Pacific Union College welcomes Wendy Liang as the guest artist for November. Her exhibit will open with a reception and artist talk from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, which is free and open to the public.In 2018, Liang has won the California Watercolor Association’s 48th National Exhibition, The Artist’s Magazine’s 35th Annual Art Competition, and Southwest Art Magazine’s Artistic Excellence Competition. In 2017 she received the most meaningful recognition yet for her artwork, when she won the competition of Splash 19, The Illusion of Light.“I became interested in art as a child when I first noticed colors of objects would change depending the type of weather and the different time of the day,” says Liang. “My inspiration comes through interesting lighting, water and its reflections, and scenes that feel dreamlike or somehow ethereally familiar.” Referring to her art style as “impressionistic realism,” Liang most enjoys painting scenes which create “otherworldly or mysterious atmospheres.” Her show at the Rasmussen will include such scenes as this.Liang’s exhibit will remain in the Rasmussen Art Gallery through December 9 (note that the Gallery is closed for Thanksgiving Break, Nov. 16-25). Gallery hours: 1-5 p.m., Thursday-Sunday....

Thursday, October 25 marked PUC’s workshop with Marcie Hronis, self-proclaimed public-speaking enthusiast and former Miss America contestant trainer. In just over an hour, Hronis explained the keys to successful conversations with potential employers, providing tips, tricks, and real life examples of how to excel in the arena of corporate interviewing. In her presentation, titled, “Interview Training: How to Stand out From the Rest,” Hronis detailed the steps of preparation needed to swing any discussion in the interviewee’s favor. She began by highlighting the importance of creating what she termed an “awesome list.” “How do you make any employer fall in love with you?” she asked. “You put together ten amazing, unique things about yourself, and weave them into the interview. The goal is to be able to answer any question using at least one of the things on your list.” Hronis emphasized these qualities need not be related to your academic career or workplace goals. “It can be anything that makes you stand out, whether it is something special about your family heritage, a charity you’re involved in, or volunteer work.” In addition to creating an “awesome list,” Hronis encouraged students to come up with three words that best described...

It’s always a bit sad when a beloved professor moves on to another experience or retires, but the good news is the opening left behind in the department means a chance to meet a new beloved professor. Five new faculty have joined the ranks at PUC this year: Julianna Boydston (nursing), Tara Hargrove (communication), Kiwon Kwak (exercise science), Willy Logan (history), and Sandra Ringer (nursing). Name: Julianna BoydstonTitle: Assistant Professor of NursingEducation: BSN and MSN from University of San FranciscoProfessor Boydston is a Napa Valley native, accustomed to the beautiful scenery surrounding PUC. After welcoming their first child into their lives, Boydston says she had been looking for a career closer to home. “I decided the time was now to begin a career in academia,” she says. “I have always loved education and teaching in the hospital setting; I am now excited to have the opportunity to educate our newest generation of nurses.”Prior to coming to PUC, Boydston was a registered nurse at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, working as a bedside nurse in the pediatric cardiac ICU taking care of critically ill infants, children, and adults with congenital heart defects. “Nursing is not only a profession, but a...

Thursday, October 18, marked the return of PUC’s annual grad school fair. Professionals from nearly twenty graduate schools filled the dining commons side rooms from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to meet with students and answer any questions the prospective applicants might have raised. Olivia Nash, a representative from the University of the Pacific, explained their graduate programs are ideal for PUC alumni, as the schools share many similarities, including class size, strong faculty interactions, and the small college environment. “We come to PUC every year because we know their students are focused, engaged, and very motivated to learn,” explained Nash. She also mentioned of all the characteristics they look for in future UOP students, they especially seek out those who are willing to collaborate with faculty and driven to achieve. Diane Sus of Saint Mary’s College of California mentioned this was the institution’s first time visiting PUC, as they are looking to broaden their horizons and expand the pool of students that attend the school. Sus listed a number of programs Saint Mary’s hopes will attract PUC applicants, including their master’s program in counseling, along with courses in teachers education. She also mentioned their school offers specializations that allow,...

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has released its Champions of Character Scorecard for the 2017-18 season, and Pacific Union College has again received Gold Status.Every year, each NAIA institution and conference demonstrate their progress in pursuing character-driven athletics. The Champions of Character Scorecard measures growth in training, promotion, conduct in competition and commitment in five key areas with a possibility of earning 100 points. Institutions can be recognized as Champions of Character Five-Star Institutions at three different levels: Gold (90-100 points), Silver (75-89 points) and Bronze (60-74 points).This year 171 NAIA institutions earned the Five-Star Institution Award, including 74 at the gold distinction level, one of which was Pacific Union College.“All of the credit for achieving NAIA gold level status goes to the athletes, coaches, and athletic director from last year,” acknowledges Ralph Perrin, PUC’s new athletics director since September of this year. “The NAIA and the CalPac Conference have put a lot of emphasis on the development of a lifestyle in athletes that helps them live at a higher level of moral discernment and engagement. This is a natural fit for the ethos of PUC and the cultural change that President Cushman is leading on our campus.”NAIA...

Due to an unexpected weather situation, Oliani will be unable to make it to her scheduled speaking event at PUC on Saturday evening. Her presentation will be rescheduled and announced as soon as possible.On Saturday, Oct. 27, Brazilian physician and adventurer Karina Oliani will speak at Pacific Union College. This event is free and open to the public.Born with a thirst for adrenaline-pumping adventure, Oliani completed both her first parachute jump and her scuba diving training at age 12. By 17, she was a two-time Brazilian wakeboard champion, a three-time snowboard champion, a record-holding free diver.Oliani has mastered many sports, including rock climbing, motocross, canoeing, paddle boarding, abseiling, horseback riding, surfing, orienteering, kitesurfing, sandboarding, water and alpine skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, and bungee jumping. She also has her private helicopter pilot license.Throughout this sporting, however, Oliani has also fed her passion for service. Combining it with her love of adventure, she acquired her medical degree and now travels the world in search of both caring for others and exploring her own physical limits. She recently accompanied a group of students from PUC to Fiji, where they provided medical care for many local residents through a free health clinic. While there, Oliani...

It’s impossible not to smile at Ralph Perrin, new athletics director at Pacific Union College. It doesn’t matter if you’re only just meeting him or have known him for decades, the grey-haired gentleman’s face lights up as soon as he sees you. His office, hidden between exit doors at the side of the basketball courts in the PUC gym, boasts awards given not to Perrin himself, but to his daughters.The lack of presence of awards with his name speaks not to his ability, but rather to his focus and his humility. Perrin played varsity basketball in high school, while also enjoying on the side racquetball and football.“I played it all,” he says with a laugh. “The bouncing ball is like a siren call to me. If I hear of a sport going on, it draws all my attention.”Perrin says he finds joy in virtually all sports, but some of his favorites include volleyball, baseball, snow sports, and water sports, and he raised his kids playing them as well.Despite—or perhaps as a result of—his interest in athleticism and sports, Perrin found himself more interested in the biochemical part of nutrition. This led to his undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry, his...