2022 PUC Commencement: Graduates celebrate their achievements and prepare to ‘leave their mark’ in the world

Students in this year’s graduating class didn’t just successfully triumph through several years of study sessions, papers, and exams. They also have the distinction of making it through a global pandemic and the threat of last year’s wildfire. 

The uncertainty of these events posed challenges. But they also stimulated creativity, shaped priorities, and above all fostered perseverance. Those experiences and the lessons learned from them are as indelible in the minds of the students as all of their teachers, classes, friendships, and social events. 

Pacific Union College’s 2022 graduates are ready now to go out and make a positive and lasting impact on the world. 

On Sunday, June 19, 2022, PUC celebrated its 120th graduating class at a joyous commencement ceremony. The college conferred associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees upon nearly 200 students. Diverse in its make-up, the class represents students from 13 states and five countries. Three honors students and three Maxwell Scholars were also recognized among the graduates. 

“Choose to live boldly and take risks,” PUC Board of Trustees chair Sandra Roberts said in her Commencement address. “Choose to be resilient. Choose to allow love to emerge. Hope to emerge.”

Unique to the Class of 2022 is that it boasts many first-generation college graduates. Academic Dean, Milbert Mariano, honored them by asking those students to stand to the sounds of great applause.

PUC’s Commencement weekend began Friday afternoon, June 17, with the Social Work Consecration Service in Scales Chapel. Graduates read the social work oath together and were honored with a commemorative pinning ceremony. 

Consecration followed later that same evening in the PUC church. Following the praise team and their music, class president, Amadis Ortega thanked parents for their support as students presented flowers to their families. Professor Tuwan Ussery, associate professor of social work and 2022 class sponsor, in his message to the students urged them to “press forward and reach out” to leave their mark on the world.

President Ralph Trecartin, at Baccalaureate on Sabbath morning, welcomed guests and warmly addressed the graduates. “We are proud of you,” Trecartin said. “We hope the heart of your experience here is your spiritual walk with God, symbolized by meeting in this church today.” 

James and Laura Wibberding, both professors of applied theology, gave the address. “Go Pioneers, Again” highlighted the biblical story of Abraham and Sarah and the lives of several Adventist historic trailblazers. The Wibberdings encouraged the graduates as “the next wave of pioneers” to change the world starting with “one person, one family, one circle at a time.”

The sanctuary was filled once again on Sabbath afternoon for the nursing graduate recognition service. Speaker Liss Leal, operations director for Northern California at Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect, answered the question “What is Nursing?” with the wisdom of her 20-plus years of experience. Leal emphasized the importance of authentic connection with patients and encouraged graduates to be advocates. 

Director and Chair of Nursing and Health Sciences, Kimberly Dunker, presented awards to distinguished graduates. Dunker also led the nursing staff in the pinning ceremonies for students with associate degrees and then those with bachelors. Nursing graduates then stood and together took the Florence Nightingale pledge. 

Sunday morning arrived with joyful rays of sunshine. Commencement, held in Maxwell Commons, began with a welcome by Steven Herber, CEO of Adventist Health St. Helena. Herber included a Father’s Day tribute.

Professor Ussery gave a statement in celebration of Juneteenth. “Remember the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” he said, “and implement them in your daily lives.”

Roberts, executive secretary of the Pacific Union Conference, urged students to remember that all the choices and decisions they make ultimately shape the future of their lives and their impact upon others. 

In her valedictory, Ortega, the class president, talked about how meaningful it was for her to work at the Angwin Food Pantry this year. She advised her fellow graduates to treat everyone they meet with kindness because “you’ll never know whose life you’ll touch.”

Following her address, President Trecartin along with Milbert Mariano conferred degrees upon the graduates to the cheers of friends and family. Kellie Lind, vice president for alumni and advancement, welcomed them as new college alumni. 

Commencement closed with a benediction offered by Ussery. The class of 2022 marched back down the aisle. It may have marked the conclusion of their time at PUC, but also the beginning of their next journey where they can leave their mark on the world.