2022

After years apart, alumni, friends and family gathered once again on the mountain.Pacific Union College welcomed over 600 alumni to celebrate 140 years during its annual Homecoming on Sabbath, April 16, 2022. The day was filled with special programs, including the inauguration of PUC’s new president and the opening of the Walter C. Utt Center. Social events reconnected classmates and friends at their beloved alma mater.This was the first time since 2019 the college was able to hold an in-person Homecoming due to the COVID-19 pandemic.“We will be eternally grateful for how the campus pulled together to help us create a meaningful homecoming weekend,” said Kellie Lind, PUC’s vice president for alumni and advancement. “Faculty, staff and community volunteers worked together to generate a really special weekend.”This year’s honored classes were ‘60-’62, ‘70-’72, ‘80-’82, ‘90-’97, ‘00-’02 and ‘10-’12. These included classes that could not gather together in person over the past two years. Honoring three classes from each decade was a hit, Lind said, and something many people have requested for next year’s reunion.Homecoming celebrations began on Sabbath morning as alumni gathered in the PUC church sanctuary for a program centered on the college’s 140-year history. David Trim, director of...

Dr. Ralph Trecartin was inaugurated as Pacific Union College’s 24th president in April, taking over leadership of the institution in its celebratory 140th year and vowing to build on the college’s mission of faith, love and service in writing the next chapter of its storied history.“God has called us to this place for this time,” Trecartin said in his inaugural response themed on how the college’s past inspires its vision for the future. “We have an exciting adventure before us. Join me in watching to see the amazing things that God will do and jump in with me to join Him in any way we can to help.”Pacific Union College’s Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Trecartin in July 2021 as the successor to Dr. Robert Cushman, citing his leadership, innovation and experience in academic, enrollment and financial administration and his devout commitment to the mission of Seventh-day Adventist higher education.Trecartin's formal inauguration service coincided with the college’s alumni Homecoming Sabbath on April 16, 2022.The momentous occasion began with a special procession of board trustees, faculty, program participants, administration, and representatives from other Adventist institutions, many dressed in full academic regalia. Former and current students and faculty, as well as members...

If you ask Pacific Union College about their spring break, 22 of them will have an outstanding answer for you! The students dedicated their break to serving with love by joining professor Floyd Hayes, Ph.D. on a service mission trip to the country of Kenya.“Our mission trip to Kenya was unforgettable and eye-opening,” said student Drielly Martins. One objective for the PUC students was to resume an ongoing building project at the Kensington Hall Oloosinon Girls Secondary School. Students from a previous PUC service mission trip began the project at the school, which serves Maasai girls in a rural area of Kenya, in 2019 with the construction of a foundation for the school’s administration building.Safety concerns related to the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted plans to return to the country for three years, except for one limited trip, so Hayes and the students were excited to resume the project. This year, they assisted with the construction of a new building by digging trenches and pouring concrete. In addition, Hayes and the students were able to address some of the school’s technology needs. Before the trip, the group acquired 18 laptop computers that they delivered to the school during their visit, and PUC...

Pacific Union College administrators and its Board of Trustees presented and agreed upon a plan to balance the 2022-2023 budget at the February 28, 2022, board meeting. Although multifaceted in the involvement of several reductions and new revenues, a notable portion of this plan was the reduction of employees. PUC administration met a self-imposed deadline of mid-March to contact each affected employee with only one exception. The final individual was contacted approximately a week later. With this final announcement, all individuals affected by this particular vote have been contacted. All downsizing has resulted in the elimination of only one degree area — photography. There are no plans to eliminate other degrees or concentrations. All current programs can be covered by current personnel or several additional contracts. The cycles of course offerings may change, but currently, with only the one exception, all courses and emphasis areas remain intact.These adjustments will not only bring us to our operational goals but will allow us to look forward to a future of growth. We will remain ever grateful for the contributions each employee has made to the institution of PUC and its many students. Again, it is with great sadness that PUC is saying...

The Pacific Union College Board of Trustees met on February 28th. Board members spent time visiting the campus including visiting classes. Many board members mentioned how the reality of experiencing the campus in action reinforced the need to support bringing PUC to a position of strength as soon as possible. During the executive session, Dr. Trecartin shared a plan cabinet members painstakingly prepared on how to reach this goal. Difficult and thoughtful financial discussions followed.Dr. Trecartin showed strong leadership as he shared a focused plan leading to financial stability and creating a relevant campus for the modern student, said Dr. Sandy Roberts, the new board chair of Pacific Union College. “It is clear that difficult decisions and choices need to be made for the future growth of the campus.”The board of trustees, with the support of the PUC administrative team, believes that to support the immediate forward progress of PUC we need to reach a balanced budget sooner than originally planned so that we can ensure a secure future. For the first time since 2011/2012, PUC is within reach of constructing a budget with a positive overall bottom line, which is crucial to a strong and secure future for the...

Pacific Union College President Dr. Ralph Trecartin recently announced that Dr. Ryan Smith will be joining the college’s administrative team this spring as the new vice president for student life. “His experience and depth of knowledge make him an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” says Trecartin. With a wealth of experience across student life and academia, Smith’s career has spanned both the Seventh-day Adventist education system and the state university system. He received his bachelor's degree at Oakwood University, master’s from Alabama A&M University, and a doctorate from Morgan State University. “PUC has had a long history of producing alumni who are contributing in significant ways to both the church and communities all over the world, '' says Smith. “Our family feels blessed and privileged to serve at PUC."The vice president for student life is responsible for student support departments and activities, including residential life, PUC Pioneers athletics, campus ministries, student association, health services, counseling services, career services, and more. At the heart of it, the role helps define the whole experience of every PUC student, an experience that reaches far beyond the classroom. “I look forward to making connections with students, and I am a firm believer that...

A gift of 277 books from the personal collection of Calvin B. Rock, former president of Oakwood University, has been added to Pacific Union College’s Library. “Dr. Rock was an avid student of history and politics, with a particular interest in the impact of protest and reform,” says Eric Anderson, Director of the Walter C. Center for Adventist History. “His gift strengthens what was already a good collection on civil rights and African American History.” Rock, who continues to be active in retirement, served the church in variety of roles, ranging from a pastor and evangelist to vice president of the General Conference. An experienced educator, he was president of Oakwood for 14 years and chairman of the board of trustees at Loma Linda University. “These books will make a difference in students’ lives,” says Anderson. “They won’t just sit on the shelves.” Pacific Union College has a strong emphasis on undergraduate research, he adds. Rock has been a speaker in PUC’s lecture series on civil rights—an event created in honor of former president Percy Christian and former academic dean John Christian, educators with a life-long commitment to equal opportunity. “We are always grateful for meaningful donations to the PUC...

On January 12, 2022, the St. Helena Star released an article that addressed the possibility of utilizing water from a water source owned and operated by Pacific Union College (PUC) to assist with the City of St. Helena’s water shortage.While an inquiry has been received regarding the potential use of PUC water for the City of St. Helena, no decisions or plans have been made by PUC regarding this idea. Any decision by PUC regarding exporting water would only be made after careful consideration is given to all relevant issues, including what impact this action could have on its Angwin neighbors.To submit your feedback with PUC, please email pr@puc.edu. PUC will consider every submission, but will not be able to respond to every message....

Students in the Department of Biology at Pacific Union College recently partnered with Elmshaven to create an educational arboretum experience through identifying, measuring, and mapping the large collection of trees on the five-acre property.Elmshaven, the historical home of Ellen G. White, is located near the Napa Valley city of St. Helena and hosts many tours and visitors annually. White named the property for the number of Elm trees that once graced its landscape. Currently, an estimated 200 trees of around 50 varieties reside in Elmshaven. According to Elmshaven manager, Abner Castanon, at least two trees still on the grounds were alive when White lived there. Although he is familiar with the trees on the property, he hasn’t been able to give the exact number, variety, or name to the many interested visitors.“This is a wonderful project,” Castanon says. “Having this information, I can be of better service to visitors that come and ask these questions; knowing the trees will make me a better caretaker and tour guide.” In early December 2021, initial field work had been completed, including mapping out the property via a GPS program and naming the trees and their locations. One of the project goals is to...