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During a special presentation at Angwin’s 2011 Flea Market and Car Show on Sunday, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) congratulated Angwin on the expansion of broadband technology to the community, thanks to a partnership between Pacific Union College and Comcast. Last fall, the college worked with Comcast to update the campus telecommunications network with a fiber-optic infrastructure. The move increased PUC’s bandwidth by 1,000 percent and also allowed Comcast to expand its services into Angwin, where communication and entertainment services have been limited. “This is a partnership that is going to pay dividends for the entire community,” said Thompson, listing the number of educational online programs that can benefit school-age children, businesses, and families. “The amount of information that is at our fingertips is truly awesome, and so much is available because of the expansion of broadband.” The program also welcomed Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillon, who commended Comcast and PUC and called it a “step forward” for PUC and the community. Heather Knight, president of PUC, also spoke at the event along with Tom Bartee, district director for 7th District Assemblyman Michael Allen; and Paul Gibson, East Bay area vice president for Comcast. Two years ago, PUC was urgently...

The professors of the Pacific Union College religion department consecrated their graduating seniors in an intimate ceremony at Scales Chapel on Friday, May 6. Family and friends joined the department in celebrating the accomplishments of these two theology majors and five religion majors as they prepare to enter into a life dedicated to ministry and service to the Lord. Each year, the religion department holds this service for its graduating seniors as a way of dedicating them to the gospel ministry. This year, they consecrated seven seniors, whose future plans range from entering global missionary work to ministry within the medical field. In the service, students had the opportunity to reminisce about their favorite moments at PUC, to display their talents in worship, and to thank their professors, families, and friends for the support they received throughout their undergraduate careers. The department compiled a slideshow of memories from mission trips, baptisms, and other works of ministry and classes as a gift for the students. Featured speaker Pastor Tim Mitchell, senior pastor at the PUC Seventh-day Adventist Church, encouraged the students with anecdotes from his experience as a minister of the Gospel. To close the service, senior pre-med/religion major Alicia Teferi...

Fifteen PUC visual art seniors displayed their thesis projects at Rasmussen Art Gallery Saturday evening as the venue swelled with an overflow crowd. The Thesis Exhibition is an annual show that serves as the highlight of the capstone year for fine art, photography, and graphic design students. The show featured a diverse collection of student work, including photography series, paintings, digital installations, and collections of business promotional materials. “It was a very strong exhibition that showcased the talent and hard work of our students,” said Milbert Mariano, chair of the visual arts department. “They have been planning, conceptualizing, and implementing their projects all year long. They should be very proud.” See a photo gallery from this year’s senior thesis show....

At a special Colloquy program on Thursday morning, Pacific Union College named the 2011 Educator of the Year: associate professor of communication Tammy McGuire. McGuire, who came to PUC in 2005, completed her undergraduate studies at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. She went on to earn an M.A. in English from Eastern Washington University and a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition to teaching a series of major classes in the communication department as well as courses in the Honors Program curriculum, McGuire is a prolific researcher who has presented her studies on communication, linguistics, religion, and feminism at several national communication conferences. At colloquy, a number of faculty friends and students offered a roast, paying tribute to McGuire; each praised her in every aspect, from her innate ability to engage students in the most challenging of subjects to her impossible athleticism. Roasters Elaine Neudeck, Lynne Thew, Michelle Rai and Doug Wilson left no base uncovered, revealing everything from her love of peanut butter to her ferocious childhood temper to photographs from her days as a lanky Pathfinder. The communication department honored the woman of the hour with a video featuring messages from various family members,...

Pacific Union College has selected the recipients of this year's prestigious Maxwell Scholarship. The scholarship rewards incoming freshmen for high academic achievement, a commitment to Christian service, and outstanding leadership experience with $15,000 in annually renewable funding—$60,000 over the course of four years at PUC. These students comprise the third group recognized by the Maxwell Scholar Program, which was established at PUC in 2009 to recognize the late Malcolm and Eileen Maxwell, former president and first lady of PUC. Applicants must meet GPA and test-score requirements, and the ranking of their applications is based on resumes, an essay, and letters of recommendation. This year's winners are:Tori FodeSacramento Adventist AcademyCarmichael, CaliforniaTori served in student government for a number of years, including in the office of senior class president. She also played varsity flag football, was first chair clarinet in the school concert band, and a member of the school choir and handbell choir. In addition to her academic and leadership accomplishments, Tori volunteered 75 hours at Mercy San Juan Hospital in Sacramento, independently raised $700 for a local crisis center, and participated in a mission trip to Honduras. Tori, who also volunteers at her church, has preached at several worship programs...