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Pacific Union College students host this year’s REVO humanitarian fundraising and awareness event on April 25 in an outdoor area at the center of the school’s campus. From 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. that Sunday, students will hold a benefit rummage sale, host a fashion show, play a concert, and sell corn dogs and t-shirts to aid the Tropical Health Alliance Foundation (THAF) in its efforts to combat podoconiosis, and a KidzReach program that supports local children. The event on the 25th will be the second REVO event this year; the first was a very successful 5K race on the college's trails on April 18. REVO plans to donate half of the raised funds to support THAF-sponsored clinics in Ethiopia that treat podoconiosis, a form of elephantitis caused by exposure of feet to red clay soil. Santa Monica-based non-profit TOMS Shoes agreed to collaborate with REVO and THAF, and will provide shoes for family members of each person who receives treatment as a result of this endeavor. The rest of the funds raised by this event will go to KidzReach, a campus-based program whose members volunteer to spend Saturdays with children from underprivileged families or unstable homes in nearby counties....

For this year's student-led Revo project at Pacific Union College, the coordinators decided to host a benefit 5K run as well as the annual rummage sale, concert, and fashion show. Both events are to raise money for a local kids ministry and to treat a foot disease in Ethiopia caused by not wearing shoes. The race took place on Sunday, April 18, and the students were hoping for 100 racers and some decent weather. Instead, they had 125 racers and a gorgeous day. PUC cross country coach Bob Paulson laid out a fairly simple 5K course for the runners as well as an easy route of about two miles for people who preferred to walk. "We had so much rain, it was a bit of an obstacle course," Paulson reports. But he says people just had fun with the challenge. "Everybody seemed to have a blast." The student leaders were also very pleased to see some runners who were not from the campus. "I was surprised at how many runners were not students," reports Tyler McCulloch, one of the student organizers for the event. "We had people from Fairfield, Napa, and beyond." With a beautifully fair day squeezed between rainstorms...

Pacific Union College alumni gathered as they do each spring for Homecoming Weekend, April 16-18. From the handing out of Diogenes Lanterns (the school flower) to the Utt Lecture to parties for Honor Classes, events gave alumni a chance to enjoy the current campus and reminisce about their days at PUC. This year, Honored Alumni awards went to Audrey and Bruce Anderson, Monica Neumann, and Jake Scheideman. The Andersons, both 1960 graduates, come from a family whose members have attended, taught, or pastored at PUC since 1910. The two have been invaluable to the legacy of former PUC professor Walter Utt, hosting alumni and board meetings and collaborating with the college on Utt Endowment affairs. Monica Neumann, class of 1970, is an anesthesiologist, professor, and director at Loma Linda University Medical Center and is known for her work in nurturing the next generation of Adventist medical professionals. Local bike shop owner Jake Scheideman, class of 1990, has spent 10 years improving life for the people of a small town in Nicaragua. He founded the non-profit Developing Communities, Inc., and has involved the local community and many volunteers in contributing to the town. PUC also honored Jean Phillips as an Honored...

In September of 2009, Dr. Heather J. Knight became the new president of Pacific Union College. On April 15, 2010, the college hosted the official inaugural ceremony and installation of Knight as 21st president. In a program replete with regalia colors, inspiring music, and the PUC Church filled with faculty, staff, students, community members, educational and church leaders, and family and friends, Knight was welcomed with speeches of accolade and advice. PUC's history and future were celebrated by the entire college body and representatives from across the country. Brief speeches were presented by Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillon, St. Helena Mayor Del Britton, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities President Jonathan Brown, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists General Vice President Ella Simmons, Association of Adventist Colleges and Universities President and Walla Walla University President John McVay, Andrews University President Niels-Erik Andreasen, University of the Pacific Jacoby Center Director and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Emeritus Robert Benedetti, and University of the Pacific Provost Phillip N. Gilbertson. Dr. Knight was also presented with gifts from four representative groups at PUC: a crystal bell from the administrators, a miniature grape vine from the faculty, a painting by former PUC art...

On April 11 after a Napa Valley Symphony concert at Lincoln Theater in Yountville, Pacific Union College music students joined their professor Asher Raboy on the stage to meet pianist Leon Bates. Raboy, who has been music director of the symphony since 1990 and teaches music at PUC, directed a concert featuring several of his original compositions. The concert included a piano concerto featuring Bates, one of Raboy’s long-time collaborators (and one of America's top pianists). After the concert, many of the PUC students who had attended came to the stage to meet Bates, pose for photos, and receive autographs. Four of these students had enjoyed a Master Class with Bates the previous evening, and one turned pages for him during the Symphony concert. The PUC Musical Arts Symposium, a student music club, also organized to attend. Some students in the current Survey of Music class were there to fulfill concert attendance assignments, and PUC music ensemble members attended as well. "It was delightful to see so many of them," Raboy said later. "It's great to see PUC and the Symphony have this great interaction." As Raboy nears the conclusion of his time with the Symphony, having decided to step...