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When you first meet Karen Ong you quickly become aware that she is someone going places. What you don't know is that she's getting to those places in a beat-up old trailer packed to the brim with toilet paper, toothpaste, groceries, and clothes. She sits in the passenger seat, maybe fiddles with the radio, the driver revs up the engine and it is the start of another typical day as the first full-time volunteer coordinator for JPPM. JPPM is Jail, Prison, and Program Ministries, an organization based in California's Napa Valley that ministers to prisoners and their families. Three years ago, Karen was at PUC finishing up her senior year as a bio-chemistry major and heading the ministry KidzReach, JPPM's children's program. KidzReach takes children from unstable homes and gives them a weekly day of fun filled with loving adults and activities. Then Karen received a diploma and said a sad goodbye to KidzReach. She had wanted to keep working with JPPM, but the lack of a real position and funds made it impossible. She moved to Washington, D.C., and became a fellow with the National Institute of Health (NIH), where she spent the next two years doing medical research....

Makala Anders has been interested in skin since he was a kid. As a child he often wondered why he was so pale compared to his dark-skinned Polynesian father and set to find out. In the eighth grade he discovered dermatology, and his career path was set. Anders left his native Hawaii and did undergraduate work at Pacific Union College, where he also met his wife, Brandie. While studying at PUC, both had the idea that they wanted to settle down in the area, but first Anders had to go to medical school. After graduating from PUC in 1995, he went to Loma Linda University, where he immersed himself in the Department of Dermatology, working hard and doing research as he advanced in his studies. During his residency, his hard work resulted in his being elected "chief resident" of the LLU dermatology department.It was in his chief resident role that he got involved in a unique program that helped ex-convicts and gang members by providing free tattoo removal. It was a long process that took anywhere from six to 20 treatments, and through the course of the treatment Anders got to know some of his patients and see how they...

April 17-22 marked Pacific Union College’s first Green Week. For six days PUC students and community members enjoyed activities that informed, entertained and provided opportunities to care for our local and global community. The week started with a special colloquy on April 17, including the PUC elementary choir and praise band’s boisterous performance of “With my Own Two Hands” and “The Three R’s.” Things got serious when Dr. Matthew Sleeth, a full-time minister in environmental conservation, shared his journey towards Christianity and environmental awareness. Once an ER doctor and secular humanist, he now devotes himself exclusively to promoting ecological awareness and serving Christ. His book title sums up his philosophy: Serve God, Save the Planet. Throughout Green Week, the campus continued to host events geared to educate and inspire students and the community to care for the earth. Events included an art contest for PUC elementary student and the films A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash, FernGully, and Who Killed the Electric Car? Freshman Tyler Mccullch took a break to watch A Crude Awakening. “It made me aware of what is actually happening with our current energy sources,” he said. Environmentalists new and old put their knowledge to practical use...

Thursday, April 17, begins the first Green Week at Pacific Union College. In an effort to promote awareness of eco-friendly living, PUC has planned six days of fun activities that inform, entertain and encourage participation in taking care of our local and global community. Green Week kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in Dauphinee Chapel with a lecture by Dr. J. Matthew Sleeth, author of Serve God, Save the Planet. A former emergency room doctor, Matthew Sleeth will share his personal and spiritual journey to environmental stewardship and discuss sobering rationale for life changes, and a “how-to” guide for lifestyle changes that will help care for others and protect the earth. Admission is free of charge. Other Green Week activities include an Angwin trash-pick-up day on Friday, April 18, 2-5 p.m. and an Earth Day Bazaar on Tuesday, April 22, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Electric cars will be on display and available for rides. Other bazaar activities include a thrift shop on campus, tours to the co-generation plant and live music. Come learn more about how to take care of your planet and participate in PUC’s first Green Week. All events are free of charge and open...