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Pacific Union College’s Theology and Education departments are witnessing a marked increase in enrollment, reflecting a growing student interest in these fields and the college’s commitment to academic excellence and hands-on experience. This quarter, the Theology department welcomed seven new students, bringing their enrollment to 18 compared to last year’s 11. Similarly, the Education department has experienced a surge, with their total program enrollment reaching nearly 60. A Trend of GrowthBoth departments’ chairs expressed excitement and positivity for the rising enrollment numbers. Theology Professor and Department Chair Jim Wibberding explained if this trend continues, the Theology department could easily have 25 students in two years. For the Education department, the number of students in their Intro to Teaching class doubled this quarter alone versus their typical enrollment, with 17 new teacher candidates joining the class. Education Professor and Department Chair Dr. Jean Buller said the spike will continue with even more freshmen enrolled in the upcoming Winter quarter. Contributing FactorsBuller and Wibberding attribute similar factors to the growth of both the Theology and Education departments: a growing need in the fields, the high caliber of professors and academics at PUC, hands-on experience with major assignments, and the availability of scholarships...

Pacific Union College selected 17 incoming freshmen as this year’s recipients of the prestigious Maxwell Scholarship, the second-largest group of students awarded since the scholarship's inception in 2009.“We are proud to offer so many high-quality students the opportunity for a quality, Christ-focused education at PUC,” said Gene Edelbach, vice president for enrollment, marketing, and communication. “We look forward to seeing where their next four years on our campus take them.”Students who receive the Maxwell Scholarship exemplify outstanding academic achievement, a marked commitment to Christian service, and robust leadership experience.Additionally, applicants must meet GPA and ACT or SAT requirements. Maxwell Scholars receive $36,150 annually, renewable for three years with a 3.5 GPA and a potential 4th year under qualifying conditions.The 2024 Maxwell Scholars include students from California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Mexico, and the Philippines:Marilyn DoDavid Hernandez RodriguezAnrianne PonceCecile Angela AbellanaByul HanKeala TaburaElena BlumRiley RamirezDanielle MuchoDiego MarianoSalome TemboMadison GlockJacob CapinaMakenna TutthillGabriel Lopez IIEthan John SimIsabela VerduzcoThe Maxwell Scholar Program honors PUC’s late president and first lady, Dr. Malcolm and Eileen Maxwell, and their dedication to Seventh-day Adventist education. Maxwell was the first alum to serve as president of PUC, with the longest tenure at 18 years.Each year, PUC awards millions to support...

Through valuable advice and personal stories from those who’ve walked the path before them, the School of Science’s Alumni Seminar Series is helping Pacific Union College students navigate their academic journey and inspire their future career paths. The seminar series was the brainchild of Aimee Wyrick, dean of the School of Sciences and associate professor in the Department of Biology. She explained that the inspiration behind inviting PUC alumni to speak to current students included the desire to create connections and engage with seasoned perspectives. “We wanted to give our current students an idea of what PUC alumni are doing and the great diversity of paths people take once they leave our college,” Wyrick said. “The alumni who participate can identify with what current students experience and can provide encouragement and perspective. The alumni series has expanded our community beyond the campus.” Initially, the seminar series was a biology department initiative but widened to the basic sciences, including chemistry, math, and physics. Wyrick hopes to include presentations from psychology and social work in the future.Now, two years after its inception, the seminar series has taken place four times per quarter. Twenty-seven alumni have virtually or in-person shared their experiences, ranging...

Qualified Pacific Union College students may now be guaranteed admission to Andrews University’s (AU) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program through the recently signed Guaranteed Admission Agreement.Effective October 1, this agreement ensures at least two PUC pre-physical therapy students will be accepted into AU’s DPT program annually. To support the partnership with AU, PUC has developed a robust curriculum meeting the admission requirements to the DPT program, including specific biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, and psychology classes. “The agreement gives PUC students a competitive advantage in that they have clear expectations and receive personal guidance and help to meet those expectations,” says Aimee Wyrick, dean of the School of Sciences. Discussions surrounding the agreement began in 2023.“As we talked more and I learned about the various allied health programs, it became clear that partnering with their School of Allied Health would be a fabulous collaboration for both institutions,” she explains. “Pre-PT students at PUC with an interest in the Andrews DPT program will be advised by a PUC faculty and connected with the Andrews advising team.”Interested PUC students must meet specific criteria, including attending prerequisite classes, having a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.6, and participating in a pre-admission interview with AU....

Over the decades, Pacific Union College has endeavored to offer an education that empowers and prepares students to make an undeniable, Christ-like impact on the world around them, wherever they may go upon leaving Howell Mountain. Countless students-turned-alumni are shining examples of that spirit of service—one of those alums being Dr. Richard Chinnock.Chinnock, ’78, was recently honored in April with the 2024 Shirley N. Pettis Award by Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH). The award recognized his work as a devoted pediatrician with more than 30 years of service at the hospital, impacting thousands of lives in the Inland Empire and far beyond. This isn’t the first time Chinnock has been recognized for his incredible care. He also received the Outstanding Clinician Award from LLUCH in 2019 and is a Healing Hands Honoree. Chinnock, who grew up in the Loma Linda and Redlands area, says he followed his then-girlfriend, now wife of 47 years—Ruthie (Wagner) Chinnock, ’78—to PUC. As the only one out of five siblings to attend his parents’ alma mater, Chinnock says his parents were thrilled. He ultimately had a great experience, meeting some of his best friends on the third floor of Grainger Hall, working as a...

The Birding Bonanza and Alumni Retreat welcomed bird enthusiasts and Pacific Union College alumni to the Albion Field Station from August 22-25 for a weekend of worship and activities focused on coastal birds, biology, and the beauty of God's natural world. Attendees were given a flexible schedule of activities for the weekend, including a pelagic bird tour, multiple worships and meals together, a birding presentation, an excursion along the coast to spot bird species, a natural history hike, area outings, and much more.PUC President Ralph Trecartin said the weekend was filled with fun, camaraderie and adventure. “I loved adding some new species to my life list and catching up with old friends, both human and avian,” he said. “All this in a beautiful setting with people that love the Lord and the opportunity to worship Him together.”DeAnna Cordis, director of alumni relations and stewardship, explained the weekend was a combined effort between the School of Sciences, Alumni Department, Dr. Trecartin, Marketing and Communication, and Albion. She said the weekend was a success and credited Trecartin for the idea of having birding as the retreat's emphasis."It went well!" Cordis said. "Dr. Trecartin gave our opening night worship, Biology Professor Floyd Hayes...

In early August, Pacific Union College created connections by making its mark at the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, providing engaging activities, essential training, and showcasing Adventist higher education to the 60,000 plus young people from across the globe. Despite intense storms and weather-related setbacks, PUC staff and students had the incredible opportunity to witness God’s presence and power amidst the storms.Showcasing Adventist EducationMembers of PUC’s enrollment team collaborated with representatives from four other Adventist colleges to run the Association of Adventist Colleges and Universities (AACU) booth, highlighting the unique offerings of PUC and other institutions. The booth, located in the heart of the event’s main exhibit area—Energy Hall—ensured high visibility and engagement with the steady flow of Pathfinders and their families.Providing Excitement, Engagement, and TrainingAlongside its educational outreach, PUC’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program director, 11 EMS students, and enrollment team members offered an exciting activity and Pathfinder honor training.Erected on the front lawn of Energy Hall stood PUC’s 20-foot-tall climbing wall, draped with PUC promotional banners. While four participants scaled the climbing wall at a time, those in line could interact with PUC staff. Upon successfully scaling the wall, participants received a custom-made metal collector’s pin—continuing the...

Pacific Union College, in collaboration with Loma Linda University School of Public Health (LLU SPH), hosted its inaugural Global Health Symposium in May, diving into the complexities of global health issues through dynamic discussions, interactive breakout and poster sessions, and an insightful keynote speech. Approximately 85 people registered for the one-day, campus event, spanning a diverse group of professionals, including doctors, nurses, community members, and students.According to Global Health Director Nancy Jacobo, the symposium was inspired by several needs: to raise awareness around global health and careers in the field, highlight PUC’s 4+1 Global Health Program, and ultimately, attract a new generation of global health students and future practitioners.“We hope that attendees came away with a sense of the importance of being aware of health outcomes and health disparities that exist in our communities and abroad,” Jacobo said.During the symposium, participants had the opportunity to engage with seven booths focused on specific health topics, including the NCC initiative on homelessness, Blue Zones, Advent Health’s mobile clinic, and more. Dr. Gilbert Burnham, a Johns Hopkins University emeritus professor of International Health with extensive medical experience working abroad, gave the keynote speech titled “Global Change: Looking at Now and Tomorrow through a...

Pacific Union College partnered with CAL Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit and Napa County Fire Department to conduct a prescribed burn across 13 acres of the college’s Angwin forest property on May 1, successfully managing overgrown vegetation, enhancing forest health, and building fire resilience.These efforts demonstrate PUC’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and community safety.PUC Forest Manager Peter Lecourt called the successful burn a win for PUC, Angwin, and Napa County, paving the way for future prescribed burns.“I am thrilled this project rolled out so smoothly,” Lecourt said. “Many partners played a role in getting the burn unit prepared ahead of the project, as well as helping out on the day we conducted the operation. I’d like to say thank you to CAL Fire, Napa County Fire, Napa Firewise, the Angwin Fire Safe Council, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Napa County Resource Conservation District. Without the help of these partners, this project would not have been possible.”The burn took approximately nine hours assisted by numerous trained wildland firefighters, four fire engines, and a water tender. PUC, CAL Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, and Napa County Fire Department carefully planned and strategically coordinated efforts identifying the burn area and date, meeting strict...

For the second year in a row, Pacific Union College was awarded a grant from California’s Department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI). This year totalling $1,050,000, the funding will support expanded training opportunities for nurses at both the Angwin campus and the expansion campuses, and ultimately combat the statewide nursing shortage while improving access to equitable health care."The PUC School of Nursing expresses its deep gratitude for the generous support received from HCAI and title VIII funding,” said Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences Kimberly Dunker. “Given the high cost and expenses involved in running nursing programs, we consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have been granted this additional funding. It enables us to ensure the availability of necessary resources for expanding our program, including faculty, skills and lab materials, simulation resources, and faculty development. This grant will cover the direct costs associated with expanding our nursing program, thereby providing more opportunities for training."In March, HCAI awarded $27.4 million in grants to more than 30 registered nurse training programs, including PUC.PUC’s nursing department received the grant after a competitive evaluation process, with the grant program’s criteria prioritizing funding to residency programs that demonstrate success in graduation and NCLEX pass rates,...