Search - by Sharon Fujimoto

I think all people have moments in their lives when they ask, 'Why me?' This was my moment," Pam Thum stated, referring to her personal questioning about God, which ultimately resulted in a spiritual breakthrough and her third Benson project, Feel the Healing. Thum will perform in concert at the Pacific Union College Church at 8 p.m. on October 18, 1996. Thum's debut on the contemporary Christian music scene has been likened to a "Cinderella story," as her 1993 album scored numerous hit songs, for which she received a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year. Touring extensively nationwide and abroad, Thum soon saw her songs hit the pop charts in South Africa, where she was named Best International Female Artist by a popular music magazine. This success was followed by the release of her second album, Faithful, which received further acclaim. However, success blurred Thum's vision of her ministry. "I was spinning so fast, trying to grasp everyone else's vision of who I am-but I neglected God's image," she disclosed. It was necessary for her once again to learn to lean on God, and the creation of Thum's third album taught her just that. This spiritual breakthrough...

For many, reaching sweet 16 is a milestone in life. For Jaci Velasquez, the newest and youngest artist on the Myrrh Records' roster, it means another year of travel in support of her new album Heavenly Place. The contemporary Christian musician will perform in concert at the Pacific Union College amphitheater at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 1996. At age 16, Velasquez is an ordinary teenager with abundance of energy, dreams, and ambitions. What makes her unique is her voice, which has been likened to that of an up-and-coming Whitney Houston, and her wish to minister through music. "I've always known what I wanted from life. I think I know what I want out of my ministry. I want to go and reach people my age-people that maybe even a youth pastor couldn't reach," Velasquez said. Velasquez has been recording and performing since age ten. She won a contest over 3,000 other entrants in an entertainment pageant at age 11, and she sang at the White House before she turned 13. The roots of Velasquez's musical talent are in her family, which has been active in both music and speaking ministry. She has sung as a part of her...

Pacific Union College awarded diplomas to 311 graduates on Sunday, June 16, 1996, during its 108th annual Commencement exercises. Degrees conferred included 72 associate degrees, 240 bachelor degrees, and four master of arts degrees. Of the seniors graduating with academic distinction and honors, 15 received the distinction Summa Cum Laude; 17 received the distinction Magna Cum Laude; and 33 received the distinction Cum Laude. Six gra 8ed With Honors, having completed PUC's four-year honors program. The graduating class represented 16 states and seven foreign countries, including Korea, Singapore, and Yugoslavia. "The achievements of the graduating seniors are matched by the dedication of their professors and the commitment, support and, often, sacrifice of their parents. As with every graduating class of PUC, we are proud of the accomplishments of the class of '96 and are excited by the vision these students carry for the future," said President D. Malcolm Maxwell. Also recognized during the commencement ceremony was Mr. Walter Chin, treasurer of the Chan Shun International Foundation, recently, retired Chief Auditor of the California Department of Health Services, and a former member of Pacific Union College's Board of Trustees. President Maxwell and Vice President Charles V. Bell conferred on Mr. Chin...

Pacific Union College celebrated the career of D. Malcolm Maxwell, the longest-serving president in its 114 year history, on July 17, 1996. Maxwell, whose college presidency of more than 13 years officially surpassed all previous records on July 10, 1996, took office on July 1, 1983. He is the first alumnus to serve as PUC's president. The record of longest-standing president had previously belonged to W. E. Nelson, who served as president from June 21, 1921, to July 9, 1934. Maxwell's achievement was officially recognized at a luncheon held on July 17. In appreciation of his leadership at PUC, and knowing Maxwell's enthusiasm for the sea, Vivian Wahlen, spouse of late PUC alumnus Don Wahlen, '51, donated a decorative, glass-cased sailing ship to be placed in the president's office. The ship is a replica of the 14-sailed USS Constitution, built in the 1790s in Boston. One of President Maxwell's earliest achievements during his tenure at Pacific Union College was to reduce the tensions over the theological debate which he inherited on his arrival. Eric Anderson, professor of history, likened Maxwell to FDR or Ronald Reagan as "a great communicator" within the Adventist environment. "Like them, he recognized the vital importance...