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In a rare public appearance, acclaimed writer Chaim Potok lectured at Pacific Union College on Monday night, February 16. Fortunately, the organizers of the lecture moved the event to a larger venue-the college's church sanctuary-in order to seat the more than 1,200 students, professors, and Potok fans. The lecture was part of the Longo Lecture Series, founded in 1992 by Lawrence D. Longo, M.D., in honor of his parents, Frank and Florine Longo. Dr. Longo wanted to benefit students with a quality public discussion of religion and society, so he established the lecture, intended to be an annual event. The lecture committee, with Dr. Longo's approval, chose to stage the event biannually in order to have the necessary funds to invite internationally eminent guests. Potok in his lecture described his difficult-but inescapable-quest to be a "storyteller," a surprising decision for a boy growing up in a Jewish Hasidic tradition. He said, "I remember telling my mother, 'I want to write stories.' She looked at me and said, 'That's wonderful. You can write stories on the side when you are not working as a brain surgeon." According to Potok, "Nothing is sacred to the novelist." A good novelist can take a...

For most people, flying is something to dream about. If they want to get into the sky and soar among billowy, white clouds on a sunny, spring day, they will have to pack themselves elbow to elbow with strangers in a crowded, jumbo jet at a smoggy, big-city airport. For most people, airplanes are about transportation, not about freedom or escape. However, most people do not live with Parrott Field in their backyard or with easy access to a flight training program, as we do at Pacific Union College. This year, PUC's technology department began offering a B.S. degree in aviation. This exciting, new major is designed to prepare students for everything from piloting for major airlines or commercial cargo operations to medical evacuation and missions flying. However, there are rich resources left for those of us who just want to get off the ground. Allan Payne, the airport's director and the chief instructor in aviation, estimates that anyone can earn a pilot's license in about two quarters, English or business majors alike. Some faculty members have even begun to realize that there is no reason to let students have all the fun. Gary Gifford, associate academic dean, is currently...

This summer, July 12 -16, Nike and Pacific Union College will present a volleyball camp for girls ages 12-18. The camp is offered at major universities throughout the United States, and this is the first year it has come to the Napa Valley. Lori Endicott-Vandersnick, member of the US Olympic volleyball team in both 1992 and 1996, will teach many of the sessions. Participants will develop important volleyball skills, achieve a new level of play, and-most important-gain added self confidence. The program will offer both a general skills camp and a setter specialty camp. While the curriculum is designed to be challenging, past participants have come away with a new excitement about the game. The resident price for campers is $455, which includes room and board. Campers will stay in the dormitories of PUC's campus, located in Angwin, California, (north Napa Valley) and will eat their meals in the PUC dining hall....

Is there a secret to great teaching? L. Monique Pittman, assistant professor of English, pauses only for a second before answering. "Well, it has to be my absolute conviction that what I am doing matters and has great importance." On May 21, Pittman became the youngest professor to receive the Educator of the Year Award here at PUC. Seated in a "throne" of sorts, Pittman was honored by students and fellow faculty members in what was supposed to be a roast, but turned out to be a touching tribute. She was lauded for many things, from her impeccable fashion sense to her one page, single-spaced responses to her students' papers. "I'm very sensitive, so I'm glad it wasn't a roast," smiles Monique. "The whole morning turned out to be overwhelming emotionally, because people usually don't say such nice things in such a short amount of time." Surprisingly, Pittman didn't really intend to become a teacher. Early childhood photos show her dressed in medical garb, giving her mother a shot with a plastic syringe. She seriously considered going into marketing, so that she could do promotions for the arts. Entering into her freshman year at Andrews, she registered as undecided. It...

Wednesday, April 29, two key issues were discussed at Pacific Union College's regular meeting of the board of trustees: faculty wages and the possible sale of PUC property. The board voted to increase salaries and benefits for faculty and staff to the mean paid by similar Christian institutions in the area. The increased wages are contingent on raising additional funds, which is as yet an unresolved discussion. As for the sale of land, no definite decisions were made. The board simply voted to meet again on June 15 after more dialogue. College president, Malcolm Maxwell, has established an intranet newsgroup for continued dialogue among campus employees and students, and he encourages response from the school's constituency. The Finance Committee did, however, favor the concept of selling land in order to "establish an endowment to maintain the fiscal integrity of the institution, to fund an increase in faculty salaries, and to retire college debt, and." But after further deliberation, the board decided that more discussion and feedback was needed before a decision could be made....

On Wednesday, May 20, 120 golfers gathered at the Silverado Country Club to take part in the 6th annual Napa Valley Golf Tournament. The weather was cool and sunny-a surprisingly golf-friendly day considering this year's winter. The tournament, hosted by Pacific Union College, raised money for the college's worthy student scholarship fund, and provided an opportunity for good natured competition and a fine day on the greens. The tournament consisted of 18 holes of golf in a two-best, foursome play. Special awards were given for the longest drive and the closest to the pins on all par 3's. A 1998 Chevrolet Malibu also sat glistening on the course, the prize for a hole in-one. Alas, no miracle strokes were recorded, so no one left the course with a new car, courtesy of Epps Chevrolet Pontiac Oldsmobile Inc. in St. Helena. Of special note, the Napa Valley Service Club Championship perpetual trophy was awarded to the St. Helena Rotary team, as the top Napa Valley service club foursome. Alex Fox, assistant director of development at PUC, said that the Napa Valley Golf Tournament was, "just a good old home town kind of thing... raising money for local kids." An awards dinner...

It's become a summer tradition at Pacific Union College to see 5th-12th graders working on their lay-ups, their jump-shots, and their ball-handling. This summer, PUC, located in Angwin (north Napa Valley) will host the fourteenth annual Lavin Basketball Camp, offering two camps. The boys' camp will take place July 26-31, and the girls' camp will take place August 2-7. Cap Lavin began his Lavin Basketball Camps to provide boys and girls the skills to become better high school and college basketball players. Sessions are taught by top experts, including Steve Lavin, UCLA basketball coach (national rookie coach of the year). What's more, campers learn to enjoy the game itself in a fun, disciplined environment. Gene Keady, head coach at Purdue University, said, "I think the Lavin Basketball Camp is the finest camp in America." All the camps include clear instruction in basketball fundamentals, with an emphasis on both defense and offense. The games played at the camp will be refereed by a staff of instructors with NCAA Division 1 experience. And because life is not all basketball, there will be time for swimming, highlight films, and a few surprises....

Pacific Union College, entering its 117th academic year, began the fall quarter with Week of Prayer, celebrating "One Light, Many Reflections." The theme, signifying the many way in which we all reflect God, was a collaborative effort that came about after several meetings with all the scheduled speakers. It is an appropriate title for more reasons than one. The majority of the speakers were professors, and each came from a different area of study or campus department, offering varying perspectives on one fundamental truth. Another interesting element involving perspective surrounded the fall week of prayer is the series featured all women speakers. In the past PUC has used a series format when planning the week of prayer. Last fall the religion department headed the week of prayer and the previous year welcomed a group of successful business people. Each group provides a unique perspective on what is familiar ground to all. "We've had different series like this in the past, and they have always worked well," says Mike Dunn, chaplain. "This year we realized that we had never heard from our faculty and staff women, so we thought it would be a great way of continuing the series." None can...

Over the past few months, you may have heard that the college has considered selling some land. It's an option PUC has prayerfully explored, seeking out the advice of experts and the opinions of the college's constituents. Because so many people genuinely and passionately care about PUC's future, the discussion has been widespread. Unfortunately, some incorrect information has circulated, so we want to report on what is (and isn't) happening. An Overview The finance committee, a subcommittee of PUC's board of trustees, met last March to explore ways to achieve the three goals outlined in PUC's new strategic plan. For sure, the goals are bold and worthy: [1] Access, [2] Quality, and [3] Resources. ACCESS: PUC will make Christian liberal arts education more accessible to qualified applicants by expanding PUC's capacity to provide financial assistance and by providing expanded delivery systems. QUALITY: PUC will enhance our program of continuous and intentional development of faculty and staff to their highest potential in order to ensure distinctive student learning outcomes. RESOURCES: PUC will support academic excellence by generating resources adequate to promote and fund the twin goals of access and quality. Tackling this brave plan, the committee favored the concept "of a...

The new school year always receives a host of fresh faces. But in the midst of greeting all the bewildered freshmen, don't forget that our faculty list also has a few new names. Nursing experienced a bit of shuffling earlier this year. When Les Stahlnecker left the department, Carol Williams took his place, bringing Joan Hughson to take over her former responsibilities as the skills lab coordinator. Rosemary Garret is the second new member, replacing Carol Clay in pediatrics. While Janet Borisevich pursues her doctorate degree at the University of Northern Arizona, Sandra Ingram will be teaching several ESL classes along with helping out the Dramatic Arts Society. Leo Ranzolin Jr. joins the religion department this year, filling in where John McVay left off, as assistant professor of Biblical Studies. He has studied at Boston University for the past four years and will be teaching classes on the New Testament. Terrence Branster comes to the PUC technology department all the way from Australia, heading the digital media technology program after 20 years of experience working in the field. And finally, but certainly not least, Paul McGraw will be teaching half time for Eric Anderson. During the next year, Anderson will...