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Pacific Union College welcomed renowned pastor John Bradshaw to speak for the Colloquy Speaker Series on Thursday, November 17. Bradshaw is the current speaker and director for “It Is Written,” an international Seventh-day Adventist television program viewed by millions of people around the world. He has held over 100 evangelistic series spanning across six continents. Bradshaw’s message to PUC students, faculty, and staff centered on the importance of God being the focus in their lives. “Jesus, recognizing our best is not good enough, didn’t leave us to wallow in our inadequacy,” he said, a line encapsulating his entire sermon. Bradshaw pointed out that while we are far from being perfect, God is continuously working in and through each us. “Those were comforting words,” said Jonathan Oliveros, an aviation major. “The only power ever devised that has the capacity to take an unholy thing and make it a holy thing… is the Holy Spirit,” Bradshaw asserted. His affirmation of hope echoed throughout the PUC Church sanctuary. He explained it is by the Holy Spirit’s power and influence in our lives we can live a Christ-like life. “We as Christians must accept the Holy Spirit to influence and move in our lives...

On Sunday, October 30, 320 runners of all ages and abilities ran through the beautiful, lush backwoods property of Pacific Union College for the annual Angwin to Angwish trail run. The event featured a half marathon and 10k race, as well as a 4k family run, taking place on smooth to medium-rough trails and service roads with double and single track. The half marathon and 10k race included an intense climb over the infamous “Angwish Hill,” from which the race obtains its name. Over 100 volunteers helped make the race possible, most of which were PUC students. The funds raised from Angwin to Angwish support PUC’s community outreach and mission work that helps make a difference to countless others within Napa County and around the world. “Angwin to Angwish always shows the best of PUC—the great land there, the bright and engaged students, the committed staff. But this year we showed even more, presenting a great race in the middle of campus on an unusually rainy day. Runners came from all over the West to run and weren’t disappointed. Along the way, we raised money to support the education, missions, and public service that set the college apart and had...

Pacific Union College has been named to the annual President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This is the second year the Corporation for National and Community Service has recognized the college’s commitment to helping improve local communities through service-learning and community service. Started in 2006, the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is managed by the Corporation for National & Community Service and given in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the American Council on Education, Campus Compact, and the Interfaith Youth Core. The awards highlight the impact colleges and universities can have within their local community and student involvement in civic engagement. The President’s Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions in four categories, and PUC placed in the general category. “Service-learning is one of the high-impact practices that help our students engage in meaningful, active learning; it has the added bonus of both helping our community members and encouraging our graduates to live lives of useful service,” said Nancy Lecourt, vice president for academic administration and academic dean. In 2015, approximately 522 PUC students participated in service-learning and community service activities, including mentoring students at...

The latest addition to the Nelson Memorial Library is a Latin Bible from sixteenth century Venice, Italy. The Bible has ties to PUC, having passed through the hands of two different alumni couples before being donated to the college. Printed in 1519, the Bible contains a plethora of surprises. Considering its age, it is in excellent condition. Slightly larger than pocket-sized, it has woodcuts throughout, depicting various biblical stories, as well as a few words and paragraphs in red. It contains the Apocryphal books, and the binding features functioning metal clasps. Marbled end pages and some noticeable cropping indicate the Bible was likely rebound sometime in the seventeenth or eighteenth century. Written in the margins of several pages are notes in Latin and Italian, though they are faded and difficult to read. The printer’s colophon on the last leaf was translated by Reverend Augustine De Noble, OSB, from the Mount Angel Abbey in St. Benedict, Ore. He has also translated many of the marginal notes made by previous owners. The colophon indicates the Bible was printed on October 15, 1519, in Venice at the commission and expense of Luce Antonius de Giunta, a Florentine gentleman. While plans are still being...

Pacific Union College held its annual Fall Revival week from Monday, Oct. 10, through Friday, Oct. 14. Students participated in six services throughout the week, with a powerful Colloquy program on Thursday morning. PUC’s student praise band lead out the week’s colloquial service with, “What a Beautiful Name,” the theme song for the week. As the song came to an end, Campus Chaplain Jonathan Henderson introduced speaker Jason Francis, who serves as the associate pastor at the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church in Columbus, Ohio. Francis stepped on stage with an energetic vibe and a smile on his face. He began his sermon with the words, “God wants to turn something that is ordinary into something extraordinary,” a statement that echoes the theme of Fall Revival. “I’m glad he reminded us that God has the power to do that,” said Angel Hernandez, head resident assistant for Newton Hall. Francis asked students to open their Bibles to Matthew 5:13, the memory verse his sermon was based upon. It reads, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out...

On Thursday, October 13, Pacific Union College faculty and staff along with friends, and family, gathered to celebrate the 28 year career of John Collins, vice president for asset management, who retired in September. Collins’ tremendous career at PUC began in 1988 where he served as vice president for student services and enrollment and later as vice president for financial administration. During the retirement celebration, colleagues spoke about John’s influence on their careers and on them personally. “John was the person who offered me my first job out of college,” said Michelle Rai, chair of the department of communication. “When I was a senior at PUC, John asked if I wanted a full-time job with the enrollment office. When I told him my dad probably wanted me to get a job back home in Hawaii, he personally spoke to my dad assuring him I would be well taken care of here,” continued Rai. “After talking to John, my dad gave me his blessing to live in California and work for PUC. I told John I would commit to working for PUC for a year. ‘How about two?’ was his reply. That was 18 years ago.” Collins’ life has been dedicated...

Close to 150 academy juniors, seniors, and their sponsors from Seventh-day Adventist academies throughout Northern and Central California visited the campus of Pacific Union College for College Days, October 16-17. It was the first of six visitation events the college will hold this academic year. The two-day event showcased PUC’s beautiful location and unique learning environment, providing visiting students with the opportunity to sit in on college classes, worship with other students, attend a financial aid workshop, tour department facilities, stay with current PUC students in one of the residence halls, and fully immerse themselves into life at the college. A special student panel was held, where visiting students were able to ask questions of current PUC students about their experiences at the college. A particular highlight this College Days were the activities held on Sunday evening, where prospective students participated in a friendly trivia game and Jedi dodgeball in the Pacific Auditorium. The evening closed with a late night ice cream feed in the campus center courtyard. “College Days is a great event to help connect prospective students with PUC,” said J.R. Rogers, director of recruitment. “It helps give them an idea of what it would be like to...

This coming weekend is full of plenty exciting events. If you are on campus or in the area, we invite you to attend the following events.PUC Volleyball GamePUC Pioneers vs. La Sierra University Golden EaglesFriday, October 14, 2016 2:30 p.m., Pacific AuditoriumSupport your Lady Pioneers as they engage in some friendly competition with the La Sierra University Golden Eagles.Fall Revival VespersPastor Michael B. Kelly IIFriday, October 14, 20168 p.m., PUC Church SanctuaryExhibition: Just Travlin’Mira WhiteSaturday, October 15, 20167 p.m., Rasmussen Art GalleryAn extraordinarily diversified and skillful artist, Mira works and teaches in several media—oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolor, and graphics. Her work demonstrates both her sensitivity to nature and a deep felt affinity for color in both mood and expression. She exhibits widely in the Bay Area and is represented in collections both in the United States and in Europe.Reception held until 9 p.m.; exhibit runs through November 5.PUC Volleyball GamePUC Pioneers vs. Providence Christian College Sea BeggarsSaturday, October 15, 2016 8 p.m., Pacific AuditoriumCome cheer on the Lady Pioneers as they play their 19th game of the season. Only five more matches remain until the Cal Pac semifinals.2016 Pioneers Invitational Academy Volleyball Tournament Championship MatchTBDSaturday, October 15, 2016 10 p.m.,...

The Pacific Union College Church sanctuary was filled with the sounds of energy and excitement as the Opening Convocation service began, Thursday, September 29. Administration and faculty marched into the sanctuary in full regalia during the traditional recessional while students, both new and returning, found their seats. Walter Collins, vice president for advancement and alumni relations, gave the invocation, asking God to bless the college and its students throughout the coming year, saying “May they find You here in all that they learn and all whom they meet. May You speak through our faculty, may You act through our staff, may You lead through our leaders, all bearing witness to Your loving grace.” A hymn of praise followed, then a reading of Romans 8:28. “Palladio” by Karl Jenkins was performed by the PUC orchestra strings, conducted by Dr. Rachelle Davis, chair of the department of music. PUC President Heather J. Knight gave the morning’s address, titled “The Purpose-Driven Campus.” She began with a brief history of the college, emphasizing it was founded with a very distinctive mission: “They Shall Be All Taught of God.” PUC moved to Angwin in 1909, and fortuitously, the first day of class was September 29,...

While many institutions around the country are struggling to diversifytheir campuses, Pacific Union College has been named the most ethnicallydiverse National Liberal Arts College in the nation, according to the newannual rankings of best colleges released by U.S. News & World Report. PUC has previously ranked second andthird in this category.“PacificUnion College in honored to be recognized as the #1 most diverse NationalLiberal Arts College in the entire country,” said PUC President Dr.Heather J. Knight. “We believe that we have achieved this exemplary level of diversitybecause we are privileged to be part of a dynamic global church whose messageis relevant and attractive to all kindreds, tongues, and nations. Furthermore,we highly prize our very special young people who are truly living out thevision of the Beloved Community as they study, worship and play together. Inthis diverse setting, they are also learning the essential skills ofintercultural competence and global understanding, which is so highly valued inthe workplace today. Therefore, we fully expect our graduates to go forth assuccessful peacemakers and light in the world.”The 2017 rankings arebased upon information submitted by colleges for the 2015-2016 academic year.For the diversity category, the ranking calculates the proportion of minoritystudents within the student body, omitting...