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On Wednesday, October 15, Pacific Union College hosted the annual graduate school fair in the PUC Dining Commons. Open to students and the community, those in attendance took advantage of the fair’s information and worked on making positive first impressions. The universities represented a variety of fields, from visual arts to nursing, which gave individuals a chance to explore their options and learn more about pursing a graduate degree. As a liberal arts college, PUC focuses on providing an excellent undergraduate education, and only offers graduate degrees in education. After they finish their four years of undergraduate work, many PUC students continue their education in a graduate program. Alumni have attended Loma Linda University, UC Davis School of Law, UCLA, Yale, and other prestigious institutions. The graduate school fair showcases the many academic opportunities available to PUC students. At the fair, representatives from 23 institutions met with students and discussed their programs and answered questions. Even if students did not believe a school was a perfect fit, representatives were able to provide advice about graduate school in general. Several Adventist universities, including Loma Linda University, La Sierra University, Southern Adventist University, and Walla Walla University, were present, as well as...

Every year, PUC’s department of religion is able to enjoy a weekend of rest at the Albion Retreat and Learning Center, PUC's campus on the Mendocino coast, before fall quarter gets busy. This year’s retreat, October 2-5, began Friday evening with a powerful testimony by senior theology major, and former student association president, Ivan Ostrovsky. He shared his experience working as a pastoral intern in Chula Vista, Calif., this summer, and described the incredible experiences he had while working with a Youth Rush team who were based in Chula Vista. Youth Rush is a summer ministry program in which students sell religious books to work on scholarships for college. Ivan closed his message with an appeal asking students to answer God’s call, “Whom shall I send?” with the words, “Here am I. Send me!” Junior theology major Taariq Patel was the speaker for Sabbath morning. His dynamic message, entitled “The Voice of the Dragon,” was based on a story in the book of Jeremiah where two prophets were preaching opposing messages. Patel encouraged fellow theology and religion majors to make sure that the sermons they listen to and preach are filled with truth and mercy. Sabbath School at Albion is...

Returning to America bearing postcard-like pictures of the white sand beaches and stories of snorkeling in pristine teal waters may cause some to wonder if students were returning from an exotic vacation rather than a mission trip. However, the natural beauty of God’s creation was far less significant than the dedicated work and inspirational ministry that took place this past August. The journey began August 19 at Los Angeles International Airport, where eight Pacific Union College students led by Fabio Maia chose to forgo the remaining weeks of their summer for mission work. They traveled thousands of miles away from home to make a difference on the beautiful Fijian island of Mana, located just east of the main island Denarau. “I went to Fiji to reconnect with my God through service,” said Juan Hidalgo, one of the student missionaries. Here they would spend the next fourteen days on a construction project. The group would work together with current Student Missionaries Arielle Medina, Josie Herman, and Jessica Aldred to complete the project. Also joining the group were recent PUC nursing graduates Callie Sappenfield and Tori Fode, who led their own mission to raise awareness of the importance of hygiene. Work began...

The student missionary (SM) experience is unique. The distinct challenges of geography, vocation, and personality can leave those who return from the mission field feeling isolated. A recent weekend retreat helped PUC SMs build support and understanding by sharing experiences and time together. Ten returned PUC student missionaries from across the mission field gathered in Bodega Bay, Calif. on Oct. 3-4 to share their experiences with one another. At the retreat, organized by PUC’s campus ministries staff, the recently returned students discussed ways they could continue their service now that they have returned home. During the weekend retreat, participants enjoyed the beautiful beach scenery as well as valuable discussions about the purpose of student missionaries, the challenges they encountered, and the victories they found during their service. “After spending last year in a pretty rigid missionary schedule, I felt like the retreat was the first place I was able to have an honest conversation with other people who understood where I was coming from,” shares Miranda Mailand, who served as a teacher on the island of Chuuk. Benjamin Speegle, administrative assistant in the Office of Service, Justice, and Missions, understands the experience of resuming college life after being an SM....

On October 26, runners of all ages and abilities will enjoy the fun and challenge of Angwin to Angwish, Pacific Union College’s annual trail run in the heart of the Napa Valley. All are welcome to the revival of this popular event, with courses at the Family(4k), 12k, and 24k distances, all of which run through the beautiful scenery of the Las Posadas forest. Last year saw the revival of the Angwin to Angwish Trail Run, which started in the 1970s and continued for decades after. Over two hundred runners enjoyed the event last year. Again in 2014, the course will take place on smooth to medium-rough trails and service roads with double and single track. A challenging run over hills, the run includes intense climbs (1,000 feet vertical) at the longer distances. It is still not too late to register for the October 26 event, which has no limit to the amount of runners able to participate. Race day registration will stay open for 30 minutes prior to each race, should same day registration be desired. The 24k run begins at 9 a.m., the 12k at 9:20 a.m., and the Family(4k) at 9:30 a.m. Proceeds from the trail run...

Pacific Union College will host a Graduate School Fair on October 15, open to students and the community. Prospective graduate school students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from 23 schools that offer a variety of graduate programs. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the college Dining Commons.Graduate schools represented include:Academy of Art UniversityAmerican School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, San Francisco Bay AreaAndrews UniversityChapman UniversityDominican University of CaliforniaFashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)Holy Names UniversityKaplan Test PrepLa Sierra UniversityLoma Linda University School of Behavioral HealthLoma Linda University School of Public HealthLoma Linda University School of NursingLoma Linda University Department of Earth and Biological SciencesMcGeorge School of Law (University of the Pacific)Mills CollegePalo Alto UniversitySan Francisco State UniversitySouthern Adventist UniversityTuoro UniversityWalla Walla University School of Social WorkUniversity of California, DavisUniversity of La Verne School of LawUS Army Health Professions ScholarshipsThis annual event is a great resource for those pursuing graduate studies. “Up to 50 percent of our graduates each year pursue graduate or professional school and we want to support students' goals and make sure they are prepared as they plan for the future,” says Career Counselor Laura Gore, who...

Four of the six Pioneers athletic teams—women’s volleyball, men’s soccer, and the men and women cross country team—began their seasons this fall, representing PUC with their promising talent at both home and away games. Since the preseason in August, the members of the Lady Pioneers volleyball team have given their all on the court, touring in the Pacific Northwest and southern California. The weeks of touring left them 6-6 before their games against Mills College and UC Santa Cruz. Currently, the women’s volleyball team stats are 9-7 overall and 1-1 in California Pacific Conference league play. The first home game against Mills College filled the college’s Pacific Auditorium for a dominating win against the visiting Cyclones. "The Cyclones did a really great job of challenging our offense by digging us a lot tonight,” said Head Coach Brittany Brown following the game. “Despite a few dips, I was overall pleased with the way we played and was excited to have many different contributors.” The team took to the court on October 2 in a home game against Emery Riddle, which left them with a close four set victory, 25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21. The women’s volleyball team will continue to play two...

As the classes began on September 22, both new and returning students started the school year right with the annual Week of Welcome celebration. Through an array of social, spiritual, and academic events, the PUC community was reunited following summer vacation. To start off the week, students filled the campus mall on Monday for “A Taste of San Francisco” welcome back dinner, and enjoyed a buffet of food such as Boudin sourdough soup rolls, gnocchi, and potato tacos. Ana Delgado, a junior, was excited to see all the new faces on campus at the celebration. “I’m looking forward to seeing even more diversity on campus than before because of all the freshman. There’s a lot more people so it feels like a bigger campus family,” she said. Students had a chance to promote and join clubs that catered to their interests and majors, such as the Business, Music, and Pre-Law clubs. Alicia Nieb, co-president of the Business club, noted, “The business club is especially excited for this new school year, and for our new and returning members!” On Tuesday night, students filled the benches to cheer on the Pioneers volleyball team against Cyclones of Mills College. The Student Association (SA)...

PUC’s student body, from excited freshmen to seasoned seniors, packed into the PUC Church on September 25 to attend the first gathering of fall quarter’s Colloquy Speaker Series. After professors and administration had marched into the building in full regalia, and the string section from the PUC Orchestra had performed a rendition of Vivaldi’s “Summer,” PUC President Heather J. Knight took the podium to introduce the Opening Convocation speaker, Leonard Bailey, M.D. Dr. Bailey’s presentation was entitled “Be a Pioneer,” an appropriate title for a lecture given to a college that has long been known as a pioneering institution. In her introduction, Knight noted that the podium on the platform was used by Ellen G. White, a pioneering founder of both the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Pacific Union College. PUC was founded in 1882 as Healdsburg Academy, and is one of the oldest colleges in California. The college continues to embody the pioneer spirit, even naming the varsity teams the PUC Pioneers. Dr. Bailey and his wife, Nancy, R.N., began their presentation discussing what makes someone a pioneer. On whether ordinary people would be able to become pioneers in new areas, Dr. Bailey was encouraging, yet practical. “Pioneering doesn’t happen...

Phaidra Knight’s first class doesn’t start until nine in the morning on Monday, but the new Pacific Union College freshman is already making PUC home. Like the rest of her peers in the PUC Class of 2018, Knight arrived on campus with a car full of boxes on September 17 for new student orientation ready to join the PUC community. “It’s happy and sad all at the same time,” shared Phaidra’s mother Sheilvina Knight as she left the Family Orientation session. “With college, once you start it’s like you’re an adult. It’s a big difference between high school and college, so I’m teary-eyed.” Though the moment can be bittersweet for families like the Knights, the PUC faculty and staff were excited to have the new students on campus. Many faculty members welcomed the new students by helping them move in to the residence halls, making multiple trips back and forth to the parking lot and travelling up and down many sets of stairs as part of Porter Power. Lary Taylor, professor of business administration, experienced a few special moments while moving in children of his former students. “The surprised looks and comments from parents and their children when seven or...