Admissions & Aid

On Friday, April 7, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Dr. John Christian, professor of history at Pacific Union College, collapsed from a massive heart attack and died while teaching. He was 64 years old. Verne Jeske, a former department head at PUC now completing his history degree, encouraged all students in the class to leave the room immediately while two students administered CPR until the ambulance arrived. Dr. Christian was a popular teacher on campus, a favorite among students and colleagues. He taught for PUC's history and liberal studies departments. Lisa Bissell Paulsen, vice president for student services, has arranged for counseling services to be made available to all students present at his death. A memorial service took on Tuesday morning, April 11, at 10 a.m. in the Pacific Union College Sanctuary in Angwin, followed by an interment at the St. Helena Cemetary. The 1,500 plus who attended the funeral heard heart-felt tributes from Dr. Christian's colleagues, former students, current students, family members, and long-time friends. Dr. Malcolm Maxwell, president of PUC and personal friend of Dr. Christian, said, "Today we celebrate a competent teacher, a good administrator, and, most important, a dear friend... He died doing what he loved--teaching."...

If at first the PUC Men's Volleyball team merely aggravated the UC Davis Aggies Tuesday night in Pacific Auditorium, by the time the Pioneers had taken the first game, 25-21, they had become an actual threat. When the second game resulted in a 25-23 win for PUC, it appeared as if the Pioneers were in the position to mirror UC Davis' three game victory over PUC during the first game of the season. PUC began with several momentum-building plays. Two big blocks shut down UCD's attempts to get on the scoreboard, and an ace from junior outside-hitter, Justin Gatling, pushed PUC ahead 4-1. Nervous energy appeared to misdirect PUC's offense temporarily. After the team settled down and played with control, the defensive gaps were tightened and they were able to execute offensively. Chris Hansen, sophomore outside-hitter, nailed a short set from senior Dorian Silva for the first game-point. In the second game, PUC's scrappy defense kept them alive for the first few possessions. At the serve, defense-specialist Jeff Chamberlain caught UCD off-guard with a floater, the first of four aces for the senior. Jeff Gleason's exclamation-point kill put PUC up, 10-5. The Aggies rallied and tied 16-16. But a big...

Pacific Union College announces the grand opening of the Napa Valley Community Resource Center, a facility for educational resources located at 25 Executive Court, Napa, near the intersection of Highways 12 and 29. The center will provide educational opportunities for Napa and the surrounding communities, including teacher credentialing and adult education programs. The center, first proposed in 1996, is funded in part by a grant adminestered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It was made possible by the help of many members of congress including Congressman Mike Thompson. The resource center is already used nightly by PUC's degree completion program. It houses six groups of adult students who are completing degrees in business management or early childhood education. They have used classrooms in the building since the beginning of March. PUC is also working with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to supply credentialing programs for Napa area teachers. Beginning in the fall, the resource center will be a central site, providing course-work, classroom supervision, mentoring, and other more-more -more training necessary to equip community teachers-many of whom have been hired on an emergency basis-with the full credentials required by the state. The Napa Valley Resource Center...

The spirit of the Globe Theatre will live on in Ashland, Oregon, this summer during the town's annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival. This year's festival will feature the plays Hamlet, Twelfth Night, Henry V, and The Taming of the Shrew. For those who love William Shakespeare, Pacific Union College offers a unique opportunity to visit the Festival and receive college credit for the tour. Those joining PUC's Ashland tour will not only attend the plays, but will also enjoy a backstage tour of an Elizabethan theatre, meet with an actor, visit the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Exhibition Center, participate in helpful seminars on the featured plays, and share a farewell dinner. The tour will take place July 24 through 28. Those taking the tour will supply their own transportation to Ashland and will make their own arrangements for food and lodging. The tour can be taken for either 2 or 3 units of college credit. The cost is $225 plus the price of tuition (at $209 per credit hour). A non-credit tour is also available for $275 ....

Money, or the lack thereof, is a common concern to most Americans and often leads to problems such as anxiety, divorce, and stress. Everyone faces monetary issues on a daily basis, but many people have no clear-cut or workable financial plans. In fact, statistics show that eighty percent of all Americans have not even had one hour of financial education. The "Wealth Creation and Wealth Preservation" seminars, taught by Paul S. Damazo and David A. Roth, offer an educational opportunity on financial matters. The seminars, which will be held at the Pacific Union College Church, from 7 to 9 p.m. on May 14, 15, and 16, offer a Christian perspective on money management. However, the seminars are non-denominational and are open to anyone interested in participating. According to the presenters, the information is pertinent to "Busters, Boomers, and Pre- and Post-retirees ages 14 to 100." Special attention will also be paid to the financial issues facing engaged and newlywed couples, as well as students and single parents. Paul S. Damazo, the main presenter, is a noted businessman and philanthropist with considerable and profitable experience in both business and investment strategies. He has taught his financial principles to thousands over the...

What is murder doing on the campus of Pacific Union College? It’s all about theater as PUC’s Dramatic Arts Society performs an intriguing mystery entitled “A Jury of Her Peers,” November 30 and December 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. in the PUC Preparatory School Auditorium. The play follows the investigation of a murdered farmer, whose wife is held on suspicion of his death. As the investigators tear through the house for clues, their wives, through quiet observation, begin to solve the crime and the motivation for its occurrence. Written in 1916 by Susan Glaspell, “A Jury of Her Peers,” challenges the audience with thought-provoking questions about the different ways in which men and women understand justice. After the performance, the cast will invite the audience to interact with questions and discussion....

The Pacific Union College Symphonic Wind Ensemble presents an “American Salute” to the pioneers and soldiers of our country this Veterans Day weekend, Saturday, November 11, at 7 p.m. The hour-long concert will consist of a variety of well-known pieces. According to Ken Narducci, the Ensemble’s conductor for nearly 20 years, the concert is “a salute to veterans and an homage to the patriotic spirit of America.” This patriotism extends to the composers of the presented music, most of whom were born and bred Americans. One such composer is Martin Gould, whose piece is based upon “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” Similarly, a piece by William Schuman highlights the Revolutionary War song, “Chester.” The Symphonic Wind Ensemble consists of 45 members, including PUC students, and a few faculty and staff. This concert introduces two guest conductors, John Milholland, a staff member at PUC, and Casey Leach, a music education major....

Pacific Union College’s Rasmussen Art Gallery presents a thrilling journey to the ends of the earth in Jerry Dodrill’s photographic exhibition Outside Reality. From November 4 to December 10, experience Dodrill’s love of rock climbing and land exploration through his display of breathtaking color photographs. There are few places in the world that the eye of Dodrill’s camera has not seen. Man versus nature is displayed in full effect, as sheer cliffs and unexplored landscapes carry viewers to a previously unchallenged world. Dodrill also includes written experiences of the adventures behind the images. Dodrill graduated from PUC in 1997. As a senior, he saw his photography rise to national fame with a second-place in the 1997 Mumm/Academy of Art Collegiate Photography Competition. Dodrill’s work also caught the attention of renowned photographer Gaylen Rowell, who hired Dodrill to work at his Mountain Light Photography studio....

This December, Pacific Union College will launch the Christmas season with two days of music celebrating the season of Christ’s birth. Put on by the PUC Music department, the concerts will spotlight voices, strings, handbells, brass instruments, and an orchestra. The performances, on December 8 at 8 p.m. and December 9 at 4 p.m., will take place in the Pacific Union College Church Sanctuary. Highlighting each concert are two holiday favorites: Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria and Arcangelo Corelli’s Christmas Concerto. In addition, both PUC’s Brass Ensemble and English Handbell Choir will perform. ...

The Elmer Herr Adventure Series and Pacific Union College present "The Faces of Italy," a vibrant and personal travelogue by Dale Johnson. This film explores the homeland of many of the world's most brilliant and imaginative individuals, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Galileo. Johnson's film reveals the intricate and rich history of this intriguing country fused with the energy of Italy today. The warmth of the Italians shines throughout this comprehensive tour of the memorable sites of Florence, Milan, Rome, and Naples. Let the locals take you to the Colosseum, the Forum, and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Join them in a gondola in Venice or at the Leaning Tower of Pisa....