Life at PUC

To the sound of enthusiastic cheers of thousands in attendance, for the 115th time on its campus, Pacific Union College celebrated its annual commencement exercises on Sunday, June 18, with 392 students graduating. For the first time, the ceremony was held at Maxwell Commons, located in the heart of the college’s campus between the PUC Church and Paulin Hall. The new commencement site was named in memory of Dr. Malcolm Maxwell, the 19th president of PUC. He was the first PUC alumnus to serve as president, and he had the longest tenure—18 years—of any president of the college. Maxwell passed away in 2007, but his legacy and the impact he had on PUC continues to live on. He is remembered for his energy, passion, and commitment to higher education, and it is in this spirit Maxwell Commons was named. The college proudly awarded 418 associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees to the 392 graduates. The largest departmental groups were nursing and health sciences (223), business administration (36), communication (31), biology (19), and psychology and social work (18). One hundred and twenty-two students received academic distinctions and honors, with 12 summa cum laude graduates, 27 magna cum laude graduates, and 76 cum...

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Pacific Union College welcomed Paralympian Scout Bassett to speak for the Colloquy Speaker Series on Thursday, May 25. Bassett shared her incredible and inspirational story, from an abandoned infant in Nanjing, China, to competing in last summer’s 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. She believes she owes her success to determination, hard work, and most of all, God’s leading in her life. Bassett lost her right leg in a fire when she was only an infant, and shortly after she was found abandoned on the streets and brought to a government-run orphanage, where she would live for several years in harsh conditions, unable to walk because of her disability. When she was seven, she was adopted by an American family and moved to a small town in Michigan. She was the only minority as well as the only disabled person in the entire county. Bassett struggled in school and desperately searched for a way to fit in. It wasn't until the age 14 when she was introduced to the Challenged Athletes Foundation and was given her first running prosthetic she felt she found where she belonged and could achieve anything she wanted with her life. “It changed the course of my entire...

On May 11, 2017, the Pacific Union College Board of Trustees announced Dr. Robert A. Cushman Jr. has been selected as the new president of Pacific Union College. Cushman currently serves as the vice president for academic administration for Walla Walla University in Walla Walla, Wash., and has spent the last 26 years in Adventist education serving in various capacities. He will begin his role as president July 1, in preparation for the new academic year, and will be the college’s twenty-third president in its 135-year history. Cushman received his Ph.D. in geology from the Colorado School of Mines, his master’s degree in geology at Loma Linda University, and his bachelor’s degree in biology at Walla Walla College (now University). After spending five years as a geologist and paleontologist, Cushman felt God’s calling to educate young minds. In the 12 years he taught at Loma Linda University, he served as assistant professor, associate department chair, and the department chair of the department of earth and biological sciences, where he taught graduate level courses, conducted research in Western Colorado and Wyoming, and advised graduate student research. Additionally, under his administrative duties, he oversaw the department’s budget and coordinated the undergraduate geology...

Professor of chemistry Dr. Kent Davis was named 2017 Educator of the Year during PUC’s annual colloquy program, Thursday, April 27. Students, faculty, staff, and administration celebrated with Davis as he was recognized with the award for the first time. Davis has been teaching at Pacific Union College since 2002 and currently serves as the chair of the department of chemistry. Each year, the Educator of the Year award is selected by student vote. The recipient’s identity is a highly-kept secret. President Eric Anderson began the service reminding the audience why the special assembly exists in dedication to an outstanding teacher. “It’s a reminder that PUC has been built upon great teaching. You will get a sense of that if you look around our campus and look at the names of our buildings,” he said, noting most buildings at the college are named after great teachers, instead of dignitaries or donors. “It is recognition of good teaching, spiritual leadership, and service to the college.” As is tradition, assistant professor of communication and department chair Michelle Rai, last year’s titleholder, gave a short speech before revealing the 2017 award recipient, encouraging students who aren’t sure of what they will do after...

Pacific Union College alumni were welcomed back to campus for the college’s annual Homecoming Weekend April 21-23. “The College on the Mountain” holds special memories for all PUC alumni, whether it has been five years or 50 since their graduation, making this the perfect opportunity to reminisce with old friends. The events began with PUC Talks Friday afternoon, featuring presentations from Dr. Jean Sheldon, Dr. Nancy Lecourt and Peter Lecourt, and Dr. Vola Andrianarijaona, followed by the annual Honored Alumni dinner. This year’s honorees were J. Paul Stauffer, ’38, whose long career in education included teaching for many years in PUC’s department of English; Teri Ann Ricchiuti, ’76, who has taught at Fresno Adventist Academy for 30 years; Scott Reiner, ’87, who currently serves as president and CEO of Adventist Health; and Arnold Petersen, ’62, who has traveled extensively around the world as a physician providing much-needed care to underserved areas. Later that evening, the In Memoriam service was held in remembrance of alumni who have passed away during the last year. Vespers featured the dedication of next year’s 25 student missionaries and a special performance of several songs by the PUC vocal octet. Chaplain Jonathan Henderson, ’98, gave the...

The festivities of Pacific Union College’s Homecoming Weekend 2017 began with the third annual PUC Talks Friday afternoon, April 21. This recent tradition is a series of mini lectures modeled after the popular TED Talks, in which speakers share exciting new ideas. This year, the featured speakers were Dr. Jean Sheldon, Dr. Nancy Lecourt and Mr. Peter Lecourt, and Dr. Vola Andrianarijaona. “We would like to introduce you to the kinds of things we do in our classrooms,” said President Eric Anderson, in his introduction. The topics sparked lively discussion and engaged both visiting alumni and students in attendance. God’s Will Vs. Human Will Dr. Jean Sheldon, professor of Old Testament, has taught at PUC for over 20 years, and specializes in Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East. Her talk, titled, “Two Competing Voices: A Canonical Approach to Solving Ethical Issues in the Old Testament,” analyzed violence in the Old Testament from an ethical perspective. Dr. Sheldon explained her topic was inspired by questions she has been asked through the years by students in her interactive, discussion-based classes. She evaluated God’s will versus human will, which often demands a different choice, and found in that conflict God allows that...

On Wednesday, March 8, the eighth-seeded Pacific Union College Pioneers men’s basketball team took on the first-seeded Cornerstone University Golden Eagles in the opening round of the 26th annual NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Mo. After a dominating first half, PUC’s run came to an abrupt halt when Cornerstone took control over the final 20 minutes to pull out an 89-83 win. Despite their heartbreaking lost, the Pioneers raised eyebrows and turned heads at the national level with a stellar performance for their first appearance in the NAIA national tournament. The Pioneers, who had won their last eight games—the last three by a combined total of six points that included two buzzer-beaters—came out hitting on all cylinders, shooting almost 64 percent in the opening half, including 10 of 17 from the 3-point line. Their largest lead came with just under a minute to play in the first half on the third triple from junior Ben Jazuk to go up 55-29, but the Golden Eagles picked up the defensive pressure and chipped away at the 25-point halftime deficit and found a way to advance into the second round. With the...

On Thursday, March 9, the sounds of excitement filled the air of the PUC Church sanctuary as the senior class, dressed in their regalia, marched down the center aisle for a special Colloquy service dedicated in their honor. Following the processional and the welcome by Dr. Nancy Lecourt, academic dean and vice president for academic administration, beloved associate professor emeritus of business administration and senior class sponsor Lary Taylor gave a scripture reading of 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, reminding the congregation the race of life demands perseverance as we approach the finish line, and our prize is eternal life. Dr. John Nunes, another business professor and senior class sponsor, congratulated the senior class, noting there were just 101 days until graduation, before offering opening prayer. “Lord, I pray during these last final months You be with those who are transitioning into graduate school or permanent jobs, and be with those who are still looking for the right opportunity for them. … As they march their way out of here, I pray You help them to remember even when they feel alone, they are never alone, for You are always with them,” he said. Seniors Katie Kaatz and Justine Sauza took to...

Pacific Union College welcomed entrepreneur, businessperson, and PUC alumnus Scott Alvord to speak for the Colloquy Speaker Series on March 2. Students were moved by Alvord’s story of success, from a college student struggling to pay his tuition to currently serving on the Roseville City Council. Lary Taylor, associate professor emeritus of business administration, introduced Alvord, noting he has been voted favorite local business person and favorite civic leader in the Reader’s Choice awards for Style Magazine, a local publication for the area of Roseville, Granite Bay, and Rocklin. Alvord stepped on stage with an authoritative yet welcoming presence. During his presentation, he emphasized the importance of valuing an education, not only because it provides a variety of career opportunities, but also because of the investment you’re making. He encouraged students to strive for good grades. “God has put you here to enrich the world,” Alvord said to the students and urged, “Become a person of value, not a person of success.” As a freshman at PUC, Alvord struggled to pay tuition. To his surprise and amazement, a mysterious donation covered his first year expenses, giving him the opportunity to take full advantage of PUC’s education system. Money was still...