Homecoming 2013
This year's Homecoming Weekend is April 19-21, honoring the classes of '53, '63, '73, '83, '88, '93, and '03. Check this page in the coming weeks for more information on the weekend schedule, speakers, and events!
- Register online »
Let us know that you are coming! - Honored Class Parties
April 19-21
There’s nothing like coming home! Join us in Angwin for this year’s Homecoming celebration, honoring the classes of '53, '63, '73, '83, '88, '93, and '03.
Speakers
Pastor E. Lonnie Melashenko
Keynote Speaker
Lonnie Melashenko is an Adventist evangelist and the former speaker and director of Voice of Prophecy, the world's second oldest religious broadcast. After receiving a master of divinity degree from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, Melashenko served in pastoral positions at churches in Southern California. He began his career in religious broadcasting in 1977 when he joined It Is Written, serving as associate director-speaker until 1981.
In 1981, he returned to full-time pastoral ministry, before joining Voice of Prophecy in 1989. Since then, his ministry has taken a public turn. He has authored or co-authored dozens of books on faith, as well as many articles in Adventist publications. He has spoken at churches, schools, and camp meetings across the United States and Canada. His appointments have also taken him to Mexico, Bermuda, Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Italy, England, Russia, Ukraine, Tanzania, Zambia, Israel, Jordan, and Egypt.
Committed
Musical Guests
Committed is an a cappella singing group that first formed in 2003 at Forest Lake Academy in Florida. These six Adventist young men honed their sound together for several years, eventually landing on NBC’s hit music competition show The Sing-Off and winning first prize.
Today, Committed is considered one of the top a cappella groups in the world. They tour nationally and internationally, using their talents to praise God to both religious and secular audiences around the world.
Honored Alumni
Shigenobu Arakaki, D.Min., ’51
Honored Alumnus
An unstoppable Adventist educator, Shigenobu Arakaki has spent decades serving communities around the Pacific. When he left his native Hawaii for PUC in the late 1940s, the islands were not even a U.S. state, but he went on to become the first person born in Hawaii to serve as president of the Hawaii Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He has also been president of Saniku Gakuin College in Japan and principal of Adventist academies in California and Hawaii. Arakaki has taught and pastored at Adventist institutions in California, Hawaii, and Japan, and played a role in the establishment of the Mountain View Japanese Church in California and Kahili Adventist School in Hawaii. He has even continued to lead congregations well into his official retirement. Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same again," says Ralph Watts, the current president of the Hawaii Conference. "This is certainly true with Elder Arakaki. His dedication, support and faithfulness will never be forgotten."
Lawrence G. Downing, D.Min., ’63, and Arleen (House) Downing, M.D., ’63
Honored Alumni
Through four decades of marriage and service, Larry and Arleen Downing have worked together to bring spiritual and physical healing to their communities—he as an Adventist pastor and she as a physician specializing in pediatrics and developmental disorders. “One of the things about us is that we have been able to support each other in each of our professions,” says Arleen. Larry has spent 40 years ministering to Adventist congregations in California, Washington, and Pennsylvania. His approach to ministry is to empower and encourage his congregations, to reach beyond the church walls and into the greater community. Arleen’s expertise in her fields has led her to leadership in medical practice and health administration for communities across California, serving at the request of Governor Pete Wilson on the state Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Intervention. Both of them have volunteered on international humanitarian work, most notably Project Vietnam, a long-term medical effort sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Michael Carrick, M.D., '68
Honored Alumnus
When Michael Carrick's father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he left no stone unturned trying to find a facility that would provide the loving, homelike care his father needed and deserved. His dissatisfaction with the options led Carrick to pioneer an innovative approach to Alzheimer's care—a network of specialized assisted living facilities called Somerford Place.
With the help of several fellow PUC alumni and leading authorities in dementia care, Somerford Place today comprises five facilities in California, one in Delaware, and four in Maryland. He also speaks publicly, advocating for Alzheimer's care and educating people to the realities of coping with dementia. Carrick's approach has made lives of dignity possible for thousands of patients—and their families—suffering from the effects of Alzheimer's.
Laura Kopitzke LaBore, R.N., '94
Honored Alumnus
For the past eight years, Laura Kopitzke LaBore has lived in jungles of the South American nation of Guyana, serving an incredible mission of healing and hope. LaBore is a nurse and a pilot for Adventist World Aviation, a ministry that provides emergency medical care and evacuation, as well as friendship evangelism and routine health services, into the most unreachable areas of the world. She says her main goal is to show God's love in any way possible.
"What makes her exceptional is her absolute dedication to the mission," says Jud Rickwire, director of operations for AWA. "She just works tirelessly to keep the operation going." LaBore describes herself as a nurse first and a pilot second, and in addition to her flights, she regularly takes a motorcycle or simply walks to remote villages to provide medical care. In addition to her service, she and her husband, who directs the Guyana project, also have the welcome challenge of raising two young children in the intense environment of the mission field.
Zachary Benton, '09
Young Alumnus Award
After keeping his head down and working hard through his studies at PUC, Zach Benton was ready for an opportunity he had missed as a student: a year serving abroad. A friend encouraged him to go to the impoverished salta province in Argentina, and so he signed up for a six-month stint with ADRA—only to fall in love with the people and the work and remain for three years. During his time with ADrA, Benton has helped forge a partnership with TOMS to provide needed footwear to local villagers, and been instrumental in a project to help the poorest Argentinians develop self-sustaining community food programs. His passion is serving as a resource to help people break the crippling cycle of poverty. "[Volunteer service] allows you to use your talents to make a significant impact in places that are in desperate need," he says. "There are so many intelligent and gifted people in Adventist education institutions throughout the U.s. Even what seem like ordinary skills to us are extremely valuable in helping vulnerable populations around the world."
Shirley S. Chang, R.N., Ph.D. att.
Honored Pioneer
Over 20 years of service to PUC, Shirley Chang has been one of the most dynamic members of the board of trustees in the institution's history. Serving as vice-chair for her last two years, Chang was instrumental in moving the board from an oversight committee to an involved, proactive governing body. She also played a key leadership role in PUC's rigorous—and ultimately successful—accreditation process.
After attending PUC, she completed her nursing studies at Loma Linda University, going on to earn a masters' at the University of California, Los Angeles and a Ph.D. at the University of California, San Francisco. Her husband, Jim, and their three daughters are all PUC alumni. She is passionate about education, and believes that PUC's greatest strength lies not in it's excellent educational opportunities, but in the way it leads young people to discover God's purpose in their lives.
Schedule
| Friday, April 19 | ||
| Maxwell Cup Golf Tournament | 9:00 a.m. | Silverado Resort, Napa, Calif. |
| Homecoming Registration | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m |
Alumni Office Dining Commons |
| Pioneer Dinner | 6:00 p.m. | Dining Commons |
| In Memoriam and Vespers | 8:00 p.m. | Church Sanctuary |
| Sabbath, April 20 | ||
| Alumni Continential Breakfast | 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Dining Commons Side Room |
| Homecoming Registration | 9:30 a.m to noon noon to 3:00 p.m 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
PUC Church Foyer Dining Commons Church Courtyard |
| Sabbath School | 10:00 a.m. | Various Locations |
| Worship Service | 11:00 a.m. | Church Sanctuary (E. Lonnie Melashenko, M.Div.) |
| Fellowship Luncheon | 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Dining Commons |
| English Department Reunion | 2:00 p.m. | Stauffer Hall |
| Chemistry Departmnt Reunion | 2:00 p.m. | Room 327, Chan Shun Hall |
| PUC Archives Exhibit | 2:00 p.m. | Nelson Memorial Library Heritage Room |
| Student Art Show | 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m | Rasmussen Art Gallery |
| Student and Alumni Community Service Project | 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | Church Fireside Room Parking Lot |
| The Pitcairn Room | 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Nelson Memorial Library |
| Nursing Department Tea | 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Davidian Hall |
| Wilmer C. Hansen Biology Museum | 3:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. | Clark Hall |
| Irwin Hall Photo Stroll | 3:00 p.m to 4:30 p.m. | Irwin Hall |
| PUC Orchestra Concert | 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Paulin Hall Auditorium |
| Friends of Walter C. Utt | 5:00 p.m. | Nelson Memorial Library |
| Committed - Live in Concert | 5:30 p.m. | Church Sanctuary |
| Alumni Reception and Vespers | 5:30 p.m. | Church Fireside Room |
| Class Parties | 7:00 p.m. | Various locations |
| PUC 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament | 8:00 p.m. | Pacific Auditorium |
| Sunday, April 21 | ||
| PUC Heritage Recordings | 10:00 a.m. | Nelson Memorial Library |
| Pioneers Alumni Co-ed Volleyball | 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Pacific Auditorium |
Events
Maxwell Cup Golf Tournament
Friday, 9 a.m. | Silverado Resort, Napa
All proceeds benefit the Worthy student scholarship Fund. Thank you to all the sponsors who made this tournament a success.
Pioneer Dinner
Friday, 6 p.m | Church Fireside Room
President Heather J. Knight, Ph.D., hosts an evening celebrating volunteer service. This year's honoree is board of trustees leader Shirley Chang, R.N., Ph.D.. Please register in advance—$10 per guest.
Alumni luncheon
Sabbath, 12:30 p.m. | Dining Commons
Lunch is catered by Bon Appetít. see a Homecoming representative to make payment arrangements in advance—$10 per person. A special area will
be reserved for alumni from the 1940s, and the class of 1963 will have a separate lunch downstairs in the Campus Center.
PUC Archives Exhibit
Sabbath, 2 p.m. | Nelson Memorial Library Heritage Room Browse Funnybooks, Diogenes lanterns, and Campus Chronicles with old friends.
Alumni and Student Community Service Project
Sabbath, 2 to 6:30 p.m. | Meet at the Church Fireside Room parking area
Join PUC students as they travel to Clearlake to provide meals and supplies for the homeless.
Music Department Concert
Sabbath, 4 p.m. | Paulin Hall Auditorium
Under the direction of Rachelle (Berthelson) Davis, D.M.A., '94, and Bruce rasmussen, M.Mus., PUC's premiere music ensembles present a concert of sacred music. With featured soloist and alumnus Merle Morgan.
Friends of Walter C. Utt
Sabbath, 5 p.m. | Nelson Memorial Library
Friends and students of Walter C. Utt will meet to celebrate the legacy of one of PUC's great teachers. The program will feature an interview with Utt's brother, Ted Utt, M.D.
Committed—live in Concert
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. | Church Sanctuary
Preferential seating will be given to alumni who are pre-registered for Homecoming. Registered alumni with name tags and up to 3 guests will be allowed to enter the church before general seating begins.
Alumni Heritage recordings
Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon | Nelson Memorial Library
Share a five minute memory of PUC to be preserved for posterity. Please pre-register for this event as time is limited.
Pioneer Alumni Co-ed Volleyball
Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Pacific Auditorium
Time to break out the old jersey! Join with friends and former teammates for a match against current students and Pioneers players.