Once Michael started his work in India the cultural contrasts to the U.S. became rapidly apparent. Religion, food, customs - everything is different.

The letter includes just a few of her memories about her time here at PUC, memories so precious we can only hope to catch a glimpse of them through her words. We love to hear from our alumni; please feel welcome to share your memories with us. We hope you enjoy the letter as much as we did.

In the “Heart of the Bay,” most commonly known as the city of Hayward, lies an oasis for troubled youth, La Familia counseling service. La Familia, an outstanding mission to disenfranchised and underprivileged youth, is run by a multilingual and courageous staff, which includes a PUC graduate.

From the Campus Chronicle to Mt. Fuji, Charles Anderson’s life was rich with journeys and adventures.

Eleven months after graduating from PUC with a business administration, B.B.A and an associate’s degree in music, Dan Ganancial had to make a choice between continuing to work for an NFL team, the Arizona Cardinals, or go to work for a prestigious investment management organization firm, The Vanguard Group.

Dr. Derek Sakata, M.D., att. ’94, feels good to be at Pacific Union College. “I haven’t been back here in ten years,” he reflects. 

In 1989, Douglas Marlow’s life changed. His best friend since high school, Kevin Wilson, was killed in a car accident. It happened in the winter between Douglas’ junior and senior years at PUC where he was a psychology major. Through the tragedy, Douglas and Ken and Joanne Wilson, Kevin’s parents, became adopted family.

She works with middle school students on the outskirts of Stockholm, Sweden. She travels the United States, Europe and Asia presenting to professionals in her field. She runs her own business on the prevention of depression among teenage girls. Eva-Mari Thomas, ’88, a social worker, keeps a full calendar.

Geof Gaines grew up in Simi Valley, CA, he went to Newberry Park Academy and was “destined” to attend Pacific Union College. “Destined” he said “because my father, Elvin, went there, and my sisters Geralyn and Daina, and my brother, Darin, also all went to PUC.”

When Hadassah (Rodriguez) Doss received a scholarship from PUC she had already started her freshmen year on the east coast, but still the decision was made to make the move to California.

Right after his graduation in June of 2001, Angwin native Jeremy Price headed for the Big Apple. He took with him degrees in math and music, teaching credentials, and the musical skills he had honed as director of PUC’s Black Student Forum Gospel Choir and its successor, Caught Up.

Were it not for the creative financial work of recruiter Leticia Russell, Jessica Shine wouldn’t have taken the plunge into the life-changing atmosphere of PUC—and the PUC Church probably would have missed out on the dynamic talents of its new outreach and worship pastor.

Not many people get to see PUC and the surrounding Napa Valley in the golden sun with the view fading off into the San Francisco Bay. Not many people other than the aviation majors at PUC. Jordan Wareham, class of 2004, recalls those kinds of moments in his PUC memories– flying into the airport, on the perfect day, when he could see all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

Not everyone can use John Lasseter as an excuse for why they’re late. As in, “Sorry, I’m late, but I had to pitch an idea to John Lasseter.” But Lasseter, the creative genius behind films like Ratatouille, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, and Monster’s Inc. just happens to be PUC-alum Justin Wright’s boss (okay, more like his boss’s boss) because Justin works as a storyboard artist at Pixar, the Emeryville, CA-based animation studio that doesn’t seem to know how to produce anything but a beloved blockbuster.

It is not every day that you “arrest” your son, but there is always an exception. Larry Hofmann, ‘84, proves to be the exception in this case, as he would “arrest” his 14-year-old son, Lawrence, Jr., multiple times a day, but for a good cause.

Marge Hodge Jetton (SHSHSN '25), PUC’s most celebrated centenarian, keeps a schedule most people her children’s age would find exhausting.  Up every morning between 4:00 and 5:00, she lifts weights, walks a mile and volunteers weekly.

Proving once again that PUC graduates go on to accomplish a variety of wonderful things, Scott Moncrieff, Ph.D., class of 1982, has recently published his first book, entitled Screen Deep. The book is a collection of commentaries on certain items of popular culture — such as American Idol, Crash and GQ Magazine — from a Christian perspective.

65 felonies, 25 misdemeanors, 86 bench trials, and five death penalty jury trials are significant parts of PUC alumnus Terry Bork’s, ’82, record, or shall we say his resume.

Tracy V. Chavez credits where she is today to her sister, Judy Chavez Castrejon.  Two years after losing their mother, 21-year old Judy legally adopted Tracy, who was only nine at the time.

On October 10, the PUC campus was threatened by a wildfire that tore across Howell Mountain. Started by a small vehicle fire at the hairpin turn, the flames moved from short grass to a tree in approximately 10 seconds, at which point the winds did as had been promised by local meteorologists and carried the fire quickly along the terrain.

If the phrase “Renaissance man” was ever adequate, it’s to describe senior biology/biochemistry major, Ben Koo. Not only does Ben have a natural affinity for science — as suggested by his chosen areas of study — but he is also a successful student of the PUC Honors Program, proving that he is equally fit to tackle the humanities as well.

Cherine Kim is an indecisive senior, which, according to her, is not such a good thing. “I’m one of the most indecisive of my friends. I’m still trying to figure out my long-term goal,” she says.

Cody Carter, junior biology major, is a true student of the sciences and this year’s recipient of the Edmund C. Jaeger Award. Receiving the award has inspired Cody.

Darrin Thurber, senior music performance major, is one of five outstanding students who have received the Nashed Family Scholarship, established by Yacoub and Ellen Nashed in 1995 for students with academic achievement.

It was a leadership scholarship that helped convince Dustin Comm that PUC was the place to be; but it was a simple notice on campus—a posting for a taskforce youth pastor in Placerville—that changed the direction of his life.

Guadalupe Martinez-Cruz may have a long name, but she is certainly no snob. In her day-to-day life she goes by Lupita, and the diminutive is very indicative of her friendly and approachable personality. “It’s like calling Michael, Mike,” she says.

We all hate to stand in lines, especially lines that requires us to hand over money, and Jacquelin “Jackie” Romero is no different.

The memory of a young nurse and the generosity of people who loved her seeded new hope for freshman nursing student Jennie Oldenkamp.

“I haven’t seen a fight here, and that’s totally bizarre,” says Jessica Philpot, a junior liberal studies elementary education major, giving a glimpse into her years in public high school.

Jose Torres is busy every Tuesday evening. In fact, for the past three years, Jose has been impossible to get a hold of during that time of the week.

Joshua Barney has divulged a secret, “Greek,” he says, “really is a fun class.” He is currently a student in the class along with fellow theology majors, and will also have to take Hebrew.

When most families get together they play games or watch television and talk. However, when Joyalene (Joy) Ng’s family gets together, “It’s all about quartet,” says Joy with a brilliant smile.

Senior chemistry major Karen Ong has proven herself an excellent student, a quality worker, and one who possesses a spirit of service—which is why she received the Richard A. Jackson Memorial Award from the chemistry department this year.

If busy people get more done, that could be the key to Katie Craig’s phenomenal productivity. She’s held a lot of jobs while a student at PUC, but none has been more demanding than that of her Campus Ministries position as World Missions Director.

Kimberly was in Cannes, France, working at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival when she was awarded the Herbert Ford Journalism/PR Scholarship.

Among this year’s John Christian History Scholarship recipients is junior Kristina Reiber. Initially an English major, Kristina wasn’t able to overlook her long-standing interest in history for long, and her sophomore year she decided to major in it also because, she says, “I think it goes well with English.” Moreover, she says, “I love the PUC history department; it definitely influenced my decision.”

Miyoun Lee, a senior accounting major, feels that one of the best things about PUC is the professors, specifically the business department professors.

Entering his third year at PUC, English/history major Peter Katz is not only pursuing two majors, but he is also a part of the Honors program as well as being well on his way to earning his AS in music.

Peter’s been at college for a long time—since birth, in fact. His parents teach at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, in Kenya, where his mother is a professor of English and his father is a professor of industrial engineering.

Rick Harter, a senior aviation major, is the recipient of the Clyde R. and Lela Baldwin scholarship. “Every little bit helps and this was quite a bit,” he says of the scholarship, which was established by Lois Berry in January of 1992.

Stacy Catalon is a well-known face on campus. Her outgoing personality and dedication to her life’s passions make her hard to forget. 

Tina Pruna is a senior international communication major with an emphasis in Spanish, and she is one of three recipients of the Herbert Ford Journalism and Public Relations Scholarship.