1996

Pacific Union College's Extension Division is offering a number of educational opportunities to the local community this fall. These offerings include: 1) the Degree Completion Program, which is designed to help adult learners complete a degree they were unable to finish (currently offered in Napa and Santa Rosa); 2) the Adult Learning courses, regular, graded courses that yield college credit; 3) the College Early courses, which allow academy or high school juniors and seniors to earn transferable college credit early; and 4) Open College courses, which allow community members not seeking college credit to take regular PUC courses at a significantly reduced rate. Among the courses offered to Napa Valley residents through the Extension Division this fall are a history class and a Japanese language class. In Napa, David Millard will teach History of Modern Ideas and Culture (HIST 496), an Adult Learning course, from October 2 through November 20. The class will meet from 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays, in the Redwood Retirement Residence's multi-purpose room, which is generously being provided free of charge. The address is 2350 Redwood Road, Napa. This four-credit course meets the history or social science (cultural anthropology) requirement or a general education elective...

Pacific Union College awarded diplomas to 311 graduates on Sunday, June 16, 1996, during its 108th annual Commencement exercises. Degrees conferred included 72 associate degrees, 240 bachelor degrees, and four master of arts degrees. Of the seniors graduating with academic distinction and honors, 15 received the distinction Summa Cum Laude; 17 received the distinction Magna Cum Laude; and 33 received the distinction Cum Laude. Six gra 8ed With Honors, having completed PUC's four-year honors program. The graduating class represented 16 states and seven foreign countries, including Korea, Singapore, and Yugoslavia. "The achievements of the graduating seniors are matched by the dedication of their professors and the commitment, support and, often, sacrifice of their parents. As with every graduating class of PUC, we are proud of the accomplishments of the class of '96 and are excited by the vision these students carry for the future," said President D. Malcolm Maxwell. Also recognized during the commencement ceremony was Mr. Walter Chin, treasurer of the Chan Shun International Foundation, recently, retired Chief Auditor of the California Department of Health Services, and a former member of Pacific Union College's Board of Trustees. President Maxwell and Vice President Charles V. Bell conferred on Mr. Chin...

Pacific Union College's library has recently put its list of periodical holdings on the Internet. The periodical list is part of an experimental search page which also includes many of PUC librarian and historian Gary Shearer's bibliographies on church history and Adventist history. A referencing program containing the entire text of the King James Version Bible will be added to the search page soon. "The unique aspect of this is that the service is available 24 hours a day to any scholar who has Web access," said PUC reference librarian Dan Mitchel. "The library just can't be open at 3 a.m. when the urge to study hits." According to Mitchel, the periodical list is useful when a scholar wants a particular title, but needs to know whether the library will have to request a photocopy from somewhere else or whether the item is shelved in the stacks. The database also allows one to download many of Gary Shearer's bibliographies on church history and Adventist history, which include references that are hard to find. Finally, the King James Version Bible reference program allows users to read or copy whole books and chapters, or search for occurrences of specific words or phrases....

Pacific Union College celebrated the career of D. Malcolm Maxwell, the longest-serving president in its 114 year history, on July 17, 1996. Maxwell, whose college presidency of more than 13 years officially surpassed all previous records on July 10, 1996, took office on July 1, 1983. He is the first alumnus to serve as PUC's president. The record of longest-standing president had previously belonged to W. E. Nelson, who served as president from June 21, 1921, to July 9, 1934. Maxwell's achievement was officially recognized at a luncheon held on July 17. In appreciation of his leadership at PUC, and knowing Maxwell's enthusiasm for the sea, Vivian Wahlen, spouse of late PUC alumnus Don Wahlen, '51, donated a decorative, glass-cased sailing ship to be placed in the president's office. The ship is a replica of the 14-sailed USS Constitution, built in the 1790s in Boston. One of President Maxwell's earliest achievements during his tenure at Pacific Union College was to reduce the tensions over the theological debate which he inherited on his arrival. Eric Anderson, professor of history, likened Maxwell to FDR or Ronald Reagan as "a great communicator" within the Adventist environment. "Like them, he recognized the vital importance...

On October 1, 1995, Pacific Union College was awarded $30,000 as one of 12 colleges selected for participation in a summer research program for college faculty. This program, largely funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, distributes mini-grants to individual faculty members at select Christian colleges. Harold Heie, Director of Gordon College's Center for Christian Studies which administers the program, described its purpose as being "to nourish high quality Christian scholarship that addresses important scholarly issues in ways that have the potential to make lasting impact on future academic discussion." Pacific Union College and the 11 other selected colleges were chosen out of 107 eligible Protestant colleges by a program advisory committee comprised of six senior Christian scholars. The colleges were judged on such things as their commitment to promoting Christian scholarship and the potential of the college's faculty to generate this scholarship. The $30, 000 PUC received as one of the grantee colleges will in turn be matched by the college and will then be divided among faculty members for research during the summers of 1996, 1997, and 1998. PUC faculty members hoping to participate will submit research proposals and letters of recommendation from two senior scholars. On the basis...

Tammie Lindsey of San Jose recently received full scholarships to the University of Southern California Law School and the University of San Diego. Lindsey was also accepted to Georgetown Law Center, the University of Virginia, and several other prestigious law schools around the country. Lindsey graduated with honors from Pacific Union College on June 16, 1996, with a degree in communications. Lindsey is also a 1992 graduate of Mountain View Academy in Mountain View, California. Lindsey feels that her chances for acceptance into law school were enhanced by the skills that she developed while earning her communication degree. "My classes taught me how to put my thoughts together clearly, and all my writing practice paid off," said Lindsey. "Nearly every school that I was accepted into mentioned my personal statement," she added. Lindsey also attributes much of her success to the support she received from her teachers at PUC. "My professors helped me to crystalize ideas and helped me decide which law schools to apply to," Lindsey said. "The biggest reason I stayed at PUC is that all of my professors were willing to work with me and go out of their way to help me," she explained. James D....

John McVay, Ph.D., associate professor of religion and department chair at Pacific Union College, was named the 1996 Educator of the Year. McVay received $1,500 and a plaque of recognition for his devotion to the advancement of higher education. The Educator of the Year award, established in 1984, is designed to give special recognition to teachers who exhibit a number of important qualities. Selection for the Educator of the Year is a joint effort between the students and faculty. Three names are nominated by the student senate and reviewed by the Research and Honors Committee, who base their choice heavily on annual student evaluations. McVay was selected based on qualities such as his fine classroom performance and strong relationships with students, his encouragement of critical thinking and of an open mind, his concern about student growth - intellectually, spiritually, physically and socially, and his campus leadership and creative qualities. Linda Thorman, chair of this year's Research and Honors Committee, said, "The committee as a whole felt very comfortable with Dr. McVay in all the areas of qualification." Student association president, Shelton Hsu, gave a tribute at the ceremony saying, "[McVay] is real; he's a friend; he cares about his students;...

A new vespers option has been approved at Pacific Union College entitled Sunset Vespers, which offers an interactive environment centered around the discussion of religious topics and ideas. Lela Gilbert, a junior biology major, is the student who coordinated the new vespers option. Gilbert said that she first thought of the idea during winter quarter when she was discussing the need for an interactive worship option with one of her professors. "Because of it's size, the current vespers option does not give students the opportunity to interact in spiritual discussion," said Gilbert. "The new Sunset Vespers was designed to offer this type of worship environment." The vespers meets every Friday just after sunset and is worth two worship credits. The format involves a faculty member presenting an introduction to the topic of the evening, followed by open discussion amongst the students. Currently, there are approximately 15-20 students who attend, and Gilbert says the Sunset Vespers is "definitely meeting the needs of interaction and variety." John Collins, vice president for student life at PUC, feels that the new vespers option is a positive addition to the various study groups that meet regularly at the college....

On September 28, 1995, the island of Palau celebrated its first anniversary of independence. A beauty pageant was held as part of the festivities, and Hila Asanuma, a former Pacific Union College student, won the competition and was crowned Miss Palau. Asanuma, one of ten contestants, took part in the pageant's five areas of competition. First was the talent contest, where Asanuma performed a Tahitian dance. Then, contestants were judged in traditional attire, swimsuit, and evening gown competitions. After these proceedings, five of the competitors were selected to proceed to the final pageant area, where they each answered one question. Asanuma won with her response to a question about women's roles in the 90's. As the winner, she was awarded a $1000 cash prize, two round trip tickets to Bali, $500 in spending money for Koror Wholesalers, and various other gifts. Asanuma is currently busy with the duties that accompany her year-long title. As Miss Palau, Asanuma says she is a "role model to the youth." She has made many appearances at elementary schools and high schools in Palau, speaking out against drugs and encouraging students to stay in school. Asanuma is also eligible, with her title, to compete in...

Jennifer J. Wareham Best, associate professor of speech pathology at Pacific Union College, has been chosen to receive the Zapara Award for the 1995-96 school year. Qualifications for receiving the Zapara Award include spiritual credibility, concern for students, commitment to quality, student evaluations, and relationships with colleagues. Best received a $1,500 honorarium as part of the award. "We congratulate Professor Best for this well-deserved new recognition," says Charles Bell, vice president for academic administration and academic dean. Best, who has taught at Pacific Union College for nineteen years, was recently appointed chair of the communication department beginning with the 1996-97 academic year. She is currently chair of the Faculty Women's Forum and has also served PUC as chair of the Rank and Tenure Committee, chair of the Academic Senate, and coordinator of the Adult Learning Division. Best also organized and directed a successful English language institute in Beijing. The Thomas and Violet Zapara Awards for Excellence in Teaching have been presented for the past nine years at each of the twelve Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities in North America....