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From October 6 to 10, Pacific Union College held the fall Week of Worship service featuring guest speaker and ‘15 PUC alumnus Pastor Josue Hernandez.On Monday, Pastor Hernandez began his sermon by reminiscing about his experience as a student at PUC, where he met his wife, Emily, and formed some of his best memories, despite facing challenges along the way. After sharing this, he shifted the direction to Matthew 24:13, where Jesus says, “But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.” Pastor Hernandez stated that this chapter in the Bible serves as a God-given life guide, especially amid the fear and anxiety circulating in the world today.He continued by sharing that many people across generations have endured and navigated turbulent moments, but those who thrive in these difficult seasons have chosen to build their lives on the assurance of God’s love, making Jesus the center.Pastor Hernandez then enlightened students with the perspective on abiding, offering three points: embrace each season, slow down, and trust God. With that, he also shared the story of a moment that changed his life, which was when he found out his father was brain-dead five years ago. He...

Throughout California, 12 academies competed at the girls' volleyball tournament at Pacific Union College from October 2 to 4. As schools began to arrive on October 1, PUC students greeted them with snacks, and tournament shirts.Competing this year were student-athletes from Glendale Adventist Academy, La Sierra Academy, Newbury Park Adventist Academy, Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy, Central Valley Christian Academy, Mountain View Academy, Monterey Bay Academy, Lodi Academy, Sacramento Adventist Academy, Kolbe Trinity Academy, PUC Preparatory, and Pine Hills Adventist Academy.Games began at 9 a.m. on Thursday, with PHAA vs. MVA and SAA vs. TPA starting the tournament and going well into the afternoon before the cross-pool tournament play began in the evening. On Friday, 12 games determined which schools would advance to the semifinals on Saturday night. With a much-needed break to fellowship and worship together, academy students attended Vespers and Afterlight, hosted by PUC’s Campus Ministries, and also participated in a Bible Bowl on Saturday afternoon.PUC Executive Assistant and Enrollment Counselor Andrianna Massena and PUC Preparatory Athletic Director Matthew Lee organized the tournament. From providing free snacks and coffee at the gym every day and having PUC students staffed in the dorms on-call to assist with any needs, Massena...

From photography to design to writing, 11 academies attended the 35th Annual Publication Workshop at Pacific Union College from September 7 to 9. A total of 107 participants had the opportunity to learn practical skills for publication work and explore team bonding and management. This event offers a valuable opportunity for students and their teachers to explore new methods to enhance their work, network with editorial creatives and staff, and draw inspiration.Students attended from Tualatin Valley Academy and Roseburg Christian Academy in Oregon, as well as from various schools throughout California, including Redlands Adventist Academy, San Fernando Valley Academy, Central Valley Christian Academy, Lodi Academy, Mesa Grande Academy, Mountain View Academy, Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy, Sacramento Adventist Academy, and PUC Preparatory School. Being on campus gave them a glimpse into life at PUC, as they stepped into the world of the college’s visual arts and communication departments, learning from professors and receiving their support with projects.Milbert Mariano, PUC dean of arts, humanities, and professions, and director of the Publication Workshop, hopes that students will apply what they have learned to their school yearbooks and newspapers. Helping plan this event were Visual Arts Chair Brian Kyle, who taught photography during the...

With students back at Pacific Union College, the ambiance has been electrifying. New and returning students have added vibrance back on campus, expressing their highly energetic and positive energy for the 2025-2026 school year.On September 17, freshmen arrived on campus for Fusion. From the moment students entered the campus, PUC Director of Student Involvement Sharleen Bouit aimed to create an inclusive environment where they felt a sense of belonging. “We also wanted students to experience the spiritual heartbeat of our campus—knowing that if they wished, they could find a vibrant spiritual life here and grow in their connection with God,” she said. “Fusion was designed to help students recognize that PUC is a place where both community and faith can thrive.”As Bouit met the newest Pioneers, she noticed a friendliness and spark in this particular group, showcasing their eagerness to get involved, which made her anticipate their helpfulness in shaping PUC. “What has been especially encouraging is their willingness to experience God and learn about Him,” she shared. Seeing how open they are to community and faith has given Bouit hope for how they will grow and even lead during their first year at PUC.Alongside Bouit in executing a successful...

For 36 years, LeRoy Peterson taught, conducted, and performed at Pacific Union College as a professor of music before officially retiring in 2019. During those four decades, he was a very busy man, taking members of the orchestra to far-off places such as Norway, Russia, and Singapore, experiences that both he and the students will never forget. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Pacific Union College Orchestra, which he directed for 21 years, performing Grieg's Piano Concerto, one of many great performances Peterson has presented. The music department will never forget him for all the hard work he put into his deep passion for music and teaching throughout the years.Many have described Peterson as a warm, outgoing man, some even saying he was the kindest person they’ve ever met. Peterson has undoubtedly left a great mark on the music department of PUC and the students who had the privilege of being taught by him. “When I see students some years later who have graduated, and come back for alumni weekend, they tell me, ‘Hey, I really enjoyed your class,’ that makes me feel it's all worthwhile,” Peterson said. “Those are memories I will always keep with me.” Many...