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From October 12 to 16, Pacific Union College held its Fall Week of Worship Service. Gathering students, faculty, and staff in Dauphinee Chapel, Director of Young Growing Leaders and Pastor Aren Rennacker, ’11, delivered a message about radiating love, being a disciple of Christ, and sharing the light from within.At the first worship service on Monday, Religious Vice President Jacob Duran introduced and welcomed Pastor Rennacker, who began by connecting with students through icebreaker questions and personal anecdotes that sparked laughter and shared stories across the hall.In line with the week's theme, Pastor Rennacker encouraged and challenged students to be a light, reflecting Jesus's love to one another and to the world as He referred to His followers in Matthew 5:14-16. From a non-Adventist household with a single mother and four children, he explained that after enrolling in an Adventist academy, his church community embraced and loved him."We rely on light for our sight, our home, our warmth, and our food, which is why you all chose to go to PUC," Pastor Rennacker said. "Light is fast, powerful, and good– that light is essential to who we are." He explained that carrying this light and following Jesus meant loving Him...

From October 15-17, Pacific Union College Communication Department Chair Tara Hargrove, PUC communication major Sebastian Alvarez, and MA student Abigail Suttan attended the Society of Adventist Communicators Convention in Orlando, Florida. Hosted by the North American Division, this annual event brings together Adventist communication professionals, educators, and students to learn, network, and be inspired.With this year’s theme focusing on purpose, passion, and partnership in ministry and media communications, attendees attended keynotes and workshops to strengthen their communication in writing, public relations, and social media skills. As the media world constantly changes, attending different sessions allowed Hargrove and her students to see new developments and learn how to incorporate those lessons into the classroom and workplace. The event included networking halls with leaders and professionals from across the country, allowing students, like Suttan and Alvarez, to connect with employers and meet other students from other colleges and universities.“The convention was a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience the communication profession beyond the classroom,” said Hargrove. “One of the most rewarding parts was watching them engage with what they were learning. They weren't just listening to presentations. They evaluated ideas, questioned what they disagreed with, and recognized how much they had...

Pacific Union College is happy to share its standings in Niche.com's 2027 Best Colleges in America. In the report, PUC ranked #49 for Best Colleges for Nursing in America, #51 of 95 Best Colleges in California, and #82 of 355 for Best Christian Colleges in America. Specifically in California, PUC ranked #6 of 46 for Best Colleges for Nursing, #10 of 17 for Best Christian Colleges, and #11 of 94 Safest College Campuses.Niche is a research company that millions of students and families use to view in-depth profiles, reviews, and ratings of every school and college in America. In this year’s rankings, PUC was listed alongside other Adventist universities as one of the best schools in California and the country, drawing more attention as its numbers and results on Niche grow.Along with the positive rankings in the 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report, PUC is delighted to see the college continue to make its mark and advance its mission in multiple areas, such as Niche. “It is always worthwhile to look at how external validators view our campus. We are so proud of how we compare in these rankings,” said PUC President Ralph Trecartin. “This would not be possible without...

On October 22, Pacific Union College officially announced its conversion from a quarter-based academic schedule to a semester system, effective fall 2028. As the college prepares for this transition, PUC assures students it will remain committed to their academic progress and provide a clear path to graduation without delays or additional tuition costs. This conversion will create new opportunities, allow more time for in-depth course engagement, and provide greater flexibility in learning experiences, aligning PUC more closely with most colleges and universities nationwide while prioritizing students' academic experience and outcomes.Phase 1 of the conversion process is complete, with conversion committees established and policies, procedures, and roadmaps developed. PUC is currently in Phase 2, where faculty are converting course curricula to fit the new semester system, updating degree requirements, aligning learning outcomes, and completing governance approvals. The college expects Phase 3 to begin in summer 2027, with student preparation highlighted by the release of semester catalogs and degree maps, as well as advising resources and information sessions. As Phase 4 takes effect in fall 2028, PUC will ensure student support services are readily available while continuing to assess and improve them, monitor student success, and refine policies."A semester system will make...

From August 10 to 20, 36 Maranatha Volunteers International and Pacific Union College volunteers, faculty, staff, students, and community members collaborated to renovate McReynolds Hall, a residence hall primarily used when academies and other groups visit campus.The PUC Administration team has anticipated Maranatha’s return to PUC for a few years now, since their last project visit in 2019, when they successfully renovated and refreshed 31 Newton Hall dorm rooms and bathrooms, and continued the same project in 2020.The goal was to refresh as many of the 48 rooms and common areas as possible, starting with 16 rooms in wings A and C on the first floor. The plan was to remove old carpets and obsolete desks, paint the rooms, and install new vinyl plank flooring (LVT), shades, and lights. During this project, they completed 24 rooms and 12 bathrooms across two first-floor wings and the third wing, excluding floor preparation and installation of the new vinyl plank flooring in the B wing, which was more than they had originally planned.They began their project by removing loose furniture, including two beds and a dresser, old blinds, existing built-in desks, and carpets from the rooms. They painted the rooms and bathrooms, including...