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The story begins with two brothers, Franklin and Calvin: the first students of three consecutive generations and 10 family members who would graduate from PUC.Their father, Dr. Henry Yee, who wanted his sons to pursue a career in healthcare, had become aware of PUC’s strong educational program and deep spiritual environment and enrolled them at PUC.Franklin was then enrolled at PUC Academy, now PUC Preparatory, and graduated in 1951. Calvin, on the other hand, attended PUC at the time before he got drafted into the Korean War for two and a half years. Once Calvin returned in 1954 to continue pursuing his biology degree, he decided to reenroll at PUC, where Franklin joined him.Looking back on their time before graduating together in 1955, they found the campus to be a place where they formed genuine connections with “really good and gentle Christian people.” Their PUC experience helped nourish and deepen their faith in Christianity.After their time at PUC, they both went off to Loma Linda University, where Franklin earned a medical degree and Calvin a dentistry degree, graduating together in 1959.Unfortunately, Calvin passed away in 1972 from a sudden heart attack. He was only 43. Franklin, now 94 years old...

Growing up in the Colorado Rockies, Montana-based nature and outdoor photographer Grant Ordelheide was immersed in beautiful landscapes and in a family that took every opportunity to be outdoors. This exposure instilled a fire within Ordelheide that was beyond a passion for nature. Ever since then, he has been chasing every scene to capture not only in memory, but on camera to share with the world.One of the aspects that brought him to PUC was the accessibility and proximity to so many great places around the scenic Northern California region. “As an aspiring nature photographer, there were so many amazing landscapes that provided the perfect setting to hone my craft. Within a day’s drive from PUC, you could be in Yosemite, Tahoe, or the Redwoods. That was a huge factor in why I chose to attend PUC in the first place.”After he graduated from PUC in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in photography with an emphasis in business, Ordelheide has worked as a freelance outdoor and adventure photographer. He has taken photos for many of the magazines in the outdoor industry, including Backpacker, Climbing, Outside, National Park Journals, and more. Ordelheide also began teaching photo workshops with his...

On May 7, Pacific Union College alumnus Jaymes Cheney was appointed as the next Northern California Conference Treasurer.He was born in Portland, OR, to a passionate family that has dedicated their careers to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Cheney’s life path didn’t fall far from the tree.He grew up north of Vancouver, WA, in Ridgefield, with a mom who worked in Adventist education and a dad who worked in plant services at Adventist Health Portland. Watching his parents and extended family devote their lives to the church sparked a desire in Cheney’s heart to do the same, wherever God would lead him.Coming to Pacific Union College was a no-brainer for him, considering the deep family ties and roots that lie in Northern California. His mom and her family grew up in Napa, and his family would frequently travel down from Washington. When it was time for him to decide on a college to attend, the fond memories of his childhood and the family history of Pioneer graduates drew him near.Cheney graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with emphases in accounting and marketing in 2006. When looking back at his college days, he credits his education at PUC, equipping him well...

Pacific Union College continues to welcome more students for another year, following a pattern of positive enrollment growth. For the 2025-2026 academic year, 1,080 students are enrolled at PUC, including 228 first-time college students, 166 transfer students, and 45 graduate students. With residents in the dorms also increasing for the second year in a row, this year’s enrollment is the highest since the 2017-2018 school year, marking the fifth of the last six years with an increase.With new programs created on and off campus, partnerships with health care institutions, and enhancements to existing departments over the last few years, around 350 students are enrolled in undergraduate-to-master’s programs to further their careers. PUC Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Communication Gene Edelbach credits the changes and delivery of these new programs in making a significant difference in enrollment.One of the departments that was rebuilt was Aviation. What was once a program with 10 students grew to over 30 applicants, thanks to new directors, instructors, curriculum reconstruction, and financial aid. They also work to acquire new plans and resources as aviation continues to improve and grow. PUC’s new MSN and MBA programs have also drawn 45 students just starting recently, and the...

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...