2025

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...

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...

In June, Parfait Migisha became the second student to graduate from the MBA program at Pacific Union College. Before attending, he was deciding on his next career step as a nurse. At the same time, his friend at PUC mentioned the MBA program after considering nurse practitioner and anesthesia programs when they brought up healthcare leadership as a possibility. When Migisha researched the program, he was intrigued by PUC’s online format and small class sizes, and he heard that instructors are easily accessible.In 2023, Migisha began his two-year journey with PUC as the second student to enroll in the newly established MBA program. While earning his MBA, Migisha worked as a full-time nurse. After 10 years out of school, the program pushed him out of his comfort zone. He recalled returning to studying and writing essays, which he found challenging, and the program's courses were tough, but it helped rebuild his confidence in tackling complex problems.“Living in Oakland, CA, for six years, I'd met many PUC undergrad alumni who spoke highly of their experience,” he said. “During the pandemic, I realized healthcare needs more clinically minded people in management, and with 13 years of bedside experience, I wanted PUC's Christian...

From a biology lab and media room to flying in the sky, Pacific Union College hosted its annual PacificQuest Programs, PQSeek, PQRise, PQSoar, and new this year, PQFlix, for students in grades 6-12 interested in STEM, aviation, and filmmaking. Students travelled from Hawaii and different parts of California to attend a week-long program to explore their interests and participate in challenging hands-on learning and team-building exercises. Not only did they get a glimpse into potential future careers, but also earned one unit of college credit from PUC.PQSeek and PQRise began their programs, focusing on STEM topics, with 22 students working with several professors from the School of Sciences. PUC Associate of Kinesiology and Health Sciences Professor Wayne Borin taught the interaction of the cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and nutritional energy systems. In contrast, Biology Professor Bryan Ness taught the students about planetary health, and Chemistry Professor Robert Wilson taught them about thermochemistry.From July 6-11, PUC Flight Center Director Nathan Tasker and his team worked with seven students, with two students completing the private ground school. Students learned about aerodynamics and visited Mike’s Aero, an aircraft maintenance facility at Angwin Airport, and the Napa Control Center, where they met with air traffic...