PUC Celebrates 140 Years of Alumni at 2026 Homecoming Weekend

On the weekend of April 17 to 18, Pacific Union College welcomed 220 graduates and attendees across generations to engage in events, honor proud and successful alumni, and come together in worship– just like old times.

Kickstarting Friday afternoon activities, alumni enjoyed the pickleball tournament alongside PUC students and alumni. Following the games, they were invited to attend a Pioneer Dinner, mingling and catching up with each other on their old stomping grounds. Welcoming the Sabbath during Friday night vespers was Dwight Nelson, former Andrews University lead pastor, evangelist, and author, who was finishing up the PUC Spring Week of Worship service that evening. His message directed students and alumni to be willing to pick up their own cross and to serve God on a larger scale, trusting in His will for them, no matter where they go.

“Every year, I meet new alums. Incredible people with amazing stories. PUC created an amazing spiritual, educational, and social experience then,” said PUC President Ralph Trecartin. “I am inspired and reassured that we are building on a great foundation and carrying forward a pattern for current students of what the PUC experience is supposed to be. My pride for alums from 25, 50, or 60 years ago is an institutional pride in that I am connected to such an impactful school, and now I know many of those who helped create that impact.”

Beginning the Sabbath service was the PUC alumni praise team, performing beautiful renditions of “Power of the Blood,” “10,000 Reasons,” "What A Beautiful Name,” and a mashup of “In Christ Alone (My Hope is Found)” and “My Hope is Built on Nothing Else.” PUC Flight Center Director Nathan Tasker, alongside Gina Wahlen, ’82, ’84, from the Office of Global Mission at the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference, then took the stage in the Mission Spotlight portion of the service, presenting missionaries carrying flags of countries in which they had served and urging the congregation to say “yes” if they feel strongly about serving. Delivering the Sabbath School message titled “The ABCs of Prophecy,” Pastor Nelson highlighted the Christ-centered perspective of an Apocalyptic, Biblical, and Christ-centered end-of-the-times prophecy, encouraging believers to strengthen their relationship with God beyond the fears and influences of the world.

As more alumni began to gather in the foyer, the PUC Orchestra, led by Professor of Music and Conductor Rachelle Berthelsen Davis, ’94, played “This is My Father’s World” arranged by Dan Goeller. President Trecartin and Vice President for Alumni & Advancement Carlos Garcia, ’88, then welcomed the congregation and presented awards to Honored Alumni: John Anderson, ’96, orthopedic trauma physician and chair of the board of Ultimate Missions; Elder Ernest Castillo, ’70, retired third-generation SDA pastor and former Vice President of the North American Division; and Peter Han, ’12, medical doctor and Chief of the Division of Head and Neck Surgery at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center.

Professor of World Languages and Communication Sylvia Rasi Gregorutti then read Revelation 14:13 in memoriam and honor of alumni who have passed, followed by the ringing of the Healdsburg Bell, an alumni roll call, and several musical renditions from the PUC Chorale, PUC Orchestra, and an alumni praise team. President Trecartin introduced Aileen Bauer, ’96, as the speaker, who titled her message “When the Lights Go Out.” Telling a story about an orchestra playing a Beethoven symphony in the dark during a power outage, she demonstrated the power of faith as the light that sustains even in the face of challenges. Bauer left the audience with three profound phrases: God is love, God understands, and God is with us. “These promises flow like a cascading waterfall of God’s grace to us,” she said. “Our view of God matters, especially when we enter into dark valleys, times when we don’t feel God’s presence, and times when He seems silent.”

Closing off the service, Chorister Kathryn (Hopgood) Sculatti, ’05, performed “A Song of Heaven and Homeland,” PUC Lead Pastor Nate Furness, att. ’95-’97, delivered an inspiring benediction, and Assistant Professor of Music and Organist Ronnie Zanella passionately played the postlude of “Toccata” from Symphony No. 5 by Charles-Marie Widor.

The rest of the afternoon included several other activities and events, such as Open House for the departments of biology, communication, education, nursing, and visual arts, as well as the Newton Hall Chapel, Conversations with Adventist Aviation Pioneers in the new aviation facility, forest tours, a look into the Hansen Wildlife Museum, a visit with the President’s Cabinet, Friends of Walter C. Utt Gathering, and Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition. The evening featured a beautiful performance by the Heritage Singers, followed by an event celebrating honored class parties– 1956, 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2016.

“The 2026 alumni weekend is in the books, but my memories of such a wonderful weekend keep popping up. Those memories give me so much pride in our alumni,” said President Trecartin.

“Homecoming was well-received this year! Between events and services, there was plenty for everyone to do,” shared DeAnna Cordis, director of alumni relations and stewardship, who, alongside her team, worked and planned diligently for the success of this event. “It was so nice to see familiar faces as well as new ones, and to see the church near full on Sabbath morning and evening. Overall, it was a great weekend, and we couldn't have done without the support of various departments and people across campus. I pray for an even better turnout next year, so save the date!”

“With each passing year, Homecoming Weekend continues to grow in appeal and attendance,” said Garcia. “PUC is already looking forward to welcoming the PUC family back for Homecoming 2027.”

Please join PUC for next year’s Homecoming Weekend from April 16-18, 2027.