From musical performances to personal poetry to tai chi, the faculty and staff talent show on February 26 at Pacific Union College left the audience wildly entertained. Many community members of all ages gathered at the Paulin Center for the Arts to celebrate the diverse talent of PUC’s faculty and staff, talent they may never have known they had. This was also a chance for students to see their professors on stage, in a different light, showcasing a side of themselves their students don’t see every day in the classroom.

When the idea came to Vice President for Student and Spiritual Life, Dr. Aimee Leukert, at the beginning of the school year, she knew she would have to mention the talent show to staff and faculty very early on to get participants and make it happen. Through constant reminders, mass emails, and support from the academic deans, Leukert was dedicated to securing representation from faculty and staff across departments. As people began signing up, she knew that it was going to be a great show.

“I love, love, love, the faculty and staff here,” expressed Leukert. “Being new, I have felt so welcomed and valued — really from day one. Everyone has been incredibly supportive and encouraging — willing to lend a hand or jump in to help as needed. It feels like a family.”

The talent show featured nine acts, including Leukert herself performing a piano duet of Slavic Tale with Executive Director of Financial Administration Sam Heier. The show opened with a violin performance of Applemania by Theology Professor Lorenzo Kim, which had students jumping out of their seats in shock and cheering proudly. “That took everyone by surprise,” said Leukert. “I don’t think many people on campus even knew he played the violin!”

Other acts included a recitation by Nursing Professor Nicolette Piaubert of a self-written poem titled The Lover’s Song, and one from Kristian Leukert, assistant music professor, who performed The Cremation of Sam McGee. He also sang a duet, For Such a Time as This, with Chair of Education Jennifer Peñaflorida, which was written and accompanied by Vice President of Academic Administration Lindsay Hayasaka. Tony Chung, assistant nursing professor, presented a tai chi routine, which was followed by an AcroYoga performance by Kinesiology Professor Matthew Evens and Richa Evens.

President Ralph Trecartin showcased a solo comedy act titled "Interview on Uses of Tissue Paper," in which he invited up a student volunteer and made tissue paper disappear. To end the talent show, PUC’s Student and Spiritual Life team also performed a comedy act featuring student interviews, which left the audience in stitches.

PUC’s faculty and staff talent show was a good reminder that, while many on campus cross paths every day, there is still much to learn about each other. The students enjoyed seeing some of their professors in a different way than in the classroom, and the community members also benefited from a fun evening. Many expressed to Leukert how much they were entertained by the show and that they had never seen anything like it on campus before.

With its success, PUC plans to make this a tradition and host another faculty and staff talent show next school year. “I feel it was a great first event, and it can only get better from here on out, right?” Leukert smiled, clearly already with eyes on the future. The college looks forward to next year’s must-see show.