PUC Honors the Class of 2026

From June 12 to 14, Pacific Union College proudly celebrated 316 graduates from 13 states and six countries, awarding a total of 345 degrees across the nursing, business, psychology, social work, visual arts, biology, world languages, and communication departments– awarding 169 associate’s degrees, 167 bachelor’s degrees, and nine master’s degrees. Filling the seats at every service over the weekend were proud parents, faculty and staff, friends, and colleagues of the graduates who have left a lasting impact on the college campus.

“If anyone is doubting the value of higher education, they need to attend PUC's graduation weekend,” said Vice President for Academic Administration Lindsay Hayasaka. “Seeing students who have worked so hard—and overcome so much—cross the stage renews my faith in the importance of this work. I couldn't be prouder of our faculty and staff, whose dedication has helped make this celebration possible, or of what this graduating class has accomplished. Our graduates remind me that education changes lives, and I can't wait to see what our newest alumni do next.”

The weekend activities began on Friday with the Nursing Graduate Recognition service held in the PUC Church sanctuary. The speaker, Robert Michael Heaton, a nursing educator in clinical education and lead RN in the residency program at Adventist Health Sonora, titled his message "A Nurse’s Presence," speaking to the important connection between a nurse and their patient and the sacred promise to be present as they rejoice and mourn. “Your presence is that gift that you will give to patients that they will remember long after the medications and long after the treatments. It will be your presence that they remember,” said Heaton.

Graduates from the various nursing program offerings were then honored by Dr. Tamara Tirado, dean of nursing and emergency services, and pinned by the PUC nursing faculty to carry the excellence instilled in them into the world.

Later that evening, for the consecration service at the PUC Church sanctuary, PUC film student Nils Anderson welcomed the congregation to the last Vespers of the school year and to the dedication of the class of 2026, highlighting the individual journeys each person had endured during their college careers. Following that introduction, Senior Class Religious Vice President Abiel Irving led in a powerful prayer before the praise team began worshipping in song. Senior Class President Jacqueline Messing then honored graduates with a tribute-to-families slideshow featuring graduates’ baby photos alongside current ones, followed by a scripture reading of the graduating class’s verse, Colossians 2:6-7. Introducing the consecration speaker, Professor of Education and English, Dr. Jennifer Peñaflorida, was Senior Class Executive Vice President Madison-Alejandra Dietrich, describing her as someone “who pours into the lives of those around her with wisdom, encouragement, and genuine care.”

Peñaflorida titled her consecration address “What No One Sees,” in line with the 2026 class motto: “The deeper the roots, the deeper the calling.” She charged graduates to walk with God and to accomplish things that touch the deepest part of their being– even if nobody sees- living life entirely enveloped by Him. Sharing her personal testimony as a third-generation Seventh-day Adventist, Peñaflorida vulnerably stated that, even as someone deep in the faith, she still questioned whether God existed at all. But when she began spending time with Jesus each morning to get to know Him better, He dug into her heart and fertilized it.

“When you leave this place, graduates,” she said, “before work begins, before the noise of your new life fills every hour, give Jesus the first part of your morning. It is my hope that if I do not see you again on this side of heaven, I will see you in the years that have no end.”

Irving began the Sabbath School service by introducing her fellow classmates as they shared their personal testimonies throughout their time at PUC. Among those were Britney Hernandez, Taytan Bereket, Noah Marsh, Mikayla Neely, and Kyra Grant. “It doesn’t matter where you are at PUC, what your major is, what department [you belong to], or what your extracurricular activities are, God will reach you and will use you to touch others,” said Irving.

For the baccalaureate service, graduates gathered on the stage to lead the audience in worship before Messing introduced Executive Secretary for the Central California of Seventh-day Adventists, Pastor David Dean, who titled his address "A Man’s Search for Meaning." Pointing to the book of Ecclesiastes, Pastor Dean reflected on Solomon’s words as he wrote, “Everything is meaningless,” even though he had everything he could ever want– money, servants, people to rule his kingdom, and, as Pastor Dean described, “an individual that has it all.”

Personally reflecting on his own testimony, he circled around the word “why”– finding meaning in the mess despite already believing that God is present. “Even if you have God in this world, you are still in this world. You don’t have to look at someone else to determine the meaning of your life.” Noting that Jesus made a beautiful contribution to the world around Him, Pastor Dean challenged graduates, just like Him, to “find meaning by doing meaningful things to other people,” one of the great products of Adventist education that exists for the sole mission of Jesus in a broken world.

“When you have all of that [what you desire to accomplish], don’t forget that you are not educated for affluence– you are educated for mission. Jesus is the meaning of life, provides meaning to and in your life, and He has called you to make a meaningful contribution in this life.”

Later that Sabbath afternoon, the Social Work department held a Teacher Dedication, followed by the Social Work Consecration, in Scales Chapel. In front of the Amphitheater next to Stauffer Hall, Associate Chair and Professor of World Languages Sylvia Rasi Gregorutti led the Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA) and Student Missions Stole Conferral, alongside Campus Chaplain Arturo López, honoring the 13 graduates who have attended colleges in France, Spain, Italy, Argentina, and South Korea, where two of the graduates were language and culture studies majors.

On Sunday morning at the Maxwell Commons, PUC President Ralph Trecartin welcomed the graduating class, parents, families, friends, and faculty and staff, before introducing the commencement speaker, Dr. Glenward Alexander Bryant, president of the North American Division and vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Honoring Seventh-day Adventist education, he encouraged graduates to remain optimistic and hopeful in a difficult world. “We need your grit and your infusion of energy and dynamism. God has called you for this moment.” To Dr. Bryant, commencement is like the soaring of the eagle on an intentional mission, “not designed for mediocrity, but excellence,” where God positions His people to soar amid adversity within society.

“God says you succeed when you are able to find your passion and intersect your passion with the gifts that God has already given you.” He shared his personal difficulties in finding employment after graduating from Oakwood College, now Oakwood University, but he persevered, moving between jobs until he landed a church assignment in Coffeeville, Kansas, with the largest church he had to serve, which had only three members. Because he followed God’s plan, Dr. Bryant found that he had endured this preparation to soar, as God had planned for him all along. He may have started out slower than his friends, but the Lord revealed that he needed to wait on Him to soar.

He charged graduates to keep soaring on, even if they face the unpredictability of the job market, demanding requirements, and other societal challenges. “Graduates, whatever is in your pathway, whatever you encounter after you leave this glorious day of graduation, take your wings and mount up. Soar on!”

Messing followed Dr. Bryant’s powerful and inspirational address with a personal reflection on her great-grandfather, whom she fondly called Tata, an immigrant from Nicaragua who never settled for a life lacking purpose, fulfillment, or meaning. She emphasized Tata’s quiet composure and love as an impact that touched many lives, even ones she did not know– that was his legacy.

“Graduating class of 2026, five years ago, many of us entered college during one of the most uncertain periods of time in modern history,” she said. “We navigated uncertainty, isolation, and change as we tried to rediscover what connection, tradition, and belonging truly meant, and yet, despite all that, we endured.”

Highlighting the diverse backgrounds of her classmates– first-generation graduates, immigrants, and parents- she also noted how each person’s journey is determined by their will for determination, not their hardships or failures. Messing left graduates with a strong message that “determination is not just about accolades and honorifics,” but about how each person treats and respects the people they encounter along the way, encouraging them to choose kindness and lead with humility in a world where division stands between people.

“A reassurance I hope to leave you with is to know who you are. Know what you believe and why you choose to believe it. Be proud of your kindness. Class of 2026, it is okay to be scared of what comes next in the unknown, but do not let that prevent you from following your ambitions. The world is waiting for us, and we are ready for it.”

As she ended her message, Messing also presented the 2026 senior class gift, a memorial plaque honoring the late librarian and Professor Allison Fox, someone whom she described as “one of the most influential individuals” that she had encountered while studying at PUC. “We dedicate this gift in the hope found in God’s promise that death is not the end and that one day we will have the joy of seeing her again.”

Dean Hayasaka honorably mentioned Professor Ross Winkle, the 2026 Educator of the Year, and new Emeritus Professor of Communication Dr. Tammy McGuire. Milbert Mariano, dean for the School of Arts, Humanities, and Professions, then promptly presented diplomas to the students to commemorate their success, with loud cheers, flying tortillas, and proud graduates crossing the stage.

Diligently working behind the scenes to plan this year’s event were Becky St. Clair, graduation coordinator, as well as the Graduation Committee and fellow PUC faculty and staff. From ordering diploma covers and putting up banners, signage, and stands at event sites to coordinating rehearsals, creating run sheets, and running video and music slides, this dedicated team’s hard work manifested the village that supported students across campus throughout their educational careers– from beginning to end.

“This event is no small thing, and while it is all about the students and their accomplishments, of course, it is truly an entire community effort,” said St. Clair.

“I am just really proud of our students, faculty, and staff. It is evident that we have wonderful families and friends to support us, too,” said President Trecartin. “We have such a great dynamic on campus, and I was so excited to see them graduate after they moved in four years ago, with each student bringing a different culture, perspective, and personality. It will be fun to reflect on what they have accomplished and what they are going to do.”

Congratulations to the class of 2026!