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Pacific Union College hosted critically acclaimed author Matt de la Peña during the May 1 installment of the Colloquy Speakers Series. de la Peña, the award-winning author of five young-adult novels and the picture book A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis, inspired the campus with the story his personal path to literacy. de la Peña was introduced by a professor who played a pivotal role in his development as a reader and writer: PUC’s own president, Heather J. Knight, Ph.D. Knight taught de la Peña during his time as a student at the University of the Pacific, and described her former student as a “successful, prolific, and accomplished young writer.” However, as de la Peña explained, his career as a writer was completely unexpected. Describing himself as a “reluctant reader” through most of his childhood, de la Peña never finished a book in high school. As the son of teenage parents from National City, Calif., “literature was something that belonged to the kids in the richer families,” said de la Peña. The author urged PUC students to not let circumstances or the assumptions of others determine their paths. “You’re going to deal with a ton of...

Since 1882, Pacific Union College has been preparing students for a lifetime of service to God and humanity. From April 25-27, the college welcomed alumni back to its Angwin, Calif., campus to celebrate that heritage, share special memories, and to recognize the impact of PUC graduates. During the Homecoming Weekend festivities, the college recognized a group of alumni that have made significant contributions as the 2014 Honored Alumni. The annual Honored Alumni awards are given to individuals who are truly representatives of the PUC Pioneer spirit, and this year’s recipients were no exception. During Sabbath morning worship service, PUC President Heather J. Knight, Ph.D., presented the first award to the 2014 awardees. First to be honored was Lawrence Longo, M.D., pioneering researcher and founder and emeritus director of the Center for Perinatal Biology at Loma Linda University. Longo graduated from PUC in 1949, and established the Frank A. and Florine A. Longo Lecture series at his alma mater in 1993. Though Longo was unable to attend the service, his daughter Celeste de Tessan came to accept the award on her father’s behalf. The next recipient was Joe L. Wheeler, Ph.D., a 1959 graduate of PUC’s history department and a beloved...

Spring vacation can be a much-needed rest for Pacific Union College students who have just completed final exams after a tough ten weeks of winter quarter. Yet, each year groups of students give up their opportunity to spend time with family and take a break. These students, motivated by the desire to give back and serve God, spend their time away from school having a mission-oriented adventure in places far and wide. From March 20-30, a group of 15 PUC students, joined by PUC service and missions coordinator Fabio Maia and professor of biology Floyd Hayes, flew to Manaus, Brazil to work in Rosa de Sáron, found in the interior of Manaus Amazonas. The group traveled to this exotic location to build a health clinic, provide water filters and water education, and teach English classes. Some of the students also participated in a tropical biology course led by Dr. Hayes, giving them the opportunity to experience the wildlife of the Amazon first-hand on morning trips along the river and through the jungle. PUC partnered with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) for the service element of the trip. ADRA supports several projects in Rosa de Sáron—including a school, furniture...

The entire campus—students, staff, and faculty—gathered together as a community of faith during Student Week of Prayer. During this special week, April 14-18, students shared personal testimonies that were both relatable and honest as they described how God has changed their lives in the past and directed their future. Eleven student speakers presented to a full church sanctuary each morning and evening, with the exception of Thursday evening, when two students, Brandon Olds and Jaryn Hart, spoke. Pacific Union College hosts a week of spiritual revival every quarter; however, the Week of Prayer during spring quarter is especially significant as it features student speakers sharing about their faith. Hearing peers—both under and lower-classmen—speak openly about their spiritual journeys made the presentations truly relatable and the lessons even more applicable. “It’s amazing how during Fall and Winter Revival we schedule the ‘big guns’ of Adventism: Jose Rojas, Michael Kelly, etc.,” stated PUC Chaplain Laffit Cortes. “However, they do not have the same effect as the students listening to their peers.” The presenters represented diverse areas of study, from film and television to psychology, and each shared their unique spiritual journey, illustrating that despite the different types of issues an individual struggles...

On April 27, Pacific Union College will present the Napa Valley Off-Road Triathlon, an event that will benefit the non-profit organization Clinica Verde. Clinica Verde promotes sustainable health care for the underserved populations of rural Nicaragua. The Triathlon features events for all ages, including a kid’s triathlon, a 5k run/walk, triathlon relay, beginner triathlon, and the individual triathlon. Uniquely, the triathlon includes a mountain bike course instead of a road bike course, much like the popular Xterra series of races. Pre-registration for the race closes on Friday, April 26, and the race-day registration opens at 5:30 AM. The triathlon, relays, and 5k run/walk will begin at 8 AM with the kid’s triathlon beginning at 10 AM. All participants will receive official finish times, finisher medals, and race t-shirts. Three-deep medals will also be given in age divisions. Sponsored by St. Helena Hospital Napa Valley and local businesses including the Calistoga Bike Shop, Sportago, and the Napa Running Company, the race is directed by Fabio Maia, PUC’s service and missions coordinator. For more information and to register, visit www.napavalleyoffroadtriathlon.com....