Archives

At a Thursday morning presentation at PUC’s visual arts department, PUC alum Rayme Inae, ’01, encouraged students to always be on the lookout for new opportunities. Inae is the creative director for—and helped start—GoJane.com, a popular online retailer of fashion-forward apparel for young women. “People want decisions made for them,” he told the students. “Grab the steering wheel of your own life!” A big man with a big smile, Inae shared his advice and his success story in a lively and frank presentation that energized the room. He described his experience at PUC as an active—if not always stellar—student and encouraged the visual arts majors to view their course work as a chance to build a meaningful portfolio that would serve them in the job market. After graduation, Inae said he couldn’t find work as a graphic designer—his area of study. But his friendly and enthusiastic personality landed him a job in advertising sales. In one year he advanced rapidly in the company and saved up a sizeable cushion from commissions on large clients like the Golden State Warriors. But after an ethical disagreement with the company, he quit—and realized that he didn’t know what he wanted to do next....

At a special Colloquy program Thursday morning at Pacific Union College, Hollywood movie executive DeVon Franklin opened with a bold statement. “God has sent me here to deliver you a message,” he said. “Someone here has a calling—something God wants you to do—but fear is holding you back from following that dream. I’m here to free you from that fear.” Franklin is vice president of production at Columbia Pictures, and has been involved in the production of films including The Pursuit of Happyness and the recent remake of The Karate Kid. He’s also a Seventh-day Adventist, and has recently written Produced by Faith, a book about maintaining a relationship with God while working in the entertainment industry. Franklin described how movies like The Color Purple, Rocky, and Back To The Future captivated him as a boy. He remembered wanting to make those images, but when he shared his dream with others in the Adventist community, he was often met with skepticism. This did not stop him from having faith that God would take him where He wanted him to be, he said. Franklin advised students to actively seek and pursue their God-given purpose in this world. “So many times we...

David Burgess, a critically acclaimed Latin guitarist, performed Sunday, February 19, as part of Pacific Union College’s Fine Arts Series. Burgess, who has spent years abroad studying the musical traditions of Brazil, played pieces by artists Aníbal Augusto Sardinha, Raphael Rabello, Vinicius de Moraes, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. The concert became more than just a musical performance, as Burgess paused often between songs to speak about the composers whose work he played, as well as Brazilian music in general. Burgess performed the concert on a seven-string guitar—virtually unheard-of in the U.S., but common in Brazil. After Burgess finished the last piece on the program, he walked off the stage only to return a few seconds later to powerful applause. For his encore, Burgess played a piece written to imitate the sound of the berimbau, an African-influenced Brazilian string instrument. “He’s been really great to work with,” said Rachelle Berthelson-Davis, chair of the PUC music department. Davis was glad to have Burgess here, she said, as his music “speaks to something broader than traditional Western music.” She also mentioned that she thinks Burgess’ music will enhance this quarter’s world music class at PUC. Burgess has studied with a number of renowned...

On February 6, principals, superintendents, and education directors from throughout the western United States arrived at Pacific Union College for Education Days, an annual networking event for future educators. Organized by PUC’s education department, Education Days offers education professionals an opportunity to mingle with and interview teacher candidates from the education program at PUC. “Its an opportunity for graduating seniors to find teaching positions by connecting with potential employers,” says Tom Lee, chair of PUC’s education department. The event began on Monday evening with a dinner bringing teacher candidates together with potential employers in a personal setting. The candidates also continued a tradition of the Education Days banquet by giving brief presentations highlighting their reasons for teaching and the areas in which they are credentialed to teach. The following day there was a job fair allowing graduating seniors an opportunity to interview with hiring officials in a more formal setting. Attending this year’s Education Days were administrators from throughout the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Also in attendance were Napa County's superintendent of education, Barbara Nemko, and the director of education for the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, Lisa Beardsley-Hardy....

Pastor Paul Graham spoke for PUC’s Winter Revival, January 25–28. The theme of the four-day series was “Grounded in Love,” and Graham emphasized the importance of building a foundation in Christ. Being rooted in Christ enables one to look past the day-to-day difficulties of life and believe that God has already overcome, said Graham. Among other Biblical stories, Graham examined the parable of the prodigal son, likening the prodigal son’s venture away from home to the way one may venture away from God by choosing activities that are not pleasing to Him. Graham encouraged students to surround themselves with friends that will help—not hinder—one’s walk with God. After Friday vespers, Graham addressed a Q-and-A session in Scales Chapel. Student leaders had previously distributed index cards and pens in the lobby of the church for students to write any questions they had for the pastor. Many students submitted requests for guidance in their personal relationships. Graham addressed these questions directly, also taking questions from the students in attendance. The chapel filled quickly with students eager to find answers. Graham is originally from Brooklyn, New York, and currently serves as senior pastor at the Restoration Praise Center in Lanham, Maryland....