Pacific Union College’sstudent body grew for the fourth consecutive year, fueled largely by a rise inretention--the number of students who return to PUC. This year’s enrollmentincreased to 1,605 from 1,567 at this time last year. The school-wide retentionrate now stands at 78 percent, up from 70 percent last year.Enrollment in PUC’s newallied health program, introduced last year, played the biggest role in fuelingthe increase in retention.PUC administratorsdiscovered the need for such a program after the Western Association of Schoolsand College, the school’s accrediting agency, recommended an institutionalassessment, President Heather J. Knight explained. The assessment revealed agap in degree options for students overflowing the limits of PUC’s popularnursing program, and for students taking pre-allied health classes.The new program fillsthat gap, giving students a degree offering providing a strong foundation for abroad range of careers in the health sciences. “In fall of this year, we had158 students declared for pre-allied health profession,” noted ShanaRuggenberg, chair of the department of nursing and health sciences, saying thedegree helps the department meet its mission of training healthcareprofessionals in allied health fields.In addition to newprograms, students in all majors benefited from a tuition freeze that heldtuition rates for the current school year at 2011-2012 levels, undoubtedlymaking...

Popular Seventh-day Adventist preacher and PUC alumnus José Rojas encouraged students to spend a year of their lives in service abroad when he returned to Pacific Union College to speak at a special event, Tuesday, October 23. An internationally sought-after speaker and bestselling author, Rojas is the director of the office of volunteer ministry for the Adventist Church in North America. The office promotes volunteerism through community projects, missions, and other activities. Citing the biblical call for Christians to be salt in the earth, Rojas drew an analogy between service to others and salt role’s as a catalyst in melting ice. Saying today’s students are part of the most advanced generation in history, he appealed for them to use their abilities to become catalysts for change. “If your mind is that of a catalyst, if you’re out to make this world a better place no matter how many people make fun of you for being an idealist—if you really have a vision for your life—then you can turn this world upside down,” he said. “Go off and be a catalyst around the world for one year of your life.” He urged students to participate in service and mission opportunities while...

Assemblymember Mariko Yamada spoke about her public service and answered students’ questions at an event sponsored by the College Democrats student organization at Pacific Union College on Friday, September 12, 2012. Over 50 students attended the event and accompanying voter registration drive. Yamada spoke about her experience growing up attending inner-city schools as the daughter of parents held in Japanese Internment Camps during World War II. She later became the first member of her family to complete college and graduate school. Her experience shaped her perspective, she said, as she compiled a consistent record of supporting education in elected office. She also noted her background as a professional social worker which she said allows her to understand the importance of upholding the highest ethics as an elected official, something she believes is often lacking. Yamada also urged students to register and participate in the upcoming election, noting the various items on the ballot including Governor Jerry Brown’s Prop 30 which she supports. “I was thrilled to hear Assemblymember Mariko Yamada speak,” said Holly Batchelder, a junior psychology major and vice president of College Democrats. “Yamada’s story of how her family fought and faced oppression, yet persevered to greatness is moving...

Over 40 Pacific Union College students helped Napa Valley senior citizens with home repairs and other needs in the first volunteer service project of the year on Friday, Sept. 28. The event, known as Rebuilding Calistoga, is a partnership between PUC’s Office of Justice, Service and Missions and Calistoga Affordable Housing. “We have a lot of people that live here by themselves or just a couple of elderly [people],” said Fabio Maia, director of service at PUC. “Calistoga Affordable Housing assesses what the needs are and we bring the workforce, the tools, the expertise and we help them.” Several residents who received assistance from the project voiced their appreciation for the essential service. “I’ve always done it myself,” explains one resident who identified himself as Greg, and who received help maintaining his yard. “But here lately, I’m 76 years old, and I just can’t do it anymore.” The tasks accomplished by PUC students at Rebuilding Calistoga vary from simply cleaning houses to more complex tasks like rebuilding decks, painting exteriors and landscaping tasks. “Principally, serving others is just the best thing in the world,” explains Issac Lee, a freshman from Salem, Ore. “In the first week taking the first step...

At the opening Vespers program of the school year on Sept. 28, the Pacific Union College family remembered a student who passed away during the summer. The program also featured Joe Castillo, a Christian artist who recently performed on the television show America’s Got Talent. To open the program, Campus Chaplain Laffit Cortes invited up the parents of Josh Highness, the former PUC student who passed away over summer. Highness’ best friend and girlfriend were also invited on stage. Cortes read Romans 12:15, which instructs Christians to “rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (KJV). Student Association President Samantha Angeles and Student Association Executive Vice President Danielle Hagood presented the family with a bouquet of flowers as a small reminder that they are in the hearts and prayers of many on campus. Angeles also reminded them that PUC is the place to find comfort and prayer in this time of need, and that the campus community is always ready with open arms. Rick Highness, Josh’s father, shared his analogy of what God’s role is like in our lives. He said that God is like our coach but we are not all meant to be star...