Archives

Art instructor Cheryl Daley, a local artist who teaches at Pacific Union College, took her 3D design class on an inspiring field trip this November. Daley has a bit of a family connection to the late Ray and Charles Eames, famed American designers. Charles Eames' daughter, Lucia Eames, and granddaughter, Llisa Demetrios, are sculptors based in Petaluma, California. Their studio and home contains their own work as well as many important examples of the work of Charles and Ray. Eames and Demetrios gave Daley and her students a personal tour. "They love sharing and talking about the work of Charles and Ray Eames and their revolutionary designs for furniture, exhibitions, short films, and architecture, and about their process of working out solutions to their ideas," explains Daley. "At their studio in Petaluma they showed us many historically important 3D examples of Charles and Ray’s work as well as explaining their own work and showing examples of the creative process and technical challenges of their own large-scale metal sculptures." Christine Ha, a sophomore fine arts major, was impressed by the trip from the beginning. "Nearing the hand-painted gate designed by Lucia Eames herself, the urge to touch everything became almost unbearable,"...

It wasn't long ago that men's soccer became an official varsity sport at Pacific Union College; but in an amazing turn-around season this year, the soccer Pioneers set a precedent for a strong soccer program that may have a lasting legacy for the college. The soccer team, who ended last season with three wins, nine losses, and one tie, set the record at PUC for most wins in a season this year with nine wins, two losses and one tie. Several changes to the team dynamics contributed to the Pioneers’ success. Until this year, head coach Jesús Medina had been the only member of the coaching staff, leaving him alone to carry the burden of playing multiple roles. This year, however, Medina was joined by his brother Carlos and by Hernan Granados, dean of Newton Hall, to share responsibility over the team. Carlos led the team in the technical and strategic aspects of the game, and “Hernan is basically the dad of the people here,” said Medina. “He’s everything for the guys.” Notes team member (forward) Edrei Mauries, “With the support of older and wiser leaders, we feel more confident in the game, and it showed a lot this year.”...

This winter, the managers of the Albion Field Station, owned by Pacific Union College, are reminding people that the station isn't just for groups — and they're offering a 25 percent discount on weeknight and holiday season reservations! For many years, groups ranging from church groups to wedding parties to mushroom hunters have made use of the cabin, lab, and lodge facilities at the station, located near the coast town of Mendocino. But "it seems that most think they can only come as a group," says director Gilbert Muth. "We want to dispel this concept." Albion has always been a great place for family excursions or individual getaways, with its rustic but comfortable cabins (now renovated), its setting on the Albion River, an abundance of wildlife, and the tourist attractions in the scenic area. So the station is offering the 25 percent discount for any bookings Sunday through Thursday nights during the months of December and January; and the same discount applies for the Christmas and New Year holiday weeks, December 18 to January 3. The station has various rooms and cabins, some with kitchenettes and all with bathrooms, available for booking. To learn more or book a room, visit...

Pacific Union College officially welcomed the Christmas season November 30 with a short ceremony to light the campus Christmas tree. At 7 pm, students flocked to the center of campus to sip cider and hot chocolate, while Student Association president Scott Brizendine gave a short welcome and college president Heather Knight led a countdown to the lighting of the tree. “It was fun getting back together with everyone I hadn’t seen over the break to celebrate the season,” says graphic design senior Kerry Chambers. The lighting of the Christmas tree is a long-standing tradition at PUC. Formerly, a massive tree beside the church complex was strung with lights and "lit" after vespers on a Friday evening. In recent years, a smaller tree near the library has become the campus's Christmas icon. The tree lighting will be followed by other seasonal celebrations on campus, including the annual music department Christmas program and various open houses until Christmas vacation begins on December 11....

In between games, a group of basketball players took time for a different kind of endeavor — one that involved getting in the spirit of the holiday season and giving back to a community. It was November, and the Pacific Union College women's Pioneers basketball team traveled to Southern California to play in a Thanksgiving tournament. The competition included La Verne University, Pomona-Pitzer University, Whittier College and Cal Tech University. Playing four games in four days, the PUC team finished with two wins and two losses. But the Pioneers also made a point of getting involved in the community in another way. In between their games, the team took time out to visit a senior living facility in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. For over two hours the players and coaches mingled with the residents, playing chair volleyball and other games, singing songs, and enjoying each others' company. The atmosphere was filled with energy, laughter and smiles. Several of the highlights included the basketball team helping the residents beat their “total hits” record in chair volleyball by over 200; singing “We wish you a Merry Christmas” in the lobby to over 50 residents; and a solo, performed by team member Vanessa Felder,...