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The Pacific Union College faculty members have been busy pursuing goals of higher learning even as they encourage undergraduate students to do the same. At the annual Faculty Awards Colloquy this spring, about 20 were recognized for scholarly activities this year. Six of these were presented the Herber award for faculty development, three were presented the Meritorious Service Awards for outstanding contributions to PUC's mission, and two were extended congratulations for completing doctorates in 2009-2010. Many of these faculty members receiving awards or recognition have enlisted student help in their projects. Brian Wong, a professor of biology and a recipient of the Herber Award, was recognized for a research poster session he worked on with several of his students, entitled “Chinese medicinal herb Oldenlandia diffusa inhibits Azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci in C57BL/6 mice and modulates apoptosis in mice and in human colon cancer cells.” A few of the faculty were recognized for their artistic endeavors. Cheryl Daley, a fine arts instructor in PUC's visual arts department, had a recent artwork, "Magnolia Boxes," shown in the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. John McDowell, a professor in the English department, had a poem, "Blue" and artwork, "Alarm," both featured in Spectrum Magazine....

Early this week Pacific Union College announced the winners of its prestigious and recently established Maxwell Scholar Program. The five winners and five semi-finalists, coming from as far apart as Maryland and California, have been selected for their high academic achievement, a commitment to Christian service, and outstanding leadership skills. The $15,000 renewable scholarship means winners receive up to $60,000 in scholarship funds over the course of their four years at PUC. These students constitute the second group recognized by the Maxwell Scholar Program, which was established at PUC in 2009 to recognize the late Malcolm and Eileen Maxwell, former president and first lady of PUC. Applicants must meet GPA and test-score requirements and the ranking of their applications is based on resumes, an essay, and letters of recommendation. The Maxwell Scholars who have been awarded this scholarship for the 2010/2011 academic year are Matthew Dopp of Oceanside, Calif., an Escondido Adventist Academy student; Newbury Park Adventist Academy student Josue Tobar of Palmdale, Calif.; Dustin Davis, a Paradise Adventist Academy student from Paradise, Calif; Shenandoah Valley Academy student Meena Kim of Falls Church, Virginia; and Alesha Heinz from Martinez, Calif., who graduated from Capstone Academy. Each of these sport long...

In April, Pacific Union College biology professor Brian Wong and two of his students traveled to Washington, D.C., for the 2010 American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) general meeting. Wong is known for his on-going research into cancer prevention, and proficient biology students have the opportunity to work with him as assistants. This year, Wong and student co-authors Christal Nishikawa, Brian Kim, Jeeyon Jung, Alyssa Zima, and Lucas Kim had two research posters accepted at the conference. Wong, Nishikawa, and Lucas Kim traveled to the conference in person to attend seminars and present their research. The two posters, with Wong as first author on one and Nishikawa as first author on the other, show research on the cancer prevention properties of two Chinese medicinal herbs against colon cancer formation in mouse and human cells. Wong, Nishikawa, and Kim presented in the large exhibit area with other researchers, explaining their findings. Nishikawa appreciated the opportunity to attend the conference. "It was a great experience getting to listen to speakers talk about cutting-edge research on cancer," she says. "I realize that I am very privileged to go to these meetings as an undergraduate." Lucas Kim began working with Wong at the beginning...

From April 21 to 25, sixteen psychology majors and four professors from Pacific Union College took a short, mid-term break to attend the Western Psychological Association (WPA) convention in Cancun, Mexico. At the convention sponsored by Psi Chi, the national honor society of psychology, the students presented two posters, met recruiters from graduate schools, and even listened to PUC alum Cara Tan give a symposium, all while enjoying the tropical sun and the beautiful beach of their hotel. "Cancun was beautiful and awesome, but it was also a very good learning experience," says sophomore Jessica Cerda. "It was really important that the professors in our department really encouraged this." Last year, these students took a lab for their child development class, in which they were assigned articles and instructed to conduct research on them. For both groups, the findings were significant. Because of their results, the professors urged them to submit an application to present at WPA. After sending in an abstract, they were accepted, and the process of perfecting their presentation began. At WPA, Cerda and her fellow group members presented their research on the effect of ethnic awareness on job association, while the other group presented their study...

During April, several PUC students and staff joined in a two-week effort to clean and repair the dilapidated homes of elderly and disabled citizens living in nearby Calistoga. Teaming with Rebuilding Calistoga, a volunteer organization under the sponsorship of Calistoga Affordable Housing, Inc., they contributed to the restoration of nearly 50 residences, half of which were mobile homes. PUC chaplain Roy Ice helped get the college involved and contributed his own efforts to the rebuilding project. “I think that it’s important to show that PUC is a resource to our community, and not the other way around,” Ice says. The project was conceived by Larry Kromann, a retired school principal and PUC church member, who wanted to find a way to help the elderly. He gathered the help and support of community members for the home repair project, and received the sponsorship of Home Depot, which donated a $5,000 gift card and promised to send out 30 of its employees. A ceremony was held on April 25 to recognize everybody who volunteered. Calistoga mayor Jack Gingles publicly recognized PUC’s contribution and expressed his gratitude towards the college’s involvement. “I want you to take a message back to PUC and your...