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Sacrifice and freedom are not things people typically pair in the same sentence. But surgeon Scott Nelson, '92, wants his life experience to inspire people to just that — “to make sacrifices and live with freedom.” His story is, in some ways, straightforward. At the age of 8, he felt the first tug of destiny when he visited his grandfather Olavi Rouhe, a surgeon who spent 25 years of his career in central Zaire (and also a 1929 graduate of PUC). That visit sparked Nelson’s ongoing interest in medicine and, he says, “With a sense of adventure and a desire to serve it was only sensible that I would follow in his footsteps.” Other influences were added to his grandfather’s. “I owe a great deal of thanks to Pacific Union College, Adventist education and a heritage of sacrifice and mission which we can proudly share with the world,” Scott says. At the PUC dining commons, Scott met one person who would be a big part of that influence: Marni Miller, ’91. After their PUC graduations, Scott and Marni married. “It is largely because of her sacrifices and encouragement that we have been led to do the work we do,” Scott...

On Monday, April 14, the PUC community received a special opportunity to experience the California premiere of Chinese filmmaker Jian Yi’s documentary, “Super, Girls!” PUC resident artist Mei Ann Teo introduced the screening to a full audience and hosted a Q & A session with the director after the screening. As part of a brief U.S. tour for the film, Yi’s visit to PUC was preceded by a packed screening at NYU and followed a day later by a stop at UCLA. The event presented students and faculty with a chance to experience world-class independent filmmaking.The film, “Super, Girls!” is a provocative and private glimpse into the world of the media machine and how it permeates the most personal depths of Chinese society. It begins by introducing the “Supergirls” singing contest, an anyone-can-win singing game show structured in the tradition of “American Idol.” “Supergirls” quickly became the most popular television show in the nation’s history, garnering nearly 450 million viewers during its peak of recognition in the latter half of its two-year run. The show wasn’t just a sensation, it was a movement. At the height of its popularity, it was banned by the Chinese government on accusations of being...

On April 10-13 in Irvine, California, thousands of people attended the Western Psychological Association’s 88th annual convention. Twenty-three of the attendees were from PUC. Twenty students and three teachers traveled to Southern California to take part in this annual convention where cutting-edge research is presented and world-renowned psychologists present lectures. It is an opportunity for students to be exposed to the professional world of psychology and allows them the opportunity to interact with professionals who have worked or are working in specialized fields of psychology, as well as make valuable academic and professional contacts. But PUC students did not go simply to absorb information; they also shared their own research. Every year a few PUC students spend a great deal of the school year working closely with professors to develop professional papers to present at the convention. Paper topics emerge out of personal interests, labs or previous projects that have gone very well. Students must submit proposals to the convention in November. Once accepted the real work begins. They must refine the work they’ve already done by doing further research and further developing their ideas. Students meet with a professor for at least an hour each week to work on...

Soloists and small ensembles in strings, handbells and chorale will perform a spring concert featuring Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings and works by Walton, Bruch, Chopin, Saint-Saens, Schubert, and others. The Octet for Strings is “a beautiful and exciting work that is not performed frequently because it requires eight very fine string players,” says Rachelle Berthelsen-Davis, PUC professor and orchestra director, “so it is a privilege to have the personnel to do so.” Tickets are $20 for general admission and $18 for members. A portion of the proceeds benefits the PUC music department. Tickets may be purchased online, by phone or at the ticket window at COPIA. Doors open for the concert at 7 p.m. and seating is on a first come, first served basis. For more information, call (707) 259-1600 or go to www.copia.org...

One question stood at the center of this year’s Student Week of Prayer: What do we believe? Despite any misconceptions that young people may have about the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Adventism, the reality, campus chaplain Roy Ice says, is that they are “pretty basic things.” Starting Monday, April 7, and going through the Sabbath of April 12, 11 students shared their unique testimonies on 11 different fundamental beliefs and how they make up the fabric of Adventism. The theme was about understanding your reasons for believing. As Krista Brieno put it, “It is important to know the faith you claim. I say I’m an Adventist, but do I really know what all that includes? The 28 fundamental beliefs really seal the deal in that respect.” Part of the purpose for covering the fundamental beliefs was to clear up the stereotypes. Brieno stated that there is a misconception of the 28 beliefs as “a set of very strict and rigid regulations telling us what we can and can’t do. But they are really inspired and we should be proud of them.” The pattern of breaking down the old stereotypes continued throughout the week. The programs not only gave students a...