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Stress, senioritis and spring fever characterize the third academic quarter. Fortunately, PUC’s wind ensemble and jazz band made a point of contributing an infectious dose of swing and jollity to the mix this spring. May brought a Symphonic Wind Ensemble concert featuring “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas” (complete with accompanying visuals), a stunning “Rhapsody in Blue” starring Kristen La Madrid on piano, and “Carnival of Venice” with Alex Caceres on trumpet. Then, despite looming finals, the Jazz Band’s June concert attracted a vociferously appreciative audience to Paulin Hall. The relatively young band has quickly become highly popular—and rightly so. With an easy-going atmosphere, big band tunes that keep listeners feeling amazingly cheery long after the concert’s over, and awe-inspiringly talented musicians, the Jazz Band is something no one wants to miss. The superb contributions of guest saxophonist Guido Fazio added yet another layer of appeal to the band’s June 5 concert. An acclaimed San Francisco musician, Fazio is an old classmate of band director Kenneth Narducci and is also the current saxophone teacher of Darren Wheeler, PUC student and Jazz Band saxophonist. As always, the crowd demanded “one more!” at the end of the concert—and were rewarded with one last foot-tapping...

In a highly entertaining colloquy program, an astonished Aubyn Fulton was declared 2005 Educator of the Year. His gleeful wife and children escorted him to the platform amid an uproar of applause, where he received congratulations and quite a bit of good-natured “roasting” from assorted friends, family members, students and colleagues. The all-school colloquy program included a slide show that gave a condensed history of Fulton’s life, including his college afro and his obsession with the Lakers. Fulton’s sister, senior psychology majors, and members of the psychology and social work department were among those who chimed in with commentary on Fulton’s wardrobe (including the ever-askew tie), his spelling skills, and his campaign to avoid being educator of the year. A PUC faculty member since 1988, and also an alumnus, Fulton has had plenty of time to make his mark at the college. When the audience could catch their breath between laughing at the comic jabs made at Fulton’s lecture mannerisms and perpetual white tennis shoes, they received a very clear message about Fulton’s high academic expectations, his activism, his influence on students’ lives, and many other characteristics that make him a beloved and respected figure on campus. Scott Fillmore, one...

Despite a dismal day of mud and pouring rain, Fiddler on the Roof opened with a full house, a superb performance and a standing ovation. PUC’s Napa Valley Musical Theatre performed two shows in Yountville’s Lincoln Theater on Sunday, May 8. Three more performances will follow on May 14 and 15. Judy Park of the public relations office came back with the “Matchmaker” song stuck in her head. Previously unfamiliar with Fiddler, she found the play to be highly satisfactory. “The songs were really catchy,” she said, “and there was a lot of humor. My favorite parts were the group scenes—they were really well choreographed.” Student Nina Hansen was blown away by the acting and singing skills of the faculty members in the cast. Having a live orchestra, she added, made the performance even more superb. Community members (who made up the majority of the crowd) had such comments as “wonderful!” and even “flawlessly done.” With performances stretching several hours long, the cast and crew are tired; but they’re rewarded by the positive response of the audiences. We salute their hard work and excellent performance!...

Rasmussen Art Gallery is never so full as on the opening night of the annual Student Art Show—and this year was no exception. The foyer and lobby were packed to capacity with student artists and their friends, family, teachers, and whoever else happened to show up. Between heads and shoulders, one could catch glimpses of an impressive array of artworks in many different media, including ceramics, photography, painting, drawing and print-making. Prizes in each of the categories went to student artists....

With a grand combination of college students, the Patriot Act, and harp music, PUC’s chapter of Amnesty International (a human rights advocacy group) hosted the April 13 all-school colloquy program. The group brought to the platform Lawrence Swam, executive director of Interfaith Freedom Foundation, Ameena Jandali of Islamic Network Groups, and a tremendously well-received harp performance by a chapter officer. Assistant chapter coordinator Sean Metherell opened the program with a description of Amnesty International, emphasizing that it promotes the “impartial protection of human rights.” PUC’s chapter has been meeting for several years now, and their primary means of involvement is through writing letters for specific human rights issues. Currently the group is focusing on Sudan and also on the Patriot Act. Swam spoke briefly about Interfaith Freedom Foundation and associated issues before introducing Jandali, who discussed the Patriot Act and issues regarding treatment of Muslims—specifically “Islamophobia.” Jandali’s presentation was clear and articulate, and she spoke not only from a well-informed, analytic point of view but also from her own personal experiences. A question-and-answer session with Jandali was scheduled to follow the colloquy program, and a panel discussion on the Patriot Act was set for that evening, with four faculty members...