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Led by Pacific Union College Scientist in Residence, Dr. Scott Butterfield, a new grebe monitoring project has literally taken "flight" over Clear Lake. Funded by a multi-year grant from the California Natural Resources Agency, and in collaboration with the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake, Redbud Audubon Society, Robinson Rancheria, Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Lake County Land Trust, Anderson March Interpretive Association, California State Parks, and Upper Lake, Lower Lake, and Clear Lake High Schools, the project is focused on developing new drone-based methods that will allow Dr. Butterfield and high school students from across Lake County conduct annual monitoring of grebes, their nests, eggs, and hatchlings at Clear Lake and to help tell the story about how restoration efforts currently happening at Clear Lake are impacting these iconic bird species.This year, like many in the past, the grebes of Clear Lake are tucked into channels and within and behind wetland vegetation that is hard to access, even with kayaks and boats. Over the Memorial Day weekend, American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) Board members Gae Henry and Henry Bornstein used their pontoon boat to carefully guide Dr. Butterfield and his collaborator Donna Mackiewicz from Redbud...

Since 2022, 49 Pacific Union College alumni, and counting, have been involved with Pathways in Science, an alumni seminar series created by PUC Dean of the School of Sciences Aimee Wyrick. When the program was first formed, it only involved the biology department, but over the last two years, it has grown to support all the departments under the School of Sciences: chemistry, global public health, kinesiology and health science, mathematics, and psychology and social work. With four seminars each quarter, Wyrick has connected PUC students with alumni to learn about their careers and broaden their understanding of what the future may hold beyond college.With psychology and social work newly added to the seminar series, alumni Ben Silber, a licensed clinical psychologist, was the first to speak on behalf of his former department in April. As one of 12 alumni speakers this school year for Pathways in Science, Silber was also one of 11 alumni who spoke in person, despite living out of state. For the last four years, Wyrick has welcomed alumni from across the country to speak on campus or remotely, covering careers ranging from biology and biochemistry to biomathematics and environmental sciences.During this school year, several alumni...

From June 15-28, seven students from Pacific Union College joined Loma Linda University’s Students for International Mission Service (SIMS) program for a medical mission trip in Manaus, Brazil. In collaboration with the North American Division (NAD) of Seventh-day Adventists and other Adventist universities, such as La Sierra University, Southern Adventist University, and Washington Adventist University, the Manaus Adventist Conference partnered with these institutions to provide medical and dental patient care, health fairs, and Vacation Bible School to the communities living along the Amazon River.“The locals, especially the children, were so happy to see us,” said PUC Marketing and Communication Videographer Josue Hilario. “Many of the locals took advantage of the medical clinic, and we were able to help out so many people. There would be a long line of people waiting for us in the morning every day, before the medical team even arrived.”Hilario had the great opportunity to join the mission trip as the students’ chaperone and helped out in the clinics, while also working behind the lens to capture the 13-day trip. “I was blessed to have a group of great students who were passionate about serving, learning about the culture, and being there for each other,” he...

From June 9-19, Pacific Union College Signal Security Site Supervisor Jennifer Schooley and the campus safety department organized a Green Move-Out for students to donate any items they no longer needed or couldn’t bring back home. From donation stations outside both the women's and men’s dormitories to Dauphinee Chapel and Brookside Park, donations piled up, including kitchenware, household appliances and furniture, blankets, school and cleaning supplies, sports equipment, and clothes, some with tags still attached.For years, Schooley saw many items students no longer needed at the end of the school year go to landfills, when they would have been better off sent to a thrift store. As she thought about why there was no donation program yet organized on campus, Schooley remembered her mother telling her not to complain if there was a problem, but instead to be the solution. That is when she decided to take matters into her own hands.While collecting donations outside Winning Hall, Schooley shared that a student’s father thanked her for organizing the Green Move-Out and expressed his frustration at seeing dorm appliances and clothes, all in great condition, being thrown out at the end of each school year.“It was a wonderful experience to see...

Pacific Union College is celebrating a significant milestone after receiving a six-year accreditation reaffirmation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a decision that recognizes the college's academic quality, institutional effectiveness, and years of intentional progress.As part of its decision, WSCUC also removed the Notice of Concern previously issued to the college, affirming PUC is operating with greater stability, stronger systems, and a sustainable foundation for the future.Upon receiving the news, Lindsay Hayasaka, PUC’s Accreditation Liaison Officer, felt a flood of gratitude.“Milestones like this don't happen because of one office or one committee—they happen because hundreds of people faithfully do their work every day with excellence and a shared commitment to our mission,” she said. “This outcome is something we can all be proud of."Throughout the process, Hayasaka clearly saw God’s leading in the people He continuously brought together.“At every critical point, the right individuals stepped forward with the expertise and willingness to serve at the moment required,” she said.The accreditation reaffirmation follows a comprehensive review of PUC, examining everything from academics and student success to governance, planning, finances, and institutional effectiveness. It marks the culmination of years of collaborative efforts involving faculty, staff, administrators, and the Board.Those...