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Pacific Union College, in collaboration with PUC Preparatory School, is set to host the Pioneers Invitational Academy Basketball Tournament from January 24-27. This year marks a record turnout for the annual event, featuring participation from 17 academies and 32 boys and girls teams representing schools in California and as far away as Hawaii and Maine.Matt Lee, one of the event organizers and athletic director at PUC Prep, expressed his enthusiasm about the turnout. “We've never had this many schools here for the tournament before, and I'm really excited about all of the energy on campus,” said Lee. “Playing on all three courts creates a great atmosphere and allows a lot of great basketball to happen in just a few days.”The four-day tournament kicks off with the first boys and girls games on Wednesday morning at the Pacific Auditorium. In addition to the games, there will also be a 3-point shooting contest on Friday afternoon. A special award ceremony for participating teams is scheduled for Saturday night, followed by the final championship games. The list of participating academies includes: Armona Union AcademyBakersfield Adventist AcademyCentral Valley Christian AcademyEscondido Adventist AcademyHawaiian Mission AcademyKolbe Trinity PrepLoma Linda AcademyMile High AcademyMonterey Bay AcademyMountain View AcademyNewbury...

The PUC Church resonated with powerful words as David Anthony Johnson addressed students during a special Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service. The event, held in the sanctuary on Thursday morning, Jan. 11, as part of the Community Speakers Series, was dedicated to honoring King’s legacy. The event began with a warm welcome and prayer from Religious Vice President Ashley Castro-Rodriguez. Vice President for Student & Spiritual Life Ryan Smith also welcomed students back for the beginning of the winter quarter. Before showing a short video about the life of King, Smith said he is often remembered for the Civil Rights Movement and getting Black people to vote. “But it’s so much more than that,” he added. “Civil rights was important to so many groups within our country.”Although Johnson is a familiar figure at PUC, it’s been nine years since he last spoke at the college. An accomplished orator and gospel singer, Johnson has been motivating students worldwide, guiding them to use their talents for positive impact in communities.Johnson’s talk focused on “the three Moseses,” drawing parallels between Moses in the Bible, Harriet Tubman, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He shared reflections about his childhood in St. Louis and...

Pacific Union College President Ralph Trecartin announced this week that after nearly 25 years of service, Vice President for Alumni and Advancement Kellie Lind will transition to a new business opportunity in the Napa Valley. Trecartin told PUC staff that Lind’s departure at the end of the month came with “mixed emotions.”“Kellie possesses an exceptional ability to connect with everyone, making each person feel special and important,” Trecartin told the PUC faculty and staff in an email announcement. “Her vibrant personality and warmth exemplify the kinds of friendships and connections that PUC is famous for. While we celebrate Kellie’s exciting new business opportunity, her regular presence on campus will be deeply missed. Going forward, I will continue to welcome her advice and guidance.”Lind’s distinguished career at PUC began in 1991 when she joined the college as the public relations director. Within just two years, then-President Malcolm Maxwell, recognizing her exceptional talent, appointed her as the director of alumni and development. “I owe Malcolm Maxwell a huge debt of gratitude,” said Lind, who, in her time at PUC, also served as the associate director of student enrollment. “Without him, I would not have embarked on a wonderful career helping serve our...

Pacific Union College is proud to announce the accreditation of its Bachelor of Science in Health Science program by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC).Vice President for Academic Administration Lindsay Hayasaka said, “This new degree fills an identified need for students who complete their A.S. at PUC and want to continue with us. We received excellent feedback from WSCUC, our accreditation body, who are pleased to see us extend what is already a strong A.S. program."The college has long been recognized for its pre-professional and allied health programs. This new program is yet another milestone in meeting the demand for qualified allied health professionals.Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences Kimberly Dunker expressed enthusiasm about the program and its accreditation.“This new program continues to show our dedication here at PUC to helping fulfill important needs for health care in our communities,” she said. “We are thrilled to support our Health Science majors in their career endeavors.”The accreditation affirms the program’s quality and aligns with PUC's commitment to meeting students’ needs in aspiring to pursue allied health professions without the lengthier requirements of medical and dental programs. The recently accredited B.S. program emphasizes an interactive and immersive experience and extends...

Many graduates from Pacific Union College’s social work program are eligible for advanced standing options in master’s degree programs. These options involve exemptions from specific coursework, accelerating the overall completion of their master’s degrees. A considerable number of PUC graduates opt to pursue their advanced degrees at Loma Linda University. In November, PUC and LLU formally agreed to establish a 4+1 Master in Social Work program, streamlining the transition from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree for students. This innovative program simplifies the application process for students, requiring only one application and acceptance step. Successful completion of this accelerated social work program results in attaining both a bachelor’s degree from PUC and a master’s degree from LLU. Damaris Perez, chair of PUC’s psychology and social work department, emphasized this program’s importance for the college, saying that successfully navigating graduate school is important for students and receiving support from both institutions is crucial during their academic journey. “This collaborative effort aims to fortify our relationship with sister institutions, fostering a supportive environment for students pursuing advanced education,” Perez said. “We have confidence in the excellence of the MSW program at LLU, and this agreement serves as a testament to the...