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Pacific Union College presented its annual fall revival week from Monday, Oct. 5, through Sabbath, Oct. 10. The week’s featured speaker, Campus Chaplain Jonathan Henderson, focused on “The Adventist Advantage,” a platform developed by President Heather Knight which emphasizes the value of being Seventh-day Adventist in a contemporary world. The week’s events were designed to emphasize the seven points of “The Adventist Advantage,” which are meaning and purpose found by a connection with Christ as our personal savior; health, wellness, and a wholesome lifestyle; education, caring about the life of the mind and lifelong learning; ethics and morals; generous service; diversity; and stewardship of the earth, which is tied to the Sabbath. Services were packed with shared testimonies, special musical, and heartfelt prayers. Henderson emphasized the importance of the PUC campus becoming a cohesive, support-driven community, with every member fully committed to “fighting for the rights of those who are marginalized.” Henderson also called for an increase in the mindset of service, which is intended to be a key component of the PUC experience. “If you’re willing to let Christ be your companion,” Henderson claimed, “then you will have a happiness that will never fade.” Various altar calls during the...

Pacific Union College kicked off its 2015-16 academic year on Thursday, September 24, with the Opening Convocation, where speaker Dr. Arnetha F. Ball encouraged students to pursue God’s plans for them during their time at PUC. The service began with the traditional procession by PUC faculty in full academic regalia. The string section of the PUC orchestra followed with a brief musical performance. President Heather J. Knight welcomed a packed PUC Church to the beginning of the new school year and introduced Dr. Ball, whom she befriended while working on her doctoral degree at Stanford University. Christian vocalist Margie Rice Oliver wowed the audience with a solo of “I Believe,” a song chosen specifically to align with the Convocation theme. Dr. Ball, professor of education and co-director for the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Language (CREAL) at Stanford University, set the tone for the academic school year. She told students God’s plan for them involved the Christian education being provided for them at PUC. “I believe that God has a plan for your life,” she asserted. “You’re here, right where God wants you to be,” she affirmed. Ball’s talk, entitled “I Believe,” drew from her personal history growing up in...

Summer break is officially over for PUC students. As classes begin, the campus celebrates the commencement of the new school year with the annual Week of Welcome (WOW) celebration. WOW events aim to introduce students to the PUC campus and community and include an exciting mix of academic, social, and spiritual activities. “We are thrilled about the beginning of a new academic year at Pacific Union College with all of its wondrous possibilities,” said Dr. Heather Knight, PUC’s president. “The Week of Welcome is a very special time for students to experience the warmth and hospitality of the PUC community while having a lot of fun and bonding together.” Even before the first 8:00 a.m. class commenced Monday morning, members of the campus community mobilized to invite the Lord to bless the new academic year. On Sunday night, individuals gathered in front of Irwin Hall to participate in the annual campus prayer walk. PUC Chaplains Jonathan Henderson and Shantel Smith along with PUC Church Pastor Mark Witas led students, faculty, staff, pastors, church members, and administrators in joint prayers. The group broke into five teams and travelled all over campus, praying for each building, its occupants, and PUC! Robell Nyirendah,...

On Saturday, September 12, a fast moving wildfire broke out about 1:24 p.m. in the Lake County area of Northern California. Known as the Valley Fire, it continues to advance, and currently 50,000 acres have been burned with zero containment. On Sunday, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for the areas impacted by the fire. Overnight, the fire moved into Pope Valley (Napa County) and created a mandatory precautionary evacuation in parts of North Angwin. The college and the town of Angwin have not been evacuated and are not in immediate danger at this time. Remaining under mandatory evacuation are the communities of Cobb, Hidden Valley Lake, Loch Lomond, Middletown and Seigler Canyon; Highway 29/Highway 53 in Lower Lake to Highway 29 at Tubbs Lane in Calistoga in Napa County; Butts Canyon Road to the Napa County line, including Berryessa Estates; and Butts Canyon Road to Pope Valley. According to the Sheriff's Office, advisory evacuations are in effect for Livermore Road, Summit Lake Road and north of the community of Angwin. An incident Command Center opened at Pacific Union College in the parking lot located beside the Advancement Office last night. Winning Hall is open to offer temporary...

Christopher Lawrence, a junior accounting major, was among 33 college students and recent graduates accepted into the 2015 Leadership Development program at Adventist Health Systems. One of over 100 applicants from a variety of higher education institutions, Lawrence is the only student from California and one of three students from the west coast selected to participate. The competitive selection process focused on a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors such as academic performance, community service, leadership potential, and an interest in the health care industry. “This program serves as a vehicle to launch them into a career in health care,” said Norman Miles, AHS’s director of Leadership Development, in a report released by the organization. “It’s an awesome opportunity for interns and residents to develop a deeper understanding of the nuances within the industry, hone their skill sets, and develop a context around what they need to do to prepare for a career in health care.” During his 12-week internship at Adventist Heath’s Florida Hospital Tampa, Lawrence is gaining hands-on experience in areas such as supply chain, human resources, and patient financial services. “So far, I have worked on numerous projects this summer, ranging from strategic operations to finance and...