As part of PUC’s burgeoning Service Learning program, Alisa Jacobo, an instructor in the department of psychology and social work, created a different sort of social work course, one that combines her passion for combatting human trafficking with a four-week service trip to Kolkata, India. “It’s a three-part course,” explains Jacobo. “First the students are prepared, they then go into the field to experience the life first hand, then they come back and spend a quarter debriefing and identify a social action project.” This past summer, Jacobo traveled abroad with several PUC students to see the issue of human trafficking firsthand to gain a better understanding of the crisis. They visited in Kolkata’s Sonagacchi district, the largest red light district in India, where it’s estimated 11,000 women and girls are prostituted every night. While there, students worked with Freeset, a fair trade business offering employment to women trapped in Kolkata's sex trade. “They provide alternative employment for women in the sex trade, many of whom are trafficked,” says Jacobo. “Lack of alternatives is what keeps most women trapped in the sex trade.” A holistic model, Freeset also provides for retirement, healthcare, daycare, and even offers group therapy sessions. PUC students...

On March 30, Pacific Union College welcomed student association officers from 10 other Adventist colleges across North America. Collectively referred to as the Adventist Intercollegiate Association (AIA), the organization gathers each year on the campus of a different Adventist college or university for several days of reflection, worship and community, and professional development planned by the host school. Both current as well as incoming student association officers were present. This year, close to 150 students and sponsors attended the convention, representing Andrews University, Burman University, La Sierra University, Loma Linda University, Oakwood University, Southern Adventist University, Southwestern Adventist University, Union College, Walla Walla University, Washington Adventist University, and host school Pacific Union College. The theme of this year’s convention was “Rethink, Rebuild, Repackage,” with an intentional focus to help students become better leaders, and in turn help them become leaders within the Adventist church. A convention highlight included a panel where students could ask questions of Adventist leaders, including special guests Elder Daniel R. Jackson, the president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists; Daniel Weber, director of Communication for the NAD; Tracy Wood, Youth & Young Adult Ministries Director for the NAD; and Jared Thurmon, Strategic Partnerships Liaison...

On Thursday morning, March 31, the Pacific Union College campus family gathered in the PUC Church sanctuary for a memorial service celebrating the life of Fen Pan, a student who passed away following a tragic vehicle accident on Monday afternoon. College president Heather J. Knight thanked the many students, faculty and staff, and community members in attendance, and noted messages of condolences have been pouring in from other sister college campuses and other Adventist dignitaries around the world. The service was also broadcast online for those unable to attend, including Fen’s mother and 14-year-old brother in Beijing, China. Fen was remembered through shared memories, a homily by campus chaplain Jonathan Henderson, and music, which was particularly meaningful as she was a music major preparing for a career in dentistry. Junior business and pre-dentistry student Ivan Lee, who was Fen’s teaching assistant for her organic chemistry lab, performed “Méditation” from the opera Thaïs by composer Jules Massenet, accompanied by department of music professor Dr. Rachelle Davis. Lee shared he felt moved to perform the piece following news of the accident, and stated, “I remember her being the most positive, diligent, and hardworking person, who always had a smile on her face.”...

Today, the PUC campus community mourns the loss of Fen Pan, an international student from Beijing, China, who died as the result of a car accident Deer Park, Calif., shortly before 2 p.m. Monday, March 28. Fen was one of seven people in the vehicle. The accident remains under investigation. Injured in the accident were Yejin An, from Guam; Ruth Bahta, from Carmichael, Calif.; Soon Joo Hwang and Issac Hwang from Chino Hills, Calif.; Jihyun Kim, from Guam; and Jaeyeong Choi, from Colton, Calif. All have been released from area hospitals. Fen, 20, graduated from Loma Linda Academy in 2014. She was studying music and pre-dentistry at PUC. On behalf of the entire campus community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, we express our deepest condolences to Fen’s family in Beijing, her host family the Saesims in Redlands, Calif., and her friends and fellow students. “Our campus community is saddened by the loss of our dear, sweet Fen Pan. Her love for life was contagious amongst her family and friends. Her beautiful smile, her ability to connect and make close, lifelong friends, and her genuine commitment to loved ones will always be a cherished memory,” says Lisa Bissell Paulson, vice...

On Thursday, March 10, PUC’s Colloquy Speaker Series featured no famous orators, renowned authors, or awe-inspiring filmmakers, but rather its own hardworking class of 2016. Seniors marched down the aisle at the beginning of the program, tassels swinging, in a “practice run” for the long-anticipated graduation on June 12. After all the participating seniors were seated, professor of religion Young-Chun Kim played a brilliant special music, “Etude-Caprice Op. 18, No. 4” by Henri Wieniawski. Following the performance, vice president for academic administration Nancy Lecourt rose to present the senior class, recognizing the number of students graduating with each major, as well as the number of students who will graduate cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude. PUC President Dr. Heather J. Knight then introduced the Colloquy speaker chosen by the class of 2016: professor of communication Dr. Tammy McGuire, who was recognized as PUC’s Professor of the Year in 2011. Dr. McGuire’s message to the senior class focused on the importance of the “in-betweens” of life, and how to not fall prey to the deadly disease of “senioritis.” She said it’s easy to get bogged down in the long, dull stretches of life between day-to-day realities and the...