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Freshman pre-nursing major and student-athlete Liah Ronneburg is a bright blue-eyed Maxwell Scholar who walks around campus with a vision to make a difference with every stride. Passionate about people, she foresees involvement in the school, church, and community as she prepares to become a nurse who embodies the love of Christ.Sonora-based Ronneburg stated that she was instantly drawn to Pacific Union College because of her strong Seventh-day Adventist beliefs and her love for soccer and Northern California, so choosing PUC was a natural choice for her.“I want to be able to look back and be proud of my time here at PUC. I want to say that I made a difference in not just my life, but other people’s lives as well,” said Ronneburg as she was asked about her goal as she foresees the next four years. “I also want to try my best to always be a type of support for my community. I want to help make it better and be there at its lowest.”Prior to joining PUC from Sonora High School, she was not only an achiever of determination and excellence, but a four-year, three-sport athlete with a 4.0 GPA.Behind her accolades, Ronneburg held herself...

Recently, Pacific Union College was gratefully awarded grants of $59,987 for the M.A. in Communication and $74,041 for the Aviation Program, respectively, by the Archie Tonge Education Fund.The first grant will support the new Master of Arts in Communication, a fully online, 43-credit program designed for working professionals who will be prepared for leadership roles in healthcare, ministry, and mission-driven organizations, among others. On a broader scale, this degree will fulfill the market’s demand for roles such as public relations specialists, health services managers, digital media and marketing managers, as well as opportunities in the nonprofit sectors, global missions, and church ministries.PUC’s M.A. in Communication is the only entirely online, professionally focused degree offered within the Adventist higher education system, directly addressing unmet student demand and workforce needs and aligning with PUC’s commitment to developing ethical, Christ-centered leaders for service.These funds will help support various areas within the program, including course and program development, faculty support, including adjunct instructors, administrative support, marketing and student recruitment, and technology and digital tools.The second grant awarded to PUC will help support the Aviation Program’s remarkable turnaround and success over the last few years through God’s blessings and the dedicated efforts of Nathan Tasker,...

The Pacific Union College biology department is proud to announce that its student education and monitoring program for grebes, also known as aquatic diving birds, has been fully funded by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) in November 2025.Scientist in Residence Dr. Scott Butterfield leads this program alongside Biology Professor Dr. Floyd Hayes and Chair of the School of Sciences, Aimee Wyrick. Together, they will collaborate and engage with PUC and Lake County high school students to participate in this novel scientific monitoring project, where they will use drones and AI to study the recovery of Clear Lake’s ecosystems.“Our hope is that by building a monitoring program collaboratively with local high school students that is grounded in new and emerging technologies, we can create something that is sustainable for many years to come,” said Dr. Butterfield.After being approved by the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake, the department received the full funding of $288,988 and officially launched the project with CNRA in November 2025. The project is valid until June 2028.While the department waited for the funding’s approval, they have been diligently working to establish partnerships with the Redbud Audubon Society, Upper Lake High School, Lower Lake...

2020 represented a watershed moment for Pacific Union College, as it faced the full weight of a long-term decline. Years of compounding deficits, organizational downsizing, declining enrollment, and ongoing financial strain began to impact operations severely. The board, administrators, and employees questioned whether PUC could continue to exist. Despite several incremental adjustments, the decline continued. In 2020, it was decided that PUC could not continue with business as usual. In 2021, a new vision plan was implemented.The goal was simple and straightforward: recognize our problems and acknowledge the need for significant changes, all while remaining true to Adventism, our historical mission, and the quality of the PUC campus experience.The vision plan was, in large part, an operational strategy centered on stabilizing the institution, all while maintaining our public image, core mission, and historical legacy. Pacific Union College focused on four key areas: renewing our commitment to the Angwin campus, innovating our academic offerings, expanding our reach and market presence by establishing education centers, and developing online programs.The 2025-2030 vision continues to sustain these four pillars, but with five more focused, strategic objectives to further underline the operational steps taken to bring PUC into a prosperous footing:Experiential Learning: prioritizing hands-on learning...

The story begins with two brothers, Franklin and Calvin: the first students of three consecutive generations and 10 family members who would graduate from PUC.Their father, Dr. Henry Yee, who wanted his sons to pursue a career in healthcare, had become aware of PUC’s strong educational program and deep spiritual environment and enrolled them at PUC.Franklin was then enrolled at PUC Academy, now PUC Preparatory, and graduated in 1951. Calvin, on the other hand, attended PUC at the time before he got drafted into the Korean War for two and a half years. Once Calvin returned in 1954 to continue pursuing his biology degree, he decided to reenroll at PUC, where Franklin joined him.Looking back on their time before graduating together in 1955, they found the campus to be a place where they formed genuine connections with “really good and gentle Christian people.” Their PUC experience helped nourish and deepen their faith in Christianity.After their time at PUC, they both went off to Loma Linda University, where Franklin earned a medical degree and Calvin a dentistry degree, graduating together in 1959.Unfortunately, Calvin passed away in 1972 from a sudden heart attack. He was only 43. Franklin, now 94 years old...

Growing up in the Colorado Rockies, Montana-based nature and outdoor photographer Grant Ordelheide was immersed in beautiful landscapes and in a family that took every opportunity to be outdoors. This exposure instilled a fire within Ordelheide that was beyond a passion for nature. Ever since then, he has been chasing every scene to capture not only in memory, but on camera to share with the world.One of the aspects that brought him to PUC was the accessibility and proximity to so many great places around the scenic Northern California region. “As an aspiring nature photographer, there were so many amazing landscapes that provided the perfect setting to hone my craft. Within a day’s drive from PUC, you could be in Yosemite, Tahoe, or the Redwoods. That was a huge factor in why I chose to attend PUC in the first place.”After he graduated from PUC in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in photography with an emphasis in business, Ordelheide has worked as a freelance outdoor and adventure photographer. He has taken photos for many of the magazines in the outdoor industry, including Backpacker, Climbing, Outside, National Park Journals, and more. Ordelheide also began teaching photo workshops with his...

On May 7, Pacific Union College alumnus Jaymes Cheney was appointed as the next Northern California Conference Treasurer.He was born in Portland, OR, to a passionate family that has dedicated their careers to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Cheney’s life path didn’t fall far from the tree.He grew up north of Vancouver, WA, in Ridgefield, with a mom who worked in Adventist education and a dad who worked in plant services at Adventist Health Portland. Watching his parents and extended family devote their lives to the church sparked a desire in Cheney’s heart to do the same, wherever God would lead him.Coming to Pacific Union College was a no-brainer for him, considering the deep family ties and roots that lie in Northern California. His mom and her family grew up in Napa, and his family would frequently travel down from Washington. When it was time for him to decide on a college to attend, the fond memories of his childhood and the family history of Pioneer graduates drew him near.Cheney graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with emphases in accounting and marketing in 2006. When looking back at his college days, he credits his education at PUC, equipping him well...

From October 6 to 10, Pacific Union College held the fall Week of Worship service featuring guest speaker and ‘15 PUC alumnus Pastor Josue Hernandez.On Monday, Pastor Hernandez began his sermon by reminiscing about his experience as a student at PUC, where he met his wife, Emily, and formed some of his best memories, despite facing challenges along the way. After sharing this, he shifted the direction to Matthew 24:13, where Jesus says, “But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.” Pastor Hernandez stated that this chapter in the Bible serves as a God-given life guide, especially amid the fear and anxiety circulating in the world today.He continued by sharing that many people across generations have endured and navigated turbulent moments, but those who thrive in these difficult seasons have chosen to build their lives on the assurance of God’s love, making Jesus the center.Pastor Hernandez then enlightened students with the perspective on abiding, offering three points: embrace each season, slow down, and trust God. With that, he also shared the story of a moment that changed his life, which was when he found out his father was brain-dead five years ago. He...

Known for its excellent and high-quality, service-oriented degrees on campus and online, Pacific Union College is happy to announce that it has been ranked #12 in Regional Colleges (West) and #3 in California in the same category in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges List.The college continues to offer hands-on, experiential learning tools and skills across many degrees, emphasizing preparation for careers and beyond.PUC now holds the #12 spot in the Overall Rank, #7 in Best College for Veterans, and #16 in Top Performers on Social Mobility– all in the Regional Colleges (West) classification.The college takes pride in the diverse array of students, faculty, and staff who come from different backgrounds and hold many skills, which enrich the campus’s atmosphere, variety, and success.“Our climb in this year’s rankings is another strong sign of PUC's growing momentum. We see it and feel it on campus every day, but it's a testament to our faculty and staff to see this upward trajectory reflected in national rankings, too,” said Academic Dean and Vice President of Academic Administration Lindsay Hayasaka.Another tangible reason for the college’s achievements can be witnessed in the dedication of faculty and staff who continue to make PUC...

Pacific Union College is pleased to announce that Dr. Tamara Tirado has been appointed as the new Dean of Nursing and Emergency Management.Dr. Tirado holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Loma Linda University, a master's in nursing and family nurse practitioner from Sonoma State University, and both bachelor's and associate degrees in nursing from Pacific Union College.Serving as the BSN Program Manager and Professor of Nursing, Dr. Tirado has dedicated 17 years to PUC, bringing knowledge and experience in curriculum development, accreditation, student success initiatives, faculty mentorship, and committee service across the college.Over the past 20 years, she has worked as a registered nurse, family nurse practitioner, clinic manager, and educator, bearing extensive experience to equip future nurses to serve with humility.“I’ve been fortunate to work with dedicated faculty, support passionate students, and help shape programs that truly make a difference. The most rewarding part has been seeing our students grow, both academically and personally, and knowing that we’re preparing them to care for others with excellence and compassion,” said Dr. Tirado.Coming into this new role, Dr. Tirado’s vision entails building on the department’s strong foundation while expanding reach, innovation, and impact, “fostering a learning environment that emphasizes clinical...