Alumni

Pacific Union College hosted a music festival for several academies throughout California in March. During the event, PUC’s Department of Education partnered with the music department to provide a workshop for visiting teachers led by Jennifer Peñaflorida, associate professor of education, and Nicole Nunes-Smith, assistant professor and education director of field experience. Attended by six academy sponsors, the workshop focused on the professional development of culturally responsible music teaching. Specifically for music teachers, Peñaflorida researched what topics would be relevant to them. With culturally pertinent and responsive music teaching in her literature review, she considered the multicultural classroom course that Nunes-Smith teaches and how that would be an interesting frame for thinking. “We thought this topic would be relevant because while music teachers cover so many genres of music, the traditional music taught is Western European music,” said Peñaflorida. “With our K-12 students mirroring the diversity of ethnicities and cultures, we thought this topic would bridge teachers’ knowledge of music education to culturally relevant music education.”This workshop brought many perspectives, reminding Peñaflorida and Nunes-Smith how beneficial these seminars are with educators outside campus. “Sometimes we work in silos here at PUC, and collaboration with other curious educators allows for co-construction...

The film department from Pacific Union College had a lot to celebrate at this year’s Sonscreen Film Festival at Loma Linda University. From April 3-6, PUC film students presented their work, networked with fellow filmmakers, and returned to campus with awards. PUC film students Josue Hilario (A Better View), Fabiola Ixcot (What If…), Alex Parriott (This is Real), Nils Anderson (Decisions), Jacob Capiña (Second Self), and Melaney Klinedinst (Ego) showcased their films, alongside alum Melody Park who also presented her film, The Bard of the Mountain Valley. Watching Park’s thesis film brought a special moment to the weekend as she spoke about her work with former PUC Chair and Professor Rajeev Sigamoney. “It’s an ambitious and heart-warming project,” said Melissa Pratt, assistant film professor. “Many in the audience were moved to tears and inspired by her dedication, art, and storytelling.”Capiña won the Special Jury Award for Mise-en-Scene for his film Second Self, while Klinedinst received the Special Jury Award for Visual Storytelling for her film Ego. For the Pitch Competition, Katya Popravkina came in second place for her film IT. When Popravkina pitched her movie on stage, PUC’s film department sat in the front row to cheer her on. “She...

Pacific Union College is proud to announce a new online Master of Arts in Communication program, currently the only Seventh-day Adventist institution to offer this degree.Tara Hargrove, PUC chair of the Departments of Communication and World Languages, is excited about this new degree program. "I am especially looking forward to possible collaborations with other departments, institutions, and organizations," she said. "Courses are designed by industry professionals and faculty to include real-world experiences and applications, including a study tour experience–location pending! I love that this program is asynchronous and accessible for a wider range of students to add to their skill sets."The degree has three emphases: Communication Research, Strategic Communication, and Health Communication. The program also offers four certificates that can be stacked or taken on their own: Communication Research, Strategic Communication, Health Communication, and Communication.The program is for working professionals who want practical skills in digital communication, media strategy, leadership, and analytics. It equips graduates to excel in dynamic communication roles across industries, including healthcare and denominational employment.Dean of the School of Arts, Humanities, and Professions Milbert Mariano said this new online program means PUC can reach students beyond campus. “We are adding to our list of online graduate programs...

Pacific Union College has relaunched its Associate of Science in Engineering degree—and now, qualified students entering the program will be guaranteed admission into Andrews University’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering program through a newly signed Guaranteed Admission Agreement.This agreement ensures that eligible PUC engineering students will be accepted into AU’s BSE program. To support this partnership, PUC has designed a curriculum that fulfills AU’s transfer requirements, including foundational coursework in engineering, mathematics, and physics.“The agreement with AU means a guaranteed pathway for our students to complete a bachelor’s degree in engineering within the Adventist school system,” said James Robertson, chair of PUC’s mathematics and physics department. “Additionally, it will allow West Coast students to start their college experience closer to home and with friends, then complete their program at Andrews.”The engineering program, relaunching in Fall 2025, was reintroduced at PUC to meet student demand and provide an accessible and mission-aligned entry point into the field. Students benefit from small class sizes and a supportive learning environment tailored to the rigorous demands of STEM education.“Our program has a long history of successfully preparing engineering students,” Robertson added. “The first two years of any engineering program can be difficult, so our faculty...

Noah E. Paulin’s violin has never been silent for long. Nearly 60 years after his passing, Paulin’s beloved instrument—like his legacy—is a testament to music’s lasting power to connect generations in praise to Christ. The violin itself is beautiful and unique–a light golden brown with four strings. The top of the violin, known as the scroll, is carved into the likeness of German composer Felix Mendelssohn. While lovingly maintained, the violin bears the marks of life well-played.A Life of Music and MinistryThere’s no official record of when Paulin acquired the violin, but his own musical journey began long before he became known as the “Patriarch of Howell Mountain.”Paulin nurtured his passion for music at Findlay College from 1898-1901 before touring the country for two years with the Henry Minstrels. In 1905, he moved to Santa Barbara, taking graduate classes and establishing a well-known music studio, where he shared his love of music for nine years. His life took a spiritual turn in 1909 after attending evangelistic meetings by H.M.S. Richards, where he was inspired to join the Seventh-day Adventist Church. From then on, his violin became a tool of ministry, played at camp meetings, church gatherings, and more.In 1914, then...

Theology department Chair, Professor, and published author Jim Wibberding is adding to his literary collection a new book, Walking with the Pioneers: The Captivating Story of West Coast Adventism. The book explores traditional Adventist beliefs as they enmeshed and clashed with the landscape and culture of 1800s California. Wibberding shares the story of “the second founding of Adventism”—a term coined by his wife, PUC History Professor Laura Wibberding—in the “restless land of the Gold Rush;” a lesser-known story than Adventism’s first institutional center at Battle Creek, Michigan. “The book tells stories of how something Ellen White dubbed ‘California liberality’ and what one critic called ‘Western informality’ stirred changes that were huge gifts to Adventism,” Wibberding shared. “These include innovating worship music in 1877, the 1888 message of righteousness by faith, the first missionary ship, a cadre of women in ministry, the first Black person ordained to Adventist ministry, the first Hispanic Adventist pastor in the U.S., a medical empire, and plenty more.”Wibberding’s inspiration to document the perspective on this region’s Adventist legacy began because he lives and serves on the West Coast, but shifted into a deeper pursuit as he sifted through dusty archives. “West Coast Adventism is unique,” he...

What began as a promising career in the music industry—complete with a pop-soul album, an international tour, and the pursuit of fame—took a dramatic turn when Tad Worku felt a deeper calling. Now, with a thriving career that blends healthcare, leadership, and music, Tad’s pursuit lies in spreading hope and healing. Tad, a Pacific Union College alum, graduated with a business degree in 2008. “I really enjoyed PUC—all the great friendships forged there,” he shared. “I loved studying business and had a really good experience the first time around.” However, Tad’s true passion was for music. He spent the next several years pursuing a career in the industry, where he thrived, securing a tour spanning locations worldwide and nearly releasing an album. But Tad found himself searching for something more. That search led him back to PUC in 2012 in pursuit of a different career path. He graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “It was a very intentional decision to come back to school,” he explained. “I returned my tour funding and completely stepped away from the music industry. I asked myself, ‘What’s something I can do where my hands are directly connected to purpose?’ That’s...

From March 22-30, 19 students alongside five nursing faculty and staff from Pacific Union College provided physicals, well visits, and regular physician office and dental care to 311 patients in Mana, Fiji. Students checked patients' vital signs, monitored their glucose levels, and recorded medical history and complaints. With a dentist on duty, students assisted and learned how to give fluoride treatments and educated the community on oral hygiene.Throughout the island, PUC nursing students gave in-home care with a provider to assess their needs. “This is an eye-opening experience as it allows the students to see how the local community lives,” said Sandra Ringer, PUC assistant professor of nursing. “Our lifestyle directly affects our health. It also provides cultural competence as students discover that not everyone lives and functions as we do and then apply health principles that can assist with lifestyle changes. We are not trying to make them live like the Western world, just encouraging healthy surroundings.”While PUC’s nursing department has served in Fiji in past years, this trip was different in a few ways. One of the physicians who has joined these mission trips for the past three years raised $20k to build a medical and dental clinic...

From March 5-8, Pacific Union College hosted nine academies for their music festival, with 171 students participating in the orchestra, choir, and wind ensemble. Schools that attended were:Central Valley Christian AcademyFresno Adventist AcademyLodi AcademyMonterey Bay AcademyParadise Adventist AcademyPleasant Hill Adventist AcademyPUC Preparatory SchoolRio Lindo AcademyUkiah Junior AcademyAfter the visiting students had settled in, the music festival commenced. During the week, students had six hours of rehearsals and sectionals each day preparing for Saturday’s performances.Rachelle Berthelsen Davis, department of music chair and strings director, directed the Festival Orchestra, while Ronnie Zanella, department of music choral director, led the Festival Choir, and Will DeWitt, music teacher at Linda Vista Elementary School, conducted the Festival Wind Ensemble. Professional musicians from the community also coached sectional rehearsals alongside PUC music students, and academy teachers attending the festival.While the primary purpose of the festival was for students to join together through music, the festival also featured its first-ever Showcase Concert: an opportunity for academy musicians to perform from their respective repertoires to show other schools the music they're working on. The Showcase ended with PUC ensembles performing for the academy students. Due to its popularity, PUC's department of music will include this Showcase at future...

On February 22, Rasmussen Art Gallery hosted the annual faculty show featuring work by Pacific Union College’s visual arts department. The featured artwork highlights the diverse and creative practices of PUC Visual Arts Chair Brian Kyle and Professors Amy Cronk Gatdula, Cliff Rusch, Jaymie de la Torre, Melissa Henry Pratt, Mike Murtaugh, and Nephtali Marin.For over 25 years, the faculty art show has been a tradition at the Rasmussen Art Gallery. "The inspiration behind hosting these annual exhibitions is rooted in the belief that practicing what we teach is essential," said Kyle. "The show provides an opportunity for faculty to share their creative work with students, colleagues, and the wider community. It reinforces the value of maintaining an active artistic practice while fostering dialogue and engagement with contemporary art-making processes."The show changes every year; this year focusing on 3D-printed typography, ceramic sculpture, encaustic painting, analog black and white and color photography, digital photography, mixed media, and filmmaking. With no set theme, faculty can explore their creative and artistic skills while showcasing their department's practices from traditional, experimental, and conceptual work. For PUC students, these annual faculty shows allow them to see their professors as artists, bringing their classroom lessons to...