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Is there a secret to great teaching? L. Monique Pittman, assistant professor of English, pauses only for a second before answering. "Well, it has to be my absolute conviction that what I am doing matters and has great importance." On May 21, Pittman became the youngest professor to receive the Educator of the Year Award here at PUC. Seated in a "throne" of sorts, Pittman was honored by students and fellow faculty members in what was supposed to be a roast, but turned out to be a touching tribute. She was lauded for many things, from her impeccable fashion sense to her one page, single-spaced responses to her students' papers. "I'm very sensitive, so I'm glad it wasn't a roast," smiles Monique. "The whole morning turned out to be overwhelming emotionally, because people usually don't say such nice things in such a short amount of time." Surprisingly, Pittman didn't really intend to become a teacher. Early childhood photos show her dressed in medical garb, giving her mother a shot with a plastic syringe. She seriously considered going into marketing, so that she could do promotions for the arts. Entering into her freshman year at Andrews, she registered as undecided. It...

Wednesday, April 29, two key issues were discussed at Pacific Union College's regular meeting of the board of trustees: faculty wages and the possible sale of PUC property. The board voted to increase salaries and benefits for faculty and staff to the mean paid by similar Christian institutions in the area. The increased wages are contingent on raising additional funds, which is as yet an unresolved discussion. As for the sale of land, no definite decisions were made. The board simply voted to meet again on June 15 after more dialogue. College president, Malcolm Maxwell, has established an intranet newsgroup for continued dialogue among campus employees and students, and he encourages response from the school's constituency. The Finance Committee did, however, favor the concept of selling land in order to "establish an endowment to maintain the fiscal integrity of the institution, to fund an increase in faculty salaries, and to retire college debt, and." But after further deliberation, the board decided that more discussion and feedback was needed before a decision could be made....

On Wednesday, May 20, 120 golfers gathered at the Silverado Country Club to take part in the 6th annual Napa Valley Golf Tournament. The weather was cool and sunny-a surprisingly golf-friendly day considering this year's winter. The tournament, hosted by Pacific Union College, raised money for the college's worthy student scholarship fund, and provided an opportunity for good natured competition and a fine day on the greens. The tournament consisted of 18 holes of golf in a two-best, foursome play. Special awards were given for the longest drive and the closest to the pins on all par 3's. A 1998 Chevrolet Malibu also sat glistening on the course, the prize for a hole in-one. Alas, no miracle strokes were recorded, so no one left the course with a new car, courtesy of Epps Chevrolet Pontiac Oldsmobile Inc. in St. Helena. Of special note, the Napa Valley Service Club Championship perpetual trophy was awarded to the St. Helena Rotary team, as the top Napa Valley service club foursome. Alex Fox, assistant director of development at PUC, said that the Napa Valley Golf Tournament was, "just a good old home town kind of thing... raising money for local kids." An awards dinner...

It's become a summer tradition at Pacific Union College to see 5th-12th graders working on their lay-ups, their jump-shots, and their ball-handling. This summer, PUC, located in Angwin (north Napa Valley) will host the fourteenth annual Lavin Basketball Camp, offering two camps. The boys' camp will take place July 26-31, and the girls' camp will take place August 2-7. Cap Lavin began his Lavin Basketball Camps to provide boys and girls the skills to become better high school and college basketball players. Sessions are taught by top experts, including Steve Lavin, UCLA basketball coach (national rookie coach of the year). What's more, campers learn to enjoy the game itself in a fun, disciplined environment. Gene Keady, head coach at Purdue University, said, "I think the Lavin Basketball Camp is the finest camp in America." All the camps include clear instruction in basketball fundamentals, with an emphasis on both defense and offense. The games played at the camp will be refereed by a staff of instructors with NCAA Division 1 experience. And because life is not all basketball, there will be time for swimming, highlight films, and a few surprises....

Pacific Union College, entering its 117th academic year, began the fall quarter with Week of Prayer, celebrating "One Light, Many Reflections." The theme, signifying the many way in which we all reflect God, was a collaborative effort that came about after several meetings with all the scheduled speakers. It is an appropriate title for more reasons than one. The majority of the speakers were professors, and each came from a different area of study or campus department, offering varying perspectives on one fundamental truth. Another interesting element involving perspective surrounded the fall week of prayer is the series featured all women speakers. In the past PUC has used a series format when planning the week of prayer. Last fall the religion department headed the week of prayer and the previous year welcomed a group of successful business people. Each group provides a unique perspective on what is familiar ground to all. "We've had different series like this in the past, and they have always worked well," says Mike Dunn, chaplain. "This year we realized that we had never heard from our faculty and staff women, so we thought it would be a great way of continuing the series." None can...

Over the past few months, you may have heard that the college has considered selling some land. It's an option PUC has prayerfully explored, seeking out the advice of experts and the opinions of the college's constituents. Because so many people genuinely and passionately care about PUC's future, the discussion has been widespread. Unfortunately, some incorrect information has circulated, so we want to report on what is (and isn't) happening. An Overview The finance committee, a subcommittee of PUC's board of trustees, met last March to explore ways to achieve the three goals outlined in PUC's new strategic plan. For sure, the goals are bold and worthy: [1] Access, [2] Quality, and [3] Resources. ACCESS: PUC will make Christian liberal arts education more accessible to qualified applicants by expanding PUC's capacity to provide financial assistance and by providing expanded delivery systems. QUALITY: PUC will enhance our program of continuous and intentional development of faculty and staff to their highest potential in order to ensure distinctive student learning outcomes. RESOURCES: PUC will support academic excellence by generating resources adequate to promote and fund the twin goals of access and quality. Tackling this brave plan, the committee favored the concept "of a...

The new school year always receives a host of fresh faces. But in the midst of greeting all the bewildered freshmen, don't forget that our faculty list also has a few new names. Nursing experienced a bit of shuffling earlier this year. When Les Stahlnecker left the department, Carol Williams took his place, bringing Joan Hughson to take over her former responsibilities as the skills lab coordinator. Rosemary Garret is the second new member, replacing Carol Clay in pediatrics. While Janet Borisevich pursues her doctorate degree at the University of Northern Arizona, Sandra Ingram will be teaching several ESL classes along with helping out the Dramatic Arts Society. Leo Ranzolin Jr. joins the religion department this year, filling in where John McVay left off, as assistant professor of Biblical Studies. He has studied at Boston University for the past four years and will be teaching classes on the New Testament. Terrence Branster comes to the PUC technology department all the way from Australia, heading the digital media technology program after 20 years of experience working in the field. And finally, but certainly not least, Paul McGraw will be teaching half time for Eric Anderson. During the next year, Anderson will...

The typical college student is up by eight o'clock in the morning, in class by nine, works a few hours, studies, and even manages to squeeze in some hefty socializing before falling into bed sometime near midnight. If only Colleen Daniels could have had it so easy. Two years ago she went back to school, and her life went from full to overflowing. A single mother, Colleen was working 40-plus hours and raising two children. Between work and driving her kids to cheerleading practices, karate, and boy scouts, her life was hectic enough without adding the stress of midterms and papers. Returning to school was an inconceivable option. That is, until three years ago. After 25 years of working in a dental office, Colleen thought she might be ready for a change. After looking into several possibilities she discovered that few businesses were willing to hire someone without a bachelor's degree. "I realized that as long as I didn't finish college, where I was in my career was as far as I could go," says Colleen. "I wanted more from my life." Determined to finish college, Colleen enrolled in a degree completion program that offered Thursday evening classes. It was...

Two years ago Verlyn Benson, associate professor of Technology at Pacific Union College, hunted for graduate schools, searching for a university that would not only offer a strong technology program but also a graduation ceremony on a day other than the Sabbath. "I did not participate in my Master's ceremony because it took place on the Sabbath," says Benson. "So it was one of the things I looked for." To his surprise, the University of Northern Iowa bulletin listed a Friday graduation during the summer. Days after he enrolled, the school's decision to cancel summer commencement exercises was announced. The remaining two ceremonies would proceed on Saturdays. When it came time to select a graduate studies committee, Benson carefully surveyed the possibilities before choosing Dr. Ervin Dennis as the committee chair and his advisor. But Benson let it be known that there was a special clause that accompanied his request. "I knew it was an honor for the advisor to confer the degree during graduation," says Benson. "But I told him that would not be possible with me, since I am a Seventh-day Adventist." Although disappointed, Dr. Dennis replied that it would not stop him from chairing the committee. Over...

PUC began its 117th academic year, not only with a new class of freshmen, but with changes in the administration as well. After 16 years of serving as the vice president for financial administration, Tom Hopmann announced his retirement last spring. John Collins was recently invited to be Hopmann's replacement. Collins, an alumnus of PUC, came to the college in 1988 to work as the vice president of student administration and enrollment management. In turn, Lisa Bissell Paulson, who came to PUC in 1995 as vice president of public relations, took the place of Collins, becoming vice president for student services, public relations, and enrollment. Along with overseeing the PUC's public relations office, Paulson is also responsible for all campus life outside of the classroom. Hopmann will continue to work part-time, focusing on special projects for the President....