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Pacific Union College’s Rasmussen Art Gallery presents a thrilling journey to the ends of the earth in Jerry Dodrill’s photographic exhibition Outside Reality. From November 4 to December 10, experience Dodrill’s love of rock climbing and land exploration through his display of breathtaking color photographs. There are few places in the world that the eye of Dodrill’s camera has not seen. Man versus nature is displayed in full effect, as sheer cliffs and unexplored landscapes carry viewers to a previously unchallenged world. Dodrill also includes written experiences of the adventures behind the images. Dodrill graduated from PUC in 1997. As a senior, he saw his photography rise to national fame with a second-place in the 1997 Mumm/Academy of Art Collegiate Photography Competition. Dodrill’s work also caught the attention of renowned photographer Gaylen Rowell, who hired Dodrill to work at his Mountain Light Photography studio....

This December, Pacific Union College will launch the Christmas season with two days of music celebrating the season of Christ’s birth. Put on by the PUC Music department, the concerts will spotlight voices, strings, handbells, brass instruments, and an orchestra. The performances, on December 8 at 8 p.m. and December 9 at 4 p.m., will take place in the Pacific Union College Church Sanctuary. Highlighting each concert are two holiday favorites: Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria and Arcangelo Corelli’s Christmas Concerto. In addition, both PUC’s Brass Ensemble and English Handbell Choir will perform. ...

The Elmer Herr Adventure Series and Pacific Union College present "The Faces of Italy," a vibrant and personal travelogue by Dale Johnson. This film explores the homeland of many of the world's most brilliant and imaginative individuals, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Galileo. Johnson's film reveals the intricate and rich history of this intriguing country fused with the energy of Italy today. The warmth of the Italians shines throughout this comprehensive tour of the memorable sites of Florence, Milan, Rome, and Naples. Let the locals take you to the Colosseum, the Forum, and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Join them in a gondola in Venice or at the Leaning Tower of Pisa....

The Elmer Herr Adventure Series presents an investigative travel film entitled Mystery Tales of Europe. This film was created by prize winning journalist Hal McClure and features four puzzling European mysteries set against the backdrops of London, Bavaria, Vienna, and Transylvania. We will visit the London Tower, possible site of the deaths of the "Little Princes." Were they really murdered by their uncle, Richard III? Bavaria is the home of fairy tale castles, several of which were built by the mad King Ludwig II. Was his death an accident or murder? The famous Vienna Woods are the site of an old mystery as well. Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria and his mistress were found shot to death in his hunting lodge. What really happened? Finally, we will visit Romania to investigate the Transylvanian legend. How did folk hero Prince Vlad Tepes Dracula become the fictional and famous Count Dracula? While searching for the answers to these historical questions, Hal McClure also shows us many of the beautiful and interesting sites of England, Austria, Bavaria, and Romania....

May the people praise You, O God; may the people praise You. -- Ps 67:3 The youth of today have been pummeled with accusations of tepid spirituality and terminal apathy. For a generation that represents the future, hope is said to have dissipated. However, these rumors are weightless, and the truth resounds louder than . . . an electric guitar? A little over a year ago, Daneen Akers, former assistant student chaplain at PUC, had listened to the frustrations of students who wanted to be involved in campus ministries, but had no suitable outlet. A group of freshmen, they were a new generation of young adults who had found spirituality in Christian rock bands. "They had musical talent and were on fire for God," says Akers. "So we decided to create an atmosphere where they could have the freedom to play whatever type of praise music they wanted." Students quickly formed committees and carefully sketched out agendas. Within a short time, they had made a Sabbath School program, and the worship meetings, aptly named Praise Project, became a regular event. Praise Project now welcomes 100-150 students each week. "Our main objective is to create an environment where people can get...

A slice of American history has found a home at Pacific Union College. U.S. Representative Frank Riggs recently donated his congressional papers to the PUC archives. The framed documents were ceremoniously presented at a luncheon at PUC in December. The contribution also includes official papers on CD-rom, along with Riggs' political and personal memorabilia. Most of the collection will be available to the public, although the details for display and accessibility have yet to be worked out. This is Riggs' second major collaboration with the college. Earlier this year, Riggs helped PUC with a community project, securing a $500,000 grant for the college's ground-breaking of the Napa Valley Community Resource Center. The center, to be based in Napa, will offer various courses to the public at reduced costs, in hopes of providing educational opportunities to a wide audience. Riggs called the project an "exciting new chapter in PUC as it continues its outreach to the community."...

On January 23, the Elmer Herr Adventure Series will present Europe's Small Wonders, a travelogue by Jim McDonald. This film features Europe's tiniest nations: Andorra, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. Although these countries are often overlooked because of their diminutive size, each contains a fascinating microcosm of traditional splendor and modern glory. McDonald's presentation will illuminate the hidden enchantment of these miniature kingdoms. His tour will show ancient towers, ageless castles, charming villages, and towering alpine vistas. He will also explore some of the modern achievements of these nations....

The first Paul C. Heubach Lectureship in Religion at Pacific Union College welcomes Lonnie Melashenko as the inaugural speaker.The lectureship honors Paul Heubach, a distinguished and beloved individual graduated from PUC in 1935. He has pastored at several leading churches on the West coast, taught at several college, and authored five baooks along the way. Greg King, chair of the religion department at PUC, describes Heubach as "the type of person who is able to make theology practical and use it to draw people to Christ." The PUC religion department wants the Heubach Lectureship to explore the contemporary relevance and meaning of the great themes of the Christian faith. Heubach desires that the series focus on "God and His plan of salvation," to help people have "much more confidence in God."Melashenko is the director-speaker for the Voice of Prophecy, the oldest, continuous, religious radio broadcast in North America. He has traveled all overthe world, speaking in places from New Zealand to Brazil. His lecture on Thursday evening is titled, "Hippos in the Garden: After the Bible, Then What?" The message highlights the astonishing disregard for the Bible today, and the rise of reckless faith –– in which people are looking...

On Thursday, March 4, Pacific Union College presents the contemporary Christian recording artists, 4HIM, in concert. The concert will feature the exciting sounds of their new album, Obvious, which will be released in April. 4HIM, one of Christian music's most popular groups, features pop vocal harmonies with purposeful lyrics and fresh instrumentation. 4HIM's music has always been strongly focused on God, and displays that focus through well-crafted harmonies and inspirational lyrics. Their latest album is titled Obvious to convey their message: that one's beliefs and faith should be obvious to all. They feel that this is the Christian believer's responsibility and quest, and they strive to use their music to fulfill that commitment. The group formed in 1990, and since then has produced seven albums and nearly twenty number one hit singles. They have also received many awards, including a Grammy nomination in 1997, multiple Dove Awards, and a CCM Magazine "Song of the Year" Award in 1994. The sound of 4HIM shows influences from such groups as Chicago and Kansas. Throughout the years, the sound of their music has changed and matured. Their latest album features more guitar sounds, and it is more natural than previous recordings. The theme...

Pacific Union College is now offering a Degree Completion Program (DCP), which allows a working adult to continue his or her education, while still working full-time, and receive a bachelor's degree. This accelerated program enables the student to obtain a degree in twenty to twenty-two months by attending an evening class only one night a week. The classes are located close by, based in either Napa or Santa Rosa. The Degree Completion Program is especially designed for the student trying to balance family, career, and education by providing easily accessible classes which meet only once a week. There are currently three programs offered by the DCP, Early Childhood Education, Management, and Criminal Justice. The course in Early Childhood Education qualifies students to meet the new State guidelines for day-care and pre-school professionals. This program emphasizes the process of planning, administering, and developing programs for young children. Many core topics, including speech and language development, behavior, and counseling, will be covered by the course. This class will convene in Napa on Monday, February 15. The Management program is designed to help develop the administrative and leadership skills necessary to assume a business leadership position. Classes are taught in seminar or workshop...