PACIFIC UNION COLLEGE • VOL 40.2 President’s Message PACIFIC UNION COLLEGE • VOL 40.2 A Firm Foundation Cover photo: Stefaan Dick, ’19 As president of PUC, I am blessed Creating real friendships and experiencing authentic community STAFF to have opportunities to get to allows our students to strengthen social bonds. Students make the Executive Editor know our students. Meeting and type of friends that last beyond the class final exam and even beyond Haley Wesley interacting with student lead- graduation—we see this when friends reunite at Homecoming Editor ers and various student groups Weekend decades after graduation. Having a community of fellow Larissa Church, ’08 here at PUC has been one of the students and professors to lean on that shares your values, supports Managing Editor most rewarding experiences for me as president of the college. I am your Christian walk and encourages your dreams throughout a Dana Negro, ’10 continually impressed by the passion, creativity, and commitment of lifetime is invaluable and is one of the unsung gifts of Adventist Layout & Design our students. Whether it is interacting with the Student Association, higher education. Heidi Lukowicz, ’99 attending and participating in our conversations about current issues Carrie White, ’11 at PUC Talks, attending the Diogenes Film Festival, or hearing their Our Pioneers are also transformed by the natural beauty they encounter at PUC. Serene forests and tranquil expanses of grass Photographers stories, I am blessed to serve PUC’s amazing students. As I look at Bruno de Oliveira, ’21, this year’s graduating class, many of them have plans for graduate or and sky would do wonders for anyone’s soul, and PUC has these in Tristan Melton, ’20, Nikki Neumann, ’17, professional school or have accepted offers of employment to begin abundance. I find great peace from experiencing the beauty God Annie-Marie Tabura, ’20 their lives after graduation. As faculty, staff, and administration, we surrounds us with here on Howell Mountain. Seeing study groups on Contributors acknowledge and accept the sacred responsibility to educate and the lawns or passing a runner or biker out on the trails in the PUC Sebastian Anderson, ’21, mentor each student in their spiritual, emotional, and intellectual Demonstration Forest tells me I’m not alone in turning to nature to Andy Demsky, ’99, Herbert Ford, ’54, relieve stress and strengthen my mental health. Kellie J. Lind, ’82, Leticia Russell, ’93, development as they prepare for a life of service and commitment in Becky St. Clair, Cambria Wheeler, ’08 their chosen profession. Most important is the spiritual experience our students have at PUC. PUC ADMINISTRATION For many, the college years can be full of questions, doubts, and I am proud that at Pacific Union College, we support strong Pio- President FEATURES HIGHLIGHTS neers in a process of transformation. As we support, educate, chal- challenges to faith. Having a strong community of faith surround- Robert A. Cushman Jr. ing you during this time provides a safe space to learn and grow 14 A Pioneer is ... lenge, and guide, we see the transformation of students into strong, Vice President for Academic 12 A Tribute to Dr. Lecourt capable scholars, and stewards. in God’s love. By integrating faith and learning in the classroom, Administration 24 How to Make the professors serve not just as academic experts but also spiritual men- Nancy Lecourt 16 A Look at PUC Academics Through our rigorous academics, students are strengthened for tors. That doesn’t mean we shirk away from tough questions; instead, Vice President for Financial Most Out of Your bright futures, and minds are honed for calling and career. Small we encourage honest conversations built on faith and trust in Christ. Administration PUC Adventure class sizes allow for true engagement between classmates and pro- Students are surrounded by faithful mentors out of the classroom Brandon C. Parker fessors, sparking deep conversations and inviting new discoveries. as well, as chaplains, campus leaders, resident advisors, and peers Vice President for Student Life PROFILES 28 What Inspires a Pioneer? Hands-on experiences offered through research and internships put pray together, serve together, and study the Bible together. Through Jennifer Tyner knowledge into action as lessons from the classroom are illustrated fostering this spiritual environment, our prayer is that students are Vice President for Alumni 6 Justin Wilson 30 Homecoming and ingrained in memorable ways. strengthened in their relationship with the greatest Friend of all. & Advancement Weekend 2019 Kellie J. Lind 26 Bethany Erb Through service, our students’ hands and hearts are strengthened to For in the end, we know the strongest, most enduring transforma- Vision Statement: improve the lives of others. We are proud of the number of Pioneers tion our students will experience is through the immeasurable love ViewPoint, the journal of Pacific Union 32 William Johnson who spend time in service during their PUC experience, whether it’s of God. The most awe-inspiring mountain and deepest canyon pale College, connects PUC’s alumni and through volunteering for a week or two or dedicating a whole year in scope to Christ the solid rock. We hope the PUC experience influ- friends in a community that celebrates the college’s activities and stories, as a student missionary. Many classes integrate a service component ences students for a lifetime, yet God’s grace endures forever. and supports the continuation of its ALUMNI NEWS so students can utilize their growing expertise to improve the world. mission into the future. ViewPoint It is exceptionally transformative for our students to encounter aims to provide quality features about topics relevant to our community; 36 Class Notes different walks of life and to follow Christ’s example of compassion- news about the college and alumni; ate care to all. Often, these opportunities show students an inner and means to unite, motivate, and 38 In Memory strength and ability they didn’t know they had. When our students inspire. see the difference they can make and discover their gifts and talents, 39 Weddings & Births Dr. Robert A. Cushman Jr. Produced by the Pacific Union College their passion for service to God and desire to care for humanity public relations office for the alumni grows stronger. President and friends of the college. © 2019, Pacific Union College Printed in the U.S.A. ViewPoint VOL 40.2 3 PUC GETS SOCIAL @PUCNow Adventure« photographer #PUCAdventures and alum, DJ Struntz speaks at PUC. #PUCAlumni @PUCNow @PUCNow PUC« EMS volunteers on How did we get so lucky? their way to Paradise to help #TheseViews #PUCAdventures @PUCNow PC: @stefaanconrad during the #CampFire. Early« Music History field trip to San Francisco! #PUCMusic @PUCStudentLife Rain« or shine, PUC students « @PUCArt serve the Berkeley community A huge thanks goes out to designer and every weekend. #Service PUC alumna, Rhonda Kim, for inspiring our @PUC_berkeley_hm students at today’s visual arts colloquium. @PUCArt Among her many accomplishments, she Inspiring creative community. designed #NFL team logos for the Seahawks, #pucartalbion19 Dolphins, Titans, and Buccaneers. @PUCNow @PUCNow PUC« gave me a lot of Congratulations« to PUC’s opportunities to work 2019 Educator of the Year, one-on-one with my Dr. Robin Vance! professors. The skills & ------------------------ techniques I developed & @geeskee85 He’s the perfected helped me land @chellseaaniicolleee Aww my dream job at Rip Curl. yay!! @camnmitch, ’16, senior @PUCBiology Alaska is @PUCNow ALERT! The graphic designer, Rip Curl @janpjernigan So happy definitely bear country! Angwin Market has a new ------------------------ for Dr. Vance! He @camnmitch most certainly deserves it! #Alaska #Ecology sign! #AngwinGossip Love you guys! @alcaway Best physio class ever! @spidervye So Worthy! @PUCNow #KenpoWithKatz @puc.abl Aerial silks class at @PUCNow Mission Trip to the Wellness Studio. Masai Mara. 4 Pacific Union College VOL 40.2 ViewPoint VOL 40.2 5 “What we focused on during a lot of the riffs was that feeling “McGee let me express myself in of flying,” Wilson explains, “like when Spider-Man is zipping through the air with his webs.” several genres, and made the Although he dedicates many hours a week to it, including serv- [PUC] music department a safe ing as the music director at his home church, Mt. Rubidoux Adventist Church in Riverside, Calif., music isn’t Wilson’s place for that, letting me do what bread and butter. By trade, he’s actually an electrical engineer. I loved while also exposing me to “Most of my electronics work at PUC was in a lab,” Wilson re- calls. “I became the TA, so I taught the students in the lab and my classical training. To this day, helped them with their projects. At work I do the same thing, and it was cool to find a job where I could directly relate what I I appreciate his encouragement was doing at school with what I’m doing in my career. It made me very comfortable with the transition into the workforce.” and flexibility.” Balancing both the logical and the artistic sides of his brain who not only taught him in the classical style, but also helped comes naturally to Wilson. him explore jazz, both of which Wilson studied rigorously and with diligence. “I grew up seeing it as normal to split your life between science and the arts,” he says. “My whole childhood my dad went to “When Professor McGee saw I liked things other than classical Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images work for NASA all day and then came home and did all man- music, as well, he began to incorporate more jazz pieces into ner of craziness on the piano.” my work,” Wilson recalls. “McGee let me express myself in several genres, and made the music department a safe place for Growing up in Huntsville, Ala., Wilson was the youngest of that, letting me do what I loved while also exposing me to my And the Grammy Goes to … three in a very musical family.