When you arrive at PUC and begin exploring your new home away from home, you’ll likely want to know just who is in charge of your living space. We’ve made that easy for you! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring all of our residence hall deans here on the blog so you can get to know them all. And if you need to contact them, feel free to reach out!
Name: Lunelle Bertresse
Dean of: Graf Hall
Phone: (707) 965-6522
Email: lbertresse@puc.edu
Dean since: 2013
So what were you doing prior to accepting a position as dean here at PUC?
I was working as the head girls’ dean at Milo Academy in Oregon.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It’s hard to pin down a typical day—you never know what you’re going to get! But my morning always starts with a debate with myself: Breakfast, or an extra 20 minutes of sleep. Once that’s settled, I do my devotions, go to my office, goof off at some point with my students, and then get back to work. I have a bit of personal time in the afternoon (Sherpa Kitchen, anyone?), come back to the office in the evening for my second shift, and end my day with a little cereal, Netflix, and a book.
Tell me what you find most rewarding about what you do.
I love seeing the growth in the students. Being and becoming a young adult is a journey, and seeing the students hit those milestones and having that connection with them is the best. I also absolutely love those sit-down chats where we crack open life situations and get into the nitty-gritty.
All right, let’s get personal: What are some of your hobbies?
I love music and the fine arts, whether it’s singing at church or going to a concert or a play. I also enjoy reading, hand lettering, watching sports (Go Miami Heat!), and exploring cities.
Sounds like you really love your life! What is it you appreciate most about PUC?
I love the night skies here. Back home the city lights are extremely bright, so I love to stargaze up at the PUC airport. I also loooooove my coworkers. They keep me grounded and they are the best to hang out with.
College students get asked a version of this all the time, so now it’s your turn! What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was four, I decided I wanted to be a lawyer, then a Supreme Court judge. I also wanted to be an archeologist/ballerina/interior designer/party planner—all at the same time. Dream big, people!
So where did you choose to attend college, and what did you study?
I studied social work at Southern Adventist University.
Since we’re looking at the past, what are some things on your bucket list you’ve already checked off?
Visiting a tiger sanctuary (Thailand), learning how to double dutch jump-rope, and going to Italy.
Is there anything on your list you’re still working toward?
Yes! I still want to participate in an archaeological dig in Egypt, learn how to trapeze, see Hamilton, and start my own non-profit (that one’s another story for another time).
You mentioned you enjoy reading. Tell me about a book you’ve read that changed your life and/or worldview.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It really broke down and helped me see the love God has for us. The one and only book that has made me cry like une bebe.
Okay, let’s stick with the media theme: What’s one of your favorite movies and why?
Oh golly! That is such a hard question as it changes constantly. Currently, it is The Greatest Showman. Putting the true character of the real-life P.T. Barnum aside, I love the message of the movie: There is beauty in diversity; be accepting and loving. And the soundtrack? Every. Song. Is. Gold.