Coming to PUC from Honolulu, HI, Dannica Roberts is studying physical education. As an older sibling, she’s always been a nurturer and is really passionate about helping people which makes her a great fit here at PUC where students are encouraged to join service projects. Dannica is well-known for being “super sweet” so when you see her on campus don’t hesitate to say hello!
What is your dream job?
My dream job would be to become a pilot and a dentist for children.
How does that compare to what you wanted to be when you were young?
When I was young, I wanted to become a teacher, so my dream jobs have not happened yet. Eventually, I would love to learn how to fly a plane and maybe get some experience in the dentistry field.
What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?
I receive so much love and support from the Pioneers family.
What is your favorite place in the world?
My favorite places in the world are either the beach where I would be surfing or in another country, like Taiwan or Peru where I would want to help with community service projects.
What show are you bingeing these days?
I have been binge-watching Criminal Minds and I am so close to finishing all 12 seasons of it.
What is something you’re passionate about?
I am passionate about going out into the community and helping with service projects.
Recommend a place to go to the Bay Area on a weekend?
I would recommend buying a ticket to go riding on the cable car around San Francisco and of course, visiting Ghirardelli Square.
April Medel is a senior from Stockton, Calif., majoring in psychology with an emphasis in Spanish and pre-medicine. She is passionate about helping others and is dedicated to making changes in how the medical field treats minorities. April was sweet enough to answer some questions for us. We are truly blessed to have students like April on our campus!
What is your dream job?
My dream job is to be a doctor. Personally, it does not really matter to me what kind of doctor I end up being as long as I am able to make a difference in someone’s life physically and emotionally and being able to use my knowledge and resources to try and fix parts of the system that are broken, like the prejudice many minorities face while seeking medical care.
How does that compare to what you wanted to be when you were young?
I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was in the first grade! Having the ability to help others and using the resources I have to help those in need is something I wanted to do since I was a kid and I am glad that my priorities have not changed.
What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?
My favorite thing about being part of the Pioneers family is that I am given the opportunity to worship God at the end of a stressful week. Many schools do not offer that opportunity, and I feel like it is great how PUC students can all get together, praise God, and give thanks for another successful week.
Where is your favorite place in the world?
My favorite place in the world is definitely Yosemite. Yosemite is basically my second home and I have been going there since I was born. It is a place where I can shut out the world and just thank God for all the blessings in my life.
What show are you bingeing these days?
I have been watching Space Force and 100 Humans on Netflix. Space Force is such a cute show and I just love Steve Carell. 100 Humans is extremely interesting so if you are interested in research and random human behaviors, then you should definitely check it out!
What is something you’re passionate about?
I am really passionate about standing up against racism and making sure everyone is treated equally and with respect. The Black Lives Matter movement, standing up for women and LGBTQ+ rights, and helping immigrants and DACA recipients are stuff that I am really passionate about.
Recommend a place to go in the Bay Area on a weekend
I recommend going to Napa or to Pier 39 in San Francisco with your friends. If you want a bit more adventure, definitely check out Alcatraz in San Francisco or the Manchester House in San Jose.
Darrin Thurber graduated from PUC in 2007 with a degree in music performance on guitar, and a student missionary year in Pohnpei under his belt. He went on to earn a master’s degree in music from San Francisco State University, but ultimately, he felt God calling him in a slightly different direction. Today Darrin is a pastor with a wife and two daughters, and we ran into him again because, after several years in the midwest, Darrin is back in California, taking on a new experience as senior pastor of the Calimesa Church in SoCal.
Let’s start with an easy one: Why music?
I’ve always been very passionate about music, and I love performing. I also come from a musical family; my grandfather was a wonderful musician and sang with the King’s Heralds back in the 60s. My dad is a guitarist—he’s the one who taught me to play, actually—who loves to arrange and compose music. I grew up playing for church often, and I enjoyed it so much I would sit on my own at home and just play and sing. When I got to PUC, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do, but I signed up to take a music theory class, and I was hooked from day one. It was so much fun and exactly what I wanted to study.
So how did you make the jump from music to pastoring?
When I was studying for my master’s, I was the interim worship pastor at the PUC Church for about half a year. That experience changed my life because I discovered I could use my music skills while also serving in a leadership role in the church. I learned a lot about what goes into planning a worship service, including how to collaborate with various entities, people, and groups, and exploring a variety of music styles. It felt perfect to me, but God had other plans. He closed that door and instead called me to Ohio to be a preaching pastor.
What did that look like for you?
Well, I originally went to be a campus ministry director on state college and university campuses for the Ohio Conference. Shortly after I got there, though, I felt God tugging me toward the seminary, so I went. What followed was a one-year stint pastoring a four-church district in rural Ohio before we settled in Mansfield where I served as pastor for five years. A month ago, in June 2020, I followed God’s lead to fill the senior pastor role at the Calimesa Church, and we’re just starting to get settled here.
How do music and pastoral ministry fit together in your life now?
Music is such an important, central part of church worship. Having a background in music has allowed me to be able to dialogue and collaborate with worship leaders and church musicians to plan services, and I’ve also been able to use my passion for music to connect with youth in my churches. Because of my experience being involved in several different ensembles at PUC, and during my time as worship pastor there, I can relate to a lot of people’s church music experiences and preferences, and it helps me as a pastor be able to meet their worship needs in a meaningful way.
How do you feel your overall experience at PUC prepared you for your life after college?
Oh man, PUC prepared me in so many ways. I had numerous opportunities to really grow my leadership skills and grow in my areas of interest—namely, music and sports—in a spiritual environment. Both of these things took a lot of my time in college, but they also taught me work ethic, commitment, and hard work. Both music and being on the basketball team taught me success doesn’t just come magically; I have to put in the time and effort to see results. All of that has benefited my pastoring a lot, as I’ve learned to prepare church services and sermons and help coordinate ministries and outreach programs.
Let’s take that a bit further: How do you feel the spiritual environment at PUC was beneficial?
Practicing these skills in a spiritual context prepared me to continue doing so as a pastor, and showed me that the best way in which to apply my passions and gifts is in a spiritual context. Music, leadership, and working hard toward something mean the most in a spiritual environment where you impact people for the Lord. I developed a lot of spirituality at PUC.
Today, as an adult, a pastor, a husband, and a dad, where or when do you feel closest to God?
The process of writing a sermon and preaching week after week is grueling, but it forces me to really depend on God in a way that’s so unique from other parts of my devotional life. Almost every week I tell God, “I can’t do that again. I have no more ideas. I’m spent.” And every week, without fail, he gives me something. He shows me his word is powerful and that he can use me even though I feel inadequate. The call to preach was never something I’d considered as a career, but the process of studying with God and being in prayer with him week after week are the moments when I feel closest to him.
Meet Dylan Gray, a marketing communication and emergency services major heading into his junior year at PUC. We asked Dylan what made him choose PUC, his answer made us proud to be Pioneers!
“I love PUC for many reasons but one of the biggest is the people. I love the friends I’ve made and memories we’ve created and I can say with full confidence I am where God wants me to be. I chose PUC mainly for financial reasons but once I got here I knew I really had no choice in the matter. God had already made the choice for me and I realized if it’s God’s will, it’s God’s bill and he’s going to place me where I’m supposed to be.”
Dylan is a friendly guy and was happy to share a bit about himself. If you see him around campus, say hey!
What is your dream job?
To be honest I don’t really have one. One day I would like to work in fundraising and coordination with non-profits for disaster relief programs. There are a lot of things could do with my degrees but I just haven’t figured out a path I want to travel after college. I’m not worried about it though because ultimately it is not my decision, it’s all in God’s hands!
How does that compare to what you wanted to be when you were young?
Quite a bit. When I was younger I wanted to go into Oceanography and marine biology. I love the ocean still but I can’t imagine myself in the field doing research all-day. I love the outdoors and I want to incorporate that into my work somehow as I move forward in life.
What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?
My favorite part of being in the Pioneers family is that I never feel excluded anywhere I go. No matter where I go on campus I am always running into people I know and finding different events to go to. It seems like no matter where I am on campus I am always greeted with a smile. I have made some of my best friends here. Not just the type of friends that you enjoy hanging out with then don’t talk to after you graduate, I mean the type of friends that I want at my wedding one day if I ever get that lucky. Truly good people.
Where is your favorite place in the world?
I grew up in the Sierra Nevada mountains north of Lake Tahoe in a little town called Cromberg. Living here for most of my life has left me with an affinity for the mountains and being out in the wilderness. one of my favorite places is a little lake up in the Plumas-Eureka National Forest called Wades lake. This lake is about twenty miles from any type of civilization along the Pacific Crest Trail. I love this place because when I go there it’s just super relaxing and offers a great time to reconnect with God through nature.
What show are you bingeing these days?
Well, I don’t have too much time to watch anything at the moment, but when I am not so busy you will definitely find me watching How I Met Your Mother.
What is something you’re passionate about?
Worship and Ministry. The most important thing in my life is my relationship with God and I will take almost any chance to worship. I love worshiping with my friends and supporting them through the prayer group that we have started on campus. Click the link to read more about the group! https://blog.puc.edu/2020/02/13/prayer-in-numbers/
Recommend a place to go in the Bay Area on a weekend
I am not much of a city guy but one of my favorite places is Coit Tower in SF. The views from the top are absolutely phenomenal! If you like the outdoors a little more, I recommend heading out to Point Reyes, it’s a gorgeous area and it’s right on the beach.
This lovely lady is Emily Smith. Emily comes to us from Lake City, Florida, and just finished her freshman year studying biology and management for medical professionals while and next year will be taking on the role of event coordinator for the Pre-Med/Dent Club. After an unusual ending to the school year, Emily kindly answered some questions about herself.
What is your dream job?
I would love to be a doctor! Currently choosing between being an OBGYN, ER, or surgeon.
How does that compare to what you wanted to be when you were young?
I have always wanted to work in the medical field. I had a phase where I wanted to be a nurse because a lot of people in my family are nurses. Then I switched to wanting to be an esthetician because I love skincare!
What is something you’re passionate about?
I am really passionate about health and that includes skincare, fitness, diet, and overall wellness. God gave us our bodies and we owe it to him to keep it in the best shape we can!
What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?
I love how inclusive the Pioneers family is. The campus is not very big, so it feels like one big family. Everyone is super friendly, and it feels like a second home.
What is your favorite place in the world?
Costa Rica! I lived there for 8 months when I was 7, and I loved it! It is such a beautiful place with loads of culture!
What was the last book you read?
The last book I read was “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom. A very inspirational book! I highly recommend it!
What is your favorite type of food?
I love any type of food, as long as it is vegan and full of flavor!
What is your favorite Bible verse?
My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11. It says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” I love this verse because it comforts me when I have big decisions to make. It is comforting to know that God is in control and that he has my best interest at heart.
Thank you, Emily, for sharing a bit about yourself with your Pioneers family! We can’t wait to see you soon!
We hope everyone is having a relaxing summer even in these crazy times. The summer months always seem to fly by and before you know it, it’s time to start thinking about your student returning to school. Even if you’re an old pro at the college process, it can be difficult to keep track of the things you and your student need to take care of to be ready at PUC this fall.
Below is a helpful checklist you can refer back to for what you and your student can be working on to help make their transition to PUC as smooth as possible.
Ready to get started? Let’s do this!
Sign your Pioneers Commitment Form. The sooner you submit your Pioneers Commitment Form, the sooner you can reserve your residence hall room and work together with an advisor to set up your class schedule! This can be found on your child’s personal PUC site.
Register for classes. Once the Pioneers Commitment Form is completed, your student will be contacted by an academic advisor to start planning out their class schedule and then register for classes.
Submit the housing form. The sooner the Pioneers Commitment Form is signed, the sooner you can fill out your housing form. This will place you higher on the list which means your student will be to receive their dorm assignment quicker! Fill the form out at puc.edu/housingform.
Make financial aid arrangements. Confirm your student is all set for the fall quarter with your family’s PUC financial counselor and submit additional paperwork if needed. Call (800) 862-7080, option 1, or email studentfinance@puc.edu to get connected with a counselor.
Submit the FAFSA. This isn’t required but is HIGHLY recommended, as FAFSA determines your student’s financial aid eligibility. Use PUC’s school code to have their information sent to us—it’s 001258.
Submit the required health forms. Make an appointment with your student’s primary health provider and fill out the Health Information Form. Immunization records will also need to be submitted. Have questions? Contact Health Services for more information by calling (707) 965-6339 or emailing healthservices@puc.edu.
BONUS: Get ready for move-in day! Help your student get ready to move into their dorm room and start buying the necessary supplies. Check back on the blog because the entire month of August is filled with helpful posts for new college students, from a thorough college packing list to tips for making friends.If you don’t want to wait till August, get a jump start by reading our 2019 Packing List blog.
For more information about these steps, and to download the forms mentioned above, visit puc.edu/alreadyaccepted. You can also check in with your student’s admissions counselor to see what’s left for them to submit. Call (800) 862-7080, option 2, or email admissions@puc.edu to get connected with a counselor. You can also live chat with an admissions representative through our online chat service, available on our website during standard business hours (Pacific Standard Time).
We can’t wait to see your family at New Student Orientation on September 9!
Note: Be sure you carefully read your communications from Student Life and regularly check the Fall Campus Plan webpage to stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 safety precautions PUC will be enforcing.
Nicholas Borchik graduated from PUC in 2019 and has recently found his way back to our favorite College on the Mountain only this time, his role is a little different. After receiving a degree in social studies, Nic decided to join the Admissions team as a counselor. Now Nic spends his days sharing his love for PUC and higher Adventist education with future students, helping them make intelligent decisions about their college journey.
Note: If you’re interested in attending PUC or have any questions, you can reach out to Nic at Nic@puc.edu or any of our other counselors at admissions@puc.edu.
What brought you to PUC? Why did you decide to work here?
I initially came to PUC as a student because I had already built such a strong community here through my brother and some of my best friends who were a little bit older than me. I have chosen to stay in the area because I have grown to care so much for this school and what it can do for students looking to grow their education and their faith, and I am looking forward to seeing how God will use me in this position.
What is the best thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?
For me, it has always been the relationships that you can develop across pretty much every aspect of life, from education to food, fun, and faith.
Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley and why?
Gott’s Burgers will always be one of my favorites. Nothing beats a Gott’s burger and shake after a long day!
What is something you can do/want to do that might be surprising for people to learn?
I have always been really into DIY projects. One of my goals for the future is to build most of the furniture in my house!
What is one song or album you’re listening to a ton lately?
I have been listening to an album called Living Room by a band called Lawrence quite a bit recently. Musically it is a super rad album with genius lyrics, giving you something different to focus on each time you listen!
Who is someone you admire and why?
I have always admired Jon Foreman guitarist and singer for the band Switchfoot. First off as a musician and lyricist he influenced me greatly in the way I expressed myself through music when I was first learning to play music. More importantly, as a man of faith, he uses his art and his platform to advocate and stand for things he believes in.
What’s the last book you read for fun?
Recently I have been rereading Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.
Favorite movie to watch?
I love tons of different movies, but one that I am able to re-watch quite a bit and that has become one of my favorites is Knives Out. It is probably one of the best movies I have seen in a long time!
Finish this sentence: On Sunday mornings you can find me …
Honestly probably sleeping in and trying to figure out something delicious to eat for lunch!
By: Tammy McGuire, Ph.D., Professor of Communication
This is probably an old-person’s reference, but I’m wondering if you have ever read or heard of Corrie ten Boom’s book (also a movie), “The Hiding Place”? It’s the story of a Dutch family who hid Jews in their home during the Holocaust; the family was later arrested and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp. Just Google Corrie ten Boom’s name and prepare to be inspired.
I read “The Hiding Place” when I was in college, and there is a very sad part of the story (no spoilers here) where Corrie ten Boom shares a quote from her sister Betsie that has always stuck with me – in part because for many years I really didn’t understand just what it meant. The line is this: “There is no hole so deep that God is not deeper.”
Today, however, I believe I understand the beauty, hope, and depth of that line much better. For example, I see its meaning reflected in the beautiful poetry of Psalm 139: 9, 10 (read the whole Psalm for more inspiration):
“If I take the wings of the morning,
Or dwell in the uttermost part of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me.”
There is no joy too great where God is not with us. There is no sorrow too deep where God is not with us. We cannot descend to any depth where He will abandon us. This beautiful truth is woven throughout the Bible. As Paul puts it in Romans 8:38-39:
“For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life … nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God …”
We have gone and are going through difficult, painful, and even wrenching times. Many are facing sorrows and bereavements and anxieties whose depths may seem bottomless. Amidst all this, the truth remains unchanged: There is no hole so deep that God is not deeper. There is no darkness that can extinguish His love. There is no place we can go where He is not willing and able to walk with us.
May this thought bring us comfort on our journeys.
I don’t know about you but this past school year felt very long and it certainly didn’t end the way we imagined. But now that summer has hit, hopefully, you’re getting a chance to take a breather. Here are some of our favorite ways to relax, unwind, and make time for ourselves.
Cook A Favorite Meal
What’s more comforting than eating your favorite meal? Whether breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack, whipping up your favorite meal can be therapeutic and obviously rewarding because, duh, you get to eat!
Listen To Music or A Podcast
Most people already know that music can be a powerful tool. Listening to music can calm us or lift us up, but have you considered Podcasts? They can also be great tools for self-care. Not only can they be informative, engaging, and relatable, but they can be a lot of fun. They can also be a great way to connect with others.
Spend Time With Loved Ones (Digitally)
Even though most of us are trying to keep our distance from others, we can still have social lives. Thankfully, we live in a digital era where we have many options to talk and see our favorite people without having to be in the same room.
Watch Your Favorite Movie or Show
Who doesn’t want to lounge on a couch or bed and watch your favorite movie or show?
Put Your Phone Down
Yes, you read that correctly. Take care of yourself by escaping your phone for a bit. Social media can take up a lot of our time and almost become an obsession. Limit the endlessly scrolling and practice self-care by doing a little digital detox.
Exercise
Find exercising or stretching routines that are fun for you to do at home. If you can go outside, go for a walk or run while still keeping socially distant. By staying active, you can calm your mind and anxiety, plus you’re staying healthy which is always great.
Chill Out
Don’t feel obligated to stay busy. Take care of yourself by resting and simply doing nothing. Just because a lot of us are finding ourselves with extra time at home, it doesn’t mean you have to somehow learn a new skill or create something groundbreaking (though if you do, you’re amazing!). It’s perfectly ok to take some time for yourself, to feel overwhelmed, to need a break. No one knows your body better than you do, so if you feel the need to relax, do it!
Spend Time With God
No matter how you like to do it, spend some time with God. Join a virtual Bible study or prayer group. Or if you prefer to worship in solitude, take a walk in nature or spend some time in quiet reflection.
You Are Not Alone
Don’t bottle up your thoughts and feelings. If you’re feeling alone or uneasy, reach out to someone whether it’s a friend, family member, or counselor.
Remember, good health doesn’t just mean good physical health. Your mental health is just as important. Make sure you treat yourself!
Choosing a major can be difficult. If you’re not sure what you want to study just yet, don’t panic. It’s normal for students to start college without knowing what they want to major in or what career path they want to take. Here are some things to think about and do while you choose.
Take Career Tests
If you aren’t sure yet what you want to major in, take a career test. There are many free online tests available where you can find out your career path. Also at liberal arts schools, such as PUC, you can use your General Education credits to test different departments to see which one fits for you.
The PUC Career & Counseling Center is also available to help you clarify your interests, strengths, and values as well as provide valuable information about various majors and career options. If you have questions about your options or don’t know what to major in, make an appointment to talk with our counselor, and begin your career exploration process.
Know Your Interests
Your interests are important to think about when you’re choosing a major. If you don’t like what you’re studying, you’re going to be miserable. You won’t find your classes interesting, which can lack your motivation to study. It’s essential you are actually interested in what you’re studying.
Know Your Abilities
Think about what you’re good at when choosing a major. If you’re stronger in math and science, think of majors that circle around those subjects. If you’re stronger in English and the arts, consider the majors in those departments. Don’t choose a major with classes you will struggle in. You should be confident you will be able to do well in your work in the area of your study.
Know Your Goals
You might have specific goals you want to achieve, like becoming a teacher or doctor. Once you have a general goal in mind, that will help lead you into a major that fits with your goals.
Research
After knowing your interests, skills, and goals, you should start researching jobs that align with them. Find out what types of jobs there are for your career and what classes you need to take for them. This should help you narrow down your options so you can start thinking about jobs that intrigue you and what majors could help you get those jobs.
Talk To Others
If you know people that work in the fields you might be interested in, talk to them and get their perspective on their job and what that career path entails. Talk to your academic adviser and share your interests. Their job is to help you find your right career path and connect you with professors that teach in your desired department.
Trying to decide what path to take towards your future can be overwhelming. If you really don’t know what you want to major in, that’s okay! Make the most of fulfilling your college credits by taking a variety of classes to see which ones interest you. Talk to other students and your professors and of course, praying about it!
