Tag Archives: PUC residence hall

Decorate Your Dorm Room Like A Pro 

One of the best things about moving into your dorm is that you get the chance to decorate it! Since this will be your home-away-from-home, it’s important to make it your own. It’s never too early to start planning, here are a few suggestions to help you get started. 

Cozy Bedding 

Your bedding is what will really make your room feel like home. Invest in a bedding set that fits your style and comfort needs. Remember, you can never have too many pillows!

Table Lamp

Table lamps are great additions to every dorm room. Not only will they add extra lighting, but softer lighting as well. Target and Amazon have great selections allowing you to find the right one to fit your style. 

Rugs 

From a neutral rug to a patterned rug, buying one will add character to your room. If you’re not sure what your roommate’s style will be, play it safe and buy a more neutral one. 

Comfy Chair 

Whether you need a great desk chair, or you prefer something cozy and cute in the corner, it can’t hurt to have additional seating. 

String Lights 

Many college students buy string lights to decorate their room adding some much-needed ambiance. They obviously come in tons of shapes and colors and can literally go anywhere. It’s a no-brainer. 

Photos 

You can never go wrong with using photos to decorate your room. Stick them on your wall in a cool grid, frame some, there’s really no limit. Having photos of your friends and family is a great way to make the place feel like home. 

Wall Art 

Add more charm into your room by decorating it with wall art, like posters and picture prints. Just make sure that you use tape or damage free hooks to place them on your wall. 

It can be tough figuring out what style you want your room to be, but the process is fun. Hopefully, these decorating ideas give you some inspiration for what you want in your dorm room. 

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.

Your PUC Packing List 

Packing for college is definitely one of the more overwhelming things you’ll likely deal with this summer. On top of trying to decide what things from home you want to bring with you, there are a lot of things you’ll need to buy. So to help you out here’s a pretty thorough list of things to make sure you bring along! And remember, if you forget something, you can always take a trip to Napa or run across the street to the College Market!

 Room Needs: 

  • Clorox wipes 
  • Hand sanitizer 
  • Hand soap
  • Washable face masks 
  • Medications (if needed)
  • First aid kit 
  • Cleaning supplies 
  • Paper towels 
  • Bedding
  • Pillows 
  • Blankets 
  • Room fan
  • Earphones 
  • Powerstrip 
  • Hangers 
  • Laundry basket and supplies
  • Food, snacks, and water 
  • Fridge 
  • Microwave 
  • Kitchenware 
  • Food storage containers 
  • Dish soap and sponge 
  • Bath towels 
  • Shower mat 
  • Flip flops and/or slides 
  • Vacuum or Swiffer  
  • Trash bin and trash bags 

Note: It’s a good idea to coordinate with your roommate so your room doesn’t end up with duplicates of the same items, but there’s still plenty you can get on your own!

Suggested Items:

  • Mattress pad 
  • Desk lamp
  • Desk organizer 
  • Storage bins
  • Air fresheners 
  • Hot pot 
  • Reusable water bottle 
  • Mug 
  • Command strips 
  • Umbrella 
  • Wall decor 
  • Calendar/bulletin board
  • Luggage (for school trips) 
  • Phone charger

Clothes (your space will be limited, so only bring what you will wear):

  • Undergarments 
  • Sleepwear
  • Cold and warm weather items
  • Rain jacket 
  • Boots 
  • Sneakers 
  • Socks 
  • Athletic wear 
  • Business attire (for interviews and presentations) 

Toiletries: 

  • Shower caddy 
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Body soap 
  • Hair grooming tools 
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss 
  • Lotion 
  • Deodorant 
  • Nail cutters/file 
  • Lip balm
  • Sunscreen
  • Skincare products

School Supplies:

  • Backpack/Bag
  • Notebooks 
  • Pens & pencils 
  • Highlighters 
  • Folders 
  • Lined paper 
  • Planner 
  • Sticky notes 
  • Index cards 
  • Scissors 
  • Tape 
  • Whiteout 
  • USB flash drive 
  • Calculator 
  • Clicker (if necessary for class) 
  • Computer (not required! Just super helpful!)

If you’re planning to get a campus job, bring the following: 

  • Drivers license
  • Birth certificate 
  • Passport 
  • Social Security Number (SSN) card

Note: In general, just a passport is sufficient. If you don’t have a passport, then you will need either your driver’s license + your birth certificate or your driver’s license + your SSN card. You must bring original documents, not photocopies or screenshots of them. You will not be able to start working until your ID has been verified. Visit puc.edu/studentemployment for more information; see the Form I-9 PDF.

If you’re planning to have a car on campus, bring the following: 

  • Drivers license 
  • Registration card 
  • Copy of car insurance 

Stores Nearby (in case you forgot to buy something):

  • College Market (Angwin) 
  • Ace Hardware (Angwin) 
  • Safeway (St. Helena) 
  • Target (Napa) 
  • Walmart (Napa) 
  • Marshalls (Napa) 
  • Bed, Bath & Beyond (Santa Rosa) 

Banking Needs: 

  • Silverado Credit Union (Angwin) 
  • Bank of America (St. Helena) 
  • Wells Fargo (St. Helena) 
  • Bank of the West (St. Helena) 
  • Chase (Napa) 

We hope you’re getting excited to arrive on campus because we are! 

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.

Residential Life 101

There are tons of exciting and new things about going off to college. One of those is moving into a residential hall. Unless you went to a boarding academy (if you did you are pros already) this is likely your first time living ‘on your own’. You might be very excited about this or you might have a lot of anxiety surrounding the idea. Either way, you’re bound to have questions. Lucky for you, we have the answers! 

First of all, let’s cover how you even get a room assigned to you. It’s actually fairly simple because we’ll do it for you! Once you’re accepted, you’ll be asked to pay a $200 deposit and fill out a housing reservation form. This lets us know of your plans. Since rooms are assigned in the order they are received, it’s a good idea to do this ASAP! Room assignments are sent out in the summer. Something for you to look forward to. 

Now that we have that covered, what should you plan to bring with you? Each residence hall room contains two beds, dresser drawers, closets, desks and chairs, and one sink with a mirror. However, figuring out what else you’ll need to pack and bring to college can be difficult so to make it easier we came up with a packing list to help. Read our “Your College Packing List” post for ideas about what you probably should bring with you for your move up to PUC

Just because you’re not living at home with your family doesn’t mean you’re completely on your own. Each residence hall has a dean who lives in the building. They have a team of RAs or residence assistants, who work with them to ensure each student within their dorm is having the best experience possible. Their goal is for each student to feel like they’re part of the special Pioneers family. 

We asked RA, Alexis Keller to answer a few commonly asked questions about life in the PUC residential halls. 

What is an RA, what is your role?

An RA is a student leader in the dorms. We are there to provide educational, social, and spiritual opportunities for the residents! RA’s will do nightly “room checks,” stopping by each room to check-in and see how you’re doing. RA’s are also there to lend an ear (with confidentiality) if you want to talk about a rough day you had, a bad breakup, or if you need a shoulder to cry on, or just simply need to vent. Our rooms are always open if residents need a place to discuss any issues they are having, or just want to chill. Overall, RA’s are here to enhance your dorm life by being a resource for residents who have any questions/concerns, maintain a safe environment, create meaningful worship events, and plan fun social activities.

Will I have a curfew?

Yes, the curfew is 11 p.m. every night except for Saturday, where curfew is 12 midnight. This does not mean you have to be in your room, but simply in the building. Often residents will still be up in the various study areas of the dorm past curfew. There is also an extension to this curfew, which will be explained more during your orientation!

What social opportunities will I have in the residential hall?

There are many social opportunities in each residence hall! We typically do a big social event once a month, such as movie nights, pizza parties, pancake breakfasts, dorm Olympics, etc. Smaller social events will also happen on your own floor. Anything from a movie night, game night, tea time, and lots of others! Along with attending these social activities, you can put your own creative ideas to good use by working with your RA’s to come up with events that you would like to see happen in your dorm.

What spiritual opportunities?

Each residential hall has all-dorm worship that happens once a week with food, activities, music, and worship thought. Additionally, RA’s will have individual floor worship once a week where students can stop by for a quick snack and devotion. Along with the weekly scheduled worships, RA’s are available for one-on-one Bible studies with the residents. Even when we are not with our residents, we are always praying for them and their success!

What is one of the more challenging things about living in a residential hall and what are some ways you deal with it?

One of the more challenging aspects of living in a residential hall is learning how to live with another person in your space. Having a roommate or suitemate that is messy, has a different sleep schedule, different music tastes, or different living habits can be frustrating. It is important to always be communicative with your roommate as well as be willing to meet them halfway! College is a wonderful growing experience and these challenges can help you grow a closer connection with your roommate when handled correctly. You can always come to your RA’s to discuss any roommate disagreements and to talk about solutions and alternatives to make your living experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

What’s your favorite thing about living in the residential hall?

One of my favorite things about living in the residential hall is the sense of community. Through the various social and worship events, I get to know most of the residents in a more relaxed setting separate from the stress of school. Because we all live together, it is nice to be able to pop over to a friend’s room to hang out as well as to meet up with students within your major for study sessions.

 

Meet Dean Hernan Granados

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: Hernan Granados
Dean of: Newton Hall
Phone: (707) 965-7409
Email: hgranados@puc.edu
Dean since: 2006

Have you always been a dean?

No, actually; before coming to PUC, I was serving as a pastor.

What does a typical day at the residence hall look like for you?

There are no typical days. Every day is different, and that is what I love about my job.

What about your work is the most rewarding to you?

Definitely seeing the men grow as people and into gentlemen.

When you’re not deaning, how do you enjoy occupying your time?

I really like being outside. Either on the water in my boat or on the green, golfing.

What do you love most about PUC?

Well, considering the outdoors is my favorite place to be, it has to be the mountains and the clear air here.

So when you were a kid, did you want to be a pastor and a dean?

No; I actually dreamed of becoming an architect, but God led me in a different direction.

What did you study in college, then?

I studied theology. When I graduated, I went to work for the Southern California Conference.

In your line of work, you often serve as a mentor to others. Tell me about a mentor who has been invaluable to you.

Jim Boyd, a former dean here at PUC who just retired this year. He respects people and is willing to help others. He truly cares for people.

One last personal question: What’s one of your favorite movies, and why?

Dead Poets Society is hands-down my favorite movie. I love how Robin Williams’ character really cares about his students. He challenges them and also is there for them when they need him the most, helping the young people to think outside the box and guiding them when they need it. Most of all, I enjoy how he spends time with them and shows them how much he cares for them not only as students but as individuals.

Meet Dean Kristi Horn

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. And if you need to contact them, feel free to reach out!

Name: Kristi Horn
Dean of: McReynolds Hall
Phone: (707) 965-7478
Email: khorn@puc.edu
Dean since: 2003

So what were you doing when you decided to accept this job?

I lived and worked in Temecula and San Diego, working for a non-profit residential/foster care facility as a therapist for abused and neglected children and adolescents.

Tell me about a typical day for you in McReynolds.                      

I try to enjoy leisurely mornings because once I step out the door, I will hit the ground running to committee meetings, lunch with my awesome coworkers, driving my mom here and there, appointments with my students and deans staff, making time for exercise and fun time, all with the goal of leaving my office by 11 p.m. Once I’m home for the night, I spend some time with God, and then curl up with my cat and a good book.

What you love the most about your job?

The long-term relationships with students and coworkers, watching students grow and mature from year to year, and looking back and seeing growth within myself.

So in that rare free moment, what do you enjoy doing?

Reading, hiking, trips to the coast, going on random drives with no destination in mind.

What do you love most about PUC?                                        

Location, location, location!                        

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?        

Veterinarian

What did you study in college, and where did you go?   

I earned a B.A. in psychology from Southern Adventist University, and then an M.S. in marriage and family therapy from Loma Linda University.

What are some things on your bucket list?          

I want to be a contestant on The Price is Right, I would love to do a driving/hiking tour around Ireland, and I want to own my own home.

Fair warning: We’re gonna get personal here. Name something you obsessively collect and tell me why.       

Books! You can find so much diversity in books. They’re fun and challenging and take me to places I can only dream about. They teach me and stretch my imagination and encourage me to be a better person. They give me the courage to stand up for my relationship with God and for what I believe to be right. (I have at least 500 actual books and probably another 200+ on my phone. I’ve read about 90 percent of them.)

Wow! Okay, out of all the books you’ve read, tell me about one that changed your life and/or your worldview.         

Saint Ben, by John Fischer.

Meet Dean Juan Hidalgo

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: Juan Hidalgo
Dean of: Grainger Hall
Phone: (707) 965-6387
Email: jmhidalgo@puc.edu
Dean since: 2017

What were you doing prior to being hired as dean?

I was finishing my degrees here at PUC in psychology, Spanish, and nursing.

What does a typical day look like for you?

7:30 – wake up
8:00 – workout
9:00 – breakfast
9:30 – house/office work
12:00 – lunch
1:00 – siesta
2:00-5:00 – office/house/errands
6:00 – dinner
7:00 – night workout (basketball/sauna/run in back 40)
8:00-11:30 – Uber driving
Midnight – bedtime

What do you find most challenging about your work?

I think the most challenging part would have to be explaining to other people all the things deans do.

What do you find most rewarding?

When students see we are truly here to help, not to hinder.

What are some of your hobbies?

I have a lot, but most of them are pretty active. I enjoy getting outside and moving, so some of my favorite hobbies are sports (Ultimate Frisbee, basketball, golf, football, disc golf), photography, music (guitar, ukulele, harmonica), exploring, and adrenaline-rich activities. I also really enjoy sleeping.

What do you love most about PUC?

I absolutely love the family dynamic we have. We are a little (okay, very) dysfunctional at times and may not always get along, but there is something special about being up on this hill with everyone that brings us together. We have laughed together, cried together, fought with each other; but at the end of the day, there is something very uniting about knowing someone else has gone to PUC and in turn, is also part of the family.

So, you earned three degrees here at PUC. What was it you wanted to be when you were a kid?

Honestly, I wanted to be a grown-up. Now I regret it all. Haha!

What are some things on your bucket list—some you’ve checked off and some you’re still working toward/hoping for?

On my bucket list can be found a lot of traveling; I have always wanted to explore Africa and China. But some of the specific things I still have to do on my list are as follows:

Deep-sea shark cage diving
Attend an Andrea Bocelli concert
Meet Kobe Bryant
Launch my own photography business
Complete an IronMan
Earn Ph.D.
Visit the Pyramids of Giza
Play my harmonica on Bourbon Street in New Orleans
Climb Half Dome
Visit all of the Disneylands

Some of the specific things from my list I’ve done already:

Graduate college
Skydiving (x4)
Watch “Gladiator” in the Coliseum
Win the TV show Fear Factor Live
View Africa from the rock of Gibraltar
Stand in center field at Chavez Ravine aka Dodgers Stadium

Name something you obsessively collect and tell me why.

I collect instruments; I love to challenge myself to play new ones. I may not be good, but I love to try!

Meet Dean Gena Philpott

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: Gena Philpott
Dean of: Andre Hall
Phone: (707) 965-7461
Email: gphilpott@puc.edu
Dean since: 2004

So, what were you doing before you came to PUC?
I worked as the head dean of girls at Gem State Academy in Idaho for eight years. I also taught art and yearbook there.

What does a typical day look like for you?
The thing I think I love most about my job as a dean is even though we have regular daily duties, responsibilities, and meetings to attend as in any other job, the exciting thing about it is my day can change at a moment’s notice depending on what might be happening with a student or situation on campus.

But, in a typical day, I’ll double-check the nightcheck count to make sure everyone is safe and accounted for. Then I answer texts, messages, and emails. It’s during that process I typically find out about happenings that will be changing my intended schedule for the day. Some of those happenings may include a shopping run for food requested by RAs for an upcoming residence hall event; checking on an overflowing sink or toilet; running someone to a doctor appointment when Health Services is short on resources; mediating a fight between suitemates over who isn’t doing their part in keeping the restroom clean; listening to a students talk about their relationships and giving advice on how to handle or what to say in order to resolve something. There are truly a thousand different scenarios that could be all in my day’s work. Think parenting/mentoring to 580 young ladies—shared between four people 24/7.

What do you find most challenging about your work?
Finding balance in all things—between responding to above-mentioned extenuating circumstances, to students, to paperwork and disruptions in normal schedules, while still maintaining and carving out time for a marriage, family, friends, and a personal life.

What do you find most rewarding?
I love it when I see students maturing from freshman year to senior year—overcoming things that hold them back and learning to enjoy life and the new skills they are learning for life.

What are some of your hobbies?
I love traveling and exploring with my husband—from camping in wild places to discovering the awe of lava in Hawai’i. I also enjoy reading and attempting to make favorite comfort foods lighter in calories—although I have a hard time with that since most of my recipes start with a stick of butter. I find pleasure in art—from watercolor painting to ceramics to graphic design. I have some nerdier hobbies as well—maybe this isn’t the best place to go into those.

Besides the students (because we know they’re really the best thing ever), what do you love most about PUC?
Aside from getting paid to interact with young minds every day, I would say I love working with a team of colleagues who understand and support me as a dean. It helps to have people who know the job and can relate and tag-team in crisis situations. I also love that PUC is willing to have the hard conversations even when the PR surrounding the conversations aren’t always understood. Continually asking ourselves why we do things as a church and educational community is important for our growth both mentally and spiritually. I love the fresh eyes, energy, and pictures of Jesus that young minds bring to PUC.

Let’s travel back in time a bit. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was three, I had big goals to become a “cat farmer.” Ironically, I became allergic to cats at age 12, and I took that as a direct sign I should maybe look at a different career path. Then I wanted to work as a designer and graphic artist for Review and Herald. I was wowed by Harry Anderson, Lars Justinen, and Nathan Greene’s artistic work. But it wasn’t until I joined the residence hall staff in college as a student dean and worked for the English department I found my true calling—education. After spending a year as a taskforce dean and art teacher at Upper Columbia Academy in Washington State, I was hooked for life and haven’t looked back!

What did you study in college?
Like most college students, I changed my major many times but ultimately ended up with a double major, earning degrees in both English and computer graphic art with minors in religion and secondary education. I feel I have been able to use all the indecision and different major changes to lead me to be a better dean and educator—to serve my residents even better than I could have if I had been single-minded in my ambitions. I can reassure students changing career paths is ok, learning is a lifelong process and they can change it up as they grow and mature and gain new insights and interests.

So tell me what a dean has on her bucket list. Okay, okaylet’s not speak for everyone. What’s on your bucket list?
I’ll start with some fun things I have done already. I went to Hawai’i two summers ago—that’s where the lava comment above came from. It’s hard to describe the amazing emotional experience to see molten rock flowing, cooling, and actually creating more earth as we know it. If you didn’t understand the majesty of the creator, you see and feel it when you get a chance to witness it in person. The second thing I was able to do from my bucket list while there was swim in the open ocean with sharks—no cages. That was also a spiritual experience. Adrenaline-filled, yes, but still just amazing and I was truly awestruck. Something I would do again in a heartbeat.

And for the to-do bucket list, I would love to go to Europe with my husband—Switzerland, Austria, France, and Italy. I have been to Spain and Morocco years ago and would love to be able to explore more of all the historical places—too many to name. I would love to stay in one of those igloos with glass ceilings and view the northern lights in Alaska or Norway, and they have hotels in Norway where you can see the wolves—I always thought that would be cool, as well. And then there’s Bora Bora and Brazil … the list goes on!

Any final words? Leave us with some wisdom!
Haha! I’ll do my best.

To be a dean is to be a life skills educator. What is taught outside the classroom can improve your academic achievements beyond what a person thinks they may be capable—from time management, to integrity, ethics, modesty, budgeting, healthy eating, sleeping, exercise and relationship habits. We try to slip ‘Adulting 101’ between all the o-chem and anatomy lectures. And I truly do love it.

Meet Dean Lunelle Bertresse

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.

Meet Dean Rebecca Seibert

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: Rebecca Seibert
Dean of: Winning Hall
Phone: (707) 965-6285
Email: rseibert@puc.edu
Dean since: 2016

Let’s start at the beginning: What were you doing before you became a dean here?

I actually worked in Winning Hall as a resident assistant from 2005-2008, but just prior to starting as PUC staff, I was serving as the chaplain at Thunderbird Academy in Arizona. Prior to that, I was a teacher and assistant dean at Fletcher Academy in North Carolina for seven years.

So what does your day typically look like?

Being a dean means there isn’t a set pattern for the day, but most days I get to the office and do the daily paperwork, and then I tackle whatever task I need to for that day, whether it be following up on student issues, making sure dorm maintenance is getting taken care of, scheduling my staff, or planning residence hall programming. I also serve on several committees so my afternoon may have meetings as well. Then, if it’s my night off, I head home to hang out with my husband and pets (two cats and two dogs). If it is one of my nights on, then I take a little personal time in the afternoon and head back to the office between 6 and 7 to be available for students until around 11 p.m. or midnight.

And what is it that you love about your job?

When you are able to make a breakthrough with a student that struggles, and see their life change for the better, especially when it comes to their relationship with the Lord, that is one of the best things.

We know deans are constantly on the job, but when you have spare time, what are some of your hobbies?

I love reading and watching movies.

What do you love most about PUC?

PUC feels like home to me. I have loved it from the moment I became a student here in 2004, and I have been incredibly blessed the Lord brought me back here. I love my coworkers and I love being a part of something that has the power to change lives.

When you were a kid, what was it you thought you’d be when you grew up?

I remember wanting to be a math teacher when I was a kid. I got to be that for a while at Fletcher, but by the time I was in college, I wanted to a dean at the college level, and the Lord brought me back to PUC to do just that.

So what was your major here at PUC?

I got a B.S. in natural science with an emphasis in physics.

All right, let’s get a little personal: Tell me something you obsessively collect.

My husband and I collect movies. We have over 350 now and almost 100 seasons of various TV shows. One of the reasons I love to collect movies is because there are so many different things you can enjoy about a good movie, and I love to watch my favorites over and over again. It’s also a nice hobby to have because my husband has some major health issues, so we can’t go out a lot. Movies give us a way to escape for a bit and enjoy something new and exciting.

Wow, that is a lot of movies! Do you have a favorite?

One of my favorite movies is the older BBC Pride and Prejudice mini-series. I love the era, and I love that it has such a wonderful story without all the nonsense Hollywood seems to think is necessary for “good” storytelling. It is just a clean and beautiful look at a time when things were less complicated. Plus, Austen was such an amazing writer, and I love how she developed the characters and their interactions, and the BBC production really held true to that.

Meet Dean David Ringer

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: David Ringer
Dean of: Grainger Hall
Phone: (707) 965-6490
Email: dringer@puc.edu
Dean since: 2018

So you just started working here this summer. What were you up to previously?

I have actually been working as a resident hall dean since July of 1993—just not at PUC!  Prior to that, I was a missionary in South Korea teaching English and Bible.

I know you’re new to PUC, but you have a lot of experience being a dean, so tell me what a typical day looks like for you.  

Every day is completely different, which is why I love being a dean so much. The common activities that dictate my time include building relationships with the resident hall deans, students, staff, faculty, and administration; managing the facilities and student personnel; committee meetings; residence life needs; and working on the spiritual atmosphere of the dorm.

It sounds like you really like what you do. What challenges do you face as a dean?  

Limitations that prevent me from accomplishing all my visions and dreams for the students and the dorm.

What do you find most rewarding?  

One-on-one interactions with students and the opportunity to share Jesus with them.

So, when you’re not taking care of the students and residence hall, what do you enjoy?

Some of my hobbies include racquetball, ping pong, geocaching, scuba diving, camping, biking and spending time with my family.

Besides the students, what do you like most about PUC so far?

The weather!

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?  

I didn’t really think about what I wanted to be—I just wanted to play!

So where did you go to college?

I studied psychology at Southern Adventist University. I also had a double minor in sociology and religion.

What are some things on your bucket listsome you’ve checked off and some you’re still working toward/hoping for?   

Probably my number one accomplished bucket list item is successfully providing Christian education for my sons. Our youngest has one final year of undergrad. I’m also pleased to have raised children that are God-fearing, respectful, and hard-working, and to continue to be loving and supportive of my bride of 27 years.

Bucket list desires I hope to achieve and are working toward include obtaining my masters in educational leadership and visiting Denmark. My mother is 100 percent Danish and I would love to visit the country my grandparents immigrated from. And perhaps most important is convincing those I interact with to meet me at the Tree of Life.

As a dean, you often become a mentor not only to your student employees but to all the men in your residence hall. Tell me about a mentor who has been invaluable to you.

Sam James—my academy English teacher—had a huge influence on me. He demonstrated respect, love for family, how to have fun, professionalism, the love for the outdoors, and love for Jesus.