Winter 2013 - Pacific Union College

The First FourMaxwell Scholars Prepare to GraduateMidori YoshimuraFor many Pacific Union College seniors,the months just before graduation arefull of “lasts” — the last time they worshipwith friends at vespers, the last timethey bite into a fresh sandwich at Giugni’s (apopular local deli), the last Tuesday-morninglecture with their favorite teacher. But amongthis year’s PUC graduates are four “firsts”: ColleenUechi, Dana Yoon, Matthew Phelps andSamantha Angeles. Together since 2009, thesestudents form the first class of Maxwell Scholarsto graduate from PUC.The Maxwell Scholar Program honors Dr.Malcolm Maxwell and his wife Eileen, andtheir commitment to Adventist education, byawarding recipients a $15,000 scholarshipfor their freshman year — and the opportunityto renew that scholarship each year. Eachyear, winners are selected based on academicsuccess, leadership experience and Christianservice.Four years after the first scholarships wereawarded, Colleen, Dana, Matthew and Samanthashare how the award has impacted theirlives of excellence, leadership and serviceat PUC.Motivation and PassionAt 2 a.m., the Campus Center is unusually darkand quiet — mostly. Under the door to the CampusChronicle (CC) office, light and determinationstream from the small room. On nightsbefore PUC’s student newspaper is “put to bed,”journalism jargon for sending a publication topress, editor Colleen Uechi keeps the lights on,and weary CC staff laughing, until the last filehas been sent to the printer.“As CC editor, I’m serving the student bodyby pursuing one of my passions,” says Colleen,who is majoring in international communicationand Spanish. “It’s one of the best thingsI’ve done at PUC.” She began writing for the CCas the sports columnist last year, after returningfrom studying in Spain with AdventistDana Yoon loves helping younger students as a student instructor for chemistry labs.Colleges Abroad. While a good growing experiencefor Colleen, studying in Spain remindedher of things she loved and missed at the PUCcampus — KidzReach ministry, intramurals,insightful religion classes, and vegetarian cuisine(“I missed the PUC food!” she says).Colleen says that the Maxwell Scholar Programhas given her motivation. “PUC wascounting on me to do big things, and I want tomake it worth their money and time,” she continues.The renewable scholarship inspires Colleento give back the best to her student body,parents and the post-PUC world that awaits.Next on her career itinerary is service as a studentmissionary, followed by graduate schoolfor international development. But before Colleensays a fond adios to PUC, she shares her advicefor new students: “Find ways to make yourPUC experience something unforgettable.”Finding Her StrideStrolling into the Campus Center during daytime,one might find Dana Yoon doing the offdutywork she loves: helping her lab students.Dana, a student instructor for chemistry labs,often meets students here, outside of her officialworking hours, to help them with theirhomework or just to see how they’re doing. “Ireally connected with my kids, inside and outsidethe chemistry lab,” she says. “I found mystride in the chemistry department.”Dana’s professors have noticed, honoringher with the chemistry department’s CommendationAward and the Chemistry Major ofthe Year award. The biochemistry major hasalso volunteered with KidzReach and HomelessMinistries, and held leadership positionsin the Korean Adventist Student Association.She’s following her own advice to others —Matthew Phelps thrives as part of his team out onthe field.to enjoy all the benefits of the college’s closecommunity.The Maxwell Scholar Program was a majorfactor in her decision to attend PUC. “The programhas helped me reach higher than whatwould have been easy, and hold myself to higherstandards,” reflects Dana. “It’s made me reallybelieve that I am capable of moving on to professionalschool.” As she juggles the demandsof work, school, and community activities thather “higher standards” call for, Dana says thattaking a day off, to “give it to God,” has been key.After completing her courses in winter 2013,Dana plans to travel and participate in a dentalmission trip to Thailand before attending dentalschool in the fall. Until then, Dana wantsto continue helping her lab students as muchas she can. She is grateful for her PUC mentorsand community, who, she says, “shaped meinto the kind of person I want to be.”Confidence for SuccessAcross the PUC campus, Matthew Phelps isknown for his drive to thrive. It’s earned hima 4.0 science GPA, and a place on the Dean’s Listevery quarter of his PUC career. “PUC reallywants students to succeed,” says the psychologymajor and biology minor. “You can go intoa professor’s office and they’re willing to talkto you, show you what you need to do, and explaina concept to you, other than just duringa lecture.”As a Grainger Hall resident assistant, Matthewalso keeps an open door for the otherstudents on his hallway. “It’s been rewarding,”he says of his new position, a step up in responsibilityfrom his position as head desk workerthe year before. He adds this new job to his PUCresume, along with work in the psychology andbiology departments as a teaching assistant.Matthew is also a familiar face on the sportsfield and in the gymnasium.He’s played nearly every intermuralsport at least once,leading his teams to victoryseveral times. Matthew is alsoa first-year member of Enactus(formerly Students In FreeEnterprise), an internationalclub that applies business principlesto projects that improveothers’ quality of life. In hiswork with Enactus, Matthewcontinues reaching out to othersin a new way: through awater purification project inNicaragua.Entering college, Matthewremembers that being invitedto join the Maxwell ScholarProgram “gave me some confidencewhen I didn’t really know what to expect.”Knowing he was one of just a few students chosen,he thought, “It’s OK, I can handle college,I can work through this.” This encouragementhelped him work hard toward his goal of becomingan ophthalmologist or a neurologist.Whether as a resource for the students inhis residence hall, or a skilled teammate at thegym, Matthew has added to PUC’s environmentof care for others. “I’m glad I came to PUC,”Matthew concludes. “I hope I’ve helped peopleat PUC improve their experience.”Leading and ServingAfter searching for “Samantha Angeles” onthe PUC website, the longlist of results makes onewonder if this 2009 MaxwellScholar has a twin.Samantha doesn’t have atwin — but she does havea double major (communicationand theology); a 3.9Samantha Angelesis usually seen inleadership positions,serving thecampus she loves.GPA; a Zondervan award,for outstanding achievementin Greek languagestudies; and an acted-onlove for God packed intojust four years. “My goal isto do my best in whatever I do, so the doors Godwants will be open,” she says.As the 2013 Student Association President,Samantha has led the student body while simultaneouslyserving it. Her past years of servicein campus ministries — planning vespers,running Sabbath Schools, organizing FusionColleen Uechi can often be found in the Campus Chronicle office.(an icebreaker weekend retreat for freshmen) —prepared her to lead an SA team known for itsstrong teamwork.Samantha joined a different team last summer,as a pastoral intern at the 2,700-memberLa Sierra University Church, the second of twochurch internships. Under the supervision ofsenior pastor Chris Oberg, eight- to 18-hourdays flew by, as “Pastor Samantha” helped coordinatethe 200-member volunteer staff forVacation Bible School, among other supportand leadership roles. Samantha remembers shelearned “to run in heels and lean on God morethan ever before.”“I wouldn’t be at PUC without the MaxwellScholar Program,” Samantha says. “Thescholarship is an honor, recognizing areas ofachievement that I value. Other grants mayhave offered the same amount of money, butthey wouldn’t have meant the same thing.”Samantha adds, “One thing I will carryfrom PUC is that every single question I hadhelped make my relationship with God moreauthentic.”Ready to SoarThe remaining days until graduation bringColleen, Matthew, Dana and Samantha thechance to create their last PUC memories andearn their first college diplomas. As they takeflight outside their post-PUC home, the firstfour are headed for careers of distinction, formingpart of the Maxwells’ PUC legacy. Andwhen tortillas fly through the air and mortarboardstake flight, PUC will send the first MaxwellScholars soaring, too.4 ViewPoint | Winter 2013ViewPoint | Winter 2013 5