News Briefs for April 21, 2022
News reports from Pacific Union College, Loma Linda University, the North American Division, Papua New Guinea and Southern Adventist University.
New Beginnings for Pacific Union College
The inauguration of Ralph Trecartin, Ph.D., MBA, as president of Pacific Union College took place last Saturday, April 16, 2022, in the Pacific Union College sanctuary. Trecartin is the 24th president of the institution. Most recently, Trecartin served as associate provost at Andrews University, as well as dean of the School of Professions. Trecartin also helped launch the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program at Andrews.
Prestigious Recognition for Loma Linda University
From a Loma Linda University Health News Release:
Loma Linda University (LLU) recently earned an R2 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, achieving one of the most coveted national recognitions for its commitment to “high research activity.”
As the most influential rating organization for colleges and universities in the U.S., the Carnegie Classification provides the leading framework for classifying research activity at academic institutions.
Achieving R2 classification signals abundant hands-on opportunities for LLU students to learn from and partake in professors’ current research investigations — which may, in turn, impact clinical care directly, says Michael Samardzija, PhD, vice president of Research Affairs at LLU.
The NAD Hosts a Mental Health Summit
The 2022 North American Division Virtual Mental Health Summit was held March 31–April 3. According to Adventist News Network (ANN), daily viewership of the event was an average of close to 2,000. Those that registered for the event went to general plenary sessions, workshops, and worships, all centered around mental health. According to ANN, topics covered included addiction, aging/dementia, community-based interventions, children/youth, grief, anxiety and depression, emotional healing, spirituality and mental health, suicide prevention, trauma, and wholistic approaches to mental health.
A Visit from Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister
According to the Adventist Record, the Papua New Guinea prime minister, James Marape, visited the PNG Union Mission (PNGUM) office in the city of Lae on April 4. Morobe governor Ginson Saonu and Lae Member of Parliament John Rosso welcomed the prime minister (himself an Adventist), along with PNGUM staff. The Record reports that Marape toured the Hope FM radio station and met with PNGUM president Pastor Malachi Yani, under-treasurer Kenton Ghona and South Pacific Division discipleship strategy leader Pastor Danny Philip. The prime minister’s visit lasted about two hours.
Back in Style
Southern Adventist University announced that the SonRise Resurrection Pageant, a production of Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church, took place on Southern’s campus, for the 25th time this Easter weekend. It was the first time the event had been held since 2019. The pageant featured about 500 costumed-cast members, many of whom were Southern students and employees.
(Photo: Ralph Trecartin was inaugurated as president of Pacific Union College on April 16, 2022,Trecartin is the 24th president of the institution. Photo via PUC website.)