Credited with establishing the first music department at Pacific Union College in 1914, Noah Paulin came to PUC following a conversion to the church five years earlier. A violinist who had been running a private music studio in Santa Barbara, he arrived at PUC with only his instrument, some music, a few personal belongings, and a love for his new-found church.

His residence was the first music building until he married three years later. The department was moved to make room for his wife, Mary Loiuse Plunkett, a young woman he had met at a campmeeting and then converted. After several moves to various spots on campus, a new home for music was constructed in 1932 and enthusiastically named by an overwhelming student vote for Paulin, a tribute to his musical contributions and personal influence on campus.

Born in Ohio, Paulin began formal music study at Findlay College, which he attended from 1898-1901. For the next two years he traveled across the country with a group known as the Henry Minstrels, serving as the orchestra conductor. When the Paulin family moved to California in 1905, Noah did graduate work in music at the state teachers' college in Santa Barabara, now a University of California campus.

Paulin could play at least 150 numbers from memory, his signature piece being a solo called Tears, one he would play through twice, the second time muted. He was also a composer of hymns and a Band Theme Song, which he always used as the first number in his band concerts. It was later adopted by PUC alumni as their hymn.

He led the department for thirty years, never missing an appointment, even when ill. In addition to teaching theory classes and lessons, he also conducted the band and orchestra. An often expressed sentiment during those years was that he was the department.

Paulin was a deeply spiritual person who during his life read his Bible through sixty times. His patience, kindness, modesty, and simple life style spoke to the effect of that study and his commitment to Christianity.

The 1944 annual was dedicated to him and when the present music building at PUC was completed in 1966 and occupied the following year, it too, like the earlier building, was named for him. Two years later, the college awarded him its first doctorate, an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts.

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