A New Era

A Roaring Comeback

PACIFIC BOLDLY ENTERS NEW ERA

In its 170 years, University of the Pacific has faced unprecedented challenges—Spanish flu, a major relocation from the Bay Area, the military drafts of students and more. But none have been quite like the dizzying effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The return to a semblance of normalcy has been a mighty climb for colleges and universities across the country. Pacific, however, implemented many strategies—from bold to nuanced—to successfully navigate a year-plus with mostly empty campuses and rampant uncertainty to emerge in a strong and confident position.

Under the steady guidance of President Christopher Callahan, the university is on a path for sustainable success through progressive strategies and innovative approaches, and by staying true to its student-centric mission.

STAYING NIMBLE AND FOCUSED

At the outset in March 2020, faculty and staff quickly pivoted to set up online instruction, services and cocurricular activities to ensure students were supported while learning in a safe environment. The safety effort, led by the university’s COVID-19 Council and clinics run by students and faculty, helped Pacific reach vaccination levels of 94% for students and employees by fall 2021.

That, in turn, enabled Pacific to maintain and build on its sense of community and aggressively and smartly work toward reopening campus—several weeks early, in fact.

Pacific proactively took command of enrollment challenges, opened a prospective student visitor’s center in iconic Burns Tower, recruited and hired new leaders, and maintained the campus's historic beauty and facilities.

The university clearly signaled it was “back” by inviting new and returning students to a robust five-week summer session in July and August to get acclimated for the fall semester. Two weeks in October saw record-breaking and historic events: the largest Homecoming in 25 years, a heartwarming commencement for the classes of 2020 and 2021 who had missed their in-person graduations and the inauguration of President Christopher Callahan.

Here is a look into some of the ways Pacific has “roared” back.

A TOWERING BEACON

Burns Tower is seeing new life. Completed in 1963, Burns Tower not only adds richness to the campus but serves as the iconic entrance to Pacific. Now, with help from First Lady Jean Callahan, the first floor is updated to be a contemporary welcome center.

"The welcome center in Burns Tower is the gateway to the university for prospective students, families and community members," said Chris Ferguson, vice president of enrollment strategy. "We want to provide people a place to congregate and learn about what makes Pacific special."

Above: Early architect's drawing of Burns Tower from January 1962

Bright paint, comfortable furniture, a restroom, viewing stations showcasing the Pacific community and a large stand-alone banner of Powercat for selfies were added to make the space open and vibrant. In addition to the ground-level renovations, the second through fifth floors were reconfigured into office space and creative labs for staff who support campus visitors.

"This project has revitalized one of Pacific’s most iconic landmarks while still preserving the deep history of the building,” said President Christopher Callahan.

BACK TO PACIFIC: READY, SET, ROAR!

First-year student Charlotte Oicles was eager to start her college career at Pacific. The computer science major was among the 400-plus students who took advantage of “Back to Pacific: Ready, Set, Roar!,” a new immersive five-week program in the summer prior to the full reopening of the Stockton Campus that featured a robust selection of classes and action-packed activities.

Designed for incoming first-and second-year students, Ready, Set, Roar! offered new and returning students—some who had never been on campus or who had been away for nearly 16 months—an opportunity to acclimate to on-campus learning and living. It was a chance to explore their new home with the option to enroll in an ample selection of required courses.

“I am grateful for the ability to start with a few classes as opposed to a full schedule,” Oicles said during move-in. “It will make my transition easier and give me a chance to meet my counselors.”

“The main reason I signed up is the amazing opportunities provided,” said Cynia Manning, a first-year political science major. She was able to enroll in a

general education course and relieve her course load in fall and spring.

With the start of classes, President Christopher Callahan worked with the Division of Student Life to create new programs, events and opportunities for engagement. Included were new “Kammocks,” steel structures that accommodate eight hammocks. They have become a popular gathering spot.

Other additions include a bocce ball court, a life-size chess set and a mobile nine-hole disc golf course. The activities offer students a chance to relax, socialize and immerse themselves in campus life while making new connections.

14 DAYS IN OCTOBER: HISTORY, MEET INNOVATION

Just how significantly Pacific “roared back” could be witnessed during an amazing two-week period in October.

The buzz of activity started Oct. 8–9 with “Pacific Roars Back,” the reimagined combination of key events in one weekend: Homecoming, the Orange & Black Ball (the university’s major athletics fundraiser), and a special commencement for the classes of 2020 and 2021.

What started as an idea in the spring turned out to be one of Pacific’s best-attended events in its history.

“The timing was right—we wanted to find a way for everyone to come back to campus—alumni, students, faculty, staff, families and community—and celebrate the very best of Pacific,” President Christopher Callahan said. “It was also important that we appropriately honor the graduates of 2020 and 2021 and give them a chance to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas with their families watching.”

“The vibrancy and energy on campus that weekend was spectacular. People were ready to be together—we drew record crowds for nearly all of our events,” said Kelli Page ’87, associate vice president of alumni relations. “Commencement was standing room-only and was quite a moving experience for our students who waited a long time for this day.”

Ashley Hope Arroyo ’20, a McGeorge School of Law graduate, gave birth to her daughter Luna while in law school. “I just really hoped that one day she would know that I kept going and finished my degree,” Arroyo said as she walked across the stage with her now 1-year-old in tow. “I felt like we got through this journey together.”

Two weeks after Pacific Roars Back, barely taking a collective breath, the campus community prepared for the long-awaited inauguration of Pacific’s 26th president, Christopher Callahan. Delayed by more than a year due to the pandemic, the weeklong festivities featured an opening event in Sacramento Oct. 17, and included five symposia on the Stockton Campus covering the art of teaching, diversity, the student experience, community impact and athletics. The formal investiture ceremony drew hundreds to campus on Oct. 20 and the week wrapped up with an event in San Francisco.

“This is a momentous occasion and one for which we have waited more than a year to celebrate,” said Board of Trustees Chair Norman Allen ’88, ’94. “I think you’ll all agree with me that it was worth the wait.”

President Callahan reflected on the deep meaning of Pacific’s October events during his inaugural address.

“Today, after having watched our regents and faculty, students and staff, alumni and donors respond to the global pandemic and respond with grace, empathy, creativity and fierce determination, I am more confident than ever in our future,” he said.