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Pacific prepares to celebrate Class of 2023 at all-university commencement

students walk at commencement ceremony

Hundreds of graduating students will soon celebrate the culmination of years of hard work at University of the Pacific’s spring commencement ceremony on the Stockton Campus.

The two-day event begins Friday, May 12 with the Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at 3:30 p.m. inside Morris Chapel. Retiring Professor of Economics Bill Herrin will give the traditional “last lecture,” followed by a commencement reception on Weber Lawn.

The all-university commencement will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 13 on historic Knoles Lawn. The ceremony honors students from all nine of the university’s schools and colleges across its campuses in Sacramento, San Francisco and Stockton.

“This is a moment our graduates will never forget, and we are thrilled to celebrate this tremendous accomplishment and special day with them,” President Christopher Callahan said. “The exceptional education they have received at Pacific has prepared our students for incredible new opportunities, and we look forward to hearing about their success in the years to come.”

Brooke Han Tran ’23, vice president of Associated Students of the University of the Pacific, will provide a commencement address for her class, which had to overcome the added challenge of the pandemic only one semester into their freshman year.

“After our return, during these past two years, I’ve been constantly inspired by my peers’ voracious appetite for ‘the college experience’ and their continuous drive to make Pacific work for Pacificans,” Han Tran said. “I’m honored to be the last voice that closes out our commencement ceremony celebrating with all of our graduates and to be the student speaker for this resilient and accomplished class.”

The university also will present its highest honors during the ceremony. Jim Mair ’68, a prominent Silicon Valley real estate executive and former regent, will receive an honorary doctorate. Mair was instrumental in negotiating the purchase of the San Francisco Campus, which houses the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and other graduate programs.

The Order of Pacific will be presented to Regent Norm Allen ’88,’94; Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Daniel Bender; former Director of Career Services Deb Crane ’01, ’08; Professor of Economics Bill Herrin and Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Maria Pallavicini.

Professor of History Ken Albala will receive the Distinguished Faculty award.

With thousands of visitors expected on the Stockton Campus, additional parking will be available at Central United Methodist Church on Pacific Ave. and First Baptist Church on W. Alpine Ave. and N. El Dorado St. A shuttle bus will bring guests to campus.

Designated rideshare drop-offs will be located at Alex G. Spanos Center and Buck Memorial Hall. As part of the university’s commitment to sustainability, both locations also will have water trailers available to fill reusable water bottles, which students and guests are encouraged to bring.

In addition to the all-university commencement, each school and college will hold its own graduation and hooding ceremonies:

Saturday, May 13

  • College of the Pacific, 11:30 a.m. at Alex G. Spanos Center
  • School of Engineering and Computer Science, 11:30 a.m. on Knoles Lawn
  • Conservatory of Music, 11:30 a.m. at Faye Spanos Concert Hall
  • Eberhardt School of Business, 2 p.m. on Knoles Lawn
  • Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, 3 p.m. at Alex G. Spanos Center
  • Benerd College. 7 p.m. on Knoles Lawn

Saturday, May 20

  • School of Health Sciences, 10 a.m. at Alex G. Spanos Center

Saturday, May 27

  • McGeorge School of Law, 2 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento. The law school’s commencement speaker is alumnus Scott Boras ’77, ’82, ranked No 1. sports agent in the world by Forbes Magazine.

Sunday, June 18

  • Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, 2 p.m. at The Masonic in San Francisco

Additional events and information can be found on the commencement site.