In a year unlike any other, University of the Pacific's community was quick to respond to the challenges and uncertainties created by the coronavirus pandemic. Faculty transformed curriculum to meet the new demands of online learning and students showed resiliency as they adjusted to these new virtual learning spaces and staff too constructed new ways to connect with one another while working from home.

Pacific also found a few moments to celebrate some notable accomplishments, discovered ways to support their community and welcomed new members to the Pacific family.

Here’s a roundup of those and other reflections from the year.

Christopher Callahan begins role as University of the Pacific president

Christopher Callahan started as president of Pacific on July 1, becoming the 26th president of California’s first chartered university. Callahan joined Pacific from Arizona State University, where he was founding dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, vice provost of the downtown Phoenix campus and CEO of Arizona PBS.

Read Callahan's opening message to the Pacific community here.

Pacific welcomes four new regents

Pacific's Board of Regents elected leaders in entertainment, health care, higher education and transportation as its newest members.

Randall Bass, vice president for Strategic Education Initiatives and professor at Georgetown University; Ali Dashti, chairman and CEO of KGL Holding; Scott Liggett, founder and executive producer for Shatner Universe LLC; and Leticia Robles, president of Pacific Homecare Services, were elected to the board and began their three-year terms on July 1.

Read more about each of the new regents here.

Pacific participates in California Civic Action Program

A cohort of 10 students decided to meld their college educations with community service as part of the California Civic Action Program at the university. The fellows were sworn in Aug. 20 in a virtual induction ceremony attended by Pacific President Christopher Callahan, Provost Maria Pallavicini, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, California's Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, community partners and Pacific staff.

The partnership with California Volunteers and AmeriCorps expanded Pacific’s longstanding commitment to community service while giving the 10 students immersive opportunities to serve Stockton’s vulnerable populations.

Learn about the students participating in the program here.

Pacific launches new website

Pacific launched a revamped website to improve the way online users could experience the university, which would contribute to increased enrollment, fundraising, community engagement and support.

See Pacific's new website here.

Pacific teams with Abbott Fund to tackle diabetes crisis in Stockton

Pacific and the Abbott Fund, the foundation of the global health care company Abbott, joined forces to battle one of the most challenging chronic illnesses – diabetes. San Joaquin County sits at the epicenter of the problem, and in Stockton alone, almost 50 percent of adults have prediabetes and 10 percent have diabetes. Pacific aims to help improve those numbers thanks in part to a generous gift from the Abbott Fund to hire Pacific faculty and to develop curriculum in diabetes education.

Read more about this partnership and efforts here.

Pacific Together speaker series

While the Pacific community was remote during the fall semester, the university organized an extensive portfolio of remote, co-curricular learning experiences. Pacific students from across the country and around the world gathered virtually to participate in dozens of conversations, interactive activities and panel discussions each week featuring Pacific faculty, staff, alumni and other worldwide experts.

Special weekly events featuring global experts on key topics included PBS News Hour anchor Judy Woodruff and CNN politics host John King analyzing the 2020 presidential election; Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll (’73, ’78) discussing motivational leadership; former United States Solicitor General Ted Olson ('62) reviewing the state of the judiciary; Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs detailing his Economic Empowerment Demonstration and Jose Hernandez (’84) discussing his career as an astronaut.

Watch and read about Pete Carroll's speaker session here.

Dugoni School of Dentistry ensures dental licensure exams continue

Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry worked closely with the Western Regional Examining Board to ensure dental licensure exams could continue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Dugoni School's staff set up simulated exams by turning its dental clinic operatory into "simulation stations" and ensured safety by screening all entrants and creating physical distance between test-takers.

Read more the Dugoni School's efforts here.

Homecoming @ Home

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Pacific Alumni Association hosted its first virtual homecoming titled "Homecoming @ Home." Despite being apart, 1,450 Pacificans registered and many attended reunions, sampled cider and wine, got out of bed early for a sunrise from Burns Tower, took part in a run/walk, had coffee with President Chris Callahan and Jean Callahan and so much more. All virtually, of course.

Here’s a look back at a memorable Homecoming @ Home weekend.

Pharmacy students’ Medicare Part D health fairs go virtual

Student pharmacists from Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy transitioned their annual Medicare Part D health fairs to a telehealth platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beneficiaries were able to schedule an appointment at one of the 10 virtual health fairs and student pharmacists were able to provide the exact same services of Part D review and medication review.

Read about some of the School of Pharmacy's efforts in the community here.

Beyond our Gates celebrates 10-year anniversary

Pacific’s Beyond Our Gates initiative, a community outreach effort focused on improving education and quality of life in Stockton and San Joaquin County, reached its 10th anniversary in early November. The program consists of more than 90 community members who collaborate on issues and opportunities involved with early-childhood literacy.

Read their 2020 impact report to see the program’s accomplishments over the past decade.

Read At Pacific 2020: The year in review (Part 1) here.