University of the Pacific’s all-university commencement ceremony will be an integral part of graduation festivities this year, allowing the Pacific community to celebrate all graduates on historic Knoles Lawn.

“This is the culmination of all of our graduating students’ hard work, and the ability to share that with each other is powerful,” said President Christopher Callahan. “This is something our graduating students will remember 50 years from now. We want them to soak in every moment.”

The ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 10 a.m., will feature music from Conservatory students, formal degree conferral by President Callahan and the Board of Regents, a student speaker and an honorary doctorate awarded to alumnus and Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks Pete Carroll ’73, ’78.

“I think it will be a great opportunity for all the schools to come together,” said Scout Cooper-Wilson, president of Associated Students of the University of the Pacific. “Pacific is so unique in that it's a small school, but there's so much going on in so many different schools and programs on the three campuses.” 

As California’s oldest university, Pacific’s commencement ceremony is rich with tradition, including an historic Academic Mace carried during the processional. Used at university functions more than 55 years, it was created for Pacific by an internationally known London silver designer. 

Restoring the all-university ceremony brings back one of the highlights, along with the special interfaith baccalaureate service and all-university reception for graduates and families.

“Watching our students and their families celebrate this hard-earned accomplishment is just such a joyous time, said Maria Blandizzi, vice president for student life. “It's just such an amazing moment to see a student celebrate and culminate the hard work that they've been focused on for a number of years.” 

After the all-university ceremony, schools and colleges on the Stockton Campus will have their diploma and hooding ceremonies. Ceremonies for colleges based on the Sacramento and San Francisco campuses are scheduled for later dates.

Updates and additional information can be found on the Commencement Page and the full schedule of events is below.

Friday, May 13, 2022

3:30 p.m.: Interfaith Baccalaureate Service and “Last Lecture,” Morris Chapel
5 p.m.: All-university Commencement Reception, Weber Lawn

Saturday, May 14
10 a.m.: All-university Commencement and Degree Conferral Ceremony, Knoles Lawn 
 
Diploma and Hooding Ceremonies 
1 p.m.: Eberhardt School of Business, Knoles Lawn
1 p.m.: College of the Pacific, Alex G. Spanos Center
1 p.m.: Conservatory of Music, Faye Spanos Concert Hall
4 p.m.: School of Engineering and Computer Science, Knoles Lawn
5 p.m.: Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, Alex G. Spanos Center
7 p.m.: Benerd College, Knoles Lawn

Saturday, May 21
10 a.m.: School of Health Sciences, Alex G. Spanos Center

Saturday, May 28 
2 p.m.: McGeorge School of Law, Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento

Saturday, June 19 
2 p.m.: Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, Masonic Auditorium, San Francisco