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Photos: Celebrating 100 years in the Central Valley
In 1924, University of the Pacific made the bold decision to move its 17-acre campus from San Jose to Stockton, where it has grown to a thriving 175-acre, nationally ranked institution.
Pacific celebrated its centennial in the Central Valley Sunday, Sept. 29, marking the exact date 100 years ago when Pacific opened the doors to its new campus.
President Christopher Callahan
“History plays an important role for all colleges, but it's particularly important here at Pacific,” President Christopher Callahan told attendees. “We are California's first and oldest university and the history of Pacific is about innovation.”
Hundreds of alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members came together to mark the occasion and reflect on the university’s legacy. The event was held on Knoles Lawn, named for former Pacific President Tully C. Knoles, who led the university's move to Stockton.
Chair Mary-Elizabeth Eberhardt '76
Board of Regents Chair Mary-Elizabeth Eberhardt ’76, who spoke at the event, is one of nine in her family to graduate from Pacific and the fifth to serve on the board.
“This moment means a great deal to me,” she said. “What we are commemorating today is more than a physical move to a new location. Pacific holds many deep, strong partnerships with the businesses here in Stockton and the Stockton community, and we know that with the Stockton community behind Pacific, great things happen."
Regent Leticia Robles '89
Regent Leticia Robles ’89, president of Pacific Homecare Services, shared what President Callahan described as “the quintessential Pacific success story.”
Robles attended Pacific through the Community Involvement Program, which supports first-generation students from Stockton.
“CIP gave me more than just financial support; it gave me a family,” Robles said. “I bonded with fellow students who shared similar backgrounds and struggles, and in them, I found strength, belonging and community.”
The Jazz Ambassadors
The award-winning Jazz Ambassadors, comprised of Mike Belasco ’27, Joseph Evans ’27, Marwan Ghonima ’24, Aimee MacDonald ’26 and Leo Milano ’26, performed for guests, including a piece by legendary jazz composer and Pacific alumnus Dave Brubeck ’42.
Faculty signed copies of "100 years in Stockton" at the event.
During the reception, guests received a copy of “A Century in Stockton,” a new book written by faculty members. The book chronicles the places and spaces of the Stockton Campus, from its geology and wildlife to its architecture and history in Hollywood.
Over the years, Pacific has grown from 50 acres to 175. The university set a record for the most students in its 173-year history this fall, with 6,944 students across its three campuses in Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco.
Pacific recently achieved its highest-ever ranking, coming in at No. 87 among all universities nationwide in a Wall Street Journal report.
“I'm so excited about revisiting the first 100 years, but the next 100 years are going to be even better,” the president said.
