Maria Pallavicini  
Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs 

It's always so wonderful to hear our conservatory performers, isn't it? Let's thank them again for sharing their talents. 

Good afternoon. I'm Maria Pallavicini, Pacific's provost and chief academic officer. I have the pleasure and honor of making a few remarks about our president. But most importantly, I have the privilege of working with him. 

When the former board chair asked me to serve as interim president during academic year 2019-20, I agreed on the condition that they land a new president within a year. And our board certainly did not disappoint. Not only did the board conduct an extensive national search, but they successfully recruited Chris Callahan to the position, a transformational leader with energy, enthusiasm, passion, vision and a laser focus on what is needed to move Pacific forward. Once announced, the university community was delighted to learn that Chris would be joining us in July 2020.  

But let me take you back to early 2020. When COVID hit with a vengeance in February, we sent our students home, our faculty made remarkable transitions to online learning, and our staff and leadership worked tirelessly and creatively to provide a quality student experience from afar. 

During those early months of uncertainty, I remember hoping that Chris would not change his mind. But during that time, we had frequent phone calls, some visits, and both of us thought that in a few short months, we would be celebrating his inauguration. 

In anticipation, Chris willingly and eagerly stepped in during May to assist in what I call all things COVID, which includes considering potential enrollment and budget scenarios and the university’s community health and safety considerations. We had many conversations about supporting students, our faculty and our staff during the COVID period. And at the same time, Chris was providing his perspective and guidance as the university prepared for the coming year. 

I'm immensely grateful to Chris for joining me and helping to manage the university during those early COVID times in my interim presidency. I could not have asked for a better colleague in transitioning from interim presidency back to provost in the heart of academics, which is my passion. 

Chris formally took the reins in July 2020. As COVID persisted in ways none of us could have predicted, Chris postponed this ceremony so that Pacific could continue to focus all of its energies on serving our students during such unique and challenging times. 

During the summer and fall of 2020 and the spring of ’21, for 18 months, Chris and Jean lived on a campus that was nothing like what either had imagined when they accepted the position. Yes, those grounds continue to be beautiful, but the buildings were closed, and the campus was devoid of what makes Pacific so special: its faculty, its staff, and of course, our students. A situation no one could have predicted. Yet, in his optimistic and enthusiastic manner, Chris worked tirelessly to make connections with faculty and staff, current students, prospective students. parents and alumni and members of our surrounding community. He held over 1,500 Zoom meetings during those 18 months. 

Now, Chris did not come alone. Jean Callahan, the first lady, is not only his most ardent supporter and fan, but shares his passion and commitment to Pacific, to our students and our employees. Jean’s enthusiasm for Pacific can be felt in every conversation and event, where she warmly welcomes our students, alumni and employees as extended members of her family. Jean's generosity and heartfelt commitment to this university are truly unmatched. 

As the university community started the New Year of 2021, albeit still by Zoom, we all looked forward to meeting the newest member of the Callahan family: Cali, the beautiful retriever. And what adventures Cali is having. 

We also learned of campus enhancements awaiting us from Tesla's solar panels to a safe in Burns Tower, unlocking documents from Pacific's original founding in 1851 as California's first chartered university of higher education. 

It was clear very early on that the Callahans transcended Zoom, uniting all of us around our shared passion for Pacific. 

Our 26th President, Chris Callahan, is a transformational, innovative and focused leader with a vision for Pacific to become the best comprehensive university in the nation within 10 years. 

President Callahan, know that we are all by your side to make that vision a reality. 

Scout Cooper-Wilson ’22  
President, Associated Students of University of the Pacific 

Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for gathering here today to celebrate this pivotal moment for University of the Pacific. This investiture is, of course, not the normal ceremony that would be held for an incoming university president. By now, President Callahan has been with us for 476 days. Though if you ask him, he will say it has felt like years. 

I feel privileged to be able to speak today after already having the opportunity to work with President Callahan, seeing firsthand his dedication and passion for this university and its students. 

President Callahan did not have an easy start. He came to Pacific four months into an unprecedented pandemic, and spent the first year of his term living on a campus where classes and work were remote. 

However, he hit the ground running, making tough choices to keep our community safe, and finding ways to connect with the thousands of Pacificans he did not have the chance to meet in person. 

During my time working with and observing President Callahan, I have been impressed by his accessibility and his strength as a leader. He is constantly seeking out avenues to talk with our community, particularly students, whether through forums, detailed email updates, social media posts, or even while walking around a women's soccer game saying hello to everyone he sees. 

He has established himself as a confident decision-maker, which is not easy to do when you are brand new at an institution. I believe he took some critical steps to start moving Pacific in the right direction, highlighting and expanding the aspects of this university that make it the place we all love: our fantastic academic programs, world-class faculty, both in terms of their knowledge and their care for their students, hardworking staff that support student life outside the classroom, and indeed, our beautiful campus itself. 

Moving forward, I encourage President Callahan to continue prioritizing direct engagement with students, faculty and staff when making his decisions. Combining his efforts to be accessible and his drive to create lasting positive change at Pacific will be key in moving our institution toward his goal of making Pacific the best student-centric comprehensive university in 10 years. 

President Callahan, I look forward to seeing where you lead this institution, which has made such an impact on me personally, as well as countless others. I'm honored to say that on behalf of our student body, I welcome and congratulate you, Christopher Callahan, as the 26th president of University of the Pacific. 

 

Paul Subar 
Chair, Academic Council 

Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Paul Subar, chair of the Academic Council, chair of the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the Dugoni School of Dentistry and a proud 2009 graduate of Benerd College. 

I'm delighted to join you here today for the investiture of our president, Chris Callahan, with whom I've had the absolute pleasure of working with since his arrival. 

The faculty of our three campuses are excited about the future of our great institution and ready to be part of the continuous growth and opportunities that lie ahead. The Pacific faculty care deeply about our university. Partnership, collaboration and understanding one another is the way we get things done here at Pacific. Partnerships with our academic colleagues and students, collaboration across departments and schools, and understanding and celebrating the diversity that each of us brings to this great institution. These partnerships have led to developments and improvements in curriculum in programming, in the development of new technologies and in a greater understanding of the science of teaching of learning.  

The potential of every member of the Pacific family contributes great and immense opportunities to lead an academic achievement. 

President Callahan, on behalf of the faculty, active and emeriti at the University of Pacific, please accept our sincere congratulations on your investiture. You're at the helm of a rich tradition in California and the Pacific faculty look forward to joining you on the promising future that lies ahead as we continue to grow this great university. 

Thank you. 

 

Denise Fitzgerald
Chair of the Pacific Staff Advisory Council 

President Callahan, the staff of University of Pacific welcome you and your dedication to excellence in all we do here at the university. 

You have already included staff leadership in much of your decision-making, and have continued to recognize staff for their contributions to the success of this great institution. 

We are grateful to work with you on the strategic mission and planning of the future of this first University of California. 

On behalf of more than 1,100 staff at University of Pacific, I congratulate and welcome Christopher Callahan, as the 26th president of University of Pacific. 

 

LaNor Miller Smith ’86, ’87  
President, Pacific Alumni Association 

Thank you and good afternoon. I have the good fortune of being a double Tiger, and I also have the great good fortune of having immediate family who are also Pacific graduates, my husband Scott, our son, Clay, and daughter, Christina. I even have an aunt and uncle and a cousin who are graduates. So, it is a family institution. And President and Mrs. Callahan, we welcome you to our family.  

President Callahan, University of the Pacific extends our welcome to you and we look forward to partnering with you to reach out to our alumni around the world.  

You have placed high priority on developing your relationship with Pacific students, faculty, staff and alumni. And we stand ready as volunteers, donors, recruiters and friends to collaborate with you to advance this phenomenal university. 

On behalf of 78,000 global alumni of the University of the Pacific. I congratulate and recognize you, Christopher Callahan, as the 26th President of University of the Pacific. 

Thank you. 

 

Kevin Lincoln 
Mayor, City of Stockton 

Good afternoon, everyone. 

It is truly an honor to be here with you all, and congratulations, President Callahan. University of Pacific has been a gem in Stockton for many, many years. 

This university provides hope, provides opportunity, and it changes generations to come. Three of the 13 largest cities throughout California call themselves home to University of the Pacific. 

And on behalf of those three cities, and the mayors that represent those three cities and their colleagues on the council, I want to say on behalf of Mayor Breed from the city of San Francisco, Mayor Steinberg from the city of Sacramento, and myself, welcome to University of the Pacific. And welcome to each and every one of our beautiful cities. 

I've had the opportunity to spend a few moments with President Callahan over the past several weeks now that things have been opening up and also prior to that over the phone. And one thing I could say about President Callahan is that his smile and his leadership is contagious. 

I know the future is bright for University of the Pacific, and it is an honor to partner with the university moving forward. And then together, we will do amazing things. 

God bless you, President Callahan. 

And we know that behind every great leader, is an even greater partner, and thank you, Jean, First Lady, for making this journey as well. We are honored to have you both. 

God bless you. 

 

Randi Holguin ’21  
Former President, Associated Students of University of the Pacific 

Thank you, Regent Allen. 

President Callahan and I were both pandemic presidents. I kind of like that title. 

For both President Callahan and I being called a pandemic president comes with the underlying connotation that we not only developed an insane amount of patience, but also creativity, resilience, and the ability to stay hopeful and lead with that same faith. 

For me personally, it was a great interview talking point as I was applying to jobs. But in all seriousness, being a leader through a pandemic taught me a lot about myself, and what leadership really means. 

Upon first learning about our new president, a dean of journalism from ASU, my initial thought was that ASU was a party school and Pacific was going to turn into a party school. Nice. 

But in all seriousness, I was excited that we were getting a qualified candidate from a major school, hoping that he would bring big school energy to our quiet private university. 

Now after meeting president Callahan, I wasn't far off from my initial thought of him, bringing the party to Pacific. He is upbeat, excited, positive and student centered. One thing is for sure, the Pacific spirit will be amplified because of his arrival. 

During my tenure as ASuop president, President Callahan and I would have virtual meetings, socially distanced lunches and walks around campus, which were really special to me. He was always very intentional and personal about our meetings together, which as a student leader was very valuable to me. 

He would give me his undivided attention for an hour or so sometimes more if Ashley or his schedule allowed it. And through those meetings, I quickly learned that President Callahan is truly a genuine person who values students. 

He valued me as a student leader, and gave me the same respect and trust as one of his senior colleagues. He is not afraid to be humble and to let others shine. One of the many reasons why I loved working with him. It's not about the titles or the benefits. It's about the work that needs to be done. 

We shared very similar perspectives on leadership, the value of students, school spirit and traditions, as well as the enhancement of our Pacific campus and the Stockton community. When I spoke with President Callahan, he always made me feel empowered and heard. 

I think President Callahan is the definition of the right person at the right time for Pacific. There have been so many positive changes since his arrival. And I know even as an alum, because I know he has big plans to deepen our traditions, enhance school spirit and add more Pacific and more value to a Pacific education. 

He is not afraid to lean in and take risks. He has a very entrepreneurial, fresh and creative perspective. He embraces change and learns from it, which is needed now more than ever. 

He sees Pacific's potential and is driven to make it better, while also keeping the students at the core. He really understands that the students are the heart of the university, all while acknowledging that the university is also a business. He balances the success of the school and the needs of students. 

I have confidence that he came to Pacific to make us better and we will be better because of him and the leaders that he rallies together to lead that change.  

President Callahan, as a person is an even better story to tell. On a personal note, I grew up low income, and a brown woman from diverse neighborhoods where respect is earned and not given. 

In our community, relationships, familia and the community, we share our time and energy, which means a lot to us. We're not so easily impressed with the glitz and the glam of titles. What impresses me about any person I meet is character, their word, their actions and how they treat others that are different from them. Character earns respect in my book. And President Callahan had no difficulty in meeting that expectation.  

President Callahan and Mrs. Callahan had me over for dinner a few days before a virtual commencement. And one thing they probably don't know is that when I got home, I cried and my mom cried because of how special and highly they saw me. We're both so honored that I could make such an impact on them and the Pacific community. My mother and I could not have felt more honored and appreciated. 

I'm honored to call President Callahan one of my mentors that I respect admire deeply. Being a student body president during a pandemic was not at all ideal, and at times was very challenging and isolating. But President Callahan made me feel encouraged, uplifted, and gave me the constant reminder that I was making an impact even virtually, which meant more to me than he may know. 

I'd like to leave everyone with one of my favorite quotes by Maya Angelou. 

“I've learned that people will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

President Callahan, I look forward to seeing the impact that your leadership will continue to bring to University of Pacific and hearing your remarks today. 

Thank you.