Christopher Callahan Inaugurated as Pacific’s 26th President

President Callahan before the ceremony

On Wednesday, October 20th, Christopher Callahan was instated as the 26th president of the University of the Pacific. This inauguration was met with much anticipation after a difficult academic year of remote instruction. 

Pacific’s first president was founder Reverend Edward Bannister, who served as president from 1852-54. For Bannister, investiture was surely a quiet affair, unaccompanied by the pageantry and traditions the now-established University observes. In Bannister’s time, the Pacific community would not have been able to virtually celebrate with in-person attendees. President Callahan’s inauguration is unique in that it is the first one that has been broadcasted live on social media. He adds to a long tradition of Pacific presidents who, in the course of the university’s history, have thoughtfully engineered new ways to take the university to greater heights. 

First Lady Jean Callahan

The inauguration began at 3:00pm. The spacious Knoles Lawn was the perfect venue, offering both practicality and Pacific beauty. Throughout the ceremony, the importance of keeping Pacific traditions while stepping into the future was emphasized. In her invocation, DEI Vice-President Mary Wardell-Gharaduzzi, ‘89, encouraged Callahan to “continue as a servant of the frontier, where the new will draw its enrichment from the old.” 

The traditional welcome offered by individuals representing students, faculty, staff, and alumni highlighted the importance of the university’s past, present, and future in forging a new path for the university. 

Regent Chair Norman Allen and President Callahan

After various speeches, First Lady Jean Callahan presented the President with a medallion, which was engraved with the names of all the previous presidents of the university. Chairman of the Board of Regents Norman Allen, ‘88, ‘94, encouraged Callahan to use the medallion as a reminder “of the values and aspirations of our founders.”

The inauguration ended with a speech by the newly inaugurated President, who shared his bold vision of making Pacific “the best student centered comprehensive university in the U.S. within 10 years.” Callahan explained how this goal could only be achieved by “rely[ing] equally on the great traditions of being California’s great and oldest university...combined with a bold spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.” 

VP for DEI

President Callahan’s address was steeped in the academic, geographic, and ideological legacy of Pacific. Invoking past greats such as Tully Knoles and Robert Burns, Callahan expressed his desire to continue in their steps, driving the university forward into a new era. “Our tradition,” he declared, “is innovation.”