25 Uplifting Moments of 2025

25

Pacific EarClinic Offers First Cochlear Implant

Dave Modrell’s hearing aids just weren’t cutting it anymore.

“I was missing so much of conversations,” said Dave, a retired paving excavation contractor who had used hearing aids, with decreasing effectiveness, for nearly 20 years. “It dove very quickly towards the end where it was impossible to carry on a conversation.”

Dave was running out of options until the Pacific EarClinic offered a solution: a cochlear implant.

Though cochlear implants were approved for use in 1985, a lot of audiology schools don’t provide hands-on training in them. At Pacific University, the on-site EarClinic gives students in the Doctor of Audiology program more real-world experience.

“One of the weaknesses (of audiology schools) is that students get the philosophical training of implants in the classroom and then they leave for their fieldwork,” said Pacific Professor Jennifer Ratigan. Experiences in those fieldwork placements may vary from student to student, she said. 

“It’s been a big movement to say it’s our responsibility to our students to ensure that we’re comprehensive in what we’re teaching them and equipping them for the full scope of practice.”

The first Pacific EarClinic cochlear implant patient, Dave experienced an almost immediate difference in his hearing — and it’s only continued to improve.

“It changed my life from where I was going,” he said.

Pacific University is the No. 1 preparer of healthcare professionals in Oregon. Your gift to the Boxer Spirit Fund empowers students to become the caregivers our communities need. Give today.

24

NHOH Hosts 64th Lū‘au and Hō‘ike

The Pacific University Nā Haumāna O Hawai‘i, or Students of Hawai‘i, hosted its 64th Lū‘au and Hō‘ike on April 10.

The year’s theme, “Our Experiences Define the Voices of Our Generation,” celebrated the stories, traditions and values students have learned from their ancestors and the legacy those students strive to uphold.

The largest student-run lū‘au on the mainland, the annual event features a traditional meal and an exhibition of music and dance representing the culture of Hawai‘i and the Polynesian diaspora, all planned by NHOH members, who come from across the Pacific community to share in a celebration of culture. 

At Pacific University, we celebrate our students for who they are and who they will become. Your gift helps create an environment where students belong and thrive as they study to fulfill their purpose in the world. Give today.

23

Pacific Alumna Jessica Scruggs ’09 Earns Exemplary Service Medal

Jessica Scruggs ‘09 found a passion for public health in the Pacific University dental hygiene program.

A member of the program’s second graduating class, Jessica was introduced to the U.S. Public Health Service in one of her clinical rotations on her way to her bachelor’s degree. A few years after graduation, she joined the service to provide dental care and oversee medical care for inmates with the Department of Justice.

Over the course of her career, she’s expanded her work beyond dental hygiene and into comprehensive public health, with a focus on substance abuse and mental health. She earned a commission as an officer with the U.S. Public Health Service and served two stints in the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. 

In January 2025, she was awarded the Surgeon General’s Exemplary Service Medal by former U.S. Surgeon General Vitek Murthy. Though she’s left the service, Scruggs continues to center her life around the values of public health and community service she learned at Pacific.

“It’s a blend. You can write a thesis or have the cure for cancer, but unless you understand how it impacts the community, it’s useless,” she said. “It’s not this magical operations formula in healthcare administration. It’s taking science and listening and blending it to where people are on the ground. I think that Pacific helped give me those building blocks.”

Pacific University is the No. 1 preparer of healthcare professionals in Oregon. Your gift to the Boxer Spirit Fund empowers students to become the caregivers our communities need. Give today.

22

Pacific Lands $1.7 Million Grant To Prepare STEM Teachers

There’s a serious shortage of math and science teachers in the U.S., and Pacific University is at the forefront of helping stem the tide.

Pacific received a six-year, $1.7 million grant from the National Science Foundation to provide a comprehensive training and mentorship program for STEM teachers. Part of the NSF’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, the grant provides 12 students full tuition to pursue their Master of Arts in Teaching degree, followed by four years of salary supplements, coaching, mentorship and training through the university and its partners.

“The first piece of a teacher’s career is really important,” said Pacific Professor Kevin Carr, who also has received grants to study what it takes to help STEM teachers stay in the profession. “And if you can build in the right pieces during that time, their likelihood of retention over the long term almost becomes assured.”

The grant also includes funding for a partnership with Willamette University, where undergraduate students with an interest in science can participate in the “Try Teach” program. They will be placed in local schools for a trial teaching experience with the support of master teachers and faculty members as part of an effort to recruit more science-interested students into the Pacific master’s program.

Pacific University was the first college in Oregon to offer a degree in teaching. Today, the vast majority of our alumni are educators or healthcare providers — people who spend their lives caring for others. Your gift today empowers the next generation of students to pursue meaningful careers that uplift our communities. Give today.

21

Pacific Named The No. 1 Private Research University In The Northwest — Again

The National Science Foundation has, once again, ranked Pacific University as the top private research university in the Northwest and among the Top 10 among all private colleges on the West Coast — a select group that includes Stanford University, the University of Southern California, and the California Institute of Technology.

That ranking goes hand in hand with Pacific’s designation as a Research College & University by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The new Research College & University designation is designed to recognize smaller colleges and universities not often recognized for research activity.

Typically a bastion of large public universities, research has become a key component of the Pacific student experience in the past decade — not only for graduate students, but in undergraduate programs as well.

"Research opportunities give undergraduate and graduate students the chance to meaningfully apply what they are learning in a hands-on environment, to prepare for their careers, and to make a tangible impact on their communities,” said President Jenny Coyle ‘90, OD ‘93, MS ‘00. “Research allows students to pursue their purpose and uplift the health, education, and knowledge of all of our communities.”

Pacific’s research portfolio covers a wide variety of topics, including studies of resilience in STEM teachers, mental therapy techniques for autistic youth, therapeutic strategies against tropical diseases, enriching early childhood education, and outreach initiatives for optometry and dental hygiene programs. 

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of the Pacific experience, giving students the opportunity to gain real-world experience and contribute to discovery in the world. Your support of Pacific University makes it possible for students to access these unique opportunities. Give today.

20

Pacific Business Students Uplift Local Companies

On any given afternoon, you can find Pacific University students enjoying a cup of coffee and catching up on homework at Telvet Coffee. For a few students, though, Telvet was the homework.

Trent Dagan ‘25 and Kimi Vidinha ‘27 were among the first 10 Pacific undergraduate business majors taking part in an innovative internship program that links students with local businesses to analyze and transform their digital presence. 

Funded by a $525,000 Future Ready Oregon Technology Workforce Ready Grant, the program pairs teams of students with local business owners to gain hands-on experience while uplifting local businesses.

In addition to Telvet, students spent 10 weeks last spring embedded with Binary Brewing, an upstart brewer in Beaverton, and the Hillsboro Hops professional baseball team. Additional cohorts of students were paired with other businesses through the summer and fall terms.

“Internships like this are an extension of Pacific’s classroom by allowing students to apply their academic knowledge in practical, real-world settings,” said Ivette Heredia ‘17, a Pacific alumna and now director of the grant program. “Students are challenged in ways that expose the professional environments they will encounter after graduation. These experiences build both competence and confidence, helping students become more employment-ready and competitive in the job market.”

At Pacific University, experiential learning programs prepare students for career success. Your gift helps students gain the hands-on experience they need to be the leaders of our communities. Give today.

19

Pacific Alumni Lead Utah Valley Students To Boxer-Influenced Playoff Moment

Pacific University alumnus Nate Rasmussen ‘12 had some big wins in 2025.

The first-year head coach at Division I Utah Valley University led his baseball team to a conference championship win and the school’s first trip to the national championship since 2016. Entering the season, the team had been picked to finish sixth in their nine-team division.

Rasmussen, who played and coached baseball at Pacific, said the Boxer spirit has been infused in his coaching. He credits his own coaches at Pacific for teaching him what caring for players looked like, as well as his business degree for helping him build the skills that help him recruit players.

That recruitment has also drawn on the Boxer community. Upon becoming head coach, Rasmussen brought in fellow Boxer Kyle Treadway ‘15 as the team’s pitching coach, and he has recruited three graduate transfers from Pacific. Among them: CJ Colyer ‘24, who was named 2024 NWC Player of the Year in his final year with the Boxers, hit a three-run ninth-inning homer in the team’s conference tournament win. Colyer has since signed a professional contract with the Billings Mustangs, pitching in 25 games in 2025.

More than 600 Pacific University students participate in Boxer athletics. Your gift not only allows students to compete, but also to thrive in a community of belonging and on a pathway to leadership. Give today.

18

Pacific Professor Chronicles Legacy Of Oregon Leader

Pacific University Professor Jim Moore authored a biography of Oregon’s last Republican governor, Vic Atiyeh, which was published in March 2025.

Moore, a long-time politics and government professor at Pacific and one of the most noted political commentators in the state, has known Atiyeh since the late 1990s. But the book really kicked off in 2011, when Atiyeh donated his personal archives to the university and personally asked Moore to pen the biography.

“Anytime a governor asks you to do something is an honor,” said Moore, who has since retired as a professor emeritus.

In addition to his role leading the state, Atiyeh also was a staunch supporter of Pacific University. He was a longtime member of the university’s board of trustees, was awarded the Pacific University Service Award in 1979, and received an honorary degree from the university in 1996. He also lent his name and likeness to an ad campaign promoting the university in the 1990s with Pacific alumnus and U.S. Rep. Les AuCoin ‘69, Hon. ‘78.

Gov. Atiyeh and Rep. AuCoin may have been on different ends of the political spectrum, but they united in their love and support of Pacific. At Pacific, we believe a hallmark of education is civil discourse and community engagement, values our world desperately needs. Your gift today can support students as they become the next generation of leaders in our world. Give today.

17

Pacific Doubles Down on Student Support

Pacific is known for the personal connections that help students succeed through their academic endeavors. And this year, the university continued to extend that focus on student support.

Pacific was awarded a $1.36 million, five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education designed to enhance student support services.

The TRIO Student Services Support Grant will enhance the university’s robust menu of services in the university’s career center while also bolstering services for first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities. About a third of Pacific’s students identify as the first in their families to attend college and/or come from low-income households.

Pacific is the first private university in Oregon to receive a TRIO grant.

Meanwhile, Pacific is one of just seven universities nationwide — one of just two in the West — to join a pilot Autism-Inclusive Campus designation program. The two-year program, which Pacific began in July, is sponsored by the College Autism Network and empowers institutions to assess how they can enhance the college experience for autistic and other neurodivergent individuals. The most visible aspect of the effort will be new sensory rooms in the Forest Grove and Hillsboro campus libraries, developed by a recent Pacific occupational therapy alumna. Additionally, the designation program will walk the university through a process of assessing policies and practices to ensure access and belonging for autistic and other neurodivergent students.

You too can help expand access and opportunity for first-generation students! Give today.

16

A Boxer ‘Twin’ Returns to Campus

A new twist in the Boxer saga developed in June 2025, when the twin of Boxer II was returned to Pacific University.

The original Boxer statue is a Chinese qilin incense burner that came to campus around 1900. Originally named College Spirit, the statue became the focus of student revelry and spirit, eventually becoming the official mascot of the university. It went missing in 1969, but after a 55-year absence was returned in 2024.

In the interim, a group of students commissioned artist Pat Costello to cast a replacement in the 1980s. Boxer II, unfortunately, followed the fate of its predecessor, disappearing in 2007. It has yet to be recovered.

But what few knew is that Costello actually cast two identical statues at that time — one of which went to live in the garden at his parents’ Colorado home. This summer, when Pacific officials hosted a 175th anniversary stop in Denver, the family decided to give the twin to the university.

A little worse for wear after a lifetime outside, Boxer II’s twin joins what is now a family of Boxers representing the university’s spirit. The family includes the original ornate Boxer (along with some pieces that were broken off over the years); Boxer III, which Costello also was commissioned to create in 2018; a 12-foot statue in Vandervelden Court on the Forest Grove Campus; a set of plaster replicas that are displayed around Pacific’s campuses and in the surrounding community; and assorted art pieces created over the years.

But even with its new members, the Boxer family is incomplete — the Pacific community is waiting anxiously for the day Boxer II makes its way home.

Our Boxer statues have had quite the journey. But even when they were absent, the Boxer Spirit never left Pacific. It’s a spirit of belonging, of opportunity, and of support. Your gift ensures that no student gets left behind as they pursue their purpose in the world. Give today.

15

Oregon Legislature Honors President Emeritus Phil Creighton

Oregon’s Legislative Assembly recognized the legacy of Pacific University President Emeritus Phil Creighton with a memorial resolution honoring his contributions to the university and the growth of Washington County. 

Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 was passed unanimously by both houses of the Oregon Legislature during its 2025 season. Pacific’s 16th president, Creighton died Sept. 16, 2024, at the age of 79.

“I was deeply honored to sponsor this memorial resolution recognizing Dr. Phil Creighton’s transformative leadership at Pacific University and his lasting contributions to the Senate District 15 community,” said State Senator Janeen Sollman, whose district includes Pacific’s Forest Grove and Hillsboro campuses. “He was beloved by students and the broader community, and his vision helped establish Pacific as a true comprehensive university that continues to benefit Western Washington County.”

During his tenure, Creighton oversaw the creation of the university’s Hillsboro Campus and College of Health Professions, a visionary expansion that has led to Pacific becoming the No. 1 private preparer of health professionals in Oregon. 

“His leadership helped Pacific transform into a comprehensive university and his vision will benefit Pacific for years to come,” said President Jenny Coyle ‘90, OD ‘93, MS ‘00.

The creation of Pacific’s College of Health Professions and Hillsboro Campus revolutionized the way Pacific served the needs of its students and community. In this precarious moment for higher education, we need your help to ensure students continue to have access to the transformational power of education. Give today.

14

Pacific Supporters Raise $263K+ on Boxer Giving Day

The Pacific University community rallied in February 2025, raising more than $263,000 in just 36 hours to support scholarships, academic and support programs, and other opportunities to help Pacific students thrive.

As a nonprofit university, Pacific relies on philanthropic support to ensure education remains accessible for students. The cornerstone of the philanthropic effort is the Boxer Spirit Fund, which offsets tuition costs for students. In all, Pacific dedicates a third of its operational budget to offsetting tuition for students. On Boxer Giving Day, donors gave more than $116,000 to the effort.

Additional support uplifted scholarships, special projects like the construction of a longhouse on the Forest Grove Campus, and critical support structures like the Student Emergency Fund, which helps students when facing unexpected challenges.

Pacific’s next Boxer Giving Day is March 18-19, 2026!

But you don’t have to wait to make a difference for Pacific students! Make a gift today to help transform lives for students!

13

Boxers Honored with Oregon Book Awards

Two members of the Pacific University MFA in Writing community were honored in April 2025 with Oregon Book Awards.

Alumna Jaclyn Moyer MFA ‘13 received the Sarah Winnemucca Award for Creative Nonfiction for her memoir On Gold Hill: A Personal History of Wheat, Farming and Family, From Punjab to California.

Faculty member Kimberly King Parsons received the Ken Kesey Award for Fiction for her novel We Were the Universe. That book also was named a “best book for 2024” by a number of publications, including Elle, Time, Oprah Daily, Nylon, and Marie Claire.

Pacific’s MFA in Writing is a low-residency program that celebrates writing as an art that has the potential to make a difference in the world. Students work with faculty members who are acclaimed writers and mentors, and they gather together twice a year at 10-day writing residencies in the Northwest.

Uplift the writers and creators shaping the stories our world needs. Give today. 

12

Pacific Powwow Brings Together Communities, Cultures

The Pacific University Indigenous Student Alliance hosted its second annual Powwow in May 2025, filling the Stoller Center with cultural activities from drumming, singing and dancing to food and arts and crafts.

One of the fastest growing student organizations at Pacific, the Indigenous Student Alliance works to bring together communities to explore identity, celebrate heritage, and strengthen representation of Indigenous cultures. The alliance’s activities are open to all members of the Pacific community. 

The annual powwows combine a celebration of thriving Indigenous cultures in the region with an effort to bring attention and recognition to issues facing those cultures. The inaugural powwow in 2024 was designed to honor and remember students who were part of the Forest Grove Indian School, an off-reservation boarding school that operated near downtown Forest Grove from 1880 to 1885. The 2025 powwow highlighted Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Persons.

In addition to the powwows, ISA also led the Pacific community in hosting a screening of an OPB documentary, “Uncovering Boarding Schools,” and sponsors campus and community events around food, arts and crafts, and other cultural activities. And, members of the group led the development of a proposal to build a Native American longhouse on the Forest Grove Campus in the coming years.

At Pacific University, we celebrate our students for who they are and who they will become. Your gift helps create an environment where students belong and thrive as they study to fulfill their purpose in the world. Give today.

11

Pacific Optometry Student Receives Military Student of the Year Award

A Pacific University student in her final year of optometry school received the Colonel Bzdula Student of the Year Award from the Association of Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services (AFOS). The organization is the military and public service subsection of the American Optometric Association.

Esther Kim OD ‘26 said she’s been guided by her Christian faith to uplift her family and her community. “I feel like it’s the purpose of life to use my strength and resources to help others,” she said.

Esther came to the U.S. from South Korea as an exchange student at 16, received a full scholarship to an early college STEM-focused high school program, then attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a degree in integrated biology in a quick 2 ½ years — while working full-time. 

Though she considered returning to South Korea, she saw an opportunity to uplift her family by remaining in the U.S. A military program that recruited foreign nationals with critical skills gave her a path to enlist in the Army. After a three-year background clearance process, she completed training as a combat medic and became a U.S. citizen, allowing her to petition for her family to immigrate soon afterward.

Now, she’s studying optometry through the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship Program, which pays for her tuition and provides a monthly salary as a second lieutenant. Upon graduation, she will be commissioned as a captain and will serve at least three years as an Army optometrist.

"She embodies [servant leadership] in everything she does,” said Pacific Optometry Professor Bill Hefner. “It’s about service to the greater good, and it makes sense when you get to know Esther a little bit. You take a step back and you look at the things she has been involved with, whether it is in her church or the Army or with her classmates, there is a common theme of service to others.”

Invest in students who dedicate their talents to uplifting families, communities, and our nation. Give today.
 

10

Pacific Physical Therapy Program Celebrates 50 Years

The Pacific University physical therapy program celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. Offering the first PT program in the state of Oregon, Pacific has been at the forefront of the growth of a health profession that has transformed over the course of a half century.

Originally an undergraduate program, Pacific’s PT curriculum has advanced with the expansion of the field. Since 2002, Pacific PT students have earned doctoral degrees and become an increasingly important part of the holistic scope of healthcare.

Pacific’s program is steeped in both classroom and clinical experience, preparing students to thrive in a patient-focused environment of care. 

“Some of the best clinicians I know came out of Pacific,” said Todd Gifford PT ‘90, an alumnus and now chief executive officer of Therapeutic Associates, a company with over 90 PT clinics across the West. “I think that we still see Pacific grads coming out with a great baseline in learning. They are coming out well prepared for how care looks today.”

The numbers bear out the claim: Pacific’s physical therapy graduates have a 100% passing rate on the national board exam and a 100% employment rate. An estimated 1,800 physical therapists have launched their careers at Pacific. 

Pacific University was the first college in Oregon to offer a degree in physical therapy. Just like we were the first to offer optometry, occupational therapy, and teaching degrees. Your gift can help us meet the needs of the future as we pursue innovative new career pathways for students. Give today.

9

Pacific Welcomes More Than 1,000 New Alumni On Their Path To Purpose

More than a thousand Pacific University students joined the ranks of the Alumni Association in 2025, as they earned undergraduate and graduate degrees on the way to careers of service and purpose.

Among them:

• Undergraduate valedictorian Eli Harold ‘25, who studied dual languages and cultures, enhancing his Spanish skills while also becoming fluent in Japanese. Harold, who participated in the Global Scholars program, studied abroad in Japan, worked in the Office of International Programs, and was active in a wide variety of student organizations, delivered a keynote speech at the May Commencement ceremony. “I am sure people have said it before, but I wouldn’t be where I am without everybody here.”
• PA student Julia Senestraro ‘21, PA ‘25, whose journey to a career in healthcare was inspired by her own families’ struggles to navigate the healthcare system. A Pacific undergraduate alumna, Senestraro took advantage of the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Scholars program to gain additional training in rural care and to apply for Primary Care Loan Forgiveness in exchange for serving in a rural community after graduation.
• Skyler Sanchez ‘25, the first Early Learning Community student to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Pacific. Sanchez started her Pacific journey in kindergarten in the Forest Grove Campus ELC 17 years ago. After earning a degree in education, she’s preparing to become a teacher herself.

These 1,000 new alumni made it to graduation with the support of donors like you. Your gift to Pacific provides the funding and support services that help students thrive as they pursue their education and purpose in the world. Give today.

8

Pacific Alumna Comes Home To Serve Community

In February 2025, Pacific University alumna Nanci Rios ‘19 became the first staff immigration attorney with Adelante Mujeres, a nonprofit organization providing education and empowerment opportunities to marginalized Latina women and families in Washington County.

Rios knows the organization and community well. She grew up in Washington County, the daughter of Mexican immigrants who were assisted by immigration attorneys who helped them through the process. She also is an alumna of Adelante Chicas, the organization’s youth development program.

She knew early on that she wanted to pursue an education and career that would position her to serve her own community. She studied politics and government at Pacific, then went on to law school in Rhode Island before returning to Oregon with a legal fellowship through Equity Corps of Oregon.

Today, she manages some 50 open cases at any given time, helping people navigate an increasingly complicated legal system that is changing daily. It’s a difficult and sometimes frustrating role, but Rios is focused on helping other people realize the opportunities she has.

“My grandma is very proud,” she said. “She didn’t have the opportunity to go to school at all. She doesn’t know how to read or write. And then she sees a first-generation Latina in the U.S. go to college, become an attorney, and then help community members. I’m happy that she is proud of me.”

Help students stay focused on their bright futures — make more uplifting moments possible in 2026! Give today. 

7

Pacific Performing Arts Programs Unite To Stage ‘Cabaret’

Pacific students staged the classic musical, Cabaret, by John Kander and Fred Ebb, in October 2025, presenting a showcase collaboration between the departments of Music and Theatre. With four sold-out performances, the show was an undoubted hit for audiences. 

But the bigger impact was on student performers and crew who got to work one-on-one with professionals in the theatre world. Pacific faculty members Ellen Margolis, theatre, and Anne McKee Reed, voice, are front and center. But students also worked with resident director Dan Murphy, who is co-founder and managing director of Portland's Broadway Rose Theatre Company, and choreographer Liberty Dolence, who has acted and choreographed for several of the region's professional acting companies.

"I've never been part of a program that has resident directors, and it is fascinating to hear different takes," said Malcolm Armstrong '27, a music and theatre major who played the male lead of Cliff Bradshaw.

"When people are ready, if they choose, to pursue performance or stage managing or tech, they will understand what that looks like in the professional world," echoed applied theatre major Joey Barrett '26, who played the club's master of ceremonies. "And I’m grateful to Dan for providing that.”

That real-world professional experience is exactly the goal.

"My colleagues and I are all established professionals who love teaching, and I believe we do a good job training and educating our students," Margolis said. "But Pacific is a small place, and by bringing in guest artists virtually every semester, we're encouraging our students to be adaptable and resilient in their practices as they respond to the guests' different vocabularies, approaches and styles."

Uplift the next generation of performers, directors, and designers — make your gift today.
 

6

15% of Grad Students Followed A Pacific Pathway

About 15% of students who started graduate programs at Pacific University this fall made their way through the university’s Pacific Priority program.

Pacific Priority, launched in Spring 2024, offers a wide variety of pathways for students to smooth their route from undergraduate to graduate and professional programs — and ultimately careers.

Among the Pacific Priority offerings are:

• The opportunity for undergraduates to apply for one of 11 Pacific graduate programs as early as freshman year, saving a seat contingent on the completion of prerequisite classes.
• Accelerated pathways that link students’ senior year of undergrad and first year of grad school, leading to fewer years of school and quicker entry into the career world.
• Pathways from entry-level to terminal graduate degree programs.
• A four-year graduation guarantee for qualified high-school graduates.
• A two-year graduation guarantee for qualified transfer students.

The Pacific Priority program is designed to eliminate barriers for students as they navigate the journey from high school through college and grad school and into meaningful careers. Students can map their education early on, knowing that they’ll be able to achieve their goals.

So far this fall, 39 undergraduate students have already earned conditional admission to save their seat in a Pacific graduate program sometime in their future. 

Your gift can help remove even more barriers for students. Give today.
 

5

New Dean Takes Helm Of College Of Optometry

Bisant A. Labib joined Pacific University in July as dean of the College of Optometry. Labib comes to Pacific from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus at Drexel University, where she oversaw academic affairs and programs. She also was director of the clinical internship program and co-chief of primary care service for the affiliated The Eye Institute.

Joining the College of Optometry during its 80th anniversary year, Labib said she looks forward to building on a longstanding legacy in advancing innovative, inclusive and patient-centered optometric education.

Labib succeeds Fraser Horn ‘00, OD ‘04, a Pacific alumnus who spent 20 years on the faculty of his alma mater. Horn took a leave from Pacific this summer to help develop and open an undergraduate optometry program in Ireland — advancing the profession in a country where optometrists are in great need.

Pacific University was the first college in Oregon to offer a degree in optometry. Just like we were the first to offer physical therapy, occupational therapy, and teaching degrees. Your gift can help us meet the needs of the future as we pursue innovative new career pathways for students. Give today.

4

Pacific Women Wrestlers Celebrate Expansion of Their Sport

When the NCAA recognized women’s wrestling as its 91st championship sport in January 2025, Pacific University's first women’s wrestler was overcome with emotion. 

"I cried when I heard the news, because that was a dream I had for myself that never happened,” said Jill (Remiticado) Uyeda ’03, who first set foot in Pacific’s wrestling room in 1999 and was the impetus for creating the Boxer women’s wrestling program. “Now, college women wrestlers have a championship for themselves. They can realize the dreams of being an NCAA champion and beyond because the infrastructure is there.

“This is 30 years in the making. It’s just amazing to me.”

Women’s wrestling is one of the fastest growing collegiate sports in the United States, growing from four to 76 programs at NCAA member schools in the last six years. Pacific, though, was well ahead of that movement, launching its women’s wrestling program in 2001 and becoming an immediate powerhouse.

Sally Roberts ‘05 was one of three national champions on that inaugural squad. She’s now founder and chief executive officer of Wrestle Like A Girl. 

“Pacific took a leap with adding women’s wrestling in a time of uncertainty, not really understanding the landscape of where the sport was going,” Roberts said. “Their belief and faith in the sport, in Title IX, and being able to provide equal access and opportunities was key.”

More than 600 Pacific University students participate in Boxer athletics. Your gift not only allows students to compete, but also to thrive in a community of belonging and on a pathway to leadership. Give today.

3

Pacific Makes The Grade For Transfer-Student Friendliness

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society named Pacific University to its 2025 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes 251 colleges and universities nationwide for their exceptional support of transfer students.

Pacific has made the honor roll every year since 2021 and is one of just two schools in Oregon — and one of six in the Northwest — to make the grade.

The Transfer Honor Roll is determined by 40 metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer students, admissions practices, and bachelor’s degree completion.

Pacific was the first university in Oregon to establish an Office of Transfer Support Services. Today, the office provides services to help students transition from their previous institution, as well as a class in transfer student success. 

Pacific also offers a joint partnership with Oregon’s Linn-Benton Community College for music therapy majors, expanded credits for prior learning, and the adoption of a transfer tiers project that has created broader pathways from two-year institutions across the region.

The highlight, though, is the Pacific Priority program, which offers a two-year graduation guarantee in most undergraduate programs for students transferring from community colleges in Oregon, Washington, California and Hawai‘i. Pacific Priority also lets transfer students apply for guaranteed admission to one of 11 Pacific graduate programs — right when they enter Pacific. 

What’s so special about Pacific is the individual care and support that students receive on their path to meaningful careers and lives of purpose. Your gift uplifts Pacific students to ensure they thrive — at Pacific and beyond. Give today.

2

Acclaimed Author Jeff Goodell Visits Pacific For Les AuCoin Human Rights Lecture

Pacific University welcomed acclaimed author and investigative journalist Jeff Goodell to Forest Grove in October 2025 to headline the Les AuCoin Human Rights Lecture.

Goodell is a noted expert on humanity’s fraught relationship with our rapidly changing planet. He’s covered environmental topics for publications like Rolling Stone and The New York Times Magazine and has published six books, including his latest, New York Times bestseller “The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet.”

That book was the focus of Goodell’s lecture, delivered to a crowd of almost 300 people. Combining dire warnings with optimistic hope, Goodell outlined the impact of soaring temperatures not only on the planet, but also on public health and human rights.

Local nonprofits set up shop in the lobby prior to the lecture, offering resources and opportunities to take action locally. Community conversation expanded beyond the lecture with the Boxer Book Club reading and discussing the book before the lecture and Goodell meeting with smaller groups of students for Q&A sessions the day after the lecture.

The series of activities were part of the Les AuCoin Human Rights Lecture, named for and made possible by Pacific University alumnus Les AuCoin ‘69, Hon. 78. A nine-time U.S. Congressman, representing Oregon’s 1st District, AuCoin spent a career championing critical conversations, environmental protection, and humanitarian rights. AuCoin attended the October lecture.

Pacific University students and alumni are problem-solvers, tackling some of the most pressing issues facing our communities today. Your gift uplifts students as they seek to listen, learn and lead in a world that desperately needs Boxers. Give today.

1

Pacific Marks An Anniversary To Remember

Pacific University’s 175th anniversary celebration culminated in the spring of 2025 with the university’s first public State of the University event and a series of tour stops in communities throughout the West.

President Jenny Coyle, members of the university’s leadership team, and the historic Boxer statue traveled to nine cities in six states to meet with Pacific alumni, families and friends. All told, more than 500 people joined in the anniversary festivities, reconnecting with their Boxer friends, sharing their Pacific pride, and learning about the bold future ahead for their university.

For the past 175 years, Pacific University has lived a legacy of education, of care, of belonging and of purpose that started when Tabitha Brown first opened the orphan school that was our foundation. Committed to celebrating our students and alumni for who they are and who they will become, we believe — like Grandma Brown did — that everyone deserves the opportunity that education provides. Because we know that education truly does transform lives, not only for students but for their families for generations to come. Our graduates become the dedicated teachers, mental health professionals, healthcare providers, researchers, innovators, and critical students our world desperately needs.

At this precarious moment for higher education, Pacific is prepared to adapt, as it has so many times in the last 175 years. We are updating and modernizing our institution to ensure education is affordable and accessible to every student who wants it. We’re developing new pathways to connect students’ learning to careers. We’re investing in creating opportunities that will uplift students and their communities.

But we can’t do it alone. As a nonprofit university, Pacific dedicates a third of our budget to offsetting student tuition. Your gift to the Boxer Spirit Fund grows our ability to provide financial aid that lets students attend — and graduate from — Pacific on their pathway to fulfilling their life’s purpose.

Give your year-end gift today to ensure that 2026 is our best year yet — and that we’re poised to serve our students for the next 175 years.