Dianne Philibosian ’68, a trailblazing educator, former chair of the University of the Pacific Board of Regents and lifelong advocate for children and community well-being, died Oct. 13 in her Pasadena home. She was 79.

“As the first woman to serve as chair of our Board of Regents, Dianne set a historic precedent for leadership at Pacific,” said Board Chair Mary-Elizabeth Eberhardt ’76. “She led with vision, integrity and an unwavering commitment of serving students, strengthening our university and opening doors for all who follow in her footsteps. Her passing is a profound loss, but her legacy will endure as a guiding example of leadership, volunteer service and commitment to the transformative power of education.”

Philibosian’s life was marked by a strong commitment to education, public service and a deep dedication to expanding opportunity. A proud alumna of Pacific, she earned her bachelor's degree in drama and French in 1968, later completing a master’s and PhD in early childhood development and curriculum and instruction from Southern Illinois University.

Her legacy spans generations of students. She served for more than four decades at California State University, Northridge, where she held numerous roles, including associate dean of the College of Health and Human Development and director of the Institute for Community Health and Wellbeing. She taught in four departments across two colleges and mentored countless future educators and public health professionals until her retirement in 2015.

At Pacific, Philibosian’s impact was profound, serving as a member of the Board of Regents for nearly 20 years. First elected to the board in 1998, she served as its first female chair from 2004 to 2008. She then returned to the Board of Regents in 2009 and served until 2018. Her tenure was marked by visionary leadership, a collaborative mindset and her tireless support of students, faculty and alumni.

In 2008, she was honored with the Pacific Alumni Association’s Medallion of Excellence in recognition of her decades of exceptional service to the university. In 2018, she was awarded the Order of Pacific, the university’s highest honor for her exceptional and long-standing service to the university. Her leadership elevated Pacific's stature and foster a culture of volunteerism and philanthropy.

“Dianne’s contributions to Pacific continued long after her Board of Regents duties,” said President Christopher Callahan. “Dianne was one of the very first people I met at Pacific, and ever since she has been a trusted mentor, advisor, confidant and friend. Jean and I join the Pacific community in mourning her passing, but her light will continue to shine at her university through her fellow Pacificans.”

A Tiger through and through, she served as vice president of the Pacific Alumni Association Board of Directors as well as numerous other university committees.

In 2024, she and her husband, Tom Seifert, pledged financial support to name a student veteran suite in Pacific’s historic Manor Hall in honor of a family member who served in World War II. The gift was a deeply personal tribute to the memory of Corporal Edward Seifert, reflecting  Philibosian’s lifelong dedication to service and education.

“It’s so important for veterans to have an affinity group on campus,” she said at the time. “This felt like the perfect opportunity to honor Edward and to perpetuate his memory.”

Philibosian was also a published author, co-founding the Warner Center Institute for Family Development and co-authoring the book “Removing Barriers to Child Care Development.” Her career blended scholarship with action, and her leadership was marked by integrity, intellectual rigor and compassion.

Those who knew her remember her as thoughtful, gracious and committed to excellence. She found joy in the arts, valued civil discourse and held a deep respect for students and their potential.

“I am in awe of Dianne’s love for Pacific,” said Norman E. Allen ’88, ’94, former chair of the Board of Regents. “She led by example, showing her pride for her alma mater through generous contributions to the experiences of our students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“Her impact is felt in the Pacific Scholars program, the Pacific Alumni Association, the Board of Regents, the National Commission on the Next Level of Excellence, the Vereschagin Alumni House, Manor Hall, scholarships, gifts and in many other ways. What an amazing Pacifican. I will miss her laugh, her smile and her endless encouragement.”

She is survived by her husband, Tom Seifert, and a wide network of colleagues, mentees and friends.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date.

Gifts in her memory can be made to the Richard Fessenden Theater Arts Endowment, a fund Philibosian established in the College of the Pacific, or by contacting Vice President for University Development and Alumni Relations Scott Biedermann '05, '20 at 209.946.2166 or sbiedermann@pacific.edu.