University of the Pacific, California’s first and oldest university, honored hundreds of graduating students during the All-University Commencement ceremony Saturday on historic Knoles Lawn, followed by diploma and hooding ceremonies.

President Christopher Callahan praised graduates for their commitment to their education.

“You've learned how to be successful artists and engineers, teachers and scientists, doctors and lawyers, business executives, writers, musicians, health care providers and so much more,” the president said. “You made lifelong friends with fellow students and lifelong mentors with your professors, advisors and coaches. 

“You've demonstrated strength, courage, resilience, creativity and adaptability throughout your time at Pacific, and most importantly, you become lifelong learners ready for the opportunities and the challenges that the future holds for you. We are enormously proud of each and every one of you.”

Pacific presented its highest honor, the Order of Pacific, to Paul Dassenko ’82, member of the Board of Regents, Nader A. Nadershahi ’94, ’99, ’11, former dean and professor emeritus of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, Cindy Ostberg, professor of political science and Craig Yarborough ’77, ’80, ’99, director of the Dugoni School’s Center for Success. 

Mary-Elizabeth Eberhardt ’76 , vice president of California’s oldest bank and chair of the Board of Regents, received an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree celebrating 50 years of contributions to Pacific, Stockton and San Joaquin County.

“I accept this honorary degree today as a challenge to each of you to continue your legacy, and I hope you will each accept your own degree, not only for the recognition that you've earned, but accept it also as a challenge: a challenge to help create the world you envision, to uplift others, use skills and to make your community a stronger, safer place. This graduation day is not an ending, it's just a beginning.”

Zainab Moosa '26, a first-generation college student and member of the SUCCESS TRiO program, rallied excitement from the crowd with closing remarks as student speaker. 

“The truth is this isn't the end of our relationship with this place, at least not mine. It just changes. For some of us, that means coming back for graduate school. For others, it's alumni weekend, finding your way back here in a different chapter of your life,” she said. “For some, it might mean sitting on the other side of the table one day hiring the next generation of Tigers. For others, it might mean giving back through your work, your advocacy and the impact you choose to make. And for some, it might look like coming back years from now, standing in Morris Chapel with the people you love and showing them the place where you didn't just earn a degree, but where you became who you are.”

Graduates from the class of 1976 celebrated their 50th reunion with the annual Rose Walk and Golden Tiger Induction following commencement.

Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy Professor Rajul Arvind Patel '01, '06 was recognized with Pacific’s Distinguished Faculty Award. Presented since the 1970s, it is the university’s highest faculty honor.

“If you had told a 20-something-year-old me sitting somewhere on this very campus that I would be recognized in this way and have the honor of giving a commencement speech, I would have said, ‘that's great, but I'm sure you have the wrong Raj,’” he joked.

“Congratulations, class of 2026, and especially to my pharmacy family, I've had the privilege over 21 years of teaching almost 4,000 students, several of which are here today. We're incredibly proud of you, and I'm honored to share this day with you.”

Diploma and hooding ceremonies followed for Benerd College, College of the Pacific, the Conservatory of Music, Eberhardt School of Business and the School of Engineering and Computer Science. The School of Health Sciences and Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy held ceremonies Sunday.

More than 2,100 students received degrees this year.

McGeorge School of Law will hold its commencement May 30 and the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry will have its ceremony June 14. See the full commencement schedule.