For 26 years, Dr. Linda Webster has dedicated her professional life to Pacific. Over those years, she has served in many different roles: 

• An outstanding faculty member 

• Department chair 

• Acting Dean of Graduate Studies 

• Twice interim Dean of the Gladys L. Benerd School of Education 

Even while serving in administrative roles, she continued teaching and working with students on their dissertations. She serves as an excellent example of a scholar/teacher.   

Across Pacific, she has served on many committees, always willing to represent Benerd. Her pragmatic approach to solving problems has been instrumental in setting Benerd up for future success. For example, she realized that online learning was an essential modality for teaching. As interim Dean, she successfully encouraged the Benerd faculty to pursue the gold standard of excellence in online teaching recognition—the Online Learning Consortium’s “Online Learning Certificate.” When COVID-19 required us to shift to remote and online teaching and learning, the Benerd faculty already had the skills to make this an easy transition. The early preparation ensured that our students would continue to receive the excellent instruction they had come to expect.   

Also, while interim Dean, she saw a need for more space where students could gather to collaborate and create community. Her redesign of the Benerd student space created a trendy hub where students meet to collaborate on projects, share experiences, and hang out and spend time together.    

Dr. Webster’s impact on Benerd will be long-lasting. She was instrumental in preparing Benerd for the future when she played a critical role in the merger between two distinct colleges at Pacific, University College and the Gladys L. Benerd School of Education, to create Benerd College. She has helped create the strategic vision for Benerd. In so doing, she has prepared Benerd for a successful future in which we will offer innovative programs that are rigorous, flexible, and meet learners where they are at. She helped conceive, design, and implement “The Hive,” our student services “one-stop-shop.” The Hive helps students navigate the complexities of getting their credentials and works to ensure students stay on track to graduate on time.   

In May, Dr. Linda Webster will receive the Order of the Pacific – which is the highest honor given by the university. The honor recognizes her years of dedication and her impact on making Pacific a better University. This year, she was also granted emeriti status. She has been such a critical part of Benerd for so many years that we dread her departure. Although we will all miss her dearly, we are grateful for her years of service, and we wish her the very best in her next adventures.