University of the Pacific has just completed its $300 million Leading with Purpose campaign, fueled by one of the best fundraising years in the 171-year history of California’s first university.

The campaign, which officially closed June 30, brought in more than $317 million from nearly 23,000 donors giving more than 66,000 gifts.

The final year saw $38 million in contributions, the third-best fundraising year in university history.

“We are deeply grateful to Pacificans and Pacific supporters around the world who answered the university’s call to lead,” said President Christopher Callahan. “Pacific students today and Pacific students of tomorrow will benefit enormously from this inspiring generosity, which has created scholarships, new faculty positions and cutting-edge learning and research facilities across all three of our campuses.”

Callahan thanked former President Pamela Eibeck, who led the university through most of the campaign, and volunteers such as former Regent Tony Chan and his wife, Regent Virginia Chan, both 1977 graduates who served as co-chairs of the campaign committee.

“Tony and Virginia are inspirational leaders,” the president said. “They demonstrate their love of Pacific through their tireless service to the university, their own extraordinary generosity and by encouraging so many others to support Pacific.” 

The Chan family, including son Jonathan ’09 and daughter Megan ’13, have left an indelible mark on the university’s three campuses with the Chan Family Health Education Building on the Sacramento Campus, the Jonathan and Megan Chan Rotunda on the Stockton Campus and the Chan Family Reception Area on the San Francisco Campus.

“It has been an honor to be the co-chairs of this campaign that started exactly four decades after our own Pacific story began,” Virginia Chan said. “We are incredibly inspired by the generosity shown by the Pacific community and we look forward to seeing the impact this campaign will have on the future of Pacific.”

Pacific launched the public phase of the campaign during a special celebration at Homecoming Weekend in October 2017 in front of a crowd of 2,000 Pacific alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends. This October, Pacific will celebrate the campaign close at the Taste of Pacific event during Homecoming Weekend. 

Campaign gifts allowed Pacific to build and renovate 17 facilities, including the William Knox Holt Memorial Library and Learning Center, which features the John and June Rogers Atrium, a digital makerspace and a meditation and prayer area. The library renovation alone resulted in a 52% increase in student study space and a renewed focus on student success services. 

More than $46 million was generated in endowed scholarship support for students. Guadalupe Reyes ’22, a scholarship recipient and School of Engineering and Computer Science graduate, described the impact scholarship support made on her Pacific experience. 

“Receiving this scholarship has supported the completion of my education and lessened the stress of paying my tuition,” Reyes said. “It also allowed me to take advantage of several opportunities presented to me during my time at Pacific.” 

Guided by four principles—academic programs of excellence and relevance, student access and success, building communities and athletic achievement—the multi-year effort included 12,329 first-time gifts from alumni, parents, friends, students, faculty and staff. The campaign also was bolstered by 25,788 gifts under $100, underscoring the significant impact of every donation, regardless of size.

“Participation was a distinguishing factor of this campaign,” said Scott Biedermann '05, '20, vice president for development and alumni relations. “Every gift at any level directly helps our students succeed. What we have achieved collectively as a community, raising more than $317 million, is nothing short of remarkable.”