 Dear Prospective Graduate:
It is my pleasure to invite you and members of your family to the 2009 Commencement at University of the Pacific on May 16 2009. You can be proud of your accomplishments as a Pacific student – you will soon become an alum of a university that is stronger than it has ever been. I welcome this opportunity to salute an outstanding graduating class that has experienced Pacific at a time of important advances in the quality of the University.
Our annual University Commencement begins at 9:30 a.m. on May 16, in the Alex G. Spanos Center, where we celebrate together as one university. Each year at this Commencement event, we recognize outstanding student leaders, award distinguished public figures of high achievement with honorary degrees, and feature a keynote Commencement speaker. All students are expected to attend as degrees are conferred at this ceremony.
Immediately following this event, each of the schools and the College conducts its own separate Diploma and Hooding ceremony to cap off a highly personalized educational experience at Pacific. This ceremony is small in size so we can recognize you individually as you cross the platform to receive your diploma and congratulations from your Dean.
As you plan to step out beyond Pacific, you will find it gratifying to recognize Pacific's rising prominence. Our core values, focusing on students first and on equipping you to be citizen leaders, are underscored by a comprehensive alumni survey completed recently. Pacific alumni rate their experience at Pacific above alumni from dozens of more prominent national universities. This affection for Pacific is far more important to us than being ranked among the “top 100” universities and, for the 8th consecutive year, among the top 50 “best values.” We trust your experience here has transformed you, as we promised the day you entered, and that your love for Pacific is shared throughout your life.
We look forward to you joining us to celebrate your achievements on May 16. As you graduate from Pacific, we wish you well in your choices ahead, knowing that you are always welcome to return to this beautiful campus you may call home for years to come. We hope you will keep in touch with a Pacific you can continually take pride in. I look forward to seeing you at Commencement 2009.
Cordially,
Philip Gilbertson
Provost
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