Four Pacificans—a dean, a professor, a student and a coach—helped secure more than 500 donors for Pacific Gives, accounting for 15 percent of the record-breaking number of donors in the annual one-day fundraising event.

The diligent efforts and dedication to Pacific students exhibited by ambassadors Nicoleta Bugnariu, Derek Isetti, Dalee Higgins and Adam Reeves helped make Pacific Gives 2023 the most successful on record.

Read more about some of the Pacific Gives ambassadors.

Nicoleta Bugnariu

Dean of the School of Health Sciences

Recruited 160 donors

Not one to rest on her laurels, Bugnariu was the top ambassador for Pacific Gives for the second consecutive year.

“Nicoleta has been a dynamo in her efforts to raise funds to help Pacific students since she arrived on campus,” President Christopher Callahan said. “Her efforts are creating wonderful opportunities for students in our School of Health Sciences, and her energy, creativity and spirit provides a wonderful leadership role model for us all.”

Derek Isetti ‘08

Associate Professor, Speech Language Pathology

Recruited 154 donors

Isetti’s father, Duane Isetti ’62, ’65, served in fundraising positions for many years at Pacific, including director of the Pacific Athletic Foundation. His success as an ambassador and fundraiser runs in the family.

“Derek has a dramatically positive impact at the university, in and out of the classroom,” said Scott Biedermann ’05, ’20, vice president for development and alumni relations. “His love for the university shows with his work on Pacific Gives.”

Dalee Higgins ’25

Student-athlete in track and field and cross country

Recruited 105 donors

Higgins heard about Pacific Gives during a presentation given to her team, and that is all it took for her to get involved.

“Pacific Gives just sparked something in her, and Dalee got involved right from the start,” Head Coach Josh Jones said. “She had 20 or 30 donors immediately and just kept after it. I was very pleased that she was so excited about this effort.”

Adam Reeves

Men’s soccer coach

Recruited 88 donors

Reeves, head coach of Tiger men’s soccer since 2019, has been a persistent fundraiser who has worked to the benefit of Pacific Gives, the Orange and Black Ball and athletic fundraising in general.

“Coach Reeves’ efforts relative to Pacific Gives are a great representation of his commitment to the Pacific Tigers,” Director of Athletics Janet Lucas said. “He has consistently worked for the betterment of the entire Pacific athletics program.”