Donald V. DeRosa revived University of the Pacific from a struggling institution and grew it into a nationally ranked university, dramatically improving academic rankings, financial stability, fundraising, student success, climate and culture across three campuses in Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco during his tenure from 1995 to 2009.

More than 200 family, friends, former colleagues, civic and community leaders and the university’s top leadership gathered in Faye Spanos Concert Hall to share stories, recount accomplishments and celebrate the 23rd president of California’s first and oldest university.

The baseball-playing son of New York Italian immigrants and first-generation college graduate who rose to serve for 14 years as the president of Pacific, died April 1 in his Greensboro, N.C., home. He was 85.

The Celebration of Life at Faye Spanos Concert Hall included an opening rendition of his favorite song, “The Impossible Dream,” and a moving finale, “My Way,” by talented former ASUOP President Todd Strange ’99.

In lieu of flowers, Don's family requests donations to the Don and Karen DeRosa CIP Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship supports students in the Community Involvement Program, which is for first-generation college students from Stockton who show leadership potential.