University of the Pacific is celebrating the opening of Manor Hall, a newly renovated residential building designed to support and house student veterans and active-duty military.

Designed as both a living space and a community hub for veterans, Manor Hall accommodates up to 33 students. Its first residents will move in Aug. 17 during Pacific’s Move-in Day.

Pacific is one of only a few universities nationwide with a dedicated facility designed to provide affordable housing for student veterans. This development represents a significant move in the university’s ongoing commitment to foster a more inclusive environment for veteran students.

Manor Hall was built 101 years ago and is one of the first original eight buildings of the university’s Stockton Campus. The renovations bring a modern flow to the existing architecture, while honoring the history of the building, which housed Pacific’s Red Cross unit during World War II.

Many esteemed civic leaders attended the ceremony, including representatives from the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, Congressman Josh Harder and many members the Stockton City Council. Several Gold Star family members, the immediate family members of service members who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, were also in attendance.

Pacific President Christopher Callahan, who kicked off the celebration in Manor Hall’s courtyard, described veterans as “unbelievable students.”

“They're mature. They're focused and disciplined. They add richly to the intellectual diversity and environment of our campuses. They are unbelievable, and they are high achieving,” Callahan said.

Pacific currently serves 159 veteran students across the university’s Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco campuses.

“Today, we open the very next chapter in that journey for our student veterans, and that is this amazing facility. Manor Hall was created specifically and intentionally to provide a warm, welcoming, nurturing environment where our student veterans can come feel at home. They can build a community here and support each other. We paid special attention to the unique health and wellness needs of some of our veterans with this project,” Callahan said.

Many of the 11 residential suites and the living spaces in Manor Hall are named after veterans who served to honor their legacies. The building was thoughtfully designed for comfort, accessibility and a sense of community. It includes ADA-compliant features such as a fully accessible kitchen and supportive furnishings to meet the needs of veterans with physical challenges.

The $7 million renovation was completely funded by philanthropy from donors and from the help of San Joaquin County, who gave $2 million to the project.

“My dad was a veteran, and he never told any stories. That’s why it's always been my goal to help veterans, to get out in the community and give them a safe place to learn and get services, whether it be mental health or education, like we have here,” said Paul Canepa, chair of the San Joaquin Country Board of Supervisors. “Taking a building that's been abandoned from 2013 and making it so welcoming is just a testament to the partnerships that we can build in our community.

“It makes me so happy that we are able to give back. University of the Pacific has been a stalwart in San Joaquin County, and I want to praise our veterans and thank you for your service because it's the people that have humbly served and those folks that have lost family members in the service of our country that make America a great place to live.”

Local philanthropists John and June Rogers were the lead donors to Manor Hall, and have generously supported many other projects.

“It's a great project, and it warms my heart to see. It's been a pleasure to support the university, and I am proud to be a veteran,” said John Rogers, a retired Air Force colonel who served 26 years as a pilot. “I'm proud to support the veterans. It's easy to support the people that have served our country and continue to serve our country, the people that have gone before. It's just in my heart to say that we are pleased to be here, pleased to have supported such a wonderful organization and such a wonderful building.”

Manor Hall is conveniently located next to the Military and Veteran Student Center, offering easy access to resources, events and additional support for student veterans.

"Pacific has made great strides in supporting its student veterans, and it bears noting that Manor Hall was funded entirely by philanthropy and public funding. No tuition dollars were used anywhere in the project," said Scott Biedermann '05, '20, vice president for development and alumni relations. "This generosity underscores how deeply the greater Pacific community—our alumni, friends, and community partners—appreciate and respect these students' sacrifices and want to help them have the best future possible."

To learn about supporting veterans at Pacific or to learn about naming opportunities still available in Manor Hall, contact Scott Biedermann ’05, ’20, vice president for development and alumni relations, at 209.946.2166 or sbiedermann@pacific.edu.