Pacific University President Lesley M. Hallick inaugurated


Pacific University formally installed and charged Lesley M. Hallick, Ph.D., as its 17th president in an inauguration ceremony on Thursday, March 4 at the Forest Grove campus.

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The ceremony commenced with musical performances by the University’s Symphonic Band and Chamber Singers, followed by a ceremonial conch shell blowing and oli chant welcome by undergraduate members of the Hawaiian Club. More than 20 percent of Pacific’s undergraduate student body hails from the Hawaiian and other Pacific Islands. The Club later performed a traditional Kahiko Dance to the delight of the attendees, among whom were past presidents Robert Duvall, Ph.D. (1983-95) and Phillip Creighton, Ph.D. (2003-09), as well as delegates from 24 fellow universities and colleges.

University community members representing undergraduate and graduate student bodies, faculty, staff and alumni welcomed Hallick with brief remarks, as did elected officials, before her grandchildren Charlie and Samantha paid tribute to their grandmother.

Hallick then partook in an insignia exercise in which Drs. Duvall and Creighton, and Dr. John Howarth on behalf of late emerita president Faith Gabelnick, Ph.D., presented Hallick with the presidential regalia, mace and medallion.

Board of Trustees chair Mindy Cameron (’65) formally installed and charged Hallick with holding the Office of the President. Following words by colleague and close friend Peter Kohler, M.D., Hallick expressed thanks to all in attendance and touched on her thoughts for the University’s future in presenting an abbreviated version of a proposed 10-year strategic plan named Vision 2020.

Hallick succeeded Phillip D. Creighton, Ph.D., at Pacific on Aug. 1, 2009 following a distinguished 32-year career as a faculty member and administrator at Oregon Health & Science University.

FOR MORE COVERAGE:

Forest Grove News-Times (March 10, 2010)

Hillsboro Argus/OregonLive.com (Feb. 16, 2010)

The Oregonian/OregonLive.com (Feb. 16, 2010)