Honoring President Eibeck and presidential transition update
July 1, 2019
Dear Pacific Faculty, Staff and Students,
Today Pacific will transition presidents. On behalf of the Board of Regents, I thank President Eibeck for her tremendous service and accomplishments. Pacific has been through many transformations over the past decade as higher education has adapted to new generations of students and learners, new markets and modalities, and affordability challenges. Through the steady and stalwart leadership and vision of President Eibeck, Pacific today has a strong academic portfolio, record endowments, and a vibrant landscape of campuses poised to serve diverse populations of undergraduate, transfer and graduate students and adult learners. President Eibeck's legacy is chronicled in this tribute page.
In recognition of President Eibeck, the board is naming two areas on campus: the Pamela Eibeck Innovation Commons on the first floor of the newly transformed library that will house The Cube, Media X, Learning Labs, and the Digital Experience; and the Pamela Eibeck and Bill Jeffrey Muir Grove in the campus' majestic redwood cluster behind McCaffrey Hall. The board has also granted President Eibeck president emerita status.
Over the past several months, President Eibeck and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Maria Pallavicini have been working to transition the helm as the provost becomes interim president today. Interim President Pallavicini has served as provost since 2011, and will work closely with the board to continue the implementation of several initiatives, including the university's strategic plan and the new health programs and health school. McGeorge School of Law Dean Michael Hunter Schwartz today becomes interim provost, working closely with the interim president. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Michael Colatrella will become interim dean of the law school.
The search for a new president is underway. The Presidential Search Advisory Committee, chaired by Regent Norman Allen, met earlier this spring and will meet again in August to review and identify potential candidates. The board's goal is to have a new president in place July 1, 2020. A presidential search website has information about the process and timeline.
The success of this transitional period will require a shared commitment by all to continue to advance the university's important work and prepare for a new president. I am confident that the university community will work together, and I am appreciative of your outstanding efforts.
Best wishes for a good summer.
Sincerely,
Kevin Huber '86
Chair, Board of Regents