Pacific University

In 1876, Pacific University celebrated one of its early commencement ceremonies with a special distinction: Pacific became one of the first universities in the United States to welcome Japanese citizens to its alumni ranks.

Daniel Altamirano Hernández ’19 wants people to know that he and his colleagues at Centro Cultural are serving with purpose.

Noah Elliott ’08, MAT ’09 was honored and surprised to be named the Oregon Small Schools Association 2020 Teacher of the Year.

Mikaila Way ’12 is working to help Indigenous Peoples reclaim, reestablish and reconnect the food systems integral to their cultures, health and ways of life. It's all part of her job as the first Indigenous peoples’ liaison for North America with the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization.

A double major, two campus jobs, one off-campus job and an internship that plays to his strengths: Enrique Casas Cofradia '23 is always in fifth gear.

There’s no telling where an art degree will take you. Just ask Heidi Nielsen ’96.

Cameron Broome MAT '20 had a calling to be a teacher; to help, educate, support and encourage others as he had done throughout his whole life. 

Samantha Trulock ’14, known professionally as Sam Tru, has attracted attention for Cycle, her 2020 debut. The album made it to the second round of selection for the 2020 Grammys in the categories for Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year, for “Let Me Down Easy.”

When he attended Pacific, Jeremie Murfin didn’t necessarily see himself as an entrepreneur. First he was a teacher, but as opportunities emerged, he seized them, and then persevered through various business challenges and setbacks. He now finds himself as part owner of a Hillsboro, Ore.,-based music business that has thrived even during a pandemic.

Joshua Pearl' 19 learned about the therapeutics of music in the hardest possible way: He was afflicted with an autoimmune disease that caused him severe pain. He turned to the piano as a form of treatment, and it helped lessen the need for painkillers he had been prescribed. Recognizing that music could do for others what it did for him, Pearl became a music therapist.

Chika Matsumoto ’21 first started dancing because it’s what her friends were doing. But she never stopped. “It turned out to be a lifelong passion and hobby with me,” she said. “Dance has just been that one thing that stuck with me my entire life.”

Lianda Lonergan '21 is a member of the Pacific Dance Ensemble stying dance, exercise science and more, as she plans a career in physical therapy and preventative medicine for dancers.