Dear Pacificans,

Next Sunday, the nation will join in celebrating Juneteenth, a federal holiday that acknowledges when enslaved Black people in Texas were finally freed on June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

I am pleased to announce that–starting next year–University of the Pacific will add Juneteenth as a university holiday.

I invite you to read our community message from Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mary Wardell-Ghirarduzzi on the importance of Juneteenth and its wide-reaching significance to all people.

Sincerely,

Christopher Callahan
President