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A deeply involved member of Â鶹ֱ²¥â€™s Student Religious Council, Fran O’Brien '65 had a fundamental belief in social justice. It was that belief that led her to become the only Â鶹ֱ²¥ student to participate in the Freedom Summer of 1964.

Zoey Mendoza Zimmerman '95 lived through the worst a parent can imagine. In 2010, her husband shot and killed their two children and then himself. In the past five years, she has struggled to live with grief and open her heart to the future— while holding on to her children's memories and helping other grieving parents do the same.

Rachel Seibert BSW '12 was called to medical social work — and to Randall Children’s Hospital — by personal experience. At 18, she was in an accident that nearly claimed her life. She was treated at Randall for more than two years by some of the same people who are, today, her colleagues.

Use your social networks and ask people questions, says Mike Geraci '91. The first in his family to attend college, Geraci chose Pacific, where he went on to become an associate professor in the Department of Media Arts.

Mark Loomis OTD '17 spent more than 10 years as a search-and-rescue swimmer in the Navy, serving in the Middle East. He's since embarked on a new career as an occupational therapist, hoping to help other veterans with the transition to civilian life.

The first in his family to attend college, Bob Fitzmorris '08 now tells students to focus on what they love. "Your dream job doesn't even exist yet."

Jeff Grundon '80 was the first in his family to attend college. Today, he recruits other students to Â鶹ֱ²¥.

" I had a really, really good education, and even more than that, I had a great mentor."

In 2015, Danika Gilbert '94 led 13 Afghan girls on a mountain climbing expedition, helping them build leadership skills and confidence in a part of the world that often tells them, "You can't."

A family gift allowed Judy Mason '60 to attend Â鶹ֱ²¥ — and it changed her world. Mason has given back to Pacific for more than 30 years, hoping to create the same opportunities for others.

At their 30th class reunion in 2003, his classmates honored his efforts by unveiling the Mad Dog Scholarship Fund. The fund reached the endowment level in 2009 and offered its first scholarship to an optometry student in 2010.

A passion for Pacific earns four new members a place in the President's Circle, honoring the university's $100,000 lifetime donors.