Pacific was founded on July 10, 1851, in Santa Clara as California Wesleyan College. In 1858, the college opened the first medical school on the West Coast; it was called the Medical Department of the University of the Pacific. The medical school was later affiliated with University College under the name Cooper Medical College, and in 1908 it was taken over by Stanford University and became the Stanford University School of Medicine.[5] In 1871, the campus was moved to San Jose and the college opened its doors to women, becoming the first independent co-educational campus in California.[3][6] In 1878, the Conservatory of Music was established at Pacific, making it the first of its kind west of the Mississippi River.[3][6] In 1896, Napa College merged with the college. In 1911, the name was changed to College of the Pacific (COP or Pacific). In 1923, the campus relocated from the Bay Area to the city of Stockton[7] becoming the first institution of higher education in the Central Valley;[dubious � discuss] it became the University of the Pacific in 1961.[3] In 1962, Pacific merged with the San Francisco College of Physicians and Surgeons (established in 1896 in San Francisco), and then in 1966, with the McGeorge School of Law (established in 1924 in Sacramento). In the late 1960s, the university separated from the United Methodist Church, when �federal law about public funding of church-related institutions became an issue.�[8] On October 17, 2013, the university announced an estate gift from Robert and Jeannette Powell, of $125 million . It is the largest gift in the university's 162-year history. In the previous year, Pacific awarded its highest honor, The Order of Pacific, posthumously to both Mr. and Mrs. Powell. �[9] This gift increased Pacific's endowment to $334 million.

The University of the Pacific�s mission is to provide a superior, student-centered learning experience integrating liberal arts and professional education and preparing individuals for lasting achievement and responsible leadership in their careers and communities.

Dick Bass, 1958, former Los Angeles Rams Pro Bowl running back[38] Greg Bishop, 1993, former NFL offensive tackle 1993�1999[39] Scott Boras, 1977, 1982 (JD), Major League Baseball agent[40] Pete Carroll, 1973, Super Bowl-winning coach of the Seattle Seahawks and former head football coach at the University of Southern California[41] Bruce Coslet, 1968, former NFL head coach for the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals[42] Heather Cox, 1992, former volleyball player, now ESPN sideline reporter & NBC Olympics reporter[43] Dell Demps, 1992, 1998, former pro basketball player, now New Orleans Pelicans general manager[44] Willard Harrell, 1974, former NFL running back, Green Bay Packers,1975�1977, St.Louis Cardinals, 1977�1984[45] Tom Flores, 1959, retired Super Bowl-winning coach of the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League[46] Wayne Hardin, 1950, head football coach at the United States Naval Academy from 1959 to 1964[47] Walt Harris, 1967, former head football coach at Stanford University and University of Pittsburgh[48] Wayne Hawkins, former AFL All-Star, Oakland Raiders[49] Bob Heinz, former NFL defensive tackle, Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins[50] D.J. Houlton, 2001, former pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers[51] Hue Jackson, 1986, former NFL Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders[52] Jennifer Joines, 2004, USA volleyball Olympian (2008)[53] Eddie LeBaron, 1950, former NFL football player and NFL executive[54] Lionel Manuel, 1984 (non-graduate), former New York Giants wide receiver[55] Mike Merriweather, 1982, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings pro-bowl linebacker[56] John Nisby, 1957, former Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins offensive guard[57] Elaina Oden, 1989, two-time Olympic volleyball player[58] Michael Olowokandi, 1998, former NBA player and 1st overall pick in 1998 NBA Draft[59] Stu Pederson, Major League baseball player Brian Peets, former NFL tight end Duane Putnam, former NFL Pro Bowl player[60] Greg Robinson, 1976, former NFL assistant coach and current Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator[61] Brad Schumacher, 1997, 2005, two-time Olympian (1996 Swimming, 2000 Water Polo) and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (1996 Swimming)[62] Craig Whelihan, 1995, former NFL, XFL and AFL quarterback

Urban, 175 Acres (71�Ha)