On Tuesday, October 1, Dr. Jack Paduntin was inaugurated as the 11th president of Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School. More than 150 people—including staff, faculty, alumni, students, elected officials, and community partners—gathered for the ceremony at the Pasadena campus, which featured speeches from Congresswoman Judy Chu, Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek, The Community Solution Education System President Michael Horowitz, Ph.D., President Emeritus Pat Breen, Ph.D., as well as faculty and staff. The ceremony and speeches revolved around Pacific Oaks’ connection to the community, and the mutual impact both have continued to have.
Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School is affiliated with The Community Solution Education System, and fellow The Community Solution Education System college presidents Nathan Long, Ed.D., (Saybrook University), Tiffany Masson, Psy.D., (Kansas Health Science University), Michele Nealon, Psy.D., (The Chicago School), and Matt Nehmer, Ph.D. (The Colleges of Law) were in attendance, as well as the following special guests:
- Andy Wilson, Councilmember, City of Pasadena
- Erika Endrijonas, President, Pasadena City College
- Consul Chatchawal Horayangkura, Office of the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles
- Dominick Correy, District Representative for California State Senator Anthony Portantino
- Anne Marie Hickambottom, Field Representative for California Assemblymember Chris Holden
- Christian Daly, Field Deputy for LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger
In honor of Dr. Paduntin’s Thai background, a buffet featured traditional food from Thailand catered by his good friend Suree Suksudecha.
Below, we share the remarks that Dr. Paduntin made at his inauguration.
Distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, and trustees—once again welcome to Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School.
I’m standing before you feeling humbled and proud.
I am humbled because of the trust and faith the faculty, the Pacific Oaks’ community, and the Trustees have in me to lead the advancement of Pacific Oaks’ mission.
I am also proud to represent a story of how education can help equalize opportunity for an immigrant and minority like myself. Arriving in the United States at the age of 24, I struggled through my school years, and often felt that I had harder times battling to make an impact within my adopted community, than moving in the first place. Throughout my personal struggles, education has always been the solid foundation that has helped me from my first day in this land of opportunity.
I consider myself very lucky to have a long career in the field of education because I know how instrumental it can be for younger and older generations alike to accomplish their life goals.
And how lucky I am to be among the faculty, teachers, staff and administrators here who day-in and day-out proclaim the virtue of a Pacific Oaks education, an educational philosophy that we have been known for 75 years, an education that has instilled timeless values that equip our students and graduates with a strong commitment to serve the community. This is the Pacific Oaks education that I wish to share beyond our campuses in Pasadena and San Jose.
Most importantly, let’s continue to ignite their higher sense of social justice and social responsibility so that they become positive change agents for our generation and for the next—to inspire those who, like me, seek opportunity and advancement in this country.
Faculty, I know how proud you are of our graduates when they leave Pacific Oaks to go out and better their communities. Teachers, I also know how good you feel when you have done everything you can to prepare your children for the world. Staff and Administrators, without you we simply can’t carry out our important mission. None of us would be here today if it wasn’t for education.
Because of education, I’m among thousands of immigrants who have realized the opportunities this country has to offer.
Because of education, our teachers, faculty, staff, and administrators are here to positively impact lives of young children and adult learners.
And because of education, we together are improving our community.
Together, we will create more success stories that impact our students and the communities where they will serve for years to come. Together we will advance our academic excellence. Together we will be the pioneers to discover new knowledge and practices much needed for our fast-changing world.
Together, let’s make Pacific Oaks known as an institution that prepares its preschool and college students—those that are just beginning their educational journeys and those that are near the end—with relevant knowledge and skills that are progressive. Most importantly, let’s continue to ignite their higher sense of social justice and social responsibility so that they become positive change agents for our generation and for the next—to inspire those who, like me, seek opportunity and advancement in this country.
In celebration of Pacific Oaks’ first century, I trust that you will join me in promoting and expanding the Pacific Oaks education and philosophy.
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