Campus was buzzing with people and festivities on Saturday, Oct. 18 with the inauguration of Salvador D. Aceves ’83, Ed.D. ’95; USF’s first Latino Layperson as president to kick off the annual Celebrate USF event. St. Ignatius Church was adorned with the memorabilia of fellow national Jesuit colleges and universities, while white roses and lilies decorated the podium in front. The crowd was far from homogeneous; there were people of all ages, races and backgrounds present: some USF-affiliated, others not. The front pews were full, with spots left in the back for those who trickled in later.
The Church was brimming with anticipation as the event started with members of the ROTC bringing in the flags of the U.S. and the State of California. Shortly after, student delegates paraded with the flags of each of the colleges of USF. Attendees were asked to stand as the flags filed in, adding to the Church service mood as processional songs played on the organ. Professors and distinguished guests wore academic regalia as they processed inside in groups. Provost Eileen Chia-Ching Fung presided over the event and kicked off the speakers’ list. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi spoke early on and praised USF for its ability to form leaders, mentioning the McCarthy Center and noting that “leadership is a form of ministry.” Pelosi gave her well-wishes to the alumni President Salvador D. Acevez, accidentally calling him “father,” which was met with laughter from those in the audience.
Speakers ranged from religious leaders like Sister Rosina Pimentel (president of the Sisters of the Presentation) to chairmen on the board of trustees and alumni like Joseph E. Marshall, founder and executive director of Alive & Free. After every speech, the President hugged each speaker to thank them for their inspired words and felicitations for the change his leadership can bring to USF. Those in attendance listened intently to the speakers, taking in the lessons and wise words each imparted in their remarks. The words most often repeated and reemphasized in every speech were faith, justice and leadership, which reflect the mission and values of USF. The mixture of pomp and circumstance, along with hearing powerful words from leaders at USF and beyond, made the event feel momentous.
The new President was bestowed with the medallion and charter of the school by Jack Boland, chairman of the Board of Trustees, assisted by Emiko Uohara, president of the Associated Students Senate. Pelosi led a standing ovation after the ritual. The President gave the final speech of the event, beginning his remarks by describing San Francisco as “a city that shows the world how to welcome strangers.” Further describing USF as, “rooted in the city and open to the world.” As an alumnus, Acevez reflected on how it feels to return to his place of learning as a leader, “coming home is more than returning to a place… it’s the joy of remembering who I’ve been and the joy of who’s to come.” The President encouraged everyone to listen more deeply and think critically, in hopes of maintaining “places of dialogue, justice and conversation” for which USF is praised. Reflecting on his Jesuit education, he said, “USF education opens the mind and heart,” and on campus he feels “a sense that everyone has a place at the table.” His speech was met with a standing ovation, a promising start to his presidency.
After the event, the air seemed lighter, full of possibilities for the future of the university; the sentiment was shared by students, faculty and members of the community alike.
Student hopes are high for the change in leadership, as Junior nursing major William Sousa said that the President’s inauguration, “Represents the incoming future of our University, I’m really excited to see what our new president can do for us.” Sousa hopes to see Acevez being involved on campus at student events and wants the administration to “focus on a lot of these social justice issues, we are actually seeing that’s happening across our country right now. Not only across our country, but what’s happening internationally.”
Heidi Selleck, a member of the USF community, felt very moved by the event and hopes that USF maintains inclusiveness: “I just feel like USF welcomes everyone with open arms. My hope would be that that continues.” The mission and values of the university were apparent during the event; as Madeline Meininger ‘15, explained, “a really big part of those USF mission and values is community, right? And being people for others. So having this opportunity to come together, to experience joy together, is one of those pieces that connect and strengthen that sense of belonging.” This momentous occasion was a celebratory start to a presidency that all at the university hope will bring constructive and necessary change for the better to our great institution.
