OHSU provost eager to take helm at Pacific University

Lesley Hallick said she felt called to historic Forest Grove campus

The Forest Grove News-Times, May 19, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Lesley M. Hallick

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Saying she was both humbled and exhilarated, Lesley M. Hallick today said she’s ready to become Pacific University’s 17th president.

“I am deeply honored and incredibly excited about the opportunity to serve this university,” Hallick said, addressing a crowd in at the university’s main campus in Forest Grove.

Hallick serves on a number of higher education boards and is considered a well-respected, energetic leader.

She has spent more than 30 years at Oregon Health & Science University, rising from scientist to provost. Higher education observers say Hallick will bring skills in fostering public-private partnerships and could help Pacific raise its profile among universities in Oregon. Her background in health is another asset for the Pacific, which has an optometry clinic in Forest Grove and a health professions campus in Hillsboro.

Hallick will replace Phil Creighton, who in his seven years at the helm of the private college, oversaw an unprecedented expansion of facilities. She begins Aug. 1.

“When I interviewed for this job, Phil said, ‘The place just weaves its way into your heart,’ and I felt that from the moment I stepped on this historic campus.”