Opening Day 2025: Launching PAU’s 50th Year with Innovation, Connection, and Design Thinking

The air at the Mountain View Community Center on September 8 carried the unmistakable energy of a new chapter. Faculty and staff from across Palo Alto University came together for Opening Day 2025, marking both the start of a new academic year and the official launch of the university’s 50th Anniversary—a milestone celebrating five decades of learning, leadership, and impact.

From the moment attendees arrived, the energy was contagious. Colleagues reconnected over breakfast and coffee, sharing stories and welcoming new members of the community. Each person received a 50th Anniversary swag bag—a commemorative T-shirt, gold pin, and other keepsakes—small tokens symbolizing shared pride and belonging.

This year’s theme, Innovation, set the tone for the day. More than a word, it represented a design mindset—one that encourages curiosity, empathy, experimentation, and collaboration as Palo Alto University looks toward its next fifty years.

Honoring the Past, Designing the Future

The morning opened with remarks from Trustee Karen Scussel, who officially launched Palo Alto University’s 50th Anniversary year. Her reflections of Palo Alto University's history reminded the community that innovation begins with reflection—understanding where we’ve been to imagine where we can go next.

The morning also included a warm welcome for new faculty and staff, whose introductions highlighted the growing depth of Palo Alto University’s academic community. Each new voice represented fresh perspective—an essential element of any design process.A Presidential Call to Human-Centered Innovation

A Presidential Call to Human-Centered Innovation

In his Opening Day address, President Farouk Dey invited the Palo Alto University community to embrace innovation not as technology alone, but as a human-centered way of thinking and leading.

Speaking about the rise of artificial intelligence, he encouraged faculty and staff to explore “the other side of AI”—the distinctly human skills of empathy, creativity, and connection.

His words echoed the spirit of design thinking—centering people first, experimenting boldly, and building solutions with compassion and intention. The address set the tone for the 50th Anniversary year: one of imagination, inclusivity, and purpose.

Design Thinking in Action

After a morning of inspiration, the community shifted into practice through a hands-on Design Thinking workshop led by John Armstrong, an educator and facilitator known for his work with Stanford’s Design Program.

Using IDEO’s five-stage framework—Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test—faculty and staff worked in small groups to explore opportunities for collaboration, efficiency, and student success.

Each table came alive with conversation and color as participants built prototypes from markers, pipe cleaners, and felt. One team visualized new pathways for student engagement; another crafted a symbolic model of connection and belonging.

The exercise encouraged everyone to see challenges from new perspectives—listening deeply, testing ideas quickly, and learning from one another. By the end of the session, the room was filled with sketches, prototypes, and possibilities: tangible proof that innovation thrives when creativity meets empathy.

The prototypes developed during the session will continue to evolve, with teams invited to refine and present their ideas throughout the academic year—ensuring that the day’s momentum carries forward into lasting impact.

Looking Ahead: Designing the Next Fifty Years

As Palo Alto University begins its 50th Anniversary Year, Opening Day 2025 set a powerful tone for what’s ahead. It was more than a celebration—it was a design session for the university’s future.

Through shared purpose, empathy, and imagination, the Palo Alto University community is building the foundation for the next fifty years—continuing to educate, connect, and innovate in ways that change lives.

Learn more about Palo Alto University’s 50th Anniversary.