Palo Alto University Celebrates the Investiture of President Farouk Dey

PALO ALTO, Calif. | June 11, 2026 - Palo Alto University faculty, staff, students, alumni, community partners, and distinguished guests gathered at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California, for the Investiture of President Farouk Dey, formally marking the beginning of his presidency and a new chapter in Palo Alto University's 50 year history. Held during the university's 50th Anniversary Celebration Week, the ceremony honored PAU's legacy while looking ahead to a future shaped by human understanding, human dignity, and community impact.

An investiture is among the most significant traditions in higher education, symbolizing the formal transfer of leadership and responsibility to a university President. For Palo Alto University, the occasion held special significance, taking place during a milestone year for the institution and bringing together members of the university community to celebrate both its history and its future.

At the heart of the ceremony was the formal investiture itself, a symbolic passing of leadership that connected PAU's past, present, and future. President Emerita Maureen O'Connor presented President Dey with a compass that had previously been passed to her by former President Allen Calvin, reflecting the importance of purpose, stewardship, and leadership.

"Ten years ago, President Calvin placed this compass in my hands and asked me to find my true north," O'Connor shared during the ceremony. "I kept it on my desk every single day of my presidency, and today, I pass it to you. This is not simply a gesture of transition, but an expression of my deepest confidence."

The ceremony continued with the presentation of the presidential medallion, a symbol of the authority, responsibility, and trust entrusted to the Office of the President. Board Chair Daniele Levy formally invested President Farouk Dey as the fourth president of Palo Alto University, affirming his commitment to the university's students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the communities PAU serves.

The investiture also marked the public introduction of Palo Alto University's new vision, A future shaped by human understanding. More than a new statement, the vision reflects the university's continued evolution and its commitment to advancing education, research, and practice that deepen our understanding of what it means to be human and prepare graduates to address the complex challenges shaping our world.

Building on that vision, President Dey delivered an investiture address that encouraged the university community to think boldly about PAU's role in the future. Describing the university as an "engine of human understanding," he emphasized that, in a world shaped by rapid technological advancement, social transformation, and evolving human needs, PAU has a unique responsibility to deepen our understanding of people. He called on the community to remain focused on the questions that matter most: how people connect, how communities thrive, and how institutions can advance human dignity in an increasingly complex world.

As technology continues to reshape nearly every aspect of daily life, Dey highlighted the growing need for leaders, practitioners, and researchers who can bridge innovation with empathy and ensure that advances in technology remain grounded in human values. He spoke of PAU's unique opportunity to lead at the intersection of behavioral science and technology while remaining steadfast in its commitment to improving lives through education, research, and service.

The investiture served as both a reflection on the university's first 50 years and a declaration of what comes next. As PAU looks toward its future, the ceremony underscored a shared commitment to preparing future-ready leaders, advancing research that addresses society's most pressing challenges, and expanding the university's impact in communities locally and around the world.

For those gathered at The Mountain Winery and those joining virtually, the occasion represented more than the installation of a new president. It marked the beginning of a new chapter for Palo Alto University, one grounded in its history, inspired by its mission, and guided by a future shaped by human understanding.

View the Event Photo Album

See More Celebration Week Highlights