Prepared remarks of UC President Robert C. Dynes

“Friends:

Several times over the past few days, I have logged onto the UC Santa Cruz web site, as perhaps many of you have, and I have watched a video of a radiant woman in a bright blue dress affirm her passions and hopes for this university community.

Most of us were here in this hall seven months ago when she spoke with eloquence—in several languages—of her vision for the future of this campus. She challenged us to see our differences as strengths to build upon…and as opportunities to grow. She implored us to live the Principles of Community that she alleged appeared on what she called ‘those ubiquitous posters’ by showing respect to one another, even when we disagree. And she reminded us that, and I quote, ‘Achieving diversity requires that we be in it for the long haul—it’s not something that we ever really “finish,” but a commitment that we address steadily, patiently, and consistently.’

Throughout her 46 years on this Earth, Denice was a pioneer in many ways, a person who turned beliefs into actions, and into change, on many fronts. I saw that from the moment I first met her. I knew her pioneering spirit would be a wonderful fit for this pioneering campus.

On a more personal note, Denice’s courage and enthusiasm were highly contagious. I think France said it clearly, amongst the chancellors, the chancellors form a special bond, and Denice was a part of it. She didn’t really get or understand the meaning of the word impossible, and if you spent time with her, you started to have the same feeling that the word ‘impossible’ shouldn’t exist in the English language.

Denice fell in love with this extraordinary campus at first sight. In her 15 months as Chancellor, she showed an absolute personal dedication to its students, to its faculty, to its staff, to its alumni, to its constituents, and to the citizens this campus serves throughout the region and the state and the country.

I have watched that video of Denice’s investiture address, and I think I have been struck most, in retrospect, especially by the last line of her speech, taken from one of the world’s oldest languages, Jacta alea est. Those Latin words were spoken by Julius Caesar as he crossed the Rubicon. They mean, ‘The die is cast,’ and they signify a determination to move forward into new territories. And boy, was she determined.

In her short time with us, Denice moved us forward into new territories of excellence and inclusiveness. Along the way, she inspired us, by her own example, to strive always to be better people.

On behalf of the entire University of California, let me extend deepest sympathies to Gretchen, our colleague and her partner; to her mother, Carolyn; to her sisters, Derri and Michelle; to her brother, Deran ; and to her close friend, Diana. And let me end by asking a favor of everyone here, and listening to this, either in real time or later, a way for us to honor Denice’s memory as we move forward without her physically:

Whenever you walk past one of those ubiquitous posters of the Principles of Community, picture that radiant woman in that bright blue dress, remember the vision she had for this University, and do whatever you can to carry out that vision.”

 

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