Welcome to Alumni Day

Hey, hello! Thank you for dropping in on Alumni Day 2018, we're so happy to have you here. This site was created to recharge your Bruin Spirit by sharing some knowledge and fun. Each module is unique and worth exploring so take a look around, there's plenty to see and do. Mostly, we hope that you will feel a renewed sense of belonging because you will always be UCLA and UCLA will always be here for you. And if you're so inclined take a moment to select the Give Feedback section before you leave and let us know what you thought. Your opinion matters.

History of Alumni Day

Alumni Day first appeared on campus in the spring of 2008. It became an instant tradition that brought Bruins back to campus through 2015 by combining elements of entertainment and enrichment that engaged folks in ways that appealed to their affinities and interests. Kids romped under the close supervision of student counselors while alumni of all ages reconnected with a time and place when anything was possible and were reminded that it still is.

Alumni Day remains a way to affirm and assemble our Bruin Family and to share news of UCLA's amazing people, strides and discoveries. So we thought, "If we can't bring the family back to UCLA, let's take UCLA to them––online so Bruins everywhere can participate!" And here we are. But, the news gets more exciting.

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 - UCLA Alumni Day returns to campus!
Everyone is invited. Add the date on your calendar now. We look forward to welcoming you home.

About UCLA Alumni

Alumni Day 2018 as an online experience is an idea thought up by Alumni Affairs staff and supported by leadership. That's not surprising as UCLA Alumni Affairs is a place that exemplifies connection and support. In 1925 Thelma Gibson '25 said "We'll all be graduating soon. We really need some kind of organization to bind us together," and four friends agreed. Soon while still the Southern Branch of the University of California in the Cafeteria Building of the Vermont Avenue campus the mission of Alumni Affairs began. Ninety-three years later, we continue to honor that trust, "To enrich the lives of alumni and involve them in UCLA's future." By all means possible. With the help of thousands of volunteers each year, Alumni Affairs sponsors a variety of programs and services to increase UCLA's reach and influence by recruiting students, awarding scholarships, mentoring current students and fellow alumni, and organizing UCLA-focused events in communities throughout the world.

Many Thanks

    The UCLA Alumni Association staff would like to thank our fearless leader Associate Vice Chancellor Julie Sina for challenging us to always be our best through her unfailing support, encouragement and trust. Bookmark the alumni homepage site and visit often.

    • The Amazing Robots of RoMeLa
      Thank you to Dr. Dennis Hong and his hardworking students for showing us the amazing robots inside the Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa).
    • ASUCLA Then and Now
      Special thanks to ASUCLA's Pouria Abbassi '89, Lisa Perez and Patricia Zimmerman, for facilitating the tour of Associated Students UCLA restaurants, and Kit Spikings '94 for being an excellent tour guide.
    • Bruin Art
      Thanks to the Bruin artists - Caroline Carr, Hyegyoung Cho, Johan Cristobal, Elsa Faude, Stephen Heo, Clara Kim, Natasha Ann Lum, Damien Piechaczyk, Maggie Shi, Xiaoying Shi, Kyron Shochat, Qingyi Wang––for your submissions to the Bruin Art Competition. Picking a winner wasn't easy!
    • Bruin Coloring Book
      Amazing job Dan Faill for writing and illustrating the downloadable coloring book about the Adventures of Bruin Bear. Learn about Dan's motivational speaking work at https://www.danfaill.com.
    • Campus Buildings 3D Simulations
      The UCLA Alumni Association thanks David Sartoris, M.Arch. '00, principal architectural associate, for providing Capital Programs' 3D visual simulation videos, showing the changing UCLA campus through the years.
    • Campus Life
      Many thanks to Danielle Kay, '17 and Brandon Papo '17 from the 2017 Spring Sing Company cohort for creating this special message of Bruin spirit specifically for this UCLA Alumni Day Online celebration. See more Company videos on the Spring Sing Channel.
    • Drone Video of Campus
      Great job Barry Yang '18 in your persistence to acquire the proper license and permits to film on campus using your drone. The beauty of UCLA shines through your work. www.barrynicevisuals.com
    • Expert Guest Speakers
      The UCLA Alumni Association extends its appreciation to Brendon Ayanbadejo '99, Stephanie Be '10, Alan Castel, Maisie Chin '93, M.A. '97, Sherwin Goo '87, Nurit Katz, MBA '08, M.P.P. '08, Micah Smith, Andrew Conde ’15, Krishna Kumar ’13, Kasuar Mohamaed ’14 and Juan Sotelo ’96 for sharing their expertise during the YouTube Live discussions.
    • Facts from the Botanical Garden
      Thank you to Jules Cooch of the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden for your informative tours and to Dean Victoria Sork for allowing us to showcase the interesting and beautiful plant and floral life.
    • Greetings from Bruins Around the World
      Regional, affinity, diversity and professional alumni networks span the globe. Take advantage of your Bruin connections by joining a network(s) near you.
    • Kindness Works
      Shola Richards, Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, Positivity Activist. Get inspired.
    • Tour the Mo Ostin Basketball Center
      Special thanks to Senior Associate Athletic Director, Josh Rebholz; Assistant Basketball Coach, Tyus Edney '95; Assistant Athletic Director, Development, Lydell Sargeant and UCLA Athletics.Find out more at uclabruins.com
    • UCLA Organ Studio
      Thank you to Professor Christoph Bull for playing the 1981 Noack Tracker Organ to showcase the stunning acoustics and beauty of the UCLA Organ Studio at the Evelyn and Mo Ostin Music Center.
    • Videography and Editing
      Our heartfelt thanks to Advancement Services graphic designer Roger Lee, and volunteer assistant Mark Tecson, for stepping in at the right time and giving us your energy, equipment and expertise in filmmaking and final cuts. We couldn't have done this without you!
    • World War II Memorial
      The UCLA Alumni Association acknowledges the unceasing dedication of military records expert and WWII historian, William "Bill" Beigel '80, M.A. '83 as his research made this memorial possible. To get help researching your family’s WWII history, visit ww2research.com.

      By serving those who served, the UCLA Alumni Veterans Network provides an opportunity for collaboration, networking and professional development for service men and women of all generations.
      VetNet
    • Alumni Day Site Development
      Our deepest appreciation goes to Camden Morse, Ying Ma, Michael Jenner, Silas Lam '2, M.S. '14, Anthony Merriweather and Tej Sri of Advancement Services for your tireless efforts in bringing the Alumni Day website from conception to life, and for being great partners.
    • Final Acknowledgements
      Alumni Day 2018, as an online event, began as a dream that woke me up in the dead of night as a sparkling ball of possibility. It was an underdeveloped, untested idea without a blueprint or a plan. Still, Associate Vice Chancellor, Julie Sina understood the vision and made the impossible real by green-lighting the project. Being allowed to turn an inspiration into a reality is a gift most working professionals never get to open, but I am one. As such, I do not have words of gratitude big enough to express what this demonstration of confidence means to me. I can only say, "Thank you, Julie for your encouragement, faith, laughter, patience and friendship. Thanks to Brandie Barrera ’97, Angela Scales ’03 and Teresa Valenzuela ’94 for their expert counsel and leadership. Thanks to staff YouTube Live facilitators Kayla Albano, Alyson Beckman, George Brown, Bonnie Chen, Danica Dawson ’07, Rex Delos Santos, Monica Lee ’01, Jairo Leon M.ED. ’17, David Morgan, Patricia Nguyen, Sandy Nguyen ’10, Ashley Rehkemper ’12, M. ED. ’14, Christina Ruiz ‘05 and David Sun." I would also like to thank every other member of our UCLA Alumni staff who in a myriad of ways championed, participated and stepped up to contribute to the success of Alumni Day. The final acknowledgement belongs to the stellar, hard-working, problem-solving, never-say-never professionals on the UCLA Alumni marketing team who worked in tandem with focus and grace. These people don't quit, they remain undaunted in the face of defeat and press on. When forward motion is futile, they go around. With the deepest admiration, gratitude and respect I earnestly thank the project leader Kevin Halladay-Glynn, along with Anthony Cube, Zache Davis '15, Erich Eilenberger, Daniela Messarina, Stella Musi, Nicholas Todd '85, M.A. '87, and students Antonia Klima and Hedy Wang. We also send gratitude to former staff members Patrick Keenan and Stephanie McGrath. This is your shared success.

    -Estellaleigh Franenberg, Creative Director, UCLA Alumni Marketing and Communications

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