UCSD Alumni Association Invites Graduates Back to Campus for Alumni Weekend 2010

Events during June 3-6 encourage UC San Diego alumni to see what’s new on campus, and reconnect with faculty and classmates

May 04, 2010

By Malinda Danziger

The second annual Alumni and Family Night at the Birch Aquarium will take place on Friday June 4th.

Last year, the UCSD Alumni Association’s inaugural Alumni Weekend provided graduates the opportunity to celebrate their UC San Diego experience and revisit the ever-changing campus. This year’s Alumni Weekend promises even more reasons to attend—and connect—with events that include UCSD Alumni and Family Night at the Birch Aquarium, the first UC San Diego alumni surfing invitational at Black’s Beach, the annual Awards for Excellence celebration, plus reunions and receptions with faculty and other activities.

 “We look forward to hosting our world-class alumni at UC San Diego, of which there are 40,000 in the San Diego area and over 130,000 worldwide,” said Armin Afsahi, ’90, executive director, UCSD Alumni Association. Highlights of Alumni Weekend include:

• Inspiring Minds: A Special Evening with UCSD Faculty
  Thursday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m., Ida and Cecil Green Faculty Club
  Cost: $10
  
• Meet world-class faculty members who continue to propel UCSD to one of the top-ranked public institutions in the nation including Terrence August, Rady School of Management; Raffi Aroian, Cell and Developmental Biology; Naomi Iizuka, Professor, Theater and Dance; Sam Popkin, Professor, Political Science; and Michael Sailor, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry.
  
• UCSD Alumni and Family Night at Birch Aquarium
  Friday, June 4 at 6 p.m., Birch Aquarium
  

Children of all ages, including Tritions-in-Training, will enjoy the sea life at Alumni and Family Night at the Birch Aquarium

• Cost: $15 | FREE for Alumni Association Members and children under 12
  Learn about the wonders of the ocean alongside King Triton and enjoy a festive celebration overlooking the Pacific with alumni, family and friends. The evening reception includes docent-led tours, kelp tank diver show and educational activities for the entire family. In recognition for their support of student scholarship and alumni programs members of the UCSD Alumni Association receive complimentary admission to this event.
  
• Alumni Weekend Brunch
  Saturday, June 5 at 11 a.m., Price Center East Ballroom
  Cost: $20
  
• Enjoy a special “Green Eggs and Ham” brunch and performances by M.F.A. students and players from Muir Musical’s “Seussical the Musical” while celebrating the recipients of the UCSD Alumni Association’s inaugural Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Lee Martin III, ’99, and Melody Gonzales, ’02.
  
• Annual Alumni Awards for Excellence
  Saturday, June 5 at 6 p.m., Matthews Quad
  Cost: $175| $1,750 for table of 10
  
• Celebrate the achievements of outstanding alumni and enjoy a hosted cocktail reception, dinner and awards ceremony with all event proceeds benefiting Invent the Future: The UC San Diego Student Support Campaign. Honorees include Outstanding Alumna, Bun-Ching Lam, Ph.D. ’81, internationally recognized and award-winning conductor, composer and musician; Professional Achievement Award,
  LaVerne Ragster, Ph.D. ’80, conservationist, research scientist and education administrator; Distinguished Service Award, Thom Sherman, ’88, television producer and executive; and Distinguished Teaching Award, Sam Popkin, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science.
  
• Beach Party and Alumni Surfing Invitational at Black’s Beach
  Sunday, June 6 at 7 a.m. (surf competition), 10 a.m. (beach party)
  Cost: $10
  
• Fun for all ages makes this event a must for avid surfers, spectators and sand-castle builders. Following the early-morning surf event will be a family-friendly beach party including surf lessons, games, music and a picnic lunch made from locally grown ingredients.
  

The 32nd annual Alumni Awards for Excellence will recognize outstanding alumni and faculty

Several special interest and affinity reunions are also planned for alumni including the Departments of Political Science and Communication, former Student Health Advocates and Muir College graduates.

For more information and to register for Alumni Weekend activities, visit alumni.ucsd.edu/alumniweekend. To purchase tickets for the Awards for

Excellence, visit alumni.ucsd.edu/awards or call (858) 534-3900.

About the UCSD Alumni Association
The University of California, San Diego – ranked the best value public university in California by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine and the 7th best public university in the nation by U.S. News and World Report – is widely acknowledged for its local impact, national influence and global reach. The UCSD Alumni Association represents over 130,000 alumni at the forefront of the sciences, business, research, the arts, social innovation and political service in California, throughout the nation and around the world. By fostering meaningful connections among this diverse group, we help to forge lifelong, mutually beneficial relationships between alumni, students and the University to ensure that UCSD – and every alumnus – will always remain world class.  For information, please visit www.alumni.ucsd.edu.

Media Contacts:
Malinda Danziger, mdanziger@ucsd.edu, 858-822-0063
Judy Piercey, jpiercey@ucsd.edu, 858-534-6128