UCSD Alumni Association Recognized by
Council for Advancement and Support of Education

By Malinda Danziger | December 13, 2004

The UCSD Alumni Association was recognized for the Triton Junkyard Derby and @UCSD magazine by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), an international association of professionals who advance educational institutions, at the District VII conference in San Francisco on Dec. 5.

"We've felt good about our work the past year and have seen a great response from our alumni," said John Valva, UCSD Alumni Association Executive Director. "But it's also gratifying to receive such recognition from our peers."

The UCSD Alumni Association took home the following awards:
Gold Medal: Special Events - Triton Junkyard Derby

The 2004 Triton Junkyard Derby was inspired by the popular Learning Channel (TLC) show, "Junkyard Wars." The three-day event began with an evening orientation for interested teams and with the race kicking off at noon on the third day during the annual Sun God Festival. One technical expert (alumni, senior-level student or faculty member) was assigned to each team to listen and comment on preliminary ideas, supervise the building of the boxcar, offer advice and provide helpful tips. The round-robin style races pitted two teams at a time down Peterson Hall hill at the entrance to Geisel Library.

The Triton Junkyard Derby was successful in bringing alumni back to campus, in the role of mentors, to reconnect with current students.

Mark your calendars now - the Triton Junkyard Derby returns to campus May 18-20, 2005. More information including volunteer and registration information is available online at http://www.alumni.ucsd.edu/derby/index.htm.

Bronze Medal: Magazine - @UCSD

The first issue of @UCSD was mailed to more than 85,000 alumni in January 2004. The goal of the magazine is to improve alumni communications and re-engage alumni with the university. Today, @UCSD is mailed three times a year to nearly 100,000 alumni, university friends, faculty and senior staff.

Gold Medal: Magazine Writing - @UCSD
@UCSD - January 2004
"Distant Diagnosis" by Christopher Vaughan
"To Play or Not to Play" by Kelli Anderson
"The College Bond" by Raymond Hardie

@UCSD - May 2004
"Demystifying Admissions" by Jennifer Reese
"Oh the Places He Did Go" by Robert Sullivan

The current issue of @UCSD as well as archives and advertising information is available at http://alumni.ucsd.edu/magazine/index.htm.

The UCSD Alumni Association was formed in 1964 by a small group of early graduates and has grown today to represent nearly 100,000 alumni. The association's award-winning programs provide alumni with continued access to the resources of the university, communicate news and events, and facilitate a network for alumni and student interaction. For more information about alumni programs, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and membership benefits, visit www.alumni.ucsd.edu or call (858) 534-3900.