A Week to Remember: UCSD Seniors Have Fun in San Diego During Senior Week
Christine Clark | June 23, 2008
A student poses for photos at the Class Plaque Unveiling.
Watching the Shamu show; getting a peek at the San Diego Zoo’s pandas and kayaking in Mission Bay: The first-ever Senior Week, held June 15 to 19, is bound to be one week that many UC San Diego students will never forget.
The idea for the one-week celebration of graduating seniors stemmed from the one-week gap between finals and graduation ceremonies this year that was created due to the impact of the U.S. Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. A committee worked hard to plan events that would provide seniors with fun activities and lasting memories of San Diego.
Similar to Welcome Week, committee members said they hope Senior Week becomes one of UC San Diego’s annual traditions, said Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Life, Gary Ratcliff. “As it should be, our primary focus has been on a successful transition into the university setting,” Ratcliff said. “It is exciting to see a focus on students' transition from the university as well. It is important to build life-long connections with our students.”
The week kicked off with a night on the town for seniors at the "End of The Finals" party June 13. Discounted tickets to the event granted more than 500 students entrance to three nightclubs in the Gaslamp Quarter. Almost 900 students also attended the "Official Grad Night" Sunday night at the Ivy Hotel.
"Both events were a huge success," Senior Week Committee member Emma Sandoe said. "The Ivy was beautiful and it was amazing how we filled up the whole place with UC San Diego students and all of the proceeds went to student scholarships."
Senior Ria Murphy presents her giveaways from the Alumni Association.
Sandoe, former president of the Student Foundation, helped organize the events to benefit the Senior Class Gift. The class of 2008 raised a total of $18,644.76 for the gift, which will be used to award 2008 scholarships to continuing students, said Sarah Chang, president-elect of the Student Foundation.
Both the "End of Finals Party" and the "Official Grad Night" were some of the most popular events during senior week, earning the Senior Class Gift about $3,000. "Grad Night at the Ivy was a lot of fun," senior Phil Crummett said. "My friends and I got a table at the Ivy and it was great to see everyone we knew from UC San Diego there."
Tuesday, students took part in College Day, where each college hosted different events for their graduating students. Muir, Revelle, Sixth and Eleanor Roosevelt College hosted receptions with free food and drinks while Warren College opted to host a game of free laser tag for seniors.
Seniors went tubing in Mission Bay Tuesday afternoon. (Photo/Allison Lane)
Tuesday afternoon, more than 200 students headed to Mission Bay, where they sailed, kayaked and rode on inner tubes at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center. Senior Mary Wong spent the day with her friends relaxing on the beach while listening to rocker and surfer Jack Johnson and eating catered food from Subway. Wong and her friends, who met when they were roommates freshman year, went to several Senior Week events together. “We went to Sea World and Sports Day and Grad Night, but I’m happy we came here; this is the first time I have been to the Aquatic Center,” she said.
Crummett also went to the Day at the Bay. “I’m really happy I came. This is my last week in San Diego,” he said. “I’m moving to Northern California for a job and I am going to miss the water.”
Wednesday, the Alumni Association welcomed the graduating class of 2008 with two events. At the Class of 2008 Plaque Induction ceremony at 2:30 p.m., seniors saw the first unveiling of the plaque on Library Walk and were treated to giveaways, cupcakes and sparking cider. Several students, including senior Ria Murphy, got their picture taken with the plaque and received a free frame from the Alumni Association.
Students kayaked in the sun at the Day at the Bay.
Murphy also attended the “New Grad Mixer” at Michaels in the Hyatt hotel that same day at 6 p.m. Murphy and other seniors met with alumni at the annual event, which is designed to help recent grads network. San Diego Alumni Chapter President Kathryn Vargas, ’04, helped organize the get-together. “This is nice way to connect with the new grads,” Vargas said. “The mixer was the first alumni event I went to and it is the reason I got involved.”
Also Wednesday, the Career Services Center hosted its inaugural “Grad vs. Wild: A Career Survival Guide to Post Graduate Life.” About 100 students attended the event where they participated in career-building seminars and learning activities.
Thursday, graduating seniors from all colleges spent the evening celebrating on RIMAC Field at the All Campus Graduation Celebration. Graduating undergrad and graduate students and alumni attended the ceremony, where they heard remarks from Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Penny Rue.
Senior Mary Wong got her feet wet during Senior Week. (Photo/Allison Lane)
Sandoe accepted the Outstanding Senior Award and Serena Moseman accepted the Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Following the ceremony, attendees mingled in the reception area, where free hot dogs, nachos and drinks were served. The night was capped off with a slideshow and fireworks display.
The week culminated with the pre-Padres game party at “Dick’s Last Resort” Friday night. More than 70 students got together at the boisterous restaurant before the Padres threw the first pitch around 7 p.m. And almost 150 students attended the game at PETCO Park, even though many students had to attend commencement ceremonies early Saturday morning. “The night was filled with chatter and laughter,” event organizer Jayne Smith said. “The turnout was great and I think the students had so much fun."
The Senior Week organizing committee was made up of students and staff from the Student Foundation, Alumni Association, Career Services, Colleges, Recreation and Associated Students, who all worked throughout spring quarter to coordinate the various events.
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