It has been a very exciting week for UCLA Alumni! A week celebrating UCLA, launching our centennial campaign, extraordinary Spring Sing and our UCLA Alumni Affinity Reunion. Hundreds of alumni returned to campus to reconnect and engage with the programs they participated in as students.

Those who got a chance to view the one-of-a-kind sound and light show projected onto iconic Royce Hall were filled with Bruin optimism as they were reminded of UCLA’s global impact over nearly 100 years. I encourage you to view and share the video with family and friends.

Below are recaps from the groups that were involved in the UCLA Alumni Affinity Reunion. We invite you to keep in touch and share your thoughts as we continue to build and expand our alumni network. Look for details on the upcoming Nachos and Networking, UCLA on the Road and Bruin Bash events. Learn more about the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program and Interview With a Bruin. Stay active and remain connected on our Alumni Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn groups.

Thank you for all that you have done for UCLA. This is the start of a new era for the university and our alumni will continue to lead into our next century. For details regarding the Campaign visit LetThereBe.ucla.edu.

Go Bruins!

Julie A. Sina, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor, Alumni Affairs

ACADEMIC ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM (AAP)
During the AAP session, we had an active AAP alumni committee member share his UCLA/AAP story and encouraged others to mentor AAP students in our Summer Writing Advising Program and the Academic Year Mentoring Program. There was a lot of energy in the concourse and participants enjoyed the jazz duo performance, which included an AAP staff member.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
UCLA Alumni Association board members, past and present, gathered to learn about what’s new in Alumni Affairs and discuss their role in this transformational time. Over the years they have dedicated considerable time, expertise and vision to serve on the board and guide the organization. These leaders have shaped the way the Association engages alumni and have provided tremendous opportunities for alumni to connect back to UCLA.

ALUMNI SCHOLARS CLUB (ASC)
Alumni Scholars and volunteers of all ages came together for an interactive session that included ice breakers, networking and program updates. Relationships picked up where they left off and new ones developed. Everyone left feeling reconnected to ASC.

ALUMNI NETWORK LEADERS
Network Leaders gathered for an update on changes to Alumni Affairs and the new engagement model. After learning about the update, there was a lively discussion on succession planning, new member recruitment, updated by-laws, working as a team and strategies for increased alumni involvement.

ALUMNI VETERANS
The Board of Vet Net – UCLA’s newly formed alumni affinity group for veterans and those who support them – came together for our first discussion. We talked about the formation of the new group and discussed how we can serve veterans’ needs on and off campus. This session included a small group brainstorming, where we shared our ideas of issues and services for the group to tackle in the future.

BRUIN VARSITY CLUB
Several former UCLA student-athletes attended a breakout session to discuss the Centennial campaign and network among their Bruin family. We shared the Athletic Department’s involvement in the campaign, including research numbers which stressed the need to get involved, and more excitingly, the facilities planned for the future. Information was given on the state of the Bruin Varsity Club, upcoming events and programs, and the importance of considering their impact and legacy here at UCLA. Thanks to presenters Jamaal Wilkes ’74 and Korey Bosworth ’09 for sharing their stories with the group.

STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (SAA)
SAA alumni celebrated their 30th Anniversary in style. They enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect and take a trip down memory lane viewing photos and memorabilia from past events. They were also able to have some fun in the photo booth and decorate a woodblock for this fall’s Beat ’SC Bonfire and Rally. SAA president Sheena Sharifi shared her insights about the current organization and how alumni can be more active in future SAA activities.

UCLA BLACK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (UBAA)
UBAA alumni attended a session, “Remaking Yourself” - Self-Enhancing Your Professional Journey, which charted how Bruins can take active roles in shaping their careers. W. Keith Wyatt J.D. ’77 partnered with UBAA Chairman Rickey Ivie ’73, J.D. ’77 to provide advice on navigating and negotiating contracts. Victoria Lewis J.D. ’88 provided insight as to what companies are looking for when identifying strong potential candidates to employ for their organization. Glenna Tolbert ’85, physician and entrepreneur, inspired fellow Bruins with her story of chasing her passions. The session ended with networking and many aspirational ideas to promote African American entrepreneurs in the UCLA alumni community.

UCLA EXTENSION
UCLA Extension’s Dean Smutz presented during a breakout session focused on the changing landscape in higher education and the need to be adaptable and student-centered. He emphasized the growing need for and use of technology in the student experience. He also emphasized Extension’s focus on moving beyond Westwood and having a bigger impact and presence in numerous communities throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, nationwide and globally. A key focus for Extension going forward is to increase student scholarship support, in order to expand the diversity of our student population and to reach more economically disadvantaged students.

UNICAMP
Unicamp alumni sang, danced, laughed, cheered and even managed to squeeze in a bit of tai chi. Fun was had by all while they reconnected with friends from UniCamp, made new connections and planted the seed for other gatherings. The breakout session quietly reminded alumni of the good times they had at UniCamp while exciting them about future possibilities.