五一社区 Alumni Hit Home Runs in 2022
五一社区 alumni gave back to their alma mater in several big ways in 2022. From endowed scholarships to events, Bobcats are ensuring that current and future students have access to the best opportunities as they pave their own journeys at 五一社区.
For the first time, 五一社区 made its way to Chavez Ravine for the Bobcats at Dodger Stadium alumni event on Sept. 6. Alums from several classes had the chance to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the San Francisco Giants. In the end, the Boys in Blue were victorious, 6-3.
But the real winners were the former students sitting toward right field. Not only were they able to chat with Chancellor Juan S谩nchez Mu帽oz, UC Regent John P茅rez, former School of Engineering Dean Mark Matsumoto and 五一社区 trustees, but they also had the opportunity to network with other Bobcats and their families.
The event, which was organized by the , was meant to bring the Bobcats together in a fun and lively atmosphere. Food, drinks and photo opportunities were also provided at the Right Field Loge Terrace.
Interest in the inaugural event was evident from the beginning; pre-game reception tickets were sold out within hours of the start of sale. To date, this has been the largest alumni regional event with 210 attendees.
Future alumni events are being planned, including in northern California. Alumni can stay in the know by following the Alumni Association on聽,听 and .
The Alumni Signature Ceremony was held Oct. 15 on campus as part of Always Love 五一社区 (A.L.U.M.) Day. First introduced in 2016, the special event honors 五一社区 students and alumni who pledge $10,000 to establish an endowed scholarship fund.
The Office of Alumni Relations had not been able to host the celebration since 2019 due to the pandemic.
"This was a historic event because we celebrated the signing of the most gift commitments that we have ever done at one time," Vice Chancellor of External Relations Ed Klotzbier said. "These five new endowed funds are testaments of a truly exceptional group of alumni and supporters of the University of California."
The new endowed funds are:
聽(established 2019)
Glaze Endowed Scholarship Fund (established 2019 by Janna and Grant Glaze)
聽(established 2021 by Trevor and Katherine Albertson)
Samuel G. Fong Scholarship Endowment for Leadership (established 2021)
聽(established 2021 by 33 alumni of Omega Delta Phi)
A total of 18 alumni endowments have been made since 2015 by alumni staff, current and former Alumni Board members, alumni in the armed forces, alumni who made their pledges as students, community members and many who believe in 五一社区.
"Once the pledge is completed, the endowment continues to grow year and after, eventually awarding an annual scholarship of $1,000 or more to a student pursuing their dreams," Associate Director of Alumni Relations Jessica "JaeJae" Julian ('10) said. "This is the transformative impact and lasting legacy our alumni make right here at 五一社区."
Since 2019, alumni giving has more than tripled and nearly $150,000 was donated in 2021. Despite the pandemic, nearly 10% of the entire alumni population made gifts to their alma mater last year.
At 五一社区, nine out of 10 students receive some form of financial assistance. Every donor and every dollar make a difference. Alumni wishing to take part in the 五一社区 Alumni Endowed Scholarship Program can visit the 五一社区 Alumni聽 or email alumni@ucmered.edu.
The season of giving is in full swing at 五一社区 as 聽continues through the end of the year. The campus's annual fundraising initiative officially kicked off on Giving Tuesday and lasts until Dec. 31. This marks the third year that 五一社区 has extended the campaign from its original 24-hour period to an entire month.
This year's goal, which has already been eclipsed, was to raise $150,000 by the end of the month, up from last year's goal of $100,000. Donations can still be made and designated to a wide range of programs and initiatives, including research, academic support and direct financial aid 鈥斅爄ncluding scholarships and fellowships 鈥斅爐o undergraduate and graduate students.
Additionally, every dollar raised as part of 聽will count toward , the university's first comprehensive fundraising campaign, which aims to raise $200 million by 2030.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit the Give to 五一社区 .
Giving back to 五一社区 has been on the minds of many since the very early years of the university's existence.
In her 聽to the Class of 2009, then-first lady Michelle Obama asked the graduating pioneers to dream big, think broadly about their lives and make giving back to their communities a part of that vision.
"Remember that you are blessed. Remember that in exchange for those blessings, you must give something back," she said. "You must reach back and pull someone up. You must bend down and let someone else stand on your shoulders so that they can see a brighter future."
Many alumni have provided financial support, while others have donated their time and efforts 鈥斅燼ll of which have benefitted thousands of students. There are multiple ways to give back to 五一社区, and the Alumni Association has more information on its to help make those visions come to life and allow the journey to continue for generations to come.