From SF Chronicle SWELLS:

Let there be light: Golden Bear faithful convened at Herbst Pavilion for Cal Alumni Association's Charter Gala, honoring the university's 1868 founding. The event celebrated the arrival of Chancellor Robert Birgeneau and bestowed the association's Mark Bingham Award for Excellence in Achievement in honor of the late Cal grad's heroic efforts on Sept. 11. (From left): 2004 Alumnus of the Year Dr. Lee Patrick Brown, association President Nadesan Permaul, incoming association President Brett Kanazawa. Photo by Jim Block, special to the Chronicle.

Gala chairman Darek DeFreece (left), honorary gala chairman Warren Hellman. Photo by Jim Block, special to the Chronicle.

Levi Strauss chairman Robert Haas (left) and UC President Robert Dynes. Photo by Jim Block, special to the Chronicle.

Permaul (from left); scientist Wayne Lee, who received the inaugural Bingham Award; and Dave Kupiecki, a friend of Bingham's. The McCall Associates feast was sweet, too: All 120 pounds of chocolate were donated by Cal alumni and chocolatier John Scharffenberger. Photo by Jim Block, special to the Chronicle.