Casual Astronaut
‘Your Network Is Your Net Worth’: Connecting the Next Generation of Leaders
Jacob Neel ’20, who started his first job during the coronavirus pandemic, shared that at Cal, he learned how to “normalize rejection as redirection.” Austin Drake ’18 reminded everyone that “you have to have the audacity to ask.”
‘Justice for Communities of Color’: Amber Gonzales-Vargas ’15 on Inspiring Change
The November 2020 election season is not one that anyone will forget. It was an exhausting period that brought many first-time voters and more people paying attention to the voting process. Berkeley alum Amber Gonzales-Vargas ’15 was meant for this.
“Equal Parts Pain and Joy:” Fred Moten PhD ’94
Candice Elder ’06 Takes Pride in Serving Her Local Community
Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Cal alum Candice Elder ’06 has a background in law and philanthropy and uses it to serve her community every day. Elder is the founder and executive director of The East Oakland Collective, a nonprofit organization that addresses and focuses its efforts on racial and economic equity in East Oakland. She was appointed by the mayor of Oakland in November of last year to a new advisory commission on homelessness as the city’s crisis escalates.
A Berkeley Reading List for the Holidays (or Anytime)
If quality time with a brilliant read is just what the doctor ordered, the books on this list will keep you company during a season unlike any other.
Cal Alumni Meet with Chancellor Carol Christ
The Cal Alumni Club of Chicago hosted a talk with Chancellor Carol Christ. Chancellor Christ gave the chapter members an update on the state of the university and insight into how decisions are made, especially as they relate to the pandemic and out-of-state students. She also shared UC Berkeley's new initiatives and efforts to engage with alumni. The Cal Alumni Club of Chicago is grateful to Chancellor Christ for taking the time to speak with its members.
Felicia Yamaguchi Lives Up to Her Name
My name is Felicia Yamaguchi. My first name derives from the Spanish word feliz, meaning happiness, and my last name derives from the Japanese word for mountain, signifying unwavering strength. With that being said, you can say my mother had high expectations for the person I would become.
Emily Pilloton Is Opening Up the World of STEM—and Possibilities—for Girls
It’s late September, and Emily Pilloton ’03 is at Girls Garage, a nonprofit she founded in 2013 in Berkeley. Girls Garage recently reopened for small groups of girls eager to get back to the space and get building again. "I just feel like failure is not an option," she explains. "This space means a lot to the girls that come here."
Coming Together: Building Community After Cal
During Homecoming, on October 18, the Cal Alumni Association and its Alumni Chapters hosted more than 40 alumni and students to connect, build community, and learn from each other. Alumni and students exchanged words of wisdom and discussed opportunities to stay connected to Cal through chapter events and mentorship programs. Watch the inspirational video below […]
2020’s Best and Brightest Honored at Annual Berkeley Charter Gala
In partnership with the UC Berkeley Foundation, the Cal Alumni Association honored this year’s Achievement Award recipients at a virtual—yet lively—version of the Berkeley Charter Gala on October 8, 2020. Get to know the 2020 Alumna of the Year and the rest of these esteemed award recipients.
Berkelium 5K Virtual Run/Walk a Huge Success!
At the close of our first-ever virtual Berkelium 5K Run/Walk, Friday, October 16, nearly 700 participants displayed a renewed sense of togetherness among the people in our diverse Cal community—even in the virtual world we find ourselves in now. From all over the globe, alumni and friends of Cal sported blue and gold and fervently showed pride in Berkeley as they ran or walked the 5K. Berkelium 5K participants conjured up Cal spirit all the way from Canada, England, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, and Switzerland!
Top Draft Picks: Berkelium 5K Edition
Our first Berkelium 5K Walk/Run was a huge success, with more than 700 Golden Bears, their friends, and families participating internationally. We are so impressed with everyone who laced up their running shoes, threw on their favorite Cal gear, and got moving for this virtual event. During the 5K, the Cal Alumni Association asked alumni […]
