Casual Astronaut

Shattuck Avenue East Renamed After Immigrant Activist Kala Bagai
On September 15, 2020, the Berkeley City Council renamed Shattuck Avenue East to honor Kala Bagai, an Indian immigrant activist and leader who fought tirelessly against racial prejudice in early 20th century Berkeley. Her life's work is now commemorated in Kala Bagai Way. Cal alumna, community activist, and historian Barnali Ghosh M.L.A. ’01, along with her husband, Anirvan Chatterjee, created and led the year-long public campaign for the renaming of the two-block eastern stretch of Shattuck Avenue as part of the couple's continuing efforts to make Berkeley more accepting of its Asian American population and help South Asian immigrants feel welcome in the city.

Golden Bears, New Students Connect from Afar
Traditionally, alumni volunteers hold welcome events in person, but in light of COVID-19, virtual collaborations between Alumni Chapters enabled more alumni-student engagement beyond our local circles.

Alumni Show Up for Students and Each Other at Summer Welcome Parties
Alumni chapters hosted Summer Welcome Parties to give new students a warm, Berkeley welcome, and reconnect with their fellow Cal alumni. From Cal Band music to Cal-themed trivia and casual conversations about Berkeley student life, this year's Summer Welcome Parties provided much-needed fun and connection in these virtual times.

Best in Show: Cal Doggo Edition
The dog days of summer are coming to a close, so let’s take a moment to acknowledge our furry friends on campus with the most Cal spirit. We might not have a doggy yearbook, but that won’t stop us from curating our own (subjective) yearbook superlatives! If you’re interested in having your pup featured in […]

10 Cal Alumnae You Should Know
From saving marine life to challenging stereotypes through stand-up and ensuring children receive proper school lunches, Cal alumnae truly leave a lasting impact.

Thelton Henderson ’55, J.D. ’62 Receives Distinguished Alumnus Award from National College Baseball Hall of Fame
Thelton Henderson was announced today as the newest recipient of the George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award from the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. The award honors Henderson’s contributions as a federal judge and his role in the civil rights movement.

As Academic Year Begins, Alumni and Scholars Roll Out Virtual “Welcome Mat”
Coming to Cal is both exciting and daunting. We are grateful to our Cal Alumni Association community for helping our students feel supported as they embark on their Cal journey during these challenging times.

Stellar Explosion and Exoplanets: Alex Filippenko at the Lair
“Some stars literally explode in a titanic act of self-destruction at the end of their lives, becoming some million or billion times as powerful as the sun,” Filippenko explains to Lair of the Golden Bear campers. “Exploding stars are not just spectacular to look at, but they’re important for our very existence, because during its life a star generates energy by fusing light elements into heavy elements. Right now, the sun is fusing hydrogen to helium; later it will fuse helium to carbon and oxygen. If stars never exploded, the heavy elements would be forever trapped in their cores and thus not available as raw material for the production of new stars and planets.”

For Young Golden Bears, Support in COVID-Era Job Search
In response to the challenges faced by Alumni Scholars and recent Berkeley graduates in the current job market, the Alumni Scholars Program set a goal of helping Golden Bears connect with alumni to provide interview tips and moral support.

Who Are We Now? For Young Cal Alums, We’re a Community Speaking Up
Recent national events have changed much about the world we live in and have sparked questions about how such events influence our identities. Both personally and collectively, we are wrestling with our individuality and struggling to have productive, honest conversations with one another. That’s why there’s something very special about Maria Smith, Isabella Marten, Jordan […]

Donna Hitchens M.A., J.D. ’77 Never Dreamed of Law, Yet Changed the System
It may be surprising that Donna Hitchens M.A., J.D. ’77—who became the first openly lesbian judge elected to the bench in the United States and spent 20 years of her career on the California Superior Court bench—never dreamed of becoming a lawyer, nevermind a judge.

Soumya Karlamangla ’13 Reports on the Front Lines of COVID-19
In any society, people play specific roles. Some are leaders, some are nurturers, some are creators, and some are builders. All are important. However, in a time of crisis, the demand for specialized roles goes up. During a pandemic, doctors, nurses, and first responders become especially important. And keeping the public informed—now more than ever—is […]