Before a lecture is heard, before a roommate is met, before the eucalyptus trees of campus whisper their welcome, there’s this.
A summer day. A shaded park. A backyard strung with Cal flags. The laughter of alums. The quiet questions of parents. And somewhere in the middle of it all: a student wearing a brand-new Berkeley tee, surrounded by people they didn’t know an hour ago, but now can’t wait to see on campus.
This is the magic of UC Berkeley’s Summer Welcome Parties, where new beginnings meet old traditions, and where the Berkeley community shows up before the first day of class even begins.
A Tradition of Belonging, from Desert Valleys to Lake Michigan
At the Classic Club in Palm Desert, Cal Bears in the Desert kicked off the season with an early send-off that blended warmth with wisdom. Students and parents from the Imperial and Coachella Valleys gathered to hear from alums, current students, and campus representatives from Financial Aid, Admissions, and Experience Berkeley. The energy was generous and focused: conversations moved from campus logistics to shared aspirations. A highlight? Watching current students return as volunteers, coming full circle from attendees to ambassadors.
Meanwhile, on the sandy edge of Lake Michigan, the Cal Alumni Club of Chicago hosted a sunny day of volleyball, swimming, and shout-singing the Cal fight song. Students were gifted goodie bags filled with Cal gear, while parents and alums bonded over shared memories and advice. A beachside “CALIFORNIA” spell-out echoed into the breeze, reminding everyone that tradition thrives.
Small Gatherings, Big Impact
In Southern Nevada, just one incoming student attended, but it didn’t stop the warmth. Hosted in the home of a generous alum, the gathering became an intimate exchange of stories and advice. Across the country, in Boston, the New England chapter brought together students and families in a backyard gathering that turned strangers into community in a single afternoon.
And in Austin, the Texas Cal Bears invited alums and students into deep dialogue. Questions flowed freely, from “Why did you choose Berkeley?” to “What would you tell your freshman self?” Social hour allowed students to connect beyond surface introductions, with time set aside just for them while parents and alums mingled separately.
Legacy, Laughter, and Shared Wisdom
Some moments felt scripted by serendipity. At the Central Coast party, a teacher-turned-alum reconnected with his former students, now incoming Bears, at the same welcome event. Elsewhere, alums engaged students in mixed-team Cal trivia, laughter ringing out as someone proudly claimed a Cal lanyard for knowing there are 314 steps up the Campanile.
In Sacramento, students were grouped by dorm assignments during trivia, a subtle but effective way to spark housing-based friendships. A drum spontaneously played by an alum added unexpected festivity. Board members handed out custom Cal cookies and passed on cheer routines, while alums including Interim Executive Director Kirk Tramble gave inspiring speeches to new students.
Cultural Anchoring and Identity in Celebration
For the Pilipinx American Alumni Chapter (PAAC) in Los Angeles, the Summer Welcome Party was more than a send-off, it was a celebration of heritage. Nearly 70 attendees, including alums, students, and families, came together in cultural solidarity. From Filipino food spreads featuring Jollibee and lumpia to unity chants like “Isang Bagsak,” the event honored cultural continuity as a source of confidence for the students’ journeys ahead.
Similarly, the Black Engineering and Science Alumni Club (BESAC) brought power and purpose to their welcome with keynote speaker Dr. Marie-Ange E. Tagne. Her journey from Cameroon to Silicon Valley stirred the crowd, bridging inspiration with lived experience. The gathering was especially poignant with the presence of a new grad student who was also the daughter of a former BESSA and BGESS president, a generational full-circle moment.
When the Band Played and the Games Broke Ice
At the San Gabriel Valley picnic, the Cal Band was the undeniable highlight, elevating spirits and energizing conversations. Students were seated by housing assignment, a subtle move that sparked instant connection. The Orange County gathering brought 225+ attendees together, again with the Band performing and alums handing out Cal swag. These weren’t just parties, they were orchestrated celebrations, fine-tuned with care and tradition.
Remote Corners, Strong Community
In places like Fresno, Long Beach, and Houston, these gatherings provided crucial connections for students from less-represented regions. At the Fresno event, two students were invited to job shadow alum professionals, a direct pathway from community to career exploration. In Houston, Tex-Mex and Cal fight songs set the backdrop for parent Q&As and student introductions, all grounded in Bear pride.
Futures in Bloom
From Napa Valley’s sun-drenched gatherings to New York’s spirited circles, from Rocky Mountain picnics to the warmth of South Florida porches, a quiet throughline carried across every Summer Welcome Party: students didn’t just walk away with tote bags and trivia prizes, they left with solid grounding and connection.
A sense of who they might become.
A glimpse of the support waiting for them.
And, most importantly, the steadying feeling that they already belong.
What Happens Before Berkeley, Stays With You
Summer Welcome Parties may technically precede the academic year, but they often set its emotional tone. They are moments when the Cal community says: You’re not going into this alone.
To all the alums who opened their homes, volunteered their time, and shared their stories, to the parents who asked the brave questions, and to the students who showed up, unsure but willing: thank you for being part of this tradition.
Welcome to the newest class of Cal students—the future of Berkeley. We can’t wait to see what you do next.
Special Thanks
The Cal Alumni Association thanks the following incredible Alumni Chapters and the Cal alumni community for hosting these Summer Welcome Parties and creating a welcoming and spirited experience for new students and their families.
Lake Tahoe Alumni Club | Berkeley Chinese Alumni International Association | Cal Alumni Club of Florida | Berkeley Student Cooperative Alumni Association | Black Engineering Science Alumni Club | Cal Alumni Chapter of Southern Nevada | Cal Alumni Club of Austin | Cal Alumni Club of Chicago | Cal Alumni Club of Southern Nevada | Club Alumni Club of Fresno | Cal Alumni Club of Houston | Cal Alumni Club of Long Beach | Cal Alumni Club of Marin | Cal Alumni Club of the Monterey Peninsula | Cal Alumni Club of New England | Cal Alumni Club of New York | Cal Alumni Club of Washington D.C. | Cal Alumni of Los Angeles | Cal Bears in the Desert | Black Alumni Association | Cal Club of San Joaquin County | Central Coast Cal Alumni Chapter | Chicanx Latinx Alumni Association, Bay Area | Motor City Cal Alumni Association of Southeast Michigan | Napa Valley Cal Alumni Club | Native and Indigenous Alumni Chapter | Orange County Cal Alumni Club | Portland Cal Alumni Club | Pilipinx (Pilipino) American Alumni Chapter | Colorado Alumni | Sac Cal Alumni | San Diego Cal Alumni | San Gabriel Valley Cal Alumni Club | Tuolumne County Alumni Club
