Distinguished Alums
Leaders of the newly established state of California founded the University of California, Berkeley, in 1868. More than 150 years later, our founders would be gratified to know that UC Berkeley has emerged as one of the world’s preeminent universities and that the education gained here has set many young minds on courses to change the world. Here we highlight a small portion of the outstanding alums who create profound moments in Berkeley’s legacy.
Our Triumphs, Our Future
Berkeley’s Storied History
Sift through the many milestones and achievements that line our 150-year legacy.
Notable Cal Alums
Cal’s legacy is lived every day, in Berkeley and beyond, by exceptional graduates of all stripes.
The Campanile stands tall over UC Berkeley's campus. / Courtesy of the Cal Alumni Association
Black Alums in UC Berkeley History
This timeline honors a few of the Black graduates of UC Berkeley who are pioneers in the fields of arts, sciences, business, and government.
Young Alum News
UC Berkeley alums make a dramatic impact on the world—and many are already make their marks within ten years of graduation.
UC Berkeley’s First Women Graduates
The women graduates from Cal’s first 30 years defied assumptions of inferiority and fragility.
Alum-Owned Businesses
These businesses are proudly owned or operated by Cal alums. Are you a Cal grad running your own business? We’d love to feature you!
Alan Nyiri, courtesy of the Atkinson Photographic Archive / UC Regents
Flashback: Celebrations of Berkeley Lore
What It Means to Be a Cal Alum
Every Cal student walks the Berkeley campus in the footsteps of their predecessors to receive an education that will grant them a spot in the university’s long-lasting legacy.
As The Tower Turns 100: Skeletons in the Campanile’s Closet
In five floors of the Berkeley icon lay tons of fossils extracted from treasure troves of prehistoric preservation such as the La Brea Tar Pits. So who uses this stuff?
Berkeley Flashback: The Crunchy Munchy Man
A memorable Berkeley character, who served up ice cream and personality in the ’50s and ’60s, is remembered by his granddaughter.
Alfred Dattner, also known as the Crunchy Munchy Man
Black Panthers at 50: New Exhibit from the Party’s Go-to Photog
Stephen Shames talks about the history of the Black Panthers and how a chance encounter at Cal led him to chronicle the party’s movement.
Image Credit: Stephen Shames, Courtesy of Steven Kasher Gallery
Karen “Gabriela” Taylor ’65: Berkeley to the Core
For Karen “Gabriela” Taylor, “Berkeley was a core experience that changed her entire life’s course.”
Recent News
The Long Blue Line: Honoring Professor Nad Permaul, 2025 Berkeley Citation Recipient
By Urja UpadhyayaProfessor Nadesan “Nad” Permaul has spent nearly six decades at UC Berkeley, as student, scholar, administrator, and leader. This year, the university honors his extraordinary legacy with the 2025 Berkeley Citation.
Love Letters to Campus: The Class of 2025 Writes Back
By Urja Upadhyaya / Photos by Katherine FiordalisIn this collection of “Love Letters to Campus,” five graduating seniors share what made UC Berkeley home—from ceramics and comedy to protests, pigments, and stadium chants. These aren’t goodbyes. They’re artifacts of presence—memories made tactile, reflective, and rooted in the spaces that shaped them.
Cheers to Cal: A Celebration of Transition, Community, and What’s Next
By Urja UpadhyayaOn May 17th, Berkeley's graduating class came together at Alumni House for Cheers to Cal—a warm, spirited gathering filled with laughter, pride, and cherished moments celebrating lifelong Golden Bear connections.
