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_{Paul Bryzek MBA ’24 on graduation day / Courtesy of Paul Bryzek}

Welcome Home: Finding Your Rhythm at the Lair

A place where networks grow, traditions deepen, and new campers are welcomed but as part of a breathing, evolving community.

_{Lair of the Golden Bear staff posing at the Hootenanny / Photo by Kevin Kitsuda}

Paul Bryzek: ‘Without Impact, a Business isn’t Sustainable’

“I learned in my previous career that if the impact part is missing from a business, it’s not very sustainable.”

_{David Lu ’16 / Courtesy of David Lu}

What It Takes to Keep the Lair Running

This is your role-by-role guide to the jobs that keep the Lair running. By the end, you’ll see how every part—comes together to create the Lair’s special song.

All News

Lair of the Golden Bear

_{The Eskridge family at the Lair of the Golden Bear / Courtesy of Rob Eskridge}

David Lu: Reducing Air Pollution with Actionable Data

Presented by Clarity Movement’s sensors can be found in 85 countries…but none of Clarity Movement’s success would have happened without UC Berkeley. David Lu ’16 didn’t know how clear the sky could be or the true color vibrancy of flowers until he came to the Bay Area in June 2012. Growing up in Shanghai, the […]

21 People, 5 States, One Family: A Conversation with New Camper Rob

What makes the Lair different from other vacations? For Rob, “the Lair offered so many more informal opportunities to reconnect than had we been staying in a hotel, or a motel, or a theme park.”

_{Lair Staffers Leon (right) and Viv (second from left) welcome campers to the Manager’s Mixer. / Cal Alumni Association / Kevin Kitsuda}

Cathy Connelly Named General Manager, Lair of the Golden Bear

Connelly's leadership, deep connections to the Lair community, and passion for delivering exceptional camper experiences make her the perfect person to guide us into the future.

Leon and Viv, all smiles and high energy, welcome campers to the Manager’s Mixer.

_{The Heyns Reading Room in Doe Library is one of Cal’s quiet study spots. It is one of UC Berkeley’s most iconic spots for students studying, taking graduation pictures, and reading old archives. / Courtesy of Kahlil Gray}

What Last Summer’s Camp Blue Program Director Wants New Campers to Know

Last summer, Leon Tasch, the Camp Blue program director, got a front-row seat to all the magic and mayhem. Now, he’s here to give you the inside scoop—because there’s a lot more to the Lair than you might think.

Cal Culture

Cal Culture

Golden Bear Love Stories: Academic Edition

With memories full of love, Cal alums reminisce on some of the reasons they fell in love with their majors.

Two fans stand side by side, one in a “Beat Stanford” shirt and the other in a “Beat Cal” shirt.

_{The Cal-Stanford collegiate rivalry is one of the oldest in the country, with each school competing during the Big Game for the right to bring home the Stanford Axe. / Courtesy of Kahlil Gray}

Cal Culture

What’s One Good Thing You Can Say About Stanford?

In the spirit of good sportsmanship, Cal alums share their Stanford appreciations to celebrate the healthy rivalry ahead of the 2024 Big Game.

Alumni Chapters

awardees at cal black alumni association gala

_{Led by President Cheryl Wright (second from left) and Vice President Marlon McWilson (far right), the Cal Black Alumni Association celebrated (l-r) five distinguished honorees: Tarik Glenn Sr. ’99, Camryn Rogers ’23, H. Michael Williams ’82, Relonda McGhee ’16, and Brian McGhee ’89. Christian Ford / Cal Black Alumni Association}

Chapters

Cal Black Alumni Association Hosts Inaugural Black Alumni Gala & Awards Ceremony

Under the theme Black Opulence: A Winter’s Eve, the evening was a breathtaking celebration of the rich history, achievements, and enduring legacy of Cal Black Alumni—visionaries, leaders, and trailblazers across industries. Alumni spanning generations—from the Class of 1961 to the Class of 2024—gathered to honor one another as changemakers shaping the future and paving the […]

The Cal Alumni Club of Chicago welcomes incoming students.

_{Courtesy of Cal Alumni Club of Chicago}

Chapters

Meeting and Greeting the Newest Golden Bears

From New England to Southern California, our Alumni Chapters gave incoming Golden Bears a warm welcome.

_{Demetrios Boutris ’83 with Fritz, his longhaired dachshund, in Central Park. / Courtesy of Demetrios Boutris}

Chapters

Demetrios Boutris ’83 Is Cultivating Leadership

Scholar of the world, corporate lawyer, businessman, and trusted advisor, Demetrios Boutris ’83 wears many hats, but most of all, is a leader in the Cal community.

Scholars

_{Co-owners Linda Sanchez ’14 and Jesus Chavez ’13 pose inside of Casa de Chocolate. / Courtesy of Linda Sanchez}

Sometimes, Your Career After Cal Is Like a Box of Chocolates

Coming to UC Berkeley with a passion for social justice and advocacy, Linda Sanchez ’14 found a career path that aligned with those values: co-owning a chocolate shop.

taap scholarship recipients for the 2023–2024 academic year

_{(L to R): Samantha Cruz, Cody James McCook-AhTave, and Paloma Saldana}

Meet the 2023 – 2024 Cohort of The Achievement Award Program (TAAP)

The Achievement Award Program supports high-achieving, community-minded, low-income, first-generation college students in their pursuit of a UC Berkeley education. The Cal Alumni Association (CAA) congratulates all twenty-two members of our incoming 2023 – 2024 Alumni Scholar cohort.

_{Courtesy of (L to R): Jayden Cox, Nimrod B., and Kellsey Ogu}

Meet the 2023 – 2024 Cal Alumni Association Native American Scholarship Recipients

The award recognizes UC Berkeley students for their leadership, community involvement, and contributions to the Indigenous community.

2023–2024 African American Initiative Scholars (L to R): Jayden Cox, Nimrod B., Kellsey Ogu

_{David Julian in front of an aircraft in Pensacola, Florida, where he is training to be a naval aviator in the US Marine Corps.}

Meet the 2023 – 2024 African American Initiative Scholars

The AAI Scholarship is part of CAA and UC Berkeley's ongoing commitment to Black and African American student success.

Young Alums

_{Jason Bircea ’17 in University Village’s community garden. / Courtesy of Jason Bircea}

From Cal to “Wings of Gold”

After receiving his political science degree, David Julian ’18 made his way into the sky as a Marine Corps Naval Aviator. He has learned the mindset that it is not about himself.

Jason Bircea in University Village’s community garden.

_{Dianne Fukami ’77 / Courtesy of Dianne Fukami}

Jason Bircea ’17 Chose UC Berkeley Twice

Jason Bircea ’17 chose to study at UC Berkeley twice, first as an undergraduate and then as a Ph.D. student.

Travel

Cal Culture

There’s No ‘Medium’ Switch for Journalist and Travel Lecturer Dianne Fukami ’77

Journalist Dianne Fukami ’77 credits UC Berkeley’s investment in her as a student for her continued loyalty to all things Cal, including the Cal Discoveries Travel program.

A group of 9 people holding a Cal flag and posing in front of the London bridge.

_{Travelers on Cal Discoveries Travel's Inside the London Theatre Scene 2022 tour / Cal Alumni Association}