Cal Culture
Advice for the Class of 2021: “Carry Berkeley With You”
After a long journey filled to the brim with unexpected twists and turns, the time has finally arrived for UC Berkeley’s Class of 2021 to graduate. Years of growth and transformation, beginning with the seemingly distant days of anxiously waiting for college acceptances, campus tours, and that fateful commitment to Cal, are now coming to an end under challenging circumstances that still feel unusual after all this time.
Perspectives, Shared: On Anti-AAPI Hate and the Movement for Change
How do we understand collective experience when we spend so much time sequestered these days? Several UC Berkeley alumni and faculty have shared their expertise and perspectives on racism against AAPI communities. These stories live at the intersection of academics and identity, and we invite you to read and listen to their contributions to the global dialogue.
For Nina Ichikawa ’00, Agriculture Is More than Farming—It’s Life
Carrying on a family legacy that persisted despite relocation during WWII, Ichikawa is democratizing the food system.
Gift Ideas for the Ultimate Cal Fan
Just about every Cal grad and fan owns a Cal sweatshirt or hat. So, what do you give the ultimate Cal fan during the holidays? Don’t worry—the Cal Alumni Association (CAA) has you covered this season with our list of the best Cal gifts. Some are extra, some are out there, but isn’t that what the Berkeley spirit is all about? We think so.
Blast from the Past: Cal’s Class of 2001
In honor of the Class of 2001’s twenty-year reunion, the Cal Alumni Association (CAA) took a look back at some of the major events that occurred during their time at UC Berkeley.
Where to hike, run, or walk in Berkeley
By Luciné Jamkochian with illustration by Neil G. BallardOur list of recommended Berkeley trails will inspire you to go on that trek you’ve always been meaning to. Check these routes out if you're looking for walking, running, and hiking routes in the East Bay, or relive your college days meandering through campus and enjoying the views Berkeley has to offer.
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.
How to Rock a Funky Story: Glynn Washington at the Lair
Lair of the Golden Bear campers recently buckled up to attend a virtual campfire talk with master storyteller Glynn Washington, titled “How To Rock a Funky Story.” Washington is the creator, executive producer, and host of Snap Judgement, a radio show and podcast that offers a raw, immersive, and musical take on storytelling. His unique, cinematic style of storytelling draws listeners and grips them until the end of every one of his shows. Washington’s connection to Berkeley runs deep; in addition to being a Lair camper, from 2007 to 2010, he was the director of Young Entrepreneurs at Haas—now known as Boost—a program at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
Dr. Marvin Poston ’39: UC Berkeley’s First Black Optometrist
Growing up in Canada, Dr. Marvin Poston ’39 says he did not experience much racial discrimination. In his words, “There weren’t many blacks, very few. That may have been one of the reasons why they didn’t have a lot of discrimination, because there were so few blacks.” When Poston’s father, Paul Walker Poston, developed heart […]
Annie Virginia Stephens Coker ’24, J.D. ’29: California’s First African American Woman Attorney
Meet the remarkable alum who became not only the first Black woman to graduate from Berkeley Law, but also the first Black female attorney in California.
Pioneering Black Alumni
From state office to silver screen, here are a few of the Black UC Berkeley alumni who have broken barriers along the way to great heights.
Remembering Shirley Conner ’48, Cal Alumni Association President 1981–1983
We are saddened to announce that Shirley Conner ’48, a changemaker and leader in the Cal community, passed away on October 4, 2019. Conner’s loss is felt deeply by all those who were lucky enough to cross paths with her, as she touched the lives of countless Golden Bears throughout her service to UC Berkeley. […]
