Hosted by the Cal Alumni Association, the event welcomed graduating seniors into the next chapter of the Berkeley journey.
On the Saturday following commencement, Alumni House filled with energy—not the formality of graduation ceremonies, but something just as important: connection.
Cheers to Cal, the Cal Alumni Association’s celebration for the Class of 2025, brought together graduates, families, alums, and campus partners for an afternoon designed to mark the milestone with community. From students taking group photos in front of campus landmarks to alums stopping by to offer words of encouragement, the event was a clear reflection of what makes Berkeley’s unique culture: high-achieving, people-driven, and deeply collaborative.
The celebration included everything from a professional photo booth to Cal-themed giveaways and refreshments. But the most valuable aspect may have been the opportunity to reflect and reconnect. Students were invited to meet with CAA staff, and learn more about the alumni network they were now joining.
Throughout the day, CAA staff and volunteers encouraged graduates to see this moment not only as an end, but as the start of a lasting relationship with the university. The Cal Band performed alongside the hum of conversations, and CAA Board President Marsha Roberts welcomed graduates with remarks that emphasized community, continuity, and support.
The afternoon offered something meaningful but often missing in the sprint toward graduation: a moment to take stock. No stage, no diplomas, no rush. Just a gathering place, familiar faces, and the sense that this journey doesn’t end after the last final—it evolves.
As graduates left the event with Cal-branded keepsakes in hand, they walked away with more than memorabilia. They left knowing that Berkeley is not a place you leave behind—it’s a network, a memory, and a community you carry forward.
