2025 CAA Impact Report

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Dear Cal Alums and Friends,

As I step into leadership of the Cal Alumni Association, it’s been my privilege to see firsthand the generosity and pride that define the Golden Bears community. The 2025 CAA Impact Report brings that story to life. 

We achieved a lot last year. We strengthened alumni connections around the world through chapter and social events, offered scholarships and mentorship opportunities that allow students to thrive at Berkeley, and fostered lifelong learning among alums. The impact report offers greater specificity. I invite you to dive in and learn more about all that we do.

None of this would be possible without your support. Every contribution, whether to our annual fund, scholarships, membership, or programs, represents a commitment to keeping alums connected to UC Berkeley and to one another, for life. 

On behalf of everyone at CAA, thank you for investing in our mission and in the people and programs that make UC Berkeley such a special place.

Stay tuned for next year. We plan to do even more. 

Fiat Lux and Go Bears!

John Clamme
Cal Alumni Association
Executive Director and CEO

2025 NUMBERS

2025 by the numbers: 190,000 California magazine readers; 100,000 Cal Alumni Association members, 17,000 Alumni Chapter members, 10,000 Lair of the Golden Bear campers, 1,200 Cal Discoveries travelers, 240 Alumni Scholars, 450 Cal Alumni Mentors participants, and 57 chartered Alumni Chapters.

Thank You Donors, Members, and Supporters

As we reflect on 2025, we are deeply grateful for the generosity and commitment of our remarkable community. Your support continues to power our work, strengthen alumni relationships, expand student assistance, and keep our global network of alums connected and engaged with UC Berkeley, for life. Whether you’re based in the Bay Area or supporting us from around the world, your generosity created a positive impact across campus and beyond. Because of you, we’ve sustained our momentum and advanced our mission, providing meaningful and inclusive opportunities to the Cal community, and fostering lifelong relationships with UC Berkeley. 

Without further ado, we are proud to share the key highlights of 2025:

Our donors live in Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, England, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Norway, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

The Lair of the Golden Bear welcomed 10,000 campers to Pinecrest in 2025. Campers attended week-long stays, winter getaways, weddings, Bear Music Fest, Women’s Wellness Weekend, Cal athletics team and International House retreats, and more. In its 76th year, the Lair was a home away from home for both new and returning campers, offering campfires, sports, relaxation, guest speakers, and fun tucked in the beautiful Sierra Nevada. 

During the summer, teens flocked to Lair pool parties, little ones searched for “gold” in the creek, and adults tie-dyed t-shirts and mingled at Club Lair mixers. Campers from throughout the country and abroad soaked up Lair magic and delighted in Disco Bingo. During the colder months, the Lair’s cozy Camp Oski cabins welcomed winter guests who raved about the hospitality and the menu. With the grand opening of our much-anticipated spacious new Lair Lodge and Oski Dining Hall this coming summer, the Lair is poised to attract even more year-round guests for weddings, reunions, retreats, and special gatherings of all kinds.

At the heart of the Lair are its people, from our management and year-round teams to our summer staff. Year after year, campers name the Lair staff as one of the best things about their camp experience. Working at the Lair offers college students the opportunity to build highly valued skills including leadership and management, communication, and problem solving. In 2025, more than 300 qualified applicants from over 80 schools, including the University of Birmingham and Trinity College Dublin, applied to approximately 150 positions, reflecting the Lair’s outstanding reputation and global reach.

The Lair continues to grow and evolve. In the past year, we saw construction of the Lair Lodge near completion, we partnered with My EdPrep to enhance our College Prep Camp program, and Cathy Connelly, now in her 19th year working at the Lair, was named general manager. With strong leadership, deep traditions, an incredible staff, and exciting new facilities, the Lair of the Golden Bear is well positioned to welcome thousands of happy campers to the mountains every season, year after year.

Since 1934, CAA has supported more than 22,000 students through the Alumni Scholarships and Engagement Program. In the fall of 2025, we welcomed 15 TAAP and 26 TLA scholars, bringing the total number of students currently supported by our program to 242. During the 2025-2026 academic year, students received more than $2,250,000 in direct financial support to help them achieve their academic goals.

This year, the Alumni Scholarships and Engagement Program expanded our commitment to students. For the first time, each award met the full amount UC Berkeley defines as “self-help”: $10,500 for incoming students and $11,500 for continuing students. In addition, Alumni Scholars receive tailored programming that aided their academic, personal, and professional growth. Through comprehensive one‑on‑one advising, the Student Success team provided individualized guidance and a wide range of services that helped scholars navigate UC Berkeley with confidence and practices to help them graduate and lead fulfilling lives as Cal alums. This greater assistance is a result of the incredible generosity and commitment of the CAA community, and our donor’s continued investment in UC Berkeley students.

1. The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be paid back. Each year the California Student Aid Commission publishes guidelines for income and asset ceilings for the Cal Grant Program.

2. Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree.

CAA’s alumni travel program, Cal Discoveries Travel, hosted alums and travelers on exciting adventures this year, offering international excursions from exploring the Galapagos to cruising along the Amalfi Coast, and adventures in the United States, from experiencing New York theater, to whale watching in Alaska. 

“This was definitely a trip of a lifetime. Will never forget the sheer magnitude and beauty of the Alps and surrounding villages. Traveling by cog rail, gondola’s, funiculars, to reach the soaring heights of the Matterhorn and Innsbruck was awe inspiring. Professor Zook provided global political insights that enhanced the learning experience.” — Leslie B. Lake Bluff, IL. Alpine Splendor

“Wow, what an incredible experience! This Baja whale watching on the Sea Bird was truly once- in-a-lifetime. We thoroughly enjoyed absolutely every aspect of this trip, including the very significant Cal alumni presence.” — Pete & Marna T. San Jose CA. Baja Whales.

“This was a marvelous trip, full of fascinating historical sites and interesting, helpful lectures.” — Wendy H. and Steve R., Sebastopol, CA. Turkey to Cyprus.

“Delving into the food production and cuisine of Crete, this fascinating journey was well-planned, educational, interesting, and enjoyable throughout. In decades of travel, one of the best group excursions I’ve experienced.” — Laura B., IL. Taste of Crete.

“I stayed in a small town, rich with history and ventured with other alumni to surrounding areas where I learned about Spain’s past, present and future. I made new friends I hope to meet on future Cal Discoveries trips, and it made me proud to be a Cal Alum!” — Nate P., Concord, CA. Spain Andalucia.

Cal Discoveries Travel continues to create engaging and inspiring experiences for our alums.; Each journey connects alums to each other, to UC Berkeley, and to the world. 

Explore our upcoming travel opportunities at Cal Discoveries Travel.

California magazine continues to keep our alumni community engaged, informed, and inspired. This year, the magazine published a total of 80 headline stories, released 4 podcast episodes of The Edge, shared 500 social media posts, and hosted 1 California Live! event. California reached an audience of 98,000 readers, and further expanded its online and social media presence, with 265,000 website views, and a 300% increase in social media impressions. 

The magazine shared hit stories like, The Calgorithm, exploring how Cal’s meme-crazed fan base vaulted the Bears into the spotlight this year, and Big Picture: Cal’s Stonehenge, highlighting a 1979 sculpture on the UC Berkeley campus that marks specific celestial events.

California Live! hosted a thought-provoking conversation at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, where Editor-in-Chief Pat Joseph spoke with UC Berkeley Professor Poulomi Saha, who teaches the highly-in-demand course, “Cults in Popular Culture.” The event recording can be viewed here.

The Edge podcast released their 30th episode, What If Seeing is No Longer Believing?, providing timely insights in discussion with Cal professor and digital forensics expert Hany Farid, as he investigates the challenges of authenticating media in an age of deep fakes, and increasingly credible “fake news.”

Through its insightful articles, thought-provoking podcasts, spectacular live events, and timely digital content, California continues to keep alumni informed about the world of Berkeley, and Berkeley in the world. 

To stay connected and informed on all things Cal, explore more from California magazine.

CAA welcomed 5,000 new members in 2025! CAA’s membership totaled 100,000 active members.

Membership keeps our alums connected to campus and one another, brings a variety of local and global benefits, and fulfills CAA’s mission of cultivating a lifelong relationship with UC Berkeley. Members support current students through CAA’s programming and events, offering opportunities to engage with students and help them create an extraordinary journey at Cal and beyond. 

Interested in becoming a member? Find out more. 

This year, 57 alumni chapters and 17,000 chapter members played a vital role in supporting incoming students, and keeping alums connected, hosting 150 events across the country. These events drew 3,500 alums and 2,500 students, demonstrating the strength and breadth of the alumni chapters network. 

The Summer Welcome Parties were some of the most significant chapter events, providing incoming students with meaningful opportunities to meet fellow Bears in their local communities, ask questions about life at Berkeley, and begin forming friendships and mentorship connections ahead of their arrival on campus. Alums shared personal experiences, advice, and encouragement, helping students feel confident and supported as they prepared to join the community at UC Berkeley. Through these chapter-led events, alums strengthened lifelong ties to the university while ensuring that new students felt welcomed, connected, and ready to thrive at UC Berkeley.

Interested in connecting with alums in your area? Find your Alumni Chapter today.

The Cal Alumni Mentors program continues to provide invaluable guidance and assistance to Cal undergraduate students. In 2025, the program achieved remarkable participation, with 208 alumni mentors and 244 student mentees, creating meaningful connections that helped students navigate their time at Cal and prepare for careers beyond UC Berkeley. Support from a mentor gives students access to professional networks, and provides practical skills, insights, and encouragement from experienced alums across academic fields.

The program was celebrated at the Meet Your Mentor Dinner on October 23, 2025, at Alumni House, where mentors and mentees connected, shared dinner, won prizes, and participated in an engaging panel discussion. Guest speakers included Michael Trevino ’89, Greg Ginsburg ’84, Arla Rozlen ’13, and Owen Knapper, Jr. ’26, sharing their mentorship experiences and advice with the next generation of Bears. In 2025, 900 community members, students, and alums benefitted from CAA’s mentorship and networking events. 

Interested in becoming an alumni mentor? Learn more at alumni.berkeley.edu/mentorship. 

CAA and Women’s Sports

The CAA community showed up for women’s sports this year. CAA hosted events in conjunction with Cal Athletics that connected alums and celebrated professional sports. Bay Area alums and students gathered at Chase Center during the Golden State Valkyries inaugural WNBA season for a game against the Las Vegas Aces. Our alums also attended The Show: Bay FC vs Washington Spirit at Oracle Park, for a record-breaking NWSL soccer game that drew 40,091 fans, setting the record for the largest crowd for a U.S. Women’s professional sports game ever. These sports events kept CAA’s community connected, engaged, and inspired in 2025!

UC Berkeley’s Experts at CAA

Throughout the year CAA presented experts and entrepreneurs that sparked conversation and connection, including: 

Berkeley Forward: Conversations on AI, a panel series and mixer at Alumni House, highlighting practical applications of AI across diverse fields, featuring insights from leading experts and thought leaders. 

Lillian Zhang ’22, author of The New Money Rules, and UC Berkeley alum, gave an author talk at Alumni House, sharing her inspiring journey in personal finance and engaging students, alums, and campus community members in meaningful conversation. 

Bears Hunt Unicorns: Venture Capital at Cal, brought together alums, entrepreneurs, and investors for an evening exploring the venture capital landscape at Cal.

The Graduate Wine Collective

The Graduate Wine Collective hosted its third annual Alumni Wine Tasting at the iconic University Club, located atop Cal Memorial Stadium, providing panoramic San Francisco Bay views for an unforgettable wine-tasting and dining experience. Guests sipped curated wines from 28 Cal alumni-founded, owned, or operated wineries while engaging with fellow graduates and professionals. Members of the collective receive three wine shipments per year, featuring wines hand-selected by UC Berkeley wine experts from wineries rooted in the Cal community, complete with tasting notes and recipe pairings. Proceeds from The Graduate Wine Collective, and this annual event, support CAA’s alumni and student programs. Find out more about becoming part of The Graduate Wine Collective.

Connecting Students and Alums

In 2025, CAA hosted many events that brought together alums and current Cal students. Held at Alumni House, Commence Your Career: Networking for Graduating Seniors and Alums provided an opportunity for graduating seniors to talk with alums, have their resumes reviewed, and take a professional headshot. This event quickly reached capacity, with Cal students eager to receive the support and guidance of the alumni community. CAA also hosted Cheers to Cal, a graduation celebration at Alumni House, shining a spotlight on the Class of 2025. The graduates were celebrated with a champagne toast, a photobooth, and keepsakes, as well as a speech from CAA Board President, Dr. Masha Roberts congratulating them as the newest alums. 

To the extraordinary alums, students, volunteers, and donors who made all of this possible in 2025, your generosity and commitment have been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for your dedication. Together, we strengthen the connections between alums, students, and the UC Berkeley community, ensuring that our shared legacy thrives for generations to come. 

Thank you.

Fiat Lux and Go Bears!