Concerned about the autism epidemic
or worried about global warming? Last year in Santa Monica, approximately
120 alumni turned up to hear Laura Schreibman, professor of psychology,
talk about her latest research on autism.
In Sacramento, professors Ken Melville, Richard Somerville and
Richard Carson gave a joint lecture on “Hurricane Katrina:
Lessons Learned in Global Warming,” to
a group of almost 150. The two lectures were part of last year’s
annual UCSD Near You series. In its third year, the series is the
modern-day equivalent of the Chautauquas or educational forums
held in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
It began as a way to introduce the new chancellor, Marye Anne Fox,
to the UCSD community in 2005. Last year, the series brought not
only the chancellor to different cities around the country but
also introduced faculty members engaged in innovative research.
The events attracted about 600 alumni to the lectures on topics
ranging from stem cell research to the findings of the 9/11 Commission.
Last year’s lectures were held at nine cities where large
UCSD alumni chapters are based, and another city will be added
this year. Pepper Lane, coordinator of the events, says the topics
were chosen according to relevance. “We bring in experts
from the faculty so that they can show how UCSD affects everyday
life,” Lane says. But more than just a lecture series, UCSD Near You also allows
alumni
to reconnect with each other and the University. Lane says the
response from
attendees has been so positive that some alumni who have never
attended UCSD events before are now offering to be hosts for
the coming year.
Lina Karaoglanova, ’06, attended the event in Washington,
D.C., featuring guest speaker Tom Roemer, ’79, a former congressman
who spent two years with the 9/11 Commission. “I think this
makes it possible for alumni to stay connected even on the East
Coast.” Karaoglanova says. “Networking and school spirit
are very important, especially once you are out of school and trying
to make a way for yourself in the world.” “Our objective is to have alumni retain access to the resources
of their University,” says John Valva, executive director
of the Alumni Association. “One essential way is that we
maintain some type of educational outreach. In other words UCSD
can come to alumni, even if they can’t come to us.”
— Marnette Federis, ’06
|
