Schedule of events

Virtual Kick-Off

Celebrating Memories and Milestones
Zoom

Come together with your classmates, whether near or far, for this virtual kick-off event. The session will commence with a discussion among staff who witnessed the inception of it all. Following that, you’ll have the opportunity to re-establish connections with your peers, reminisce about your experiences at UCSC, and update us on your endeavors since then!

If you are only able to attend the virtual kick-off event, you may contact us at alumni@ucsc.edu to receive a free promo code before registering.

John Lynch Dedication and the John Dizikes Concert: Opening reception at the Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery

Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery

An Alumni Weekend kick-off event will be held at the Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery to commemorate former Provost John Lynch and celebrate the opening of the current exhibit. The exhibit, Corita: A Sign of Hope, emerges from the connections between the life and work of Corita Kent and “The pursuit of truth in the company of friends,” that defines the ethos of Cowell. In the 1970s, Corita shook up the traditional Catholic institution by drawing attention to social justice issues including hunger, racism, and war through her vibrant pop-art iconography and innovative teaching. Exhibition curators and UCSC alums, Sheilah Lynch and Ziggy Rendler Bregman, worked together to carry forward the significance of Corita’s work in this exhibit. Please join us for a reception that will honor John Lynch and create space to celebrate the role of radical art and teaching at Cowell College.

Golden Alumni Reunion Celebration Dinner

Celebrating and honoring our Golden Slug alumni from the classes of 1965-1974

Cowell Hay Barn

The evening will bring us together to remember our history, celebrate what we have done, and enjoy who we are today. Founding faculty and staff on campus during this time will join the festive evening. Chancellor Larive will recognize UCSC’s Golden Slug Alumni for their historical contributions to the university’s foundation, for the path they helped forge for more than 150,000 students, and for their contributions to the university and the world. 

Enjoy each other’s company over dinner and libations. There will be music, great conversations, photos from your student days, and a moment to remember classmates. Join this special event as we celebrate you and your part in the first decade of UC Santa Cruz.

Continental Breakfast at the Arboretum

Arboretum – Horticulture 2

Start your morning with a stroll through the Arboretum with a cup of coffee in one hand and a donut from Ferrell’s in the other. Other breakfast items will be available to fuel your body for a full day of reconnecting and enjoying campus. Connect with your classmates and pick up your name tag, parking pass, and lunch voucher.

Coffee in the Cowell Courtyard

Cowell College Courtyard

This long-standing tradition of enjoying coffee in the Cowell Courtyard to start the day with friends and a spectacular view continues. Join this informal alumni gathering with coffee and Ferrell’s Donuts.

Then and Now Rolling Tour of UCSC

Meet in the Cowell Circle

Hop aboard and join Larry Pageler (Crown ’82) on a driving tour of campus to remember campus history, enjoy its architecture, explore what is new, and reminisce about our time as students. After graduation, Larry worked on campus from 1983-2019 and became the Director of Transportation and Parking Services in 1990. He has been deeply involved in the last three Long Range Development Plans and is well versed in campus history. This is a tour not to miss!

Colloquium – Creative Paths: Tales of Unusual Alumni Journeys

Cowell Conference Room

A mix of Cowell and other alumni from the era talk about how they got to where they are (if they’re there yet) and how Cowell and UC Santa Cruz equipped them for one of the most change-filled 50 years in US and world history. We’re still adding to the roster, but Cowell participants include Chris Connery, UCSC professor; Bill Finnegan, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer; Brett Hammond, finance and analytics; Charlie Haas, novelist and screenwriter (possible); Tom Killion, artist, writer, publisher; moderator Don Wallace, writer, journalist and editor; John Woodward, nonprofit leadership; Frank Zwart, master planner and campus architect for 4 decades. Also: Merrill alum Peggy Stein founded Mexico by Hand, a wholesaler/direct sales outlet that sustains Mexican artisan cultures.

If you are interested in joining virtually, email cowlpr@ucsc.edu for more information.

Guided Birding Walk

UCSC Arboretum

Enjoy a gentle, guided birding walk for alumni and students with Stevenson Provost Matt O’Hara at the UCSC Arboretum. A UCSC Naturalist will lead the walk. Come to connect and reconnect as you enjoy the beauty of our campus.

Story Circle: Tales of Merrill College

Charles E. Merrill Lounge

Join Merrill College Provost Aims McGuinness and current students in a storytelling workshop focused on Merrill College—past and present. Participants will learn strategies for effective storytelling, including guidelines for telling and listening. Participants will leave with a well-crafted, concise story (3-5 minutes) and have the opportunity to listen to the stories of current Merrill students and fellow Merrill alumni. 

Enjoy one of these lunch options:

Lunch in one of the dining halls (included with your registration fee):

• Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall 
• Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall  
• College 9/John R. Lewis Dining Hall

Food Trucks at the Athletics and Recreation Center (formerly OPERS) are available. Attendees are responsible for this additional cost. 

Iveta Cafe, a coffee and sandwich shop is located in Quarry Plaza. Attendees are responsible for this additional cost. 

Cowell Alumni Luncheon

Cowell Coffee Shop

Join fellow Cowell alumni and current students for lunch. Chat with the community about life at Cowell during your student days versus student life now.  

Crown Alumni Luncheon: Gathering Together

Crown/Merrill Dining Hall

Provost Manel Camps cordially invites the Crown community, past and present, for lunch and conversation to kick off this special day of inspiration, memories, and fellowship.  

Then and Now Rolling and Walking Tour of UCSC

Meet in the Cowell Circle

Hop aboard and join Larry Pageler (Crown ’82) and Frank Zwart (Cowell ’71) on a driving and walking tour of campus to remember campus history, enjoy its architecture, explore what is new, and reminisce about our time as students. After graduation, Larry worked on campus from 1983-2019 and became the Director of Transportation and Parking Services in 1990. He has been deeply involved in the last three Long Range Development Plans and is well versed in campus history. Frank Zwart, fellow alumnus and campus architect emeritus will be joining the tour. Zwart has been instrumental in making UC Santa Cruz a model of environmental stewardship as campus populations grew and aging buildings required renovation. Through his tenures of seven chancellors, Zwart served as an articulate and committed advocate for the campus’s founding values: site stewardship, thoughtful growth, and design excellence. This is a tour not to miss! This tour will include a few opportunities to leave the bus to walk to pedestrian only access areas on campus including the Quarry amphitheater.

Cowell Then and Now: Nostalgia Need Not Be Indulgent

Page Smith Library

The pursuit of knowledge is the same. The space is still the same. But what has changed about the student experience in these 50+ years? Let’s build bridges of understanding across the decades and see how different or similar it is to be a student of Cowell College. Current Provost Alan Christy will facilitate a conversation with current students and alumni about what is the same and what has evolved with time.

If you are interested in joining virtually, email cowlpr@ucsc.edu for more information.

CROWN-ing Achievements!

Crown/Merrill Dining Hall

Tribute to FIAT LUX-awardees,  alumni Lisa Rose, Su Nerton, and Jim Lapsley, for their tireless dedication to Crown College. 2024 Priscilla Parkin Scholarship Awardees will be announced, and Crown students will showcase their diverse talents and interests including CRWN1 videos, Sci-Fi Writing Contest stories, and Crown Poetry Club readings.

West Side Renewal Walking Tour

Meet at Porter College Circle

Join Jolie Kerns, Director of Physical and Environmental Planning, for a walking tour of the new buildings on the west side of campus, including the Kresge residence halls, academic center, and the new dining hall at Rachel Carson College/Oakes. This walking tour is a great opportunity to learn more about the thoughtful renovations that will give students a 21st-century experience amidst the natural beauty of campus.

Oakes Craft and Connect

Oakes College

Join us for a creative activity centered on passing on advice to the newest class of Oakes Grads, led by current Oakes students. The student run garden will also be open for tours at this time.

Then and Now Rolling Tour of UCSC

Meet in the Cowell Circle

Hop aboard and join Larry Pageler (Crown ’82) and Frank Zwart (Cowell ’71) on a driving tour of campus to remember campus history, enjoy its architecture, explore what is new, and reminisce about our time as students. After graduation, Larry worked on campus from 1983-2019 and became the Director of Transportation and Parking Services in 1990. He has been deeply involved in the last three Long Range Development Plans and is well versed in campus history. Frank Zwart, fellow alumnus and campus architect emeritus will be joining the tour. Zwart has been instrumental in making UC Santa Cruz a model of environmental stewardship as campus populations grew and aging buildings required renovation. Through his tenures of seven chancellors, Zwart served as an articulate and committed advocate for the campus’s founding values: site stewardship, thoughtful growth, and design excellence. This is a tour not to miss!

Trying to do the impossible – What the next ten years look like

Page Smith Library

Join us for a facilitated conversation in the spirit of Cowell College, “The pursuit of truth, in the company of friends.” We will focus our discussion on what the next ten years of our lives will look like. The event would conclude with libations and small bites.

If you are interested in joining virtually, email cowlpr@ucsc.edu for more information.

Stevenson Reception

Stevenson Provost House

Stevensonians are invited to come by, check out the Provost House, and say hi to Provost Matt O’Hara. We will honor our alumni celebrating their 50th plus reunion milestone providing an opportunity for alumni to reconnect and reminisce about the impact UCSC had on their lives. Please join us for good conversation and afternoon refreshments. 

Crown College: Then and Now

Crown/Merrill Dining Hall

Crown Remembers Dr. Thimann: Dr. Kenneth V. Thimann was the Founding Provost of Crown College when the Class of 1974 arrived in Fall 1970. Class of ‘74, do you remember him speaking to us? Inspiring us? Let his memory join us as we look at photos from that time and listen to Dr. Thimann once again via recordings from UCSC Special Collections. Please join us in sharing your remembrances and thoughts on how this remarkable man influenced you.

Crown Celebrates teaching with Tim Fitzmaurice: Treat yourself to an amazing afternoon led by one of Crown College’s most admired lecturers for 40+ years, Tim Fitzmaurice! This special event “About Creativity: Bronowsky, William Blake, and bell hooks” will explore the interface between science, ethics and imagination as they relate to freedom. Tim will lead us through this journey of both being present and taking risks via conversations, songs, and more.

Merrill Alumni Reception

Merrill Provost House

Meet Merrill College Provost Aims McGuinness and connect with fellow alumni while enjoying the familiar comfort of the Merrill Provost House. This intimate gathering will include refreshments to enjoy while reconnecting with Merrill College.

Porter, Kresge, Rachel Carson, College Nine, and John R. Lewis Alumni Reception

Porter Koi Pond

Reminisce about your days on campus and reconnect with a place you once called home. Join us for libations, small bites and conversation. Meet current Provosts to learn about college life today. Wander into the Sesnon Art Gallery located above the Koi Pond for an opportunity to preview a new art exhibit highlighting the work of current MFA students.

Oakes Alumni Reception

J. Herman Blake Provost House 

Mingle with the Oakes Provost, Marcia Ochoa  and reminisce with fellow alums over with light refreshments and stunning views.

Farewell Brunch

Cowell Courtyard

As the weekend comes to a close, join us for a final view of the Monterey Bay before heading home after a weekend of reconnecting and reminiscing. Chat with new and old friends over brunch and soak in some final rays of joy before heading back to reality.