We proudly cheered alum Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall ’81, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, who took to the stage at California Memorial Stadium to address graduates as this year’s Commencement speaker. To our graduating Alumni Scholars, Cal Alumni Association (CAA) scholarship recipients, and to all graduates, may the spirit with which you walked onto our campus move with you as you go boldly into this world. You are the embodiment of our mission to serve and empower Cal students for future generations.
That sentiment echoed at Alumni House during a closing event celebrating students and alumni who have participated in CAA’s Cal Alumni Mentors program. Our alumni mentors volunteer to spend an academic year paired with undergraduate students. Mentors draw from their own personal and professional experiences to support students as they prepare for the world beyond Berkeley.
For some, life after Cal may include work in artificial intelligence, the topic of our spring California Live! series installment featuring Professor Stuart Russell. Offline in the Sierra Nevada foothills at the Lair of the Golden Bear, life off campus includes the building of a new, multi-use lodge and retreat center, a future home to celebrations and group events, slated to open by early 2026. Onscreen at our spring Cal for All virtual events, alumni discussed building diverse leadership, thriving communities, and sustainable STEM pipelines.
Featured in this issue of California, 2024 Alum of the Year and award-winning journalist Bill Whitaker M.J. ’16 showed us the great power Cal graduates have to illuminate the world around us. I am honored to additionally congratulate our alumni Achievement Award recipients Carrie Lozano ’96, M.J. ’05; Jennifer S. Madden ’94, J.D. ’97; Chloë Allaire Cozima Koslo ’19; Kathy Kwan ’87, M.B.A. ’93, M.P.H. ’93; and faculty member Omar Yaghi.
Finally, to Chancellor Carol Christ, I offer my deepest gratitude as you conclude this chapter at UC Berkeley. In these seven often-tumultuous years, our university has benefited from your guidance and resilience. On behalf of our alumni community, I wish you the very best in your own life after Cal.
Fiat Lux and Go Bears!
Susie Cohen Crumpler
Executive Director, Cal Alumni Association
