What: Oct. 4, 2015, will mark 50 years since UC Irvine’s first day of classes. In the months and years leading up to the milestone, UCI is planning a series of celebratory activities. Beginning September 2011 – 50 months prior to October 2015 – UCI is designating monthly a regularly scheduled activity as a “50 to 50” event. These highlighted events exemplify the UCI experience, and, when the event details are compiled at the conclusion of the anniversary celebration, will provide a comprehensive overview of what makes UCI one of the world’s great public research universities. A special signature fete being planned for Oct. 3, 2015, will shine the brightest light possible on UCI, while offering a warm welcome to the Orange County community.
When: The official anniversary celebration will commence with UCI’s 50th Commencement festivities in June 2015. The annual staff appreciation picnic in late summer will embrace the 50th anniversary as its theme. The public celebration then truly kicks into gear with the start of the 2015-16 academic year. Welcome week activities, the UCI Medal Awards ceremony, Shocktoberfest, Homecoming, Celebrate UCI and Lauds & Laurels are among the keystone events that will mark the occasion. The celebration concludes with the June 2016 Commencement.
Who: The celebration aims to touch as wide an audience as possible, with primary focus on the UCI family – alumni, students (and their parents), faculty, staff and community supporters – and the Orange County community (including prospective students and donors). Therefore the planning committee and attendant subcommittees comprise representatives for each of the constituencies. The planners also welcome your comments and suggestions for how best to mark this milestone.
I am really proud to be a returning student from over 34 years ago. Having lived in southern California my entire life and first attending school here at UCI in fall of ’74
I would love to contribute to the ceremonies planned for 2015. Also I would suggest that planning and/or artwork for commemorative items, that may have a significant and needed impact for future funds for UCI and UC System be conducted or co-conducted by the students at UCI (or all of UC schools) maybe by a contest. Beyond T-shirts and caps, I am hoping to purchase a commemorative silver coin and even a possible memory/”time capsule” pod that would re-open for my children in 50 more years. I have networked with manufactures and am a precision tool and mold maker that would be eager to assist in anyway I can. Thanks Robert Halter
GO UC IRVINE!!! SO PROUD OF THIS AMAZING UNIVERSITY.
I would love to be a UCI student just for the 50th anniversary!
It is a very good thing that you plan all this already.
I hope that it will be a big success!
Good luck!
Kim
I hope I can become a new UCI student. I can’t wait to take part in the celebration, 50 years of UCI in 2015！
I hope the past staff and academic employees of UCI will be able to celebrate with us. Photo exhibition of the campus will be scheduled with a museum theme. Certain location on campus will be pointed out as groundbreaking events. All UCI events will be focused on 50th from incoming freshman, graduating, staff appreciation etc. Can we have a parade? i think that will be cool.
As a retiree (30 years), will there be special events for those of us who committed time and energy to the education and service mission of UCI. Will there be an event at the UCI picnic or ?? Staff, as well as alumni, should be recognized for their contribution.
Thanks
Hi Roberta,
Yes, Ann DiPlacito’s Events Subcommittee is planning a Founders Day celebration that will include students, faculty and staff. Many exhibits, lectures, performances and other activities are in the works, all of which will be open to the entire campus community — including retirees — and many will be be open to the general public, as well. I hope this answers your questions. Feel free to write back with suggestions and questions.
It will be wonderful to celebrate 50 years of UCI in 2015! I’m so glad that the campus is organizing well in advance to be able to maximize opportunities and engage the broadest number of alumni and friends possible. You have a great committee put together for this effort, and I’m sure you’re already bouncing around ideas like: Fifty ways UCI has changed the world; Profiles of 50 interesting alumni; asking alumni to write stories about their UCI experience in 50 words; producing a UCI anniversary table-top book; having reunions and reunion-giving activities throughout the year+ celebration; giving t-shirts to all of the students at UCI during the 50th anniversary year so that they can show their pride and remember the landmark occasion; and so on and so forth. It will be lots of fun, and I can’t wait to take part in the celebration! Zot zot zot! – Babs Sandeen ’84.