Fifty years ago, on Sunday, September 26, 1965, Mesa Court opened and 500 students moved into the residence halls on that day. Mesa Court was the first residence hall community at UCI. It is now the largest student community on campus, housing 1,834 undergraduates in 29 residence halls. Each hall accommodates between 54 and 71 residents in suite-style layout. Mesa Court now houses mainly first year students.
The first Convocation also took place on that same day in Campus Hall (now Crawford Hall). Student representative Diane Holt gave the keynote address, saying “What a truly beautiful campus this is! We are indeed fortunate to be able to pursue our education in such inspiring surroundings…. We are small in number, but we have much to do…. As our late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy said, ‘Let us begin.'” Other speakers included Chancellor Daniel G. Aldrich, Jr., President Clark Kerr, Regent Philip L. Boyd, Professor James B. Hall, and Executive Secretary of the Interfaith Council Cecil E. Hoffman gave the invocation.
[University Communications Photographs. AS-061]
Mesa Court construction in January 1965.
Move in day on September 26, 1965, as the campus opens.
Check-in on move in day, September 26, 1965.
The Convocation reception was held in the Commons (now Gateway Study Center) From left: Chancellor Aldrich, Regent John E. Canaday, Mrs. Harry R. Wellman, Regent Philip L. Boyd, President Kerr, William L. Pereira, and Vice Chancellor Jack Peltason.
President Clark Kerr is at the rostrum at the Convocation. Faculty and distinguished guests are also on stage. Parents and friends filled the hall to capacity of over 2,000.