Last Tuesday, May 23rd, a select group of forty first-year honors students got suited up and dressed up, hopping on a special shuttle. Their destination: the Tierney University House. Their mission: dine with the Chancellor of UCI, Howard Gillman and represent the CHP.
With a jazz trio playing smooth tunes in the background, honors students chatted with the Chancellor and his wife, Dr. Ellen Ruskin-Gillman, explored the Tierney University House, and even played a game of chess. During the dinner reception, honors students talked with staff from the CHP and UCI Advancement about their experiences at UCI. Chancellor Gillman checked in with every table to hear from honors students about their transition to UCI, listening to their concerns and suggestions for improving the undergraduate experience and talking with them about the many opportunities and new directions that UCI is taking. First-year Education Sciences major, Kareena DeSilva said of the evening: “It was really fun! The Chancellor was extremely welcoming, and I felt honored to be able to speak to someone who has such a big impact on UCI.”