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Photos
by Todd Cheney and Scott Quintard UCLA Photo
1) Patriotic young ladies from a local Brownie troop waved
flags as they enjoyed the UCLA Homecoming Parade in Westwood
Village. 2) Chancellor Albert Carnesale introduced keynote
speaker Debbie Allen at the Founders Day program in Royce
Hall. 3) Blue-and-gold canvas gift bags, handed out to parents
and students during registration, provided a fun memento of
the weekend. 4) Parents heard Music Professor Robert Winter
speak on “Art and Commerce: What Drives the Digital
Revolution?” during the “60-Minute Quarter.”
5) At the Bruin Brunch, parents and their children learned
how to do an “eight-clap.” 6) Dickson Plaza buzzed
with activity as guests registered for the three-day event.
7) Chancellor Carnesale and his wife, Robin, greeted guests
at a Parents’ Fund reception at the Chancellor’s
Residence. |
connecting generations
Fest shows why it's great to be a Bruin
BY SUSAN JOHNSON
UCLA Today
A rush of school spirit, camaraderie and pride washed over the
campus and onto the streets of Westwood Oct. 24-26 as nearly 3,000
students, parents, alumni and friends came together for the event-filled
annual Homecoming and Parents’ Weekend to celebrate what it
means to be a Bruin.
Not even smoky haze from the California wildfires could dim the
high spirits of those who attended UCLA’s annual three-day
program sponsored by the UCLA Fund. Although a relatively new tradition,
the event has swiftly become one of the university’s most
popular.
A collaborative effort among many departments, the weekend began
with a welcome luncheon hosted by Robin Carnesale on Oct. 24 under
brilliant blue and gold balloons in a mammoth tent on Dickson Plaza.
Speakers included Scott Smith of the Parents’ Fund, UCLA College
Acting Executive Dean Judith L. Smith and Vice Chancellor of Student
Affairs Janina Montero. Following the luncheon, parents enjoyed
a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from deans of the various
schools and divisions. Dean Christopher Waterman of the School of
the Arts and Architecture touted the “cornucopia of possibilities”
within the UCLA experience, noting, “We educate the whole
person in a holistic way ... producing well-rounded citizens of
our country and citizens of the world.” Later Friday night,
guests gathered again under the big tent for the Bruin Family Barbecue
before attending the Homecoming Parade in Westwood Village.
 The
parade — one of UCLA’s oldest traditions — was
given some Las Vegas glitz, complete with Elvis impersonators, by
its organizers, the UCLA Student Alumni Association. More than 2,000
spectators filled the streets of the village to cheer marathon dancers,
decorated floats and marching units. Walking away with the Sweepstakes
Award for best overall entry were Triangle and Phi Sigma Rho.
On Saturday at the Bruin Brunch, Athletic Director Dan Guerrero
provided an insider’s view of UCLA’s intercollegiate
sports program. Parents then took a quick trip back to school for
a “60-Minute Quarter.” They listened intently to lectures
by some of UCLA’s best and brightest faculty on topics that
ranged from Shakespeare and biotechnology to the digital revolution.
Later, Tim Kittleson, director of the UCLA Film and Television Archive,
described the archive’s groundbreaking work in preserving
aging and damaged films.
On Saturday night at the Rose Bowl, parents enjoyed the Chancellor’s
Pregame Party and cheered the Bruins to victory over Arizona State.
Finally, on Sunday at Royce Hall, UCLA’s guests celebrated
Founders Day with a special program at which Chancellor Albert Carnesale
introduced a video tribute to one of UCLA’s most distinguished
alumni, Nobel laureate Ralph J. Bunche, Class of 1927. Keynote presenter
Debbie Allen provided a moving account of her recent cross-cultural
trip to Beirut, after which the chancellor gave the audience a glimpse
into the future of nanotechnology at UCLA.
“Last year’s event was so impressive I knew I had
to come back,” said parent Constance Ormond, a return visitor
to Homecoming and Parents’ Weekend. “The speakers, the
pregame party — everything was just so first-class. It really
was an awesome experience.”
Her husband, William, agreed: “I was traveling last year
and couldn’t come so I’m doubly glad to be here. I’m
coming back next year even if my kid has graduated!”
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