August 28, 2025
Dear Cal alums, parents, and friends,
In the blink of an eye, the school year has begun. For me, this is a special time of reunion and renewal, animated by the potential of our students and the readiness of our community to take on the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Last week I had the thrill of greeting students and their loved ones as they moved into the dorms. The giant blue carts we provide were overflowing with the contents of their future homes, and I saw the mix of anticipation and pride that accompanies this new beginning. I also welcomed about 9,200 first-year and transfer students at convocation. This annual rite of passage is part of Golden Bear Orientation (GBO), a six-day whirlwind that connects new students to each other and to UC Berkeley’s resources and culture. The ceremony included student performances, personal stories, wise words, and a panorama of the entire class.
In all, some 700 orientation leaders, mentors, and staff, as well as 400 volunteer faculty, alums, and other friends, supported move-in and GBO — ensuring for our newest community members a warm welcome, smooth transition, and the comfort that we are here to help them settle in and succeed.
Izzy Bakre, a third-year Nigerian-American majoring in media studies, shared her story at convocation. She had watched every dorm tour and day-in-the-life college video she could find before applying to 23 schools. While getting into Berkeley was a dream come true, leaving her mom “hit really hard,” she said, and she felt alone and anxious. Over time, Izzy found a lifeline through mental health and disability services. She joined a sorority and a dance team and became a campus tour guide. And she stopped questioning whether she should be here. “I told myself: Out of over 120,000 applicants, God put me here,” she said. “So I might as well milk UC Berkeley for everything it has to offer.”
Izzy — and the thousands of new students she inspired to “just go for it” — represents the culture and values that make this university one of a kind, a place where both strong community and a strong embrace of civility, respect, and diversity coexist. I look forward to another year that shines a light on the lives we enrich and the society we serve.
Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons
In the blink of an eye, the school year has begun. For me, this is a special time of reunion and renewal, animated by the potential of our students and the readiness of our community to take on the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Last week I had the thrill of greeting students and their loved ones as they moved into the dorms. The giant blue carts we provide were overflowing with the contents of their future homes, and I saw the mix of anticipation and pride that accompanies this new beginning. I also welcomed about 9,200 first-year and transfer students at convocation. This annual rite of passage is part of Golden Bear Orientation (GBO), a six-day whirlwind that connects new students to each other and to UC Berkeley’s resources and culture. The ceremony included student performances, personal stories, wise words, and a panorama of the entire class.
In all, some 700 orientation leaders, mentors, and staff, as well as 400 volunteer faculty, alums, and other friends, supported move-in and GBO — ensuring for our newest community members a warm welcome, smooth transition, and the comfort that we are here to help them settle in and succeed.
Izzy Bakre, a third-year Nigerian-American majoring in media studies, shared her story at convocation. She had watched every dorm tour and day-in-the-life college video she could find before applying to 23 schools. While getting into Berkeley was a dream come true, leaving her mom “hit really hard,” she said, and she felt alone and anxious. Over time, Izzy found a lifeline through mental health and disability services. She joined a sorority and a dance team and became a campus tour guide. And she stopped questioning whether she should be here. “I told myself: Out of over 120,000 applicants, God put me here,” she said. “So I might as well milk UC Berkeley for everything it has to offer.”
Izzy — and the thousands of new students she inspired to “just go for it” — represents the culture and values that make this university one of a kind, a place where both strong community and a strong embrace of civility, respect, and diversity coexist. I look forward to another year that shines a light on the lives we enrich and the society we serve.
Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons
Chancellor’s Choice
Study: Courses for learners ages 50+ — Starting in mid-September, choose from dozens of in-person and online courses taught by Cal faculty and other scholars through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Among this term’s topics are the myths, facts, and fallacies of AI; hybrid warfare and the transformation of international conflict; and the poignant narratives of Irish literature. Open to all learners ages 50+. You must be a current member to register.
Watch: 101 in 101 — This video series challenges professors and researchers to explain their field of study in 101 seconds. Recent episodes have explored earthen architecture; how computational methods can be used to study folklore, from fairy tales to conspiracy theories; and morphing matter, in which insights on how natural forces interact with materials are applied to engineering design and emerging technologies.
Forum: The Game They Play in Heaven — On Sunday, Sept. 7, Malcolm Clemens Young, dean of San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral and a former Cal rugby player, will host a forum with legendary Cal rugby coach Jack Clark. With 30 national championships, 157 All-American players, and a record-setting coaching career, Coach Clark will share insights on building high-performance teams and enduring culture — on the field and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a coaching icon. Registration for the event is suggested.
Watch: 101 in 101 — This video series challenges professors and researchers to explain their field of study in 101 seconds. Recent episodes have explored earthen architecture; how computational methods can be used to study folklore, from fairy tales to conspiracy theories; and morphing matter, in which insights on how natural forces interact with materials are applied to engineering design and emerging technologies.
Forum: The Game They Play in Heaven — On Sunday, Sept. 7, Malcolm Clemens Young, dean of San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral and a former Cal rugby player, will host a forum with legendary Cal rugby coach Jack Clark. With 30 national championships, 157 All-American players, and a record-setting coaching career, Coach Clark will share insights on building high-performance teams and enduring culture — on the field and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a coaching icon. Registration for the event is suggested.