December 1, 2025
Dear Cal alums, parents, and friends,
Last week I squeezed into a single-seat, formula-style race car, wondering what it feels like to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4 seconds. This was no ordinary car. It had been designed and built — nearly every one of its 500 parts — by UC Berkeley students.
The car was one of many projects showcased at the launch of the Student Organization Applied Research (SOAR) labs, Berkeley’s first large-scale fabrication facility that enables student clubs to design, build, and develop innovations that tackle real-world challenges. Located at the Richmond Field Station just 15 minutes from campus, the upgraded labs provide 500 to 700 students with critical hands-on experience. While SOAR is supported by Berkeley Engineering, a third of the students come from outside the college, illustrating our commitment to inclusivity. I learned about other advanced student projects, including solar-powered cars and a liquid-fueled rocket that can reach the line where Earth’s atmosphere ends and outer space begins. All I can say is, “Wow!"
Being the chancellor of such a large, complex university can be stressful, but experiences like the SOAR opening remind me of how grateful I am for my work. With Thanksgiving upon us, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center offers science-based perspectives on why we should practice gratitude. When it comes to work, acknowledging what’s going right and remembering tangible stories about our Cal family members are two ways I cultivate gratitude. Here are three more things I’m grateful for:
Last week I squeezed into a single-seat, formula-style race car, wondering what it feels like to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4 seconds. This was no ordinary car. It had been designed and built — nearly every one of its 500 parts — by UC Berkeley students.
The car was one of many projects showcased at the launch of the Student Organization Applied Research (SOAR) labs, Berkeley’s first large-scale fabrication facility that enables student clubs to design, build, and develop innovations that tackle real-world challenges. Located at the Richmond Field Station just 15 minutes from campus, the upgraded labs provide 500 to 700 students with critical hands-on experience. While SOAR is supported by Berkeley Engineering, a third of the students come from outside the college, illustrating our commitment to inclusivity. I learned about other advanced student projects, including solar-powered cars and a liquid-fueled rocket that can reach the line where Earth’s atmosphere ends and outer space begins. All I can say is, “Wow!"
Being the chancellor of such a large, complex university can be stressful, but experiences like the SOAR opening remind me of how grateful I am for my work. With Thanksgiving upon us, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center offers science-based perspectives on why we should practice gratitude. When it comes to work, acknowledging what’s going right and remembering tangible stories about our Cal family members are two ways I cultivate gratitude. Here are three more things I’m grateful for:
- There’s more to give: I heard a longtime Berkeley faculty member, who also happens to be a donor, say, “I still owe Berkeley.” After decades of service, pioneering teaching and research, and substantial giving, they still feel that way. So do I.
- Our culture of devotion: Following a multiday visit from an accreditation committee, the chair of the committee — the president of another prominent university — told me they saw a “culture of devotion” in our people. I love that. It speaks to just how deeply so many of us feel connected to, and committed to, Berkeley. We should never take that for granted or mistreat it.
- Roses: There’s a garden in the backyard of University House showcasing some 200 varieties of roses. I putter out there almost every weekend; and while I'm no expert, tending to bottom-sucker branches and stems that have lost their flowers is a great joy. I recently thanked a good friend whose mother taught me how to care for roses some 45 years ago. The memory of her mother made both of our days.
Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, restful, and delightful holiday, and thank you for your love of Berkeley.
Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons
Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons
Chancellor’s Choice
Concert: UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra — Don’t miss the North American debut of “Lim Fantasy of Companionship for Piano and Orchestra.” An imaginative work that fuses classical traditions with futuristic soundscapes, this landmark performance creates a world in which music becomes a lens to reflect on our connection with the inanimate and on the future of companionship. Tickets available for two shows on Dec. 5–6, 8 p.m., Hertz Concert Hall.
Event: Holiday Pop-up Shop — Are you looking for unique, handmade gifts? Support local artists at the Berkeley Art Studio’s pop-up shop, featuring pottery, textiles, paintings, jewelry, and greeting cards. Open Dec. 5–14 in the MLK, Jr. Student Union. Visit artstudio.berkeley.edu for details.
Event: Holiday Pop-up Shop — Are you looking for unique, handmade gifts? Support local artists at the Berkeley Art Studio’s pop-up shop, featuring pottery, textiles, paintings, jewelry, and greeting cards. Open Dec. 5–14 in the MLK, Jr. Student Union. Visit artstudio.berkeley.edu for details.