Dear Cal alums, parents, and friends,
When UC Berkeley’s founders chose Fiat Lux — “Let there be light” — as the university’s motto, they weren't just talking about the knowledge created in a lab or shared in a classroom. That is only half of the equation. The other half is the courage to carry that knowledge, that light, into the world’s darkest corners.
Public service at Berkeley is “Lux” in action. Far more than traditional volunteering, it is embedded in nearly every facet of life and learning … through programs that connect students to opportunities such as mentoring youth or turning their big ideas into innovations that will solve problems they most care about … student clubs that pair camaraderie with giving back … courses in which students collaborate with community partners to bring the curricula to life … or scholarships and fellowships that award students for their service.
It is impossible to quantify fully the thousands of people and groups who give hour upon hour to the issues they feel passionate about. Next week I will recognize 14 of them through a celebration of the Chancellor’s Awards for Public Service. Every one of these recipients shows us what it’s like to think strategically, act boldly, and show up for who and what we love. Here are just three examples:
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The Volunteer Health Interpreter Organization (VHIO), a student group, provides critical health interpretation and translation services across the Bay Area in eight languages. VHIO had 117 volunteers and 205 partners as of last fall, and it has provided more than 3,700 hours of support over the last five years alone.
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Professor Elijah Baucom, director of the UC Berkeley Cybersecurity Clinic, and his students co-create resources that organizations dedicated to social issues can use to defend themselves against increasing digital threats, including disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks.
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Alum Shiree Teng ’93 is a community organizer, storyteller, and leader who for decades has empowered leaders in nonprofit organizations with the skills, perspectives, and relationships they need to create greater change within their specific domains.
Those who give their time and talent to a cause know the powerful feeling of stewarding something bigger than oneself. Your commitment to Berkeley ensures that our students and faculty have the resources to turn their passion for service into a lifetime of impact.
Fiat Lux, and Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons
Chancellor’s Choice
Cal Performances’ 2026–27 season — Subscriptions are now on sale for Cal Performances’ 2026–27 season that features William Kentridge's “The Head & the Load,” the Vienna Philharmonic in three nights focused on Mahler, and the Australian Ballet in a bold creation about Oscar Wilde. Returning favorites include the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jordi Savall, and the Takács Quartet. Visit calperformances.org for tickets and information.
Youth Cooking Camp— This summer, kids ages 8–12 are invited to a one-of-a-kind camp offering hands-on cooking lessons, nutrition education, and fun. Campers learn from graduate students in nutritional sciences and dietetics in a vibrant new teaching kitchen. Three weeklong sessions are available; another may be added. Spots are limited. Register now and learn more.