March 2016

Newsletter

Humpback whale feeding a few paddle strokes from shore

Special report: The wild, wild west coast

A warm blob of water, a bloom of toxic algae, unexpected sightings of ocean life, and an El Niño have left UC Santa Cruz researchers wondering what the future holds for North America's west coast and its marine ecosystem.

Also Featured

Black Lives Matter cofounder wows capacity crowd at MLK Convocation

Alicia Garza, a key figure in an international civil rights movement and a charismatic leader, gave a dynamic speech that often left the audience rapt.

Matthew McKown deploying an acoustic sensor to record calls of marbled murrelets

Researcher spies on secretive birds

Marbled murrelets are reluctant to share their secrets, but Matthew McKown is using acoustic sensors to monitor these endangered avians.

» More Stories

Alumni Updates

Determined to increase diversity in the sciences

Alumnus Blake Riggs uses his own story of prejudiced encounters, personal stumbles, and tenacity to encourage students of color.

Moving tribute to movement

Alumni create "Muscle Memory," a multimedia undertaking exploring creativity, aging, and the gifts of the UC Santa Cruz dance program.

Portfolium, coming soon!

Portfolium is a cloud-based network that helps people share a complete picture of their academic and professional potential through an ePortfolio. This network creates opportunities to capture, curate, and convert skills into job offers. Banana Slug alums will receive an invitation to join the network on March 7, with a custom link to create your unique online portfolio. Learn more about Portfolium.

Events

Featured Events

UCSC presents the Original Thinkers Series

Original Thinkers Series with Craig Haney:
Bending Toward Justice? The Urgency (and Possibility) of Criminal Justice Reform
6 p.m. March 30, Hotel De Anza, Silicon Valley

Alumni Weekend 2016. Come Home. This Weekend is For YOU!

Alumni Weekend Welcome Keynote: How We Learn—An evening with John Dizikes, featuring noted alumni author Lawrence Weschler
7 p.m. April 29, Stevenson Event Center

» More Exciting Events

ALUMNI REGIONAL EVENTS

Seattle – Sunday, March 20

Wine Walk at Airfield Estates, Woodinville

Sacramento – Wednesday, March 23

Sac Slugs Spring Mixer at New Helvetia Brewing Company

New York – Thursday, March 24

New York Banana Slugs Happy Hour at Ivy

Santa Cruz – Friday, April 1—Saturday, April 2

2nd Annual Rugby Reunion at UC Santa Cruz

Boston – Tuesday, May 10

BSLUGs go to Fenway at Fenway Park

East Bay – Sunday, July 17

Banana Slugs at the Oakland A's at O.co Coliseum

» More Regional Events

The Campaign for UC Santa Cruz

Two UC Santa Cruz professors win Sloan Research Fellowships

Astronomer Andrew Skemer and ecologist Kristy Kroeker are among 126 outstanding U.S. and Canadian researchers recognized by the Sloan Foundation.

Game on, give on

Our first-ever Giving Day is coming on May 11—a 24-hour online fundraising drive to support UC Santa Cruz students, faculty, and programs. We're using a game-style platform, complete with prizes. It’s going be fun, and there are lots of ways to get involved. Are you game? Take the pledge to play.

Keep Up!

We welcome your comments and ideas for future issues.