Environmental leader Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will kick off UCSC's Reunion Weekend 2009 festivities with a public lecture on Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz. His talk ushers in a weekend filled with activities, including 40th anniversary events for members of the pioneer class and new get-togethers for recent graduates.
Kennedy, the author of Crimes Against Nature, serves as chief prosecuting attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper and president of the Waterkeeper Alliance. He is also a clinical professor and supervising attorney at Pace University School of Law's Environmental Litigation Clinic. He will discuss "Our Environmental Legacy."
Vinod Khosla, a leading green venture capitalist and a cofounder of Sun Microsystems, will introduce Kennedy and will moderate a question-and-answer session following Kennedy's remarks. Tickets are available online or by calling (831) 459-2159.
Sponsors of the 2009 Intellectual Forum include Comcast, ZENN Motor Company, and UCSC Arts & Lectures. Free valet parking for bicycles will be available at the Cocoanut Grove.
Kennedy's appearance at UCSC's second annual Intellectual Forum will kick off Reunion Weekend 2009 festivities. For a complete listing of events and to register in advance, please visit Reunion Weekend 2009.
Other highlights of the weekend include:
. An all-alumni reunion picnic on Saturday at noon in the Stevenson College Courtyard.
. A Young Alumni Party for graduates of the classes of 1998-2008 at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at Cypress Lounge in downtown Santa Cruz. The party is free for Alumni Association members; $10 for nonmembers and guests.
. The Intellectual Forum Panel Discussion on Saturday featuring NPR correspondent Richard Harris (Crown, '80), organic farmer Claire Strader, and UCSC professor and chair of Environmental Studies Daniel Press from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the UCSC Humanities Lecture Hall. Admission is free but advance registration is requested.
. Members of the pioneer class will celebrate their 40th anniversary with several events, including a reception Friday evening, a dinner Saturday night, a "class conversation on values," and a Sunday morning breakfast.
. The pioneer class is also hosting a talk about college renewal at 2:30 on Saturday afternoon in the East Field House.
In addition to many tours and open houses across campus, reunion gatherings will be hosted by the provosts of most colleges, the Physical and Biological Sciences Division, the Global Information Internship Program, the Smith Renaissance Society, the Jack Baskin School of Engineering, the Latino Alumni Network, Jewish Studies, French Studies, as well as the departments of anthropology, community studies, and Latin American and Latino studies. The annual Lavender Reception takes place Saturday at 2:30 in the Cantu Queer Center. For a complete listing, please visit the web.
