Since its opening 44 years ago, UC Santa Cruz has achieved real distinction as a place where excellence is defined by its people and programs.
On Friday, October 23, the campus's founding history and its future will be celebrated at UC Santa Cruz's third annual Founders Day dinner. The theme of this celebratory event is "Fulfilling the Promise." Through the hard work, support, and accomplishments of the evening's honorees, UC Santa Cruz has been able to build upon the dreams of the people who founded this extraordinary campus. It is my sincere hope that you can join me at this splendid event.
The dinner--to be held at the Cocoanut Grove on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk--is open to the general public. The evening begins with a reception at 6:30, followed by dinner at 7:30. For additional details and ticket information, please go to http://www.ucsc.edu/founders or call UCSC's Special Events Office at (831) 459-5003.
The 2009 Founders Day honorees are listed below:
-John R. Rickford will receive the UCSC Alumni Association's annual Alumni Achievement Award. A 1971 graduate of Stevenson College, he is one of the world's experts on African-American Vernacular English. Holder of the J. E. Wallace Sterling Professor of Humanities Endowed Chair at Stanford University, Professor Rickford will be honored for his work studying language spoken by poor and marginalized communities and the application of that research to solve educational problems.
-Patricia (Porter '88) and Rowland Rebele will receive the Fiat Lux Award. This award is given by the UC Santa Cruz Foundation to alumni and friends who have demonstrated outstanding achievement, dedication, and service in support of the university's programs and goals. The Rebele's are being honored for their extraordinary support of the arts and education, and their vital role as advocates for the homeless.
-Daniel Friedman will be honored as UCSC's Faculty Research Lecturer for 2009-10. This award is the foremost academic research honor bestowed by UCSC's Academic Senate. A professor of economics, he will be honored for his cutting-edge research in the field, including work in experimental economics and evolutionary game theory.
-Ed Catmull will receive the UC Santa Cruz Foundation Medal, which recognizes individuals of exceptionally distinguished achievement whose work and contributions to society illustrate the ideals of UC Santa Cruz. Mr. Catmull will be honored for his Academy Award-winning work as co-founder of Pixar and President of Pixar and Disney Animation Studios.
I am sure you will agree that the evening's honorees are very deserving of our appreciation and our recognition. I hope to see you there.
