Alumni and their friends and families gathered at UC Santa Cruz from August 16-18 for the second annual Return to the Redwoods, immersing themselves in a whirlwind of exciting activities and memorable programming. This event not only rekindled alumni's deep love for UCSC, but also offered a one of a kind experience: the chance to relive their college days by staying on campus. Some embraced the nostalgia of dorm life, bunking in the same traditional rooms they once called home, while others opted for the campus apartments.
Kayla Judd (Cowell ’14), assistant director of alumni engagement and regional programs and the weekend’s lead organizer, likens Return to the Redwoods to a time machine.
“When Slugs introduce campus to their friends and family, they’re also reintroducing themselves—a younger, wilder, enthusiastic self,” Judd said. “You see this when friends get together, former roommates stay in dorms, and alums across generations share memories. It’s amazing to see our guests connect deeper with campus, and through it, each other and themselves.”
Return to the Redwoods saw nearly 700 attendees, which included alumni from all ten UCSC colleges, and graduates representing the classes of 1969-2024.
“Return to the Redwoods was the perfect opportunity for me to reconnect with UCSC, exploring the beauty of the campus, academics, art, and culture,” said Tammy Tolgo (Merrill ’98).
Most arrived Friday, checking in at Porter College then moving in their belongings and returning to the Porter Quad where a welcoming atmosphere invited folks to relax with old friends and make new acquaintances.
Friday night’s highlight was a welcome party in the quad featuring catered food, games, and live music performed by Coffee Zombie Collective. The band features two alumni: Nate Lieby (Crown ’03) and Brian Forsse (Crown ’00).
“It’s nice to come back and play gigs at UCSC,” Lieby said.
“My family enjoys spending time on campus when we get a chance," Forsse said. "It is certainly a privilege to perform for other alums.”
Later, alumni traveled to the East Field for stars and s’mores, roasting marshmallows and observing nebulae through telescopes staffed by astronomy graduate students.
Saturday morning started with sunrise yoga on the Porter lawn, followed by breakfast in the newly renovated Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall.
“Breakfasts were well-organized, with lots of food options, and provided a great start to the days,” said Barbara Smith (Rachel Carson ’87).
Barbara and her sister, Mary Frances Smith-Reynolds (Stevenson ’84), drove from L.A. to attend Return to the Redwoods for the second consecutive year, staying in a Porter apartment.
“My experience at UCSC was a benchmark in my life and shaped many of my decisions in life including a career in wine that launched at Bonny Doon Vineyard in 1985,” said Barbara.
Mary had been on campus earlier this summer, moving her daughter, a third-year Porter student, off campus. Mary said she enjoys returning to campus and staying in touch with her friends and classmates.
“It’s always fun to be with my UCSC friends with whom I stay in touch, but also, to meet a lot of other interesting Slugs,” said Mary. “It makes me realize that our time at UCSC gave us a special view of the world and our role in it.”
Saturday’s activities included guided hikes and a tie-dyeing workshop. Two popular programs were lectures by former professors.
Professor John Isbister’s presentation, “What I Learned in Four Decades at UCSC,” took attendees on a trip down memory lane, providing details about how his UCSC experience shaped his thinking as a teacher and an economist, down to his current work as a faculty member in Toronto. Isbister, Merrill Provost from 1984-1999, was a founding member of the Merrill faculty. He and others were charged with creating, and teaching in, the Merrill Core Course.
The audience included a who’s who of former faculty such as David Sweet, Mike Rotkin, Kathy Foley, and Roz Spafford (Professor Isbister’s wife). Professor Paul Skenazy said he loved listening to the ways Professor Isbister explained how his “interactions with other faculty, staff, and students altered his views on the world.”
Distinguished Professor Emerita Bettina Aptheker’s talk was “Feminism & Social Justice: Global Perspectives.” Aptheker joined the UCSC Women’s Studies program in 1981 and helped to build it into one of the leading Feminist Studies departments in the country.
Throughout the lecture and the Q&A that followed, the crowd listened to Aptheker with rapt attention. As a student, Tammy Tolgo took Aptheker’s Intro to Feminism class and served as a Teaching Assistant.
“I was thrilled to reconnect and learn about her recent work in the field,” said Tolgo. “Bettina is a skilled orator who tailors her message to her audience, meeting you where you are. The lecture was enlightening, and Q&A provided an opportunity to dig in deeper.”
Another Saturday activity, Sonic Activation, included breathwork and meditation with vocalist Sara Kaiser (Stevenson ’14) and cellist Shaun Diaz. Later, Kaiser and Diaz performed in the quad.
“When I saw the announcement for Return to the Redwoods, I reached out to propose the sound immersion and a live show,” said Kaiser. “My life and mind were so enriched by my time at UC Santa Cruz, and all of that continues to influence my songwriting today.”
Saturday night in the quad was lively and fun with KZSC music, a food truck, face painting, and a street fair where vendors— including alumni and current students—sold artistic wares. For Sareil Brookins (Stevenson ’19), the Spotlight Street Fair was her favorite part of the weekend. She attended Return to the Redwoods with her mother, grandmother, and sisters.
“I showed my family around campus which is important because I am a first-generation college graduate. Getting to share that with my family is such an honor.” Brookins serves as Vice President on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for the UCSC Alumni Council.
Mitch Bates (Cowell ’12) has come to campus alumni events with friends since 2015.
“It’s such a joy to spend time with friends, re-tell all our old stories, and enjoy the trees, bridges, and views,” said Bates. “The friends I made at UCSC have become my adopted family. I met my wife, Evvy, our junior year. We treasure our college memories. Since college, we’ve also been lucky enough to make new memories with our Slug friends. There’s also something about the irreverence of UCSC culture, combined with a desire to help people and make a difference that I found appealing as a student and still find appealing today.”
As the weekend drew to an end, alumni departed with a profound sense of connection, their memories renewed, and their bonds with UC Santa Cruz stronger than ever. Alumni are excited to make Return to the Redwoods an annual tradition and plan to come back next year.
To learn more about Return to the Redwoods visit the UCSC Alumni website and view photos captured this year. Save the date for next year’s Return to the Redwoods: August 15-17, 2025.
