Campus News
A new chapter begins: UCSC to celebrate decades of dedication at upcoming Welcome to Retirement event
Three decades of teaching literature, 20 years of campus dining excellence, and 15 years of user experience innovation—discover the stories behind three members of UCSC’s Retiring Class of 2025.
The campus community will gather at the Arboretum on June 26 for the annual Welcome to Retirement event to celebrate the careers of retiring UC Santa Cruz faculty and staff. The event honors those who have shaped student experiences and academic journeys, advanced research, and built the foundation of campus life through years of dedicated service.
A few members of this year’s retiring class have already shared their stories on the Retiring Class of 2025 webpage, offering a glimpse into the diverse paths that lead to a fulfilling UCSC career and the lasting connections created along the way.
William “Bill” Prime wraps up two decades as the executive director of dining and hospitality services with a philosophy that has guided his work since 2004. “Circa 2004, dining’s [motto has been] ‘Whatever it takes!’—this has been my guiding philosophy since I was hired as part of UCSC Dining’s self-operated residential dining program!” Prime’s commitment to going above and beyond has ensured that countless students have found nourishment and community in campus dining halls.
For Christopher Connery, retiring after 35 years as a literature professor, the intellectual energy at UC Santa Cruz has been a constant source of inspiration. “I have always found the intellectual community at UCSC to be the liveliest and most imaginative of any university I know, and I look forward to continuing to be part of it,” Connery reflects. His three and a half decades in the classroom have influenced generations of students exploring literature and critical thinking.
Angela Thalls brings a unique perspective to her 15-year career as a user experience researcher, having grown up in Santa Cruz alongside the campus itself. “UC Santa Cruz has been a constant in my life. During the Spring Fairs of the early 1970s, I remember taking shuttles from downtown Santa Cruz to tour the developing Alan Chadwick garden and receive a souvenir bouquet. Years later, as a staff member, I have cherished taking retreats in that same garden oasis. This campus and its mission are timeless, and I’m grateful for the opportunities provided to make a positive, meaningful contribution, and for the personal and professional relationships we build here.”
These three stories represent the potential for a rich collection of memories and experiences from the retiring class of 2025. The Retiree & Emeriti Center encourages all retiring faculty and staff to add their voices to the retiring class page and to attend the upcoming Welcome to Retirement event in their honor. The campus looks forward to honoring individual staff and faculty achievements, strengthening connections among retirees, and creating space for the campus community to express gratitude for years of service. Current and soon-to-be retirees interested in joining the celebration can register by filling out this form or contacting the Retiree & Emeriti Center at rec@ucsc.edu or (831) 502-8202. The deadline to register is June 10, 2025.