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Highlights from Alumni Reunion Weekend 2025
Alumni Reunion Weekend 2025 brought nearly 400 UC Santa Cruz alumni, faculty, staff, and friends back to campus for a joyful celebration filled with meaningful conversations, milestone reunions, and lasting memories.
Alumni check in at Alumni Reunion Weekend at Cowell College.
Key takeaways
- Alumni Reunion Weekend 2025 brought nearly 400 members of the UC Santa Cruz community together for a spirited celebration of reconnection, culminating in a special campus gathering honoring the university’s 60th anniversary.
- Mark your calendar for next year’s Alumni Reunion Weekend: April 24–26, 2026
Nearly 400 attendees, 20+ programs, one weekend.
Alumni Reunion Weekend welcomed back alumni from the classes of 1965-75 for a joyful celebration of connection, tradition, and shared pride. Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends returned to campus to honor milestone reunions, revisit cherished memories, and forge new bonds.
The weekend—UCSC’s largest reunion gathering in its newest form—featured dynamic programming, heartfelt reunions, and special celebrations that captured the vibrant spirit of UC Santa Cruz.
“There is always something special about Alumni Reunion Weekend, but this year felt like a true celebration of connection honoring our founding values,” said Shayna Kent, Executive Director of Alumni Engagement. “Seeing the smiles and joyful reunions as so many alumni reconnected with each other and with UC Santa Cruz hits my heart. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength of this community and the lifelong impact of a UCSC education. We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make this weekend meaningful, joyful, and unforgettable especially as we also honored UCSC’s 60th Birthday.”
Alumni Reunion Weekend 2025 featured a vibrant mix of virtual and in-person events that celebrated UC Santa Cruz’s past, present, and future. The festivities began with a virtual conversation between Professor Emeritus Dr. J. Herman Blake and NAACP leader Wisdom Cole (Oakes ’15), reflecting on the legacy of Oakes College. A special Golden Alumni Reunion Dinner at Hotel Paradox honored the trailblazing classes of 1965–1975. On Saturday, the campus buzzed with activity; from breakfast at Stevenson Patio with Ferrell’s Donuts and thought-provoking talks on UCSC’s founding and environmental education that includes founding faculty and pioneer alumni, to college-specific reunions and open houses.
A major highlight of the weekend was the celebration of UC Santa Cruz’s 60th birthday—a milestone that brought together founding students, emeriti faculty, and longtime staff to honor six decades of innovation, activism, and community. Held at the Cowell College Courtyard, the 60th Anniversary Lunch offered a moment of reflection on the university’s bold beginnings in 1965 and the remarkable journey since. Stories were shared, friendships rekindled, and gratitude expressed for the visionaries who shaped UCSC’s distinct identity.
“It is amazing that we had founding faculty that were here when the campus opened 60 years ago with us reminiscing about the foundation of UCSC,” said Kent. “What a special moment.”
Mark your calendar for next year’s celebration, April 24–26, 2026. View more photos from this year.