Student Experience

Almost Alumni Celebration welcomes class of 2025 to growing alumni network

The event served as both a festive kickoff to commencement weekend and a joyful transition from student life to the next chapter as proud UC Santa Cruz alumni.

June 9, 2025

By Haneen Zain

When students arrive at University of California Santa Cruz for their first year, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is often one of their first stops. At the beginning of the school year, UC Santa Cruz hosts the Boardwalk Frolic to help new students get to know their campus community and surroundings. 

Things came full circle for the class of 2025, as graduating students returned to the Boardwalk for the Almost Alumni Celebration.

With thousands of UCSC students set to graduate June 13–15, the Almost Alumni Celebration—hosted by the Alumni Association—served as both a festive kickoff to commencement weekend and a warm welcome into the network of more than 160,000 proud Banana Slug alumni.  

“It’s an incredible joy to welcome the class of 2025 into our global alumni community,” said John D. Pine, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Alumni Engagement. “As they take their next steps, the Class of 2025 joins a powerful network of more than 160,000 alumni who are making an impact around the world—and we look forward to welcoming them back to campus as alumni in the years to come.” 

The evening featured a lively mix of music, games, and a champagne toast by members of the UCSC Alumni Council in honor of the soon-to-be graduates. Students received festive leis, roasted s’mores around fire pits, and made their way down to the beach to play games with friends and classmates. With the sound of the surf and the glow of celebration in the air, the annual event marked a joyful transition from student life to the next chapter as proud UC Santa Cruz alumni.

“Congratulations to the class of 2025,” Pine said. “We’re proud to welcome you into the alumni family!” 

View the full photo album.