University of California Los Angeles - Bruin Life / Southern Campus Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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Witha tothe With a student body of over 20,000, the UCLA experience could sometimes be overwhelming. However, students often did not realize that Bruin connections extended far beyond their campus. The Student Alumni Association (SAA) had decades of history in helping to bridge the generation gap between active alumni, spirited students and the fine faculty at UCLA. SAA sponsored a plethora of networking opportunities w hich, started in the fall ' with Senior Reception, w hich allowed seniors to mingle with their peers. SAA also hosted Senior Night, which guided graduating seniors on their road into the real -world. Topics in the workshops and alumni panels included career advice, personal finance management, developing connections, and continuing on toward graduate school. Dinner for 12 Strangers followed as one of the most successful SAA sponsored events with over 1,500 Bruins participating in homemade feasts. The dinners were held at an alumni ' s home foragroupofstudents, faculty and alumni. To liven up the occasion, alumni picked themes for their dinners varying from a red, w hite and blue theme served with all- American food to a Hawaiian Luau complete %vith authentic roasted pig. Students were given a glimpse of what Bruin life after college was like. My host had a very ■well-balanced lifestyle, combining her work and interests at the same time, said second-year political science student Mai Le Hong. They also got a chance by Thoa Nguyen to hear alumni ' s own tales of their college years. My hosts graduated UCLA in 1953 so it was an interesting experience comparing how things have changed then and now, said first-year business economics student Jilliann Hill. During spring quarter, SAA focused on career-oriented programs, such as Interview vith a Bruin, Entertainment Networking Night and Etiquette Dinner. Interview with a Bruin allowed undergraduate students to engage in mock intervie-ws -with a professional alumniin hopes of strengthening their communication skills. The Etiquette Dinner carried the same focus of interaction -within a professional environment. Students learned dinner manners appropriate in business settings and received the opportunity to foster relationships with alumni. Students aspiring to break into the entertainment industry found Entertainment Networking Night a great benefit. Alumni and students gathered for discussions on topics ranging from how to establish connections within the industry to their past experiences of seeing the limelight. The experience provided students w ith invaluable and unmatched advice from insiders living and working in Hollywood. SAA events allowed students to prepare for life after graduation. With all the connections, benefits and networking opportunities that SAA had to offer, it was an excellent resource for soon- to-be graduating seniors. IDI Ufii: An alumni panel fields questions and offers advice at Senior Niglit: Life After College. The event was designed to prepare graduating seniors for job searching, networVing and applying to graduate schools. Photographed by Enrique Torrebtancs.

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Ci I wish our offense would have played better, but our defense played very well, use has the best offense in the country— it ' s pretty amazing we held them at 24 points. -Jail Miles, graduate student, law ) corner end zone and watched the game unfold play by play. Despite being numerically overwhelmed, the Bruins kept their energy high, ba nding together to represent UCLA in a pro- USC atmosphere. Second-year biochemistry student Bryant Hirai said that being surrounded by fellow Bruins in the student section kept their energy up during the game. Even though we didn ' t know a lot of people around us, there was a lot of unity between the students there, said Hirai. We ' d be chanting together and keeping everyone positive during a slightly depressing game. Although the game was a defensive struggle for the most part, it did have its share of exciting moments. The touchdown thrown by redshirt junior quarterback Patrick Cowan to sophomore receiver Dominique Johnson was one of the defining offensive plays of the game. As Cowan threw the ball towards the corner of the end zone, Johnson reached past the Trojan defender, making a one-handed grab as his feet hit the end zone. The catch was the first and only Bruin touchdown of the game. As the game rolled on, frustration began to mount as hopes of winning the game and going on to the Rose Bo ' wl dimmed. I was hoping for something like last year, commented Hirai, We had Pat Cowan starting again and basically we had the same crew. I thought we had a good shot of upsetting everyone and proving everyone wrong. With just 10 minutes remaining, USC led 24-7. Although the Bruins ultimately fell, no one could deny their fighting spirit and perseverance throughout the game. It ' s really nice to see your team out there and putting up a good fight, commented third-year aerospace engineering student Kyle Martinez. lOi Ako«e: Devoted Bruins who bravely ventured into hostile USC territory in downtown Los Angeles celebrate after sophomore wide reciever Dominique Johnson ' s touchdown reception. Joe and Josephine Bruin entertain the crowd during a break in the action. Redshirt junior quarterbacls Patricli Cowan drops bacic and loolis for an open Bruin reciever. Despite the Bruins ' best efforts, they fell to the No. 8 Trojans 24-7. Photographed by Christal Thavincher ahd Olga Nezhevenko. Left: Undeterred by the thousands of fans rooting against them, Bruin players march onto the field before their showdown with the Trojans. For the the Bruin seniors, the game marised the last time they would face their bitter rivals, which further motivated them to come out with a victory. Photographed by Christal Thavincher.

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J r k Mf H ' ■f Pi 1 ' 1 HI C ' 1 s H 1 UCLA students chat with Bruin alumni at one of the many Dinners for 12 Stfangers ' put on by SAA. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the popular tradition. Photolraplted by Stacy Hu. H % tM Above: Ruben Garcia, a fourth-year sociology student, Lauren Poblete, third-year political science, and Jenna Sopfe, fourth-year psychobiology, chat while preparing the soda bar before the Senior Reception. Senior Reception, held on Nov. 8, gave seniors time to mingle amidst the chaos of graduate preparation. Photographed by Jennifer Wang. Right: Students take a break to celebrate their approaching graduation over free food at Senior Reception. The event provided students with the opportunity to find out more about life after graduation. tPhoto raohed bv Er}rioue Torreblanca. Ir ' ' ' H 1 Above: Seniors gather around the food table at Senior Reception, held in the James West Alumni Center, home of the SAA. SAA hosted numerous senior events throughout the year, including Senior fest. Senior Night: Life After College and Senior Sendoff. Photographed liy Enrique Torreblanca.