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

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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.

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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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costumes during a cultural event in Ackerman branc Ballroom. Shows were used to convey many aspect: about a particular culture, ranging from clothjni style to art. Photographed by Tung X. Dao. bv Nina Zhao