Since I graduated from UCB’s Civil and Environmental Engineering department, I have remained deeply engaged with CEE both as a professional structural engineer and as an active volunteer.  On the professional side, I had early-career engagement with the CEE research faculty on projects around seismic (base) isolation, a nascent sub-field of earthquake engineering. My professional career included many projects on campus, all requiring peer review from the Seismic Review Committee of CEE professors.  My projects included Haas Pavilion, Latimer Hall, the Student Athlete High Performance Center and the seismic safety retrofit of California Memorial Stadium.  My volunteer efforts have also keep me deeply involved with CEE, on their industry advisory council, and chair of the Board of Directors of the CEE Academy of Distinguished Alumni.  I also spent 12 years on the College of Environmental Design’s Advisory Council, and currently am part of the Design Review Committee for the campus, and chair the Chancellor’s Capital Strategies Committee.

I would say it’s the quality of the faculty and researchers, AND their accessibility to almost anyone who wants to re-engage with the campus.

One of my favorite memories was from 1982 - I was in attendance at Memorial Stadium to see Cal football's "The Play"! I would have to say my proudest moment was the re-opening of California Memorial Stadium after the completion of the 12-year project of seismically strengthening the stadium.  Unfortunately, we lost the football game.

Be sponges for anything and everything Cal can offer you while there.  But most importantly, get engaged after graduation with volunteer activities.

Do it for selfish reasons:  You will meet the smartest and nicest people!