Did you know: The mace carried at academic processions was created in 1987 and is mostly made of Koa wood from Hawaii?

The Press Room UC Riverside Selects Consultant on Health Sciences Initiative Robert Grey, a former Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at UC Davis, has been appointed as a consultant to help UC Riverside expand its two-year biomedical sciences program into a four-year medical school. For complete article click here. Robert Grey Graduate School of Education Receives Association Approval The UC Riverside Graduate School of Education’s (GSOE) School Psychology program has been approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), an organization that represents 22,000 school psychologists and related professionals throughout the United States and abroad. For complete article click here. National Association of School Psychologists Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture Series Starts Feb. 3 at UC Riverside The lecture series, which will be open to the public free of charge, will kick off on Thursday, Feb. 3, with a poetry reading and presentation by Robert Pinsky, Poet Laureate of the United States between 1997 and 2000 and a contributor to the PBS program The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. For complete article click here. Robert Pinsky UC Riverside Professor Receives First Age-Reversal Prize Professor of Biochemistry Stephen Spindler has received the inaugural Methuselah Mouse Rejuvenation Prize for his research in calorie restriction and its role in reversing aging in middle-aged laboratory mice, while extending their overall lifespan.  For complete article click here. Stephen Spindler CHISHOLM ’72 – Unbought & Unbossed Shola Lynch ’95 M.A. makes her directorial debut with CHISHOLM ’72 – Unbought & Unbossed, a film that recalls the groundbreaking presidential bid by Shirley Chisholm.  CHISHOLM ’72 will premiere on PBS’s P.O.V. (Point of View) series February 7, 2005, during Black History Month (check listings for local broadcasts).  For complete article click here.. Shola Lynch Want more news from UCR? Visit http://www.newsroom.ucr.edu Alumni Awards (Back to Menu) The UCR Alumni Association was established in 1955 with the first graduating class. To kick off its golden anniversary, the Association will host the 19th Annual Alumni Awards of Distinction Banquet on January 28 in conjunction with Homecoming festivities. Five alumni will be honored for their outstanding achievements and service to their communities and society. The Association will also recognize UCR’s faculty and alumni who were named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for 2004. We invite you to join us for this milestone event. Contact the Alumni Association BEFORE JANUARY 21 to make your banquet reservation by calling (951)UCR-ALUM! Homecoming (Back to Menu) Homecoming 2005 Celebrating 50 Years of Highlander Pride January 27-29, 2005 Make Your Reservation Now Founded by the Class of 1955, the UCR Alumni Association celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2005. Make your reservations today so you don't miss any of the action! Some of the activities taking place include: UCRAA 19th Annual Awards of Distinction Banquet Bourns College of Engineering Homecoming Reunion A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management Alumni Reception African and African American Alumni Homecoming Dinner College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Alumni Wine Tasting Homecoming Basketball game UCR vs. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Campus Tours UCR Department of Theater Performance of "Orange Grove" UCR Orchestra Family Concert Click here for more information on all the events and activities of Homecoming 2005. UC Day in Sacramento (Back to Menu) UC Day in Sacramento Legislative Conference February 15, 2005 Register as a Delegate Today!!! Support UCR and higher education by serving as a delegate to the annual UC Day in Sacramento Legislative Conference, on February 15, 2005. This annual event is the one time of the year when all nine UC alumni associations come together to meet with elected officials on issues facing UC and UCR. Activities include: UCR delegate briefing and orientation Meetings with elected officials in their offices UCR delegate luncheon All-UC reception honoring the legislator-of-the year UCR dinner with Inland Empire legislators, agency officials, legislative staff and alumni While the UCR Alumni Association will host most meals in Sacramento, delegates are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses. Click here for more information. Student Recruitment (Back to Menu) Help UCR Attract the Best and Brightest Students! UCR is the fastest growing and most ethnically diverse campus of the University of California's 10 campuses. Even as enrollment records continue to be broken year after year, UCR is still committed to attracting the best and brightest students while enhancing UCR's reputation as a leader in education and research. Fall 2004 total enrollment was more than 17,000 students!    These increases are due in no small part to alumni participation in UCR’s recruitment efforts.  Alumni volunteers serve as ambassadors at student recruitment receptions throughout California, sharing their positive experiences and memories of UCR and how they have benefited from their UCR education.  Help us in our pursuit of excellence by attracting outstanding, well-prepared students to UCR.  Click here to see the calendar of the Spring 2005 recruitment events.  For more information or to participate in these events please contact Bill Cole. Membership Offer (Back to Menu) Here is a special membership offer to commemorate the UCR Alumni Association's half-century milestone: 50 years of Highlander Pride. Join the Alumni Association as a single payment life member and receive this handsome, 10" x 14" navy blue executive-style portfolio as your gift. A calculator, 8 ½" x 11" paper pad and pen are included. Click here for details on this offer.   For information about UCRAA membership benefits and privileges click here or visit www.alumni.ucr.edu. Membership dues help support student scholarships and alumni programming. You can join online or call the office at 1-800-426-ALUM or 951-UCR-ALUM for assistance. If you have  questions about this offer or on membership benefits please contact Jocelyn Whitfield at jocelyn.whitfield@ucr.edu Leadership Opportunity (Back to Menu) UCR Alumni Association Board of Directors The UCR Alumni Association (UCRAA) is now accepting applications for its Board of Directors. The Board is a group of dedicated volunteers who establish Alumni Association policy, review program and services, and provide feedback and suggestions to the University administration. Directors enjoy a prestigious and responsible position within the University community. Alumni interested in serving on the Board of Directors may apply online or contact the Alumni Association to request a form. All applications must be received by February 1. Student Loans (Back to Menu) Are You Paying Off a Student Loan or Know Someone Who Is? Stafford loan borrowers can consolidate and lock in a fixed rate as low as 3.5%. With qualifying loans, borrowers can reduce their monthly payments and guaranty a fixed rate lower than the capped rate of 8.5%. After an in depth review of major providers of student loan consolidation services, the UCR Alumni Association has recommended Nelnet Inc. (National Education Loan Network) for the past year. Nelnet, Inc is a respected leader in the student loan consolidation field. With over 20 years experience, they service their loans in-house, offer discounts, plus Nelnet has a lower threshold for loans ($7,500 minimum) than do most other student loan consolidators. Nelnet has benefited hundreds of UCR alumni. For more information call 1-866-4CONSOL (426-6765) or visit their website at www.alumniconsolidation.nelnet.net Travel (Back to Menu) Travel the Globe and Expand your Horizons Expand your cultural horizons and join the Alumni Association on its Alumni College in Poland-Krakow departing on June 1. The historic city of Krakow is the ideal base to explore Poland’s southern province of Malopolska. The region is rich in natural beauty and folkloric tradition. Four of Poland’s numerous UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites are featured in this comprehensive program. The nine-day tour is priced at $2,895 with roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco. The tour price includes seven nights accommodations, three meals each day during the program, all excursions listed on the itinerary, and the services of an experienced campus director. A land only program is also available for $1,695. Tour participants must be members of the UCR Alumni Association. Each member may bring a spouse and children under 18 or one guest. Contact the Alumni Association at 800-426-ALUM (2586) or 951-UCR-ALUM to request a detailed program brochure or to be placed on the Association’s travel list. Free Tickets (Back to Menu) The first 5 UCR Alumni Association members who respond to this e-newsletter will receive four tickets for a men’s or women’s basketball home game of their choice. Respond to ucralum@ucr.edu. Winners will be announced in the February Highlander Highlights. These tickets are intended for the personal use of the winners and are not to be sold, bartered or auctioned. Please note previous ticket winners are not eligible.