Alumni

For the Purdoms, astronomy students are the real stars

December 12, 2024
by Alexander Rony

Ellin and Ned Purdom grew to appreciate astronomy later in life. Neither took astronomy courses in the 1970s while at UC Berkeley, where the two met. Now, they look forward to the Department of Astronomy’s Evening with the Stars lecture every year, and in February, the couple pledged $500,000 and a portion of their estate to advance student access and diversity in astronomy.

Psychology alumna and tech advisor Britt Sellin provides career tips for Social Sciences students and young alumni

January 10, 2025
By Jessica Ballardo

UC Berkeley Psychology alumna Britt Sellin says the social science theories she learned as a Berkeley Social Sciences student — such as researching how people think and behave — have been essential to her 30-plus-year career as a human resources leader in the tech industry.

Sellin’s long career in HR has been focused on high-growth tech companies, with her holding senior positions at Cloudera, VMware and Sun Microsystems. Now, Sellin is a professional coach and mentor, as well as an advisor at SproutsAI, an AI agent platform that automates...

“I wanted to do something different and give back:” How the Finks are helping Berkeley build a brighter future for economics students

November 25, 2024
by Alexander Rony

Visitors to UC Berkeley’s bustling campus pass by many buildings under construction, all part of an effort to meet the needs of a growing student population. It’s a familiar feeling for Michael Fink, a 1983 economics alum who recently retired as the University of Washington’s lead attorney for real estate, capital projects, and construction.

“In addition to the benefits to students, you can look at a completed building...

The Berkeley Frontier Fund demonstrates the power of UC Berkeley’s ideas

November 12, 2024
by Alexander Rony

Richard Chan was hosting a Hong Kong dinner with other UC Berkeley alums when he heard a startling fact: the state of California covers just 14 percent of the public university’s budget. Chan, a serial entrepreneur and investor, decided to investigate how his skills could be of service to his alma mater.

New Townsend Center gift honors visionary founder

November 7, 2024
Alexander Rony

The Doreen B. Townsend Center for the Humanities will boost its fellowship and Art of Writing programs thanks to a generous gift from Matt and Margaret Jacobson. The couple pledged $750,000 to create the Paul Alpers Memorial Fund, honoring the founding director of UC Berkeley’s renowned nexus of humanities research and events.

“We feel so loved,” said Stephen Best, the center’s current faculty director, about the Jacobsons’ support. “I don't have a better way of expressing how deeply appreciative we are to have two people who get what we do and want to see us...

https://artshumanities.berkeley.edu/news/new-townsend-center-gift-honors-visiona…

"My favorite winter memory at Cal..."

November 1, 2024

We asked L&S alums to share their favorite winter memories as UC Berkeley students, and the range of responses was heartwarming. Thank you to everyone who shared a memory! Here are just a few of the memories our alums shared.

Hannah Larson Talks Intersection Theory at Math on Tap

October 24, 2024
Lauren Miller

Hannah Larson (left) interacts with guests at Math on Tap.

The College of Letters and Science Division of Math and Physical Sciences hosted a new installment of its Math on Tap lecture series on Friday, October 11, showcasing Mathematics Assistant Professor Hannah Larson. Larson, a recipient of the prestigious ...

Economics alumnus Roy Tan shares how Berkeley Social Sciences inspired him to give back

October 11, 2024
By Jessica Ballardo

Berkeley Economics alumnus Roy Tan credits his time as a Social Sciences student with inspiring his lifelong passion for learning and education.

Today, Tan leverages his successful career as an insurance agent for New York Life in San Mateo to give back to the Economics Department to help students prepare for meaningful careers in public and private sectors and tackle society's biggest challenges.

Since he graduated from Cal in 2006, Tan has made meaningful contributions to Berkeley Economics and other academic units over the years. He is the fourth founding member of the...

Political Economy alumnus and Disney Data Analyst Larry Kao offers insights for early-career Social Sciences alumni

October 14, 2024
By Jessica Ballardo

Political Economy alumnus Larry Kao got his first taste for working in entertainment during his time as a Berkeley Social Sciences student. That meaningful experience led him to his current role as a special projects supervisor for The Walt Disney Company.

A Bay Area native who graduated from Cal in 2002, Kao was a college marketing representative for EMI Music Distribution as well as manager of the student-run concert series on Lower Sproul Plaza. He received his M.A. in East Asian Studies from UCLA before officially beginning his entertainment career, which includes 13 years at...

Ethnic Studies alumna and tech executive Sandra Lo shares her career advice for young Berkeley Social Sciences alumni

October 10, 2024
By Jessica Ballardo

It may not seem like UC Berkeley Social Sciences alumna Sandra Lo's Ethnic Studies degree directly relates to her 25-year career in tech. But she says much of the knowledge, communication skills and ability to think critically she gained in this field at Berkeley Social Sciences have been essential to her success in the tech industry.

Lo graduated from Cal in 1997, and went on to receive her masters in communications management from the Annenberg School at USC. She is now the chief communications officer at Zoho Corporation, a Silicon Valley tech company that creates software suites...