About

The Town & Gown Affiliates of UCLA

The Town & Gown Affiliates of UCLA, founded in 1937, is a cultural bridge to and from the community adjoining the university. UC President Robert Gordon Sproul expressed his desire to make UCLA a “cultural center” for the community. Planning sessions were held to develop an organization that would sponsor campus activities such as faculty lectures, performances, and cultural events. The first official meeting of The University Affiliates, as the organization was originally called, took place on September 30, 1938, at the home of UC Regent and Mrs. Edward A. Dickson.

As the university’s oldest Town & Gown organization (“Town” to stipulate the wonderful Los Angeles community surrounding the campus and “Gown” in honor of the robes symbolizing academia’s highest honors and degrees), The Affiliates of UCLA creates lunch and dinner events with a window into education and featuring distinguished faculty lecturers as well as noted speakers. The Affiliates also support academic scholarships for students through its endowment of over $1.5 million and is the proud sponsor of the  award for Best Production at UCLA’s annual “Spring Sing”.  Anyone is welcome to join The Town & Gown Affiliates!