The UCLA Daily Bruin Alumni Network
The UCLA Daily Bruin Alumni Network (DBAN) is the recipient of the 2023 UCLA Award for Network of the Year for the group's demonstrated commitment to UCLA. The Daily Bruin has been the chronicler of UCLA’s daily life since 1919, and it is a training ground for young journalists. Launched in the fall of 2018, the Daily Bruin Alumni Network is building a robust and lasting alumni community in support of alumni, current students and the University.
Daily Bruin staffers have a shared bond built on the unique and impactful experience of working on a daily newspaper. Its alumni are award-winning journalists, leaders in law, business, government, entertainment, education, the arts, technology and philanthropy. The Network's members give their time and talent to empower students through networking, mentorship, scholarships, career development and community service.
Today, DBAN’s membership includes alumni from the 1970s through the 2010s, a generational diversity that strengthens the network. The DBAN Mentoring Program pairs alumni with current Daily Bruin students to guide them in developing the skills needed to thrive and produce a daily newspaper. The Network also launched a campaign to renovate the Daily Bruin newsroom at Kerckhoff Hall.
Since 2019, DBAN has provided 19 scholarships to current Daily Bruin staff. Next year, DBAN will increase its annual scholarship commitment, offering scholarships to seven students with demonstrated journalistic promise who seek a future career in journalism, media or a related field.
To extend their commitment to the University, the Network has launched a $100,000 scholarship campaign in memory of esteemed journalist Dave McNary ʼ74, who served on DBAN’s inaugural board. The Network plans to add a second endowment to provide grants for Bruins pursuing enterprise reporting across the globe.
In a few short years, the UCLA Daily Bruin Alumni Network has made a substantial contribution to UCLA, building a future for students through support, mentorship and community.