Tag Archives: recent grads

story of support: he built his dream with the support of others. now this $100,000 endowment is his way of returning it

Giving back usually comes later: after the career is built and the legacy secured. For Russell Stong IV, later has never been part of the plan. He's a 20-something from Northridge, two years out of UCLA, working at Holman Growth Ventures in Philadelphia on investments in AI, robotics, and green energy. For Stong, a boundary has never been a wall. It's just a defender, and he's spent his whole life finding the way around.

"Even with all that hard work, I still need a support system," Stong says. "I still need an avenue toward my opportunities. And I recognize that for others as well. If the only thing limiting [an incoming student] is their financial means, I don't really think that's fair."

It is worth noting that Stong has never once told this story as something he did alone. For all his tenacity, he is the first to point to the people who made it possible. When asked why now, his answer is characteristically direct: "Why wait? My platform is hot." It's the same logic he has applied to every chapter of his life: don't wait for permission, don't wait for perfect conditions. Find the window and go.

Stong grew up in the San Fernando Valley dreaming of two things that rarely go together: Division I basketball and an engineering degree. He attended Crespi Carmelite, made straight A's, and watched his teammates get recruited while his own phone stayed quiet. So he applied to UCLA through regular admissions, got in, and called the basketball coach. Cold.

That call got him a job offer as team manager. Stong turned it down, respectfully but without hesitation.

"My dream is to be a UCLA basketball player," he told the coach. "So that's what I want to do and how I want to do it."

Tenacity is part of the game. He followed up for a month and finally, one afternoon in Powell Library, mid-Physics midterm prep, his phone rang.

"They called me when I was in the middle of Powell Library and told me to come to practice the next day," he says. "I was on the team ever since."

But nothing is ever that simple. Stong has elevated blood pressure; genetic, monitored,and managed. Under normal circumstances this is a non-issue, but UCLA's medical staff—operating during the same period as Shareef O'Neal's heart condition—wasn't taking chances. So came more tests, more waiting, and another hill to climb. Which, if you know Stong, is just an average Tuesday.

The approval still hadn't come by the exhibition game. He sat on the bench in street clothes and was told before tipoff that his blood pressure would be taken after the final buzzer. That number would decide his fate.

"First I'm going to be watching this game, hype and nervous on the bench, and then you tell me this is going to decide if I'm on the team?" he says. "Of course it's going to be high!"

The final buzzer rang and they took the test. The results were in. The first people he needed to tell were the ones who had gotten him there. He walked out into a strange night, the marine layer dropped low, fog sitting just above the ground. His parents were somewhere outside waiting. He called their names into the dark.

"I remember running to them," he says. "And I told them I was approved to play."

The support that carried him to that foggy night outside Pauley is exactly what he is now building for someone else. His parents are one of the reasons he fought so hard to get there. And why he is now fighting to make sure the next Bruin gets the same chance.

Stong stayed at UCLA for six years, coming out the other side with dual degrees, a master's in autonomous systems, and several rings. At the Final Four, NCAA representatives walked onto the court and presented him with the Elite 90 Award, given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA across all 90 NCAA championship sports. He hadn't known it existed before he won it.

Reflecting back, he’s aware that many attempted to ground his dreams. But that’s not in Stong’s vocabulary.

"’Getting into UCLA—good luck. Oh, you want to be a basketball player? Good luck. But you won't stay an engineer. Now you finished your undergrad—you won't double major. Done. Now you want your master's?’ Did that too."

He pauses. "So really, when I look at raising this endowment—yeah, it's not normal."

But nothing about Stong’s journey has been. And he's not about to start now.

The Russell Stong IV Scholarship at UCLA Samueli is for engineering students who have everything it takes to be a Bruin, except the financial means to walk through the door. He has raised $43,000. He needs $57,000 more. He has until April 15th and once fully funded, the endowment exists in perpetuity. Not a moment, but a mechanism. One that will outlast his legacy.

"If a financial barrier is the only thing deterring them from being a Bruin," Stong says, "then they should be a Bruin. We're just here to give them that yes."

The next Bruin engineer is waiting.

To support the Russell Stong IV Engineering Scholarship at UCLA Samueli, visit here. Gifts can be made as multi-year pledges or stock donations.

For questions, contact Gustavo Callejas in Engineering External Affairs at gcallejas@support.ucla.edu.

Class of 2024: New Grad Mixer

Enjoy a casual evening to meet other recent grads, swap stories and get some tips from alumni who’ve been where you are now.

Whether you're looking for career advice or just want to make new friends, this is the perfect place to start your post-college journey.

Let's celebrate your achievements together and kick off your next chapter with the Bruin community!

Pilipino Graduation supported by the Pilipino Alumni Association

Ceremony: 2 pm - 4 pm

Reception: 4 pm - 6 pm

The 32nd Annual UCLA Pilipinx Graduation will take place on June 16, 2024 at Royce Hall and is open to all Pilipinx graduates, including undergraduates, graduates, and those with doctorates, JDs, and MDs.

UCLA Black Alumni Association to support the Black Graduate Student Association Graduate Graduation Brunch

Well, this is it! Our final event of the year for our graduating Black graduate students.

Join us for some great food, fun, a line-dance (or two), and ump-teen amount of pictures as we say fare-well before the All Afrikan People's Graduation Ceremony (Afro-Grad).

This Brunch occurs immediatey prior to the All Afrikan People's Graduation Ceremony that begins at 6:30 pm at the LATC. So, make sure to come and get fed and do a quick two-step with out graduating Black graduate students.

See you there!!!

Grad Central 2024

The UCLA Alumni Association is excited to welcome all Class of 2024 graduates as well as their families and friends to Grad Central. Conveniently located just steps from Pauley Pavilion, the James West Alumni Center will open its doors to celebrate our newest alumni with giveaways*, photo opportunities, goodies* and games to mark this momentous occasion. Doors will be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!

*While supplies last.

Senior Send-Off

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! To recognize this major accomplishment and welcome you to the UCLA Alumni Association, we invite you to be celebrated during Senior Send-Off, taking place Tuesday, June 11; Wednesday, June 12; and Thursday, June 13 at the James West Alumni Center!

This three-day event will feature a series of pop-ups to celebrate our graduating seniors! Stop by the Alumni Center with your University ID between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to receive a limited edition grad tote bag and other goodies* to remember your time at UCLA.

*Offer only valid for class of 2024 graduates, UID required. Tote bags are limited to one per guest. All giveaways are while supplies last.

Tuesday, June 11
Grad Bag Pick-ups (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) • Score a limited edition tote bag while supplies last.
Dippin’ Dots (noon - 2 p.m.) • Chill out and enjoy a mid-day sweet treat on us!

Wednesday, June 12
Grad Bag Pick-ups (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Lattes Inc. Coffee Bar (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.) • Need a pick-me-up during finals week? Choose from customizable hot or iced coffee, matcha, tea, hot chocolate and espresso drinks - on the house! Vegan and vegetarian options available.

Thursday, June 13
Grad Bag Pick-ups (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Celsius, Diddy Riese and Polaroid Station (noon - 2 p.m.) • Stop by for an energy drink and cookie and take a Bruin-themed polaroid photo to document your last day of school

Senior Send-Off

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! To recognize this major accomplishment and welcome you to the UCLA Alumni Association, we invite you to be celebrated during Senior Send-Off, taking place Tuesday, June 11; Wednesday, June 12; and Thursday, June 13 at the James West Alumni Center!

This three-day event will feature a series of pop-ups to celebrate our graduating seniors! Stop by the Alumni Center with your University ID between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to receive a limited edition grad tote bag and other goodies* to remember your time at UCLA.

*Offer only valid for class of 2024 graduates, UID required. Tote bags are limited to one per guest. All giveaways are while supplies last.

Tuesday, June 11
Grad Bag Pick-ups (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) • Score a limited edition tote bag while supplies last.
Dippin’ Dots (noon - 2 p.m.) • Chill out and enjoy a mid-day sweet treat on us!

Wednesday, June 12
Grad Bag Pick-ups (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Lattes Inc. Coffee Bar (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.) • Need a pick-me-up during finals week? Choose from customizable hot or iced coffee, matcha, tea, hot chocolate and espresso drinks - on the house! Vegan and vegetarian options available.

Thursday, June 13
Grad Bag Pick-ups (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Celsius, Diddy Riese and Polaroid Station (noon - 2 p.m.) • Stop by for an energy drink and cookie and take a Bruin-themed polaroid photo to document your last day of school

Senior Send-Off

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! To recognize this major accomplishment and welcome you to the UCLA Alumni Association, we invite you to be celebrated during Senior Send-Off, taking place Tuesday, June 11; Wednesday, June 12; and Thursday, June 13 at the James West Alumni Center!

This three-day event will feature a series of pop-ups to celebrate our graduating seniors! Stop by the Alumni Center with your University ID between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to receive a limited edition grad tote bag and other goodies* to remember your time at UCLA.

*Offer only valid for class of 2024 graduates, UID required. Tote bags are limited to one per guest. All giveaways are while supplies last.

Tuesday, June 11
Grad Bag Pick-ups (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) • Score a limited edition tote bag while supplies last.
Dippin’ Dots (noon - 2 p.m.) • Chill out and enjoy a mid-day sweet treat on us!

Wednesday, June 12
Grad Bag Pick-ups (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Lattes Inc. Coffee Bar (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.) • Need a pick-me-up during finals week? Choose from customizable hot or iced coffee, matcha, tea, hot chocolate and espresso drinks - on the house! Vegan and vegetarian options available.

Thursday, June 13
Grad Bag Pick-ups (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Celsius, Diddy Riese and Polaroid Station (noon - 2 p.m.) • Stop by for an energy drink and cookie and take a Bruin-themed polaroid photo to document your last day of school

23rd Annual APA Community Holiday Toy Drive & Reception

Join us in person at the 23rd Annual APA Community Holiday Toy Drive & Reception to help us raise $25,000 to provide over 2,000 toys to support children in low-income families in the Los Angeles region.

About the APA Community Holiday Toy Drive & Reception

The APA Community Holiday Toy Drive Committee is composed of volunteers from nonprofits and professional organizations with a mission to give young children of low-income families the gift of joy and hope during the holiday season. Since 2000, our Committee has been organizing the annual APA Community Holiday Toy Drive to collect donated toys for children of low-income families served by 12 or more community-based organizations who provide important culturally and linguistically appropriate social and economic development services in L.A. County. Over the past 20 years, we have collected and given over 27,000 toys from our holiday toy drive.

In the past 22 years, we have collected and given over 30,000 toys from our Holiday Toy Drive. Each year, our Committee has seen an increase in the number of toys requested by the community-based organizations we support. To meet these requests, we ask you for your support of this year’s 23rd Annual APA Community Holiday Toy Drive and Reception to help us meet our fundraising goal of $25,000. Your support and contribution will help to positively impact our communities and bring optimism to low-income families during the winter holidays, especially those negatively impacted by the pandemic.

You can also donate directly to the fundraiser through our GoFundMe.

By entering this event you are entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. Your entry and presence on the event premises constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with the event and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news and advertising. By entering the event premises, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media.

How to Polish Your Online Presence

November is National Career Development Month. This month is a great time to update your online presence by cleaning up your online profiles! You are invited to attend this webinar on Nov. 16 to find out how to polish your UCLA ONE and LinkedIn profiles to best showcase your skills and experience.