News & Updates
Keep up with the latest from UC Santa Cruz’s 10 colleges. From student highlights and campus events to college traditions and community stories, find out what’s happening across our college communities.
Kenny Farrell and the making of a 50-year-old UC Santa Cruz steel icon
In 1974, Vietnam veteran and art student Kenny Farrell created a bold steel sculpture that became an enduring symbol of UC Santa Cruz. Fifty years later, his untitled structure still stands in the Porter meadow—iconic, untamed, and uniquely Santa Cruz.
Rachel Carson
Breaking barriers and guiding others
As an outreach specialist with UC Santa Cruz’s Underground Scholars Program, Sammy Chavez (Rachel Carson ’25, Latin American and Latino studies and sociology) supports students navigating complex challenges in higher education. While completing his own degree, he was recognized with the Silver Slug Scholarship as a staff member pursuing his studies.
Kresge
Rooted in education, expanding opportunity
Inspired by a shared love of learning and a family of educators, alumnus Roger Koopmann (Stevenson ’80, economics) and his late husband, Tom Bullen (Ph.D. ’86, Earth sciences), established scholarships that give UC Santa Cruz students the chance to pursue research and study abroad experiences.
Kresge
UC Santa Cruz Alumnus Marty O’Reilly takes the stage on The Voice
Marty O’Reilly (Kresge ’12, environmental studies) turned three out of four judges’ chairs during The Voice blind auditions.
College Nine, Cowell, Crown
Colleges advising hubs launch in fall 2025
Each hub will serve two colleges, expanding availability and connecting students with coordinated support from professional and peer advisors.
Cowell
Life Beyond the Redwoods: Tanner Rowland at the U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congressman Jimmy Panetta
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Tanner Rowland (Cowell ’24, politics) works as a congressional aide in the U.S. House of Representatives under the Office of Congressman Jimmy Panetta.
John R. Lewis
Life Beyond the Redwoods: Ricardo Esquivel at Microsoft
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Ricardo Esquivel (John R. Lewis ’24, computer science) works as a software engineer at Microsoft.
College Nine
Life Beyond the Redwoods: Arsema Moges at Apple
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Arsema Moges (College Nine ’24, technology and information management) works as an engineering product manager at Apple.
Porter
Life Beyond the Redwoods: Jane Grantham at Warner Bros Entertainment and fortyseven communications
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Jane Grantham (Porter ‘24, art and design: games and playable media) held a contract role with Warner Bros Entertainment and recently started a new position at fortyseven communications.
Stevenson
Life Beyond the Redwoods: Ryan Haraden at Georgetown University Law Center
One year after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Ryan Haraden (Stevenson ’24, intensive psychology) is a J.D. Candidate at Georgetown University Law Center.