2 - Your UCI, Winter '09 Issue by UCI Alumni Association

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Wicked Success

Teal Wicks ’05 defies odds, gravity to land the role of Elphaba see page 16

Page 10: UCI’s hospital of the future opens

Welcome Home!

Peter T. Anteater welcomes an almumna back to campus. Join Peter and fellow Anteaters at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Homecoming Street Festival on Saturday, Feb. 28. See page 14 for details. Photo by Laurel Hungerford.

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y uruci Winter 2009 Issue

www.alumni.uci.edu

9 GREEN ENVY

UCI student-athlete tops country’s list of best collegiate golfers

10 OC’S NEWEST JEWEL SPARKLES New University Hospital opens ahead of schedule

16 WICKED SUCCESS

Young alumna lands dream job on stage

18 ROAD TRIP

UCI sophomore heads to Presidential Inauguration in a Mazda van

26 ECONOMICAL ADVICE

UCI alumni talk about the economy and what they’re doing about it

31 JOB HUNTING NOW

COMMENTARY: Kathryn Van Ness gives tips to find a job during a recession

4 5 8

PUBLISHER’S LETTER UCI NEWS ATHLETICS

25 28 30

Publisher Jorge E. Ancona Editor Michelle Williams Administrative Intern Writer Diana Thai Contributing writers Marc Ballon, Kathy Bold, Fumi Kimura, Bob Olson, Michael Reza, Bill Ross, Blake Stone, Stacey Shackleford and Kathryn Van Ness Graphic Design Intern Katrina Dikitanan Your UCI is published quarterly for members of the UCI Alumni Association and friends of the University of California, Irvine. You can reach the association by phone: 949-UCI-ALUM (824-2586) or toll free 888-824-2466; by fax: 949-824-7383 or by e-mail: alumni@uci.edu. Cover photo by Joan Marcus courtesy of SHN.

CLASS NOTES UCIAA MEMBERSHIP UCI CALENDAR

UCI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF Jorge E. Ancona Executive Director Allison Dolan Associate Executive Director Michelle Williams Associate Executive Director Kristie Kee Director of Programs and Chapters Helen Little Director of Finance and Administration Michael Reza Director of Membership and Marketing

Jeff Minhas ‘04 Programs Coordinator Blake Stone ‘05 Alumni Relations Coordinator www.alumni.uci.edu | page 3

UCI Alumni Association BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Jenny Doh ’91 Secretary/Historian Cathy Stites ’92 VP Advocacy Ed Raskin ’02 VP Development Anne Rosse, M.A. ’90 VP Finance Rick Evans ’69 VP Membership Kent Yamaguchi ’83, ‘84 VP Programs Jen Cole-Gutierrez ’97 VP Scholarship Johanna Wilson ’98 VP Volunteer Relations David Fanous ’03 DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE Michael Adams ’04 Rebecca Kanter ’00 Christine R. Lee ’90 Manfredo Lespier ’81 Dennis Nguyen ’94 Serafina Raskin ’02 Rita Santangelo ’86 Salvador Sarmiento ’73 Sabra Smith ’92 Brett Williamson ’86 CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES African-American Chapter Cosmos Eubany ’00 ICS Chapter Farshad Farhand ’94 Santa Ana Alumni Chapter Charles Dobson ’70, MS ’79

letter from the publisher Welcome to our second issue of Your UCI, the newest magazine for alumni and friends of UC Irvine. When we put together the magazine, one question that gets asked repeatedly is, “What information matters to our alumni?” What is it we should be sharing with our extended Anteater family? It’s important that we share with you the biggest news from the university, as well as be sure to keep you up-to-date with news from fellow alumni and introduce you to individuals in our family who have great stories to share. But besides those fundamentals, it’s also important that we stay relevant to you. Actually, it’s critical that we stay relevant. Relevance today means that we need to be talking to you about our country’s recession and reminding you of any resources the association and/or the unviersity has to help you in these troubled economic times. On page 27, we’ve put together a list of resources that we hope you find helpful and we’ve compiled suggestions from fellow Anteaters as to how to cope during a recession. In addition, UCI’s Career Center Director, Kathryn Van Ness offers her suggestions for job hunting in a tough economic climate on page 31. We strive to be a resource to our alumni and friends, in good and bad economic times. I encourage you to use these services and resources, especially during troubled times. And while the economy is a concern, we also have plenty of uplifting Anteater stories to share with you; including profiles on a student-athlete who’s leading the country in women’s golf (page 9), a current student who trekked more than 2,000 miles to witness the 2009 Presidential Inauguration (page 18) and a young alumna whose making her mark in musical theater as Elphaba in San Franscico’s production of “Wicked” (page 16). Finally, I’d like to extend my personal invitation to you to join us for UCI’s 2009 Homecoming Street Festival. This great annual tradition is the perfect time to come back to campus, strengthen old friendships and meet new Anteaters. I hope you will join us on Saturday, Feb 28. Event details can be found on page 14.

EX-OFFICIO Chancellor’s Designate Tom Mitchell, Vice Chancellor

Best from campus,

UCIAA Executive Director Jorge E. Ancona, Assistant Vice Chancellor ASUCI Representative Megan Braun AGS Representative Carrie Carmody Student Alumni Association Aylin Zafar

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Jorge E. Ancona Assistant Vice Chancellor, Alumni Relations Executive Director, UCI Alumni Association

the wire:

news from the community

UCI behind first human embryonic stem cell therapy A therapy developed at UC Irvine that made paralyzed rats walk again will become the world’s first embryonic stem cell treatment tested in humans. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the therapy, based on work by a research team led by Hans Keirstead, co-director of the UCI Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, for a clinical trial in patients with acute spinal cord injury.

Study links gridlock to slow job growth A new UC Irvine study found that places with sluggish commutes – usually an indication of economic prosperity – tend to have slower subsequent job growth. The findings suggest that more efficient public infrastructure projects, while costly, can spur local economic growth. Kent Hymel, a UCI doctoral candidate in economics, published his research online in the Journal of Urban Economics. He studied data on traffic delays in major

metropolitan areas in the U.S. between 1982 and 2003. He observed that increases in vehicle use far outpaced expansions in highway capacity, resulting in high levels of congestion. Hymel analyzed the amount of extra time drivers spent on freeways each year due to congested conditions estimated the potential benefits of various transportation policies. He found that if freeway capacity in the Los Angeles metropolitan area (including Long Beach and Orange County) had

increased by 10 percent in 1990, an additional 50,000 jobs would have been created in the region by 2003. UCI wins top state environmental award Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that UCI has won a 2008 Governor’s Environmental & Economic Leadership Award for its Sustainable Transportation program’s innovative approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. GEELA is California’s most

The therapy contains human embryonic stem cells destined to become spinal cord cells called oligodendrocytes which are the building blocks of myelin, the biological insulation for nerve fibers that is critical for maintaining electrical conduction in the central nervous system. When myelin is stripped away, through injury or disease, paralysis can occur. In laboratory tests, Keirstead and his colleague, Dr. Gabriel Nistor,

prestigious environmental honor. The award program recognizes exceptional leadership in conserving state resources, protecting and enhancing the environment, and building public-private partnerships. UCI named in top 10 “Universities With Best Free Online Courses” Education-Portal.com, recognized UC Irvine for providing high-quality, university-level courses, free of charge, to learners around the globe. UC Irvine’s free online course offerings, avail-

developed a technique for prompting human embryonic stem cells to develop into oligodendrocyte cells. Geron Corp. of Menlo Park, Calif., will conduct the clinical trial. “This trial was approved only after rigorous safety testing and consultation of countless experts in the field,” Keirstead said. “Any benefit to the patient, even an incremental one, would be a resounding victory.”

able at http://ocw.uci. edu/courses/, are part of the University’s OpenCourseWare (OCW) initiative, which promotes the open sharing of knowledge by enabling learners – anywhere in the world – to view and use course materials and resources through the Web – for free. Aimed at working professionals seeking to enhance their personal knowledge or advance in their current field, UC Irvine’s OCW initiative offers the chance to learn and experiment with university-level

www.alumni.uci.edu | page 5

news wire instruction in any subject without the barriers of cost, time or place. UCI named one of 100 ‘Best Value Colleges’ UCI has been named one of the “Best Value Colleges for 2009” by The Princeton Review. The list salutes 50 public and 50 private colleges and universities. Schools were chosen based on surveys of administrators and students at more than 650 colleges and

universities. Selection criteria covered more than 30 factors in three areas: academics, costs of attendance and financial aid. Time spent online is important for young people’s development Teens who are into texting, gaming and “geeking out” are not wasting their time, according to results from the most extensive U.S. study on young people and their

use of digital media. Instead, the study shows that when America’s youth go online, they are developing important life skills that adults often are hard-pressed to appreciate. Mizuko Ito, a UC Irvine researcher with joint appointments in information & computer sciences and humanities was the lead author on the study, which suggests that parents should help fa-

cilitate their teens’ online participation and that educators could benefit from creative classroom experimentation with digital media. UCI Extension receives prestigious accolade University Extension’s 10-Week Intensive Program in English as a Second Language received accreditation from the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation; the soluble vitamin sold in health food stores. It generally is safe but can be toxic in very high doses. Clinical trials have shown it benefits people with diabetes complications and has antiinflammatory properties that may help people with skin conditions.

Vitamin B3 reduces Alzheimer’s symptoms, lesions An over-the-counter vitamin in high doses prevented memory loss in mice with Alzheimer’s disease, and UC Irvine scientists now are conducting a clinical trial to determine its effect in humans. page 6 | winter ‘09 your uci

Nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, lowered levels of a protein called phosphorylated tau that leads to the development of tangles, one of two brain lesions associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The vitamin also

strengthened scaffolding along which information travels in brain cells, helping to keep neurons alive and further preventing symptoms in mice genetically wired to develop Alzheimer’s. Nicotinamide is a water-

In the nicotinamide study, UCI scientist and lead author of the study Kim Green and his colleague, Frank LaFerla, added the vitamin to drinking water fed to mice. They tested the rodents’ short-term and longterm memory over time and found that treated Alzheimer’s mice performed at the same level as normal mice, while untreated Alzheimer’s mice experienced memory loss.

first accrediation to be granted in the UC system and complements the institutional accreditation UC Irvine already enjoys through Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Only 60 other institutions in the U.S. and abroad have achieved CEA’s highly regarded accreditation. CHOC, UCI create world-class center for children’s health Children’s Hospital of Orange County, UC Irvine Healthcare and UC Irvine School of Medicine will form a strategic affiliation to better serve children and families. This new affiliation will create a pediatrics center that integrates high-quality, comprehensive patient care; leading-edge research; and excellent teaching programs. CHOC will provide inpatient and outpatient specialty care to patients. UC Irvine Medical Center will continue to provide pediatric emergency services, burn care, trauma services requiring immediate surgery, neonatal intensive care, newborn nursery care, and child and adolescent psychiatry. The affiliation will make more pediatric beds available and will provide greater access to pediatric and neonatal inten-

sive care services. Astronauts on International Space Station lose alarming amounts of hipbone strength Astronauts spending months in space lose significant bone strength, making them increasingly at risk for fractures later in life, according to a study led by Joyce Keyak, UCI orthopedic surgery and biomedical engineering professor. UC Irvine and UC San Francisco evaluated 13 astronauts who spent four to six months on the International Space Station and found that, on average, astronauts’ hipbone strength decreased 14 percent. Three

astronauts experienced losses of 20 percent to 30 percent, rates comparable to those seen in older women with osteoporosis. While previous studies looked at bone mineral density, this study is the first to specifically evaluate bone strength. The decrease in bone strength measured between 0.6 percent and 5.0 percent for each month of service on the station, Keyak said, which was noticeably greater than monthly reductions in bone mineral density of 0.4 percent to 1.8 percent observed in previous studies on the same subjects.

UCI technology to be distributed by Samsung UC Irvine and the UCI division of Calit2 signed an exclusive agreement with spinoff company Hiperwall, Inc. to license the software for commercial use. Hiperwall Inc., in turn, signed an agreement with Samsung Electron-

ics to distribute the video wall technology via its network of worldwide sales and marketing subsidiaries. The underlying technology, which allows extremely large datasets to easily be viewed and

manipulated on huge, grid-based displays, was developed at Calit2 for research purposes. Samsung’s commercial version contains a builtin PC, making the system is completely portable, easy to assemble and readily configurable.

UCI has most researchers named fellows of scientific society 20 UC Irvine science and engineering researchers were named as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the largest class this year of any university or institution in the U.S. AAAS fellows are chosen for distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.

The 2008 UCI AAAS fellows are:

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Pierre Baldi, Chancellor’s Professor and Institute for Genomics & Bioinformatics director

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Said Elghobashi, mechanical & aerospace engineerWilliam J. Evans, chemistry professor

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Charles G. Glabe, molecular biology & biochemistry Zhibin Guan, chemistry professor

Fadi J. Kurdahi, electrical engineering & computer

Henry W. Sobel, physics & astronomy professor Oswald Steward, Reeve-Irvine Chair in Spinal Cord Injury Research

•

James W. Hicks, ecology & evolutionary biology professor

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Michael R. Rose, ecology & evolutionary biology professor

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professor

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Diane K. O’Dowd, anatomy & neurobiology professor

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Brandon S. Gaut, ecology & evolutionary biology professor and chair

Laurence D. Mueller, ecology & evolutionary biology professor

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ing professor

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Douglas L. Mills, physics & astronomy professor

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Immunology director

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Rachel W. Martin, molecular biology & biochemistry assistant professor

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Dr. Paolo Casali, Donald Bren Professor of Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Medicine, and Center for

Dr. Arthur D. Lander, developmental & cell biology professor and chair

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James S. Bullock, physics & astronomy associate professor

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Adam P. Summers, ecology & evolutionary biology associate professor

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Steven R. White, physics & astronomy professor

science professor www.alumni.uci.edu | page 7

sports news

Olympian takes reins of Women’s Volleyball Former Olympic MVP Paula Weishoff has been named head coach of UCI’s women’s volleyball program., replacing Charlie Brand ‘69 who retired in November.

Junior hurler to lead UCI baseball By Fumi Kimura UCI Athletics

Coming off their second consecutive NCAA Super Regional appearance and 40-win season, the UCI men’s baseball team is looking to maintain its standing among the nation’s premiere teams. With pitching and defense as the hallmarks of the program, UCI returns a trio of outstanding junior hurlers, including right-hander Eric Pettis. Pettis, a Collegiate Baseball and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason All-American, is one of the team leaders and will anchor the Anteater pitching staff. Recognized by his side-arm throwing motion, the 6-2, native from West Hills, Calif., will not only resume his role as one of the nation’s top closers but is also tentatively slated to undertake a starting role in the rotation. With the loss of two front-line starters to the 2008 Major League Draft, the Anteaters will look to Pettis to solidify the expected rotation of Daniel Bibona and page 8 | winter ‘09 your uci

Weishoff served the past five seasons as head coach at Concordia University, Irvine, winning 146 matches during her tenure. She guided the Eagles to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national finals twice and the semifinals on two other occasions in her five years at the university. “I’m very excited about this opportunity as UC Irvine has great potential,” said Weishoff. “The university is a strong supporter of the program and I look forward to enhancing the involvement of the students and

Christian Bergman. “Eric is one of our most valuable pitchers,” says pitching coach Ted Silva. “Not only is he versatile but he has the mental toughness to succeed in any situation. That toughness, in addition to his arm strength and overall physical ability, will enable us to use

community.” Weishoff competed for the U.S. Olympic women’s volleyball team in 1984, 1992 and 1996. She won a silver medal and was named Most Valuable Player with the ‘84 team in Los Angeles and a bronze at the `92 Games in Barcelona where she was voted the MVP of the Olympic Games. She was part of three Division I national titles

him as a starter while maintaining his role as a closer.” Pettis began his career at UCI as a set-up man before asking for the opportunity to start for the team. In 2007, he made 25 appearances, including seven starts and posted

at USC - one as a player in 1980 and two as an assistant coach (2002 and 2003). She served on the USC staff from 1997-2004 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2003. Weishoff was inducted into the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1998 and was named to the USA Volleyball 75th Anniversary All-Era (1978-2002) Team in 2003. She was a 2005 inductee into the USC Hall of Fame.

a 4-0 record. As a sophomore, he earned the role as the team’s closer, registering 17 saves while striking out 50 batters in 44.2 innings. Pettis pitched in four combined shutouts and posted a 2.62 ERA en route to collecting five All-America titles at the conclusion of the season.

UCI senior ranked top golfer in country By Stacey Shackleford UCI Athletics

Women’s golfer Jane Chin is re-writing the UC Irvine record books only half-way through her senior campaign. Chin is currently the topranked female collegiate golfer in the country with a 69.92 scoring average. She won three consecutive tournaments this fall, capturing the Coast BMW Intercollegiate, Price’s “Give ‘Em Five” Invitational and Kent Youel Invitational. She became the only UC Irvine golfer to win three straight tournaments in the program’s history.

Chin rewrote the record book at the Kent Youel Invitational, firing a 66 on the second round which matches teammate Patty Chawalitmetha for the lowest score in school history. At the same event, she registered the school record for 36holes (134) and 54-holes (203). She was tabbed Big West Golfer of the Month for October for her efforts. The Huntington Beach native helped lay the groundwork for her professional career following graduation this June with a 25th place finish at the Duramed FUTURES

Tour’s Qualifying Tournament in November. Her finish will give her exempt or partial-exempt status for the 2009 Duramed FUTURES Tour

Winter Sports Calendar BASEBALL February 20-22 at Hawai’i 27-1 Houston Classic

8:35 p.m. 10 a.m.

March 3 Loyola Marymount 6 p.m. 6-8 Baylor Tournament Noon 10 at USC 6:30 p.m. 11 Keio University 6 p.m. 13 Tulane 6 p.m. 14-15 Tulane 1 p.m. 20 Nevada 6 p.m. 21-22 Nevada 1 p.m. 24 at Washington 5 p.m. 25 at Washington 2:30 p.m. 27 * Cal Poly 6 p.m. 28-29 * Cal Poly 1 p.m. 30 at Loyola Marymount 3 p.m. MEN’S BASKETBALL February 18 *CSU Northridge 8:05 p.m. 21 at Hawaii 9:05 p.m. 26 *at CSU Long Beach 7:05 p.m. 28 * UC Riverside 7:35 p.m. March 7 *at CSU Fullerton

5:05 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL February 18 * at CSU Northridge 7 p.m. 26 * CSU Long Beach 7 p.m. 28 * UC Riverside 4 p.m.

March 7 * CSU Fullerton 4 p.m. MEN’S GOLF February 23-24 USC Col. Invit.

All Day

March 9-10 CSU Fresno Lexus 22-24 Callaway Match 30-31 Anteater invit.

All Day All Day All Day

WOMEN’S GOLF February 15-17 Lady Aztec Invit. All Day 23-24 Fresno State Invit. All Day March 2-3 Spartan Invit. 30-1 Anteater Invit.

All Day All Day

MEN’S ROWING February 22 at CSU Long Beach 28 Parker Cup

TBA TBA

March 7 UCSD, CSULB, USD 14 vs. Chapman 15 vs. UCLA

TBA TBA 7 a.m.

WOMEN’S ROWING February 22 at CSU Long Beach 28 Parker Cup

7 a.m. 7 a.m.

season. The Anteaters are currently ranked 24th nationally and return to action at the Lady Aztec Invitational Feb. 15-17,

2009 at the Salt Creek Golf Course. UCI will host its own tournament March 30-April 1 at the Dove Canyon Country Club.

Bold - Home Games Bold italic - Homecoming * Big West Conference Games For complete details on UCI Athletics schedule, visit: http://ucirvinesports.cstv.com

March 7 UCSD and CSULB 14 vs. Chapman 15 Spring Regatta 28 Berg Cup

7 a.m. 7 a.m. 7 a.m. 7 a.m.

SAILING February 28-1 South Series 5

All Day

March 7-8 Cal Team Race 28-29 CA Team Race

All Day All Day

SWIMMING AND DIVING February 25-28 Big West Championships March 12-14 NCAA Diving 19-21 NCAA Women 26-28 NCAA Men MEN’S TENNIS February 19 at SDSU 20 at USC 22 Utah 25 at San Diego 27 * at UCSB March 1 * at Cal Poly

All Day All Day All Day

1 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 1 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Noon

7 vs New Mexico State TBA 8 vs Arizona TBA 11 Yale 9 a.m. Gonzaga 1 p.m. 13 Portland 9 a.m. UNC-Wilmington 2 p.m. 14 Penn 1:30 p.m. 21 Princeton 10 a.m. Denver 2 p.m. 26 Harvard 1 p.m. WOMEN’S TENNIS February 16 * UC Davis 11 a.m. 21 *at Cal Poly 11 a.m. 22 * at UCSB 11 a.m. 25 Lafayette 1:30 p.m. 27 CSU Sacramento 1:30 p.m. March 1 Saint Mary’s 11 a.m. 5 * CSU Long Beach 1:30 p.m. 10 SMU 1:30 p.m. 13 Nevada 1:30 p.m. 22 Denver 11 a.m. 24 San Francisco 11 a.m. 27 * at CSU Northridge 2 p.m. 29 * Pacific 11 a.m. TRACK AND FIELD February 28 All-UC Meet

10 a.m.

March 5-6 Northridge

All Day

7 Ben Brown Invit. All Day 14 Northridge Relays TBA 20-21 Spring Break Invit. 27-28 Cal/Nevada Champ. Stanford Invitational MEN’S VOLLEYBALL February 18 * at USC 7 p.m. 20 * at Pepperdine 7 p.m. 25 * UC San Diego 7 p.m. 27 * CSU Long Beach 7 p.m. March 4 Loyola Chicago 6 * at UCLA 13 * at CSU Northridge 26-27 * Hawai’i

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

WOMEN’S WATER POLO February 21-22 UCI Invit. TBA 27 at UCSD 6 p.m. 28 at San Diego State Noon March 6 Loyola Marymount 7 p.m. 12 at UCLA 3 p.m. 13 CSU Bakersfield 7 p.m. 24 Brown 7 p.m. 26 Stanford 4 p.m. 28-29 Sun Devil Invitational TBA Anteater Athletics Online: http://ucirvinesports.cstv.com www.alumni.uci.edu | page 9

s e l z z da

University Hospital By David N. Bailey Vice Chancellor, Health Affairs Dean, School of Medicine

By any measure, whether it is physician quality, technological sophistication or patient care and safety, University Hospital will set the standard for excellence in healthcare. Take our doctors. More than 90 of them were recently selected to the prestigious Best Doctors in America list. Our esteemed doctors include a pioneer in minimally invasive surgery, which leads to smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries; a surgeon whose research has helped improve intravenous resuscitation fluids, including one in clinical trials that might prevent multiple organ failure in trauma patients; a physician who cofounded the nation’s first elder abuse forensic center to combat elder abuse; and a cancer expert who has done groundbreaking work in cancer prevention. At University Hospital, our physicians will

page 10 | winter ‘09 your uci

have access to some of the most advanced medical technologies. For instance, one of the operating rooms will house the region’s only intra-operative, magnetic resonance imaging scanners, which greatly improves outcomes for patients with brain tumors by producing highly detailed, three-dimensional pictures of the brain during all phases of an operation. Then there’s our unrivaled care. Our award-winning nurses will offer University Hospital patients the compassion and attention they so deserve. Our spacious hospital rooms will feature such amenities as flat-screen TVs, cable, wireless Internet connection and room service. To promote healing, rooms will also include built-in overnight beds for friends and family members. For eight consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has recognized our existing medical center as one of “America’s Best Hospitals.” University Hospital will be even better. Should the need ever arise, we at University Hospital are here for you, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Thank you for your support over the years. And welcome to the future of healthcare.

Hospital heralds new chapter in healthcare Already home to the county’s only Level I trauma center, regional burn center and maternal-neonatal highrisk program, University Hospital in Orange will offer the latest medical technologies and strengthen UC Irvine Healthcare’s ability to provide the highest quality therapies and treatments. The hospital features 236 mostly private patient rooms and 19 hightech operating rooms. It expands the burn center and increases the neonatal care unit’s ability to handle high-risk and multiple births. The building will bring UC Irvine Medical Center’s total number of patient beds to 427. “The new University Hospital will provide unparalleled services, superbly trained physicians and compassionate care in a welcoming, spacious environment designed for optimal healing and comfort,” said Dr. David N. Bailey, health affairs

vice chancellor. “As the centerpiece of Orange County’s only university medical center, the hospital also will train the health professionals of tomorrow and offer treatments based on the latest discoveries.” Top patient care University Hospital will be home to top physicians and patient care practices. It will feature one of the nation’s most advanced centers for minimally invasive surgery, an area in which UCI has long been a leader. UCI was California’s first medical center to use the daVinci robotic system, according to Dr. Ralph Clayman, chair of urology. Computerenhanced and physicianoperated, the system allows surgeons to make tiny incisions and operate in a manner that

reduces recovery time and hospital stays. Operating rooms also will accommodate a sophisticated MRI machine that gives surgeons real-time, 3-dimensional views of a patient’s brain during surgery and enables new levels of precision. It is the region’s only intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging scanner, said Dr. Mark Linskey, neurosurgery chair. ‘Model of success’ University Hospital has set new standards for cost-efficient design and construction. The seven-story, $555.9million hospital was completed on budget and four months ahead of schedule – a full two years faster than other California hospitals. The 482,428-square-foot

Finding the new hospital University Hospital is visible from the Santa Ana I-5 and Garden Grove SR-22 freeways and located on the north side of the medical center campus, parallel to Chapman Avenue. The main entrance is located on Medical Center Drive off of The City Drive. building replaces the existing main hospital built in 1960. Hospitals are among the most complicated structures to design and build. They must accommodate constantly changing medical technology, ensure an infection and pathogenfree environment and incorporate seismic codes that enable them to remain standing after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake.

To keep the complex project running smoothly, UCI employed innovative programs. For example, a 3-dimensional computer modeling tool was used to root out potential design conflicts and avoid expensive rebuilding or rewiring entire sections of the hospital. The practice, rare when the project began, is now standard in public building design. continued on page 12

www.alumni.uci.edu | page 11

Campaign leverages Internet to share news The UCIFuture.com campaign Web site is enjoying growing community and campus interest, and we invite you to visit. The site is one of the main ways we keep the university’s friends involved and engaged in the life of the campus while building support for UCI’s $1 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. Since the site went “live” at the beginning of October, more than 22,000 sessions have been recorded on the site. A session is a series of “hits” on our site over a period

of time by one visitor. During those visits to the site people have viewed nearly 75,000 pages. On average more than 200 different people visit the site each day, staying on the site on average of five minutes. The site features videos and stories about our donors and the meaningfulness of their involvement with the university. There are multimedia presentations showcasing the campus and valuable information about planned giving and other novel ways to support UC Irvine.

The largest single group of people using the site is our own UC Irvine family, with nearly 2,500 faculty, staff and students recording visits over the last several weeks. Interestingly, the next largest group is from Google, with more than 2,000 people coming to our site as the result of a Google search. A button pointing to the campaign site is now included on the uci.edu homepage as well as in several electronic media outlets and community organizations in our region.

University Hospital floor by floor Construction of the $559.9 million University Hospital began in February 2005 and will be completed in two phases. Phase I was completed in September 2008 and Phase II will be complete at the end of 2011.

Hospital Layout: Basement State-of-the-art radiology services Ground Level Main lobby, admissions office, nurse staffing ofpage 12 | winter ‘09 your uci

fice, pharmacy, inpatient diagnostics, rehabilitation therapy, supply, processing, materiel management, dining room, gift shop, chapel and meditation area. Level Two Operating rooms, catheterization labs, pre-operative rooms, post-operative recovery rooms, visitor lounge and a bridge to University Hospital Tower Level Three Blood bank, rapid re-

sponse laboratories, anatomic pathology, 15-bed medical/surgical unit Level Four Neonatal intensive care unit Levels Five to Seven Adult intensive care, UC Irvine Regional Burn Center, Institute for Clinical and Translational Studies (ICTS), medical/surgical units, including a stepdown unit and specialty units, including neuroscience, epilepsy monitoring and oncology.

html.

The most popular single page on the site is our collection of donor stories – including father/ daughter UCI alums Greg and Vanessa Vacca – tracing the impact that individuals and families are having at UC Irvine. You can view that page at www. ucifuture.com/ news-and-donor-stories.

continued from page 11

Medical center leadership also worked closely with state regulators. “Building a hospital is a collaboration between the hospital, designers and regulatory entities,” said Dr. David Carlisle, head of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. “We intend to use this positive experience to improve the efficiency of other hospital projects statewide.”

You can also help promote the campaign site by including the URL www.UCIFuture.com in your e-mail signature line. You may also download a campaign button from the multimedia page on the site. We update the site everyday to keep content fresh and interesting. If you know of donors you would like to see recognized on the site, or any other suggestions, please contact us at helenhp@uci.edu or 949-824-9828.

Chancellor Michael V. Drake, M.D., said the effort, led by Wendell Brase, administrative and business affairs vice chancellor, and Rebekah Gladson, campus architect, advanced at a record pace even as other university building projects demanded their time and energy. “Completing construction early on a complex development like an academic medical center is a remarkable achievement,” Drake says. Story courtesy of UCI Communications

Passion for

SHOPPING Neel Grover ’92 CEO of Buy.com uses UCI experience to lead Internet retailer By Diana Thai UCI Alumni Association Shopping is an American passion – and online shopping has found its rightful place among favorite American pastimes with nearly nearly 40% of online adults hitting the Internet at least monthly for some online retail therapy. For Neel Grover ’92, shopping is more than a passion, it’s his job. Grover leads the Aliso Viejo-based Buy.com as CEO, a post he assumed in May 2006 after having served as the company’s president since 2003. The Internet Superstore, as the company calls itself, boasts more than 12,000,000 shoppers and offers ‘an everyday value’ on more than four million products; a formula that has earned the online retailer numerous awards. Most recently, Buy.com was named Best Retail Web Site for 2009 by Internet Retailer and recognized by OC Metro as one of the Best Companies to Work For.

“My philosophy is to work hard, play hard,” says Grover. “I like to lead by example, and I believe everyone should give 110%.” The accolades show his style is working, both with employees and with shoppers. Before Grover took the helm, Buy.com was losing nearly $100 million each year. For the last two years, the online retailer has enjoyed ending the year in the black. In December, Buy. com reported its biggest sales day in company history, on Cyber Monday, with more than a 40% increase in revenue and orders for the same day in 2007. Grover explains the secret behind this turnaround is the team of nearly 130 Buy.com employees. “Because of the youthfulness of our team, we’ve been able to come up with many new ideas. We try to look at everything with a consumer-first perspective. We let sales take care of themselves.” The innovations Grover and his team have imple-

mented have one thing in common: outstanding customer service. “We try to give consumers a better experience shopping here than anywhere else,” Grover explains. So much so that the company helps the consumer find the best deal available utilizing its value comparison tool. “You will see our competitors’ price (on our Web site). We try to give you the best value, and if for some reason we don’t, we will lead you to the other Web site to purchase it.” Grover’s a style has given the 11-year-old company new life. And it’s a style that Grover feels he developed, in part, with the help of faculty and classmates as a UCI student. “UCI was a transformative time for me,” says Grover. “It gave me an education, and even more, many friendships and strong bonds.” Those friendships have

persisted for more than two decades. Many were forged on the UCI tennis courts where Grover served as captain of the men’s team under thenhead coach Greg Patton. Shortly after completing both his undergraduate and law degrees, Grover came back to UCI to volunteer his time as an assistant on the tennis sidelines. Still an avid player, Grover partners with fellow UCI alumnus Art Hernandez ’89 in competitive doubles where they rank number one for players over 30 in the country. In addition to his friendships, Grover continues to be an active member of the Anteater family. “I have a strong connection to UCI. It has been a big part of my life. I try to find ways to contribute to the university and the community as well since it has given me so much,” says Grover, one of the newest members of UCI’s CEO Roundtable and an advisor to UCI’s Athletics Director.

Among other selected CEOs of major companies in Orange County, Grover serves UCI Chancellor Michael V. Drake, M.D. on the influential advisory group where he brings his technology insight to help guide the campus. “It is such a great honor to get invited to join the CEO Roundtable,” Grover says. Looking at the stepping stones he took before reaching where he is today, Grover gives advice to UCI students in these tougher economic times. He emphasizes the need to be smarter, more assertive and willing to work longer hours. Grover also stresses the importance of a college education and advanced degree. “I am excited to see the kids today and how I can help them in any way,” Grover explains, “I think the university can make a great difference on a young student.” Grover is proof enough of that. www.alumni.uci.edu | page 13

UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, Feb. 28 Mesa Road

2009 UCI HOMECOMING Street Festival -- 4 p.m. Join the tradition! Come back to campus for the 2009 UCI Homecoming celebration Stop by your school booth, get cool Anteater giveaways and hang out with Peter the Anteater, UCI coaches, the 2009 Homecoming Court and others! • Live music •

Greek Village (New!)

•

Carnival games

•

On site BBQ

•

Beer Garden (New!)

•

Giveaways

•

Children’s sports activities (New!)

Saturday, April 18 31st Annual Celebrate UCI 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.uci.edu/celebrate

UCI Men’s Basketball vs. UC Riverside -- 7:35 p.m. Alumni can reserve up to four free tickets for the Men’s Basketball game. Only 1,500 tickets ARE AVAILABLE, R.S.V.P. early! DON’T FORGET: UCIAA members: Show your alumni card at the parking structure and save $2 off campus parking. Parking: With the increased campus activity, visitors are encouraged to park in the Student Center Parking Structure.

Stone Brewing Company ASUCI UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center GEICO Callfire

One Day. One Campus. Many Options. Come to UCI’s 31st annual Open House, one of the campus’ oldest and most festive traditions. This FREE spring event features games and rides for children, an Earth Day celebration, academic information, classic car show, campus tram tours, Wayzgoose Medieval Faire with food booths, rides, games, three stages of entertainment and much more. Be sure to stop by the UCI Alumni Association’s Hospitality tent! General campus offices such as Housing, Admissions, and Financial Aid also are open. It’s an excellent opportunity to bring family and friends to visit and see what’s new with the UCI campus.

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Special thanks to the following sponsors:

Save the date Thursday, May 14 2009 Lauds & Laurels Awards Ceremony Hilton Irvine

Volunteers needed for OC autism screening project For OC Kids Infant Screening Project, a CHOC-UCI Neurodevelopmental program, is conducting a study to develop an autism screening tool for infants under 6 months of age. Participation involves multiple developmental assessments and parental questionnaires over about 9 visits for children 1-18 months of age. You will be compensated with a $20 gift card at each visit for participation in this study.

GET INVOLVED

If you answer yes to any of the questions below, you may be eligible to participate: Are you or do you know an expecting or new mom? Do you have a child with autism? Did you use any treatment for infertility to become pregnant (e.g., in vitro fertilization, Clomid, etc.)? Do you have NO family history of any developmental disorders (e.g., autism, mental retardation, etc.)? For more information, contact the study directly: For OC Kids Infant Screening Project 714-939-7150 www.forockids.org

Los Angeles foundation honors UCIAA president UC Irvine alumna Jenny Doh ’91 was honored by the Life Through Art Foundation at its 5th Annual Red Party on January 31 in Los Angeles. Each year, the foundation honors individuals who “exemplify the accom-

VOLUNTEER UCI schools seek alumni mentors

Alumni and friends currently working in biological sciences or in social ecology fields (such as criminology, psychology, social work, or community planning) are needed to help mentor current UCI students.

Mentors are asked to simply share their knowledge and direct experiences with assigned student mentees. If you are interested in volunteering your time, contact the schools listed to the right.

Mentors Needed

plishment of living life through art.” Doh, who received her bachelor’s degree in political science, is editorin-chief and director of publishing for Stampington & Company in Laguna Hills.

Biology mentors Contact Alyssa Cruz: alyssac@uci.edu

n Help at events

Social Ecology mentors www.socialecology.uci.edu/mentor or Contact Patricia Devoe: pdevoe@uci.edu

n Join a volunteer committee 949-824-ALUM (2586) alumni@uci.edu

www.alumni.uci.edu | page 15

Wicked Succ By Michelle Williams

UCI Alumni Association

Wicks’ Biography Wicked, San Francisco 2009 Elphaba Wicked, Los Angeles 2008 Elphaba Stairway to Paradise, OffBroadway, Encores! Concert, 2007, Ensemble Pippin, East Haddam, CT (Regional), Goodspeed Revival, 2006, Catherine

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backs and to Connecticut for t 1776 at the Goodspeed Opera

eal Wicks ’05 knows she’s defied odds.

But she persisted, and the callb

Just three years since completing her bachelor of arts degree in drama from UCI, the Sacramento-native is already part of one of the biggest Broadway blockbusters in recent history.

“Each time I auditioned,” Wicks people from the artistic staff w I auditioned for the casting dir agents. They decided to send s to try out for the producers, an audition included the entire cr Joe Mantello, Stephen Schwar music and lyrics, producers: Da Jon Platt – everyone.

As one of the famed Green Ladies of Wicked, Wicks currently is playing “Elphaba” in author Gregory MacGuire’s breakout novel turned Broadway mega hit at the Orpheum in San Francisco that opened on January 27. Her journey to Oz, however, didn’t follow a simple path — yellow-bricked or otherwise. Wicks was invited to audition not once, but six, times for various roles and companies producing Wicked. She got called back for the Los Angeles company’s longrunning show while juggling her work for a different show in a different state.

“It was a little crazy, but you kn creative staff is there, it’s big ti

Wicks was awarded the standb January 2008 in the L.A. comp

Wicks was already part of a show in Connecticut, away from her post-college home of New York and location of the L.A. company’s east coast auditions.

“As a standby, I was on call the guaranteed any shows,” Wicks theater every night and just ha I would find out a couple of ho that’d I’d be going on. And thr the middle of the show becau sick.”

“I was driving back and forth to New York for call-

And while that may seem odd

the evening show of a House.”

backs kept coming.

s explains, “more were involved. So first, rectors, mostly staffing some of the performers nd it goes on. My final reative team; director rtz, who created the avid Stone, Marc and

now when all of the ime.”

by role for Elphaba in pany.

e entire time and not says. “I would go to the ang out. Sometimes ours before the show ree times I went on in use the principal was

d to non-performers,

being a standby is par for the course for many in live theater. And can lead to bigger and better opportunities, as in Wicks’ case. She was promoted to the principal role in May and opened the San Francisco show as the Wicked Witch of the West – a role she will continue for the foreseeable future. “I don’t have anything lined up after San Francisco, but I will be there for a while,” she says. “My goal is ultimately to be back in New York, have a job there, enjoy the city life and be in my own apartment.”

Photos by Joan Marcus, courtesy of SHN

cess

To UCI, Wicks is thankful her broad liberal arts education gave her a strong foundation from which to pull. “One thing I’m really glad I left school with is the broad range of knowledge -- from all aspects of the theater to the range of classes that I took. Having that wide range of education truly benefits everything in my everyday life, my work and character studies,” she explains. “My teachers in the drama department really tried to be aware that you are never a finished product in the performance world,” she continues. “Thinking you know or have learned enough is too limiting. You always have room to grow.”

But until then, Wicks is thrilled to be exactly where she is; on stage performing as one of the world’s most popular characters. Each night on stage, Wicks continues to grow, to refine her vision of Elphaba. “I have been insanely passionate about performing for as long as I can remember. I have been very lucky “I know that I am so fortunate to be here, doing this,” to have gotten the jobs I’ve had.” Wicks says. And while she can’t pick just one moment of Wicked as her favorite, she does relish her ability to Passion, good fortune and a strong foundation are all fly, even if it’s only while in the theater. facets of Wicks’ quick rise in her profession. The latter she credits to both her parents and her alma mater. “’Defying Gravity’ is always one of best moments,” she explains. “It’s such a great song and such a climatic “Both my parents have been very supportive of me moment in the show and in Elphaba’s journey. And and of my interest in performing,” she explains. “They flying every night with all the lights and the smoke, have seen Wicked, oh, I don’t know, so many times. it’s pretty awesome.” They are always there for me.”

www.alumni.uci.edu | page 17

2009 Presidential Inauguration

Victor Bonilla and high school friends Rudy Quezada, Saul Rodriguez, Gilbert Alvarado and Mychael Barajas embarked on a three-day roadtrip the morning of Friday, Jan. 16 that was months in the planning.

Victor Bonilla (left) and Rudy Quezada stop for a photo in front of the Capitol Building on Inauguration Day.

“Many people, who did not support Obama, criticize him for being a celebrity or for being too “hip”. I feel that it is a good thing that Obama is a celebrity and that he is popular among many people, especially younger Americans. That’s the way it should be. Just as people love and admire their favorite athlete or rock star, the same should go for the leader of their country. I for sure am glad that our next president is loved and admired by so many people.” -- Victor Bonilla, UCI student-athlete

Supporters of Barack Obama’s campaign since the beginning of the presidential election, Bonilla and his friends decided the night of the California Primary Election that they would witness the inauguration of the 41st President of the United States in person. With a hotel room booked, and a Mazda minivan loaded, Bonilla and his friends departed Los Angeles early on January 16th and made their way through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina before coming to their destination some

“Inspirational, exciting and cold.” Victor Bonilla describing his trip to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration in only three words

2,700 miles away. While Bonilla and his friends expected to witness a very historic moment, Bonilla was surprised by how beloved this relative newcomer is among so many. “I have never witnessed that much support and love for one person in one place at the same time,” recalls Bonilla. More than 1.8 million people were estimated to have joined Bonilla and his travel buddies, making President Obama’s inauguration the largest in ceremony history. “Once I made my way out of the Metro station and into the city, I looked around and had never seen so many people

awake at this early in the morning. It was 3 in the morning and the streets were packed with lines of people who had been waiting in the city or who had just gotten off the subway,” explains Bonilla. A native Californian, Bonilla readily admitted he wasn’t prepared for the cold east coast weather. But despite the belowfreezing temperatures, Bonilla has no regrets. When asked to describe the trip in only three words, he chose: Inspirational, exciting and cold. “This is something I will definitely tell my children and grandchildren as they read their history books or watch on television about Obama being the first black president in the United States.”

UCI sophomore takes

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Inauguration Day Sophomore cross country runner Victor Bonilla and four friends chronicle their historic day at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration after three days on the road traveling from Los Angeles. Monday, Noon Bonilla and his road warriors arrive in Manassas, Virginia. The group checks into a small motel. Monday, 4 p.m. Bonilla and his friends drive down to the nearby subway metro station to get tickets for Tuesday’s subway. Monday, 6 p.m. Bonilla makes it to the front of the line to purchase tomorrow’s tickets Monday, 11:30 p.m. After enjoying dinner, the group decides to sleep in the minivan instead of returning to the motel so they can get in line for the subway early the next morning. Tuesday, 1 a.m. Bonilla and his friends are startled by a large group of people running into the parking lot toward the metro subway station. Immediately, they throw on their jackets and shoes and run in the same direction.

Crowds of an estimate 1.8 million people try to stay warm in the cold weather while waiting for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.

D.L. Hughley was on hand for the inauguration. Here he is interviewing attendees for “D.L. Hughley Breaks the News” on CNN.

Tuesday, 2 a.m. Bonilla gets a spot in line to wait for the 3:30 a.m. train. People of all ages, races and locations chant, “Obama, Obama, Obama!” Tuesday, 3:30 a.m. The group boards the subway. Tuesday, 4 a.m. They arrive at the metro station next to the Capitol Building and brave 10degree temperatures. Tuesday, early morning Bonilla manages to grab a spectator’s

spot on the lawn in front of the Capitol Building, about three blocks from the stage. Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. Gates are closed for the ceremony. Tuesday, Noon President-elect Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts. Bonilla and his friends witness the swearing in on one of many large screens. Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. Bonilla and his friends leave after President Obama finishes his Inauguration Speech. Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. The group arrives at the subway station, takes train back to their motel. Sunday, 2 p.m. Bonilla arrives at UC Irvine.

HISTORIC

Roadtrip

www.alumni.uci.edu | page 19

Doctor sees long-held hope become reality By Marc Ballon UCI Health Affairs

In the early 1960s, Dr. Rudolph Baldoni, then a newly minted physician, would send patients to the old county hospital in Orange for treatment. Even then, the hospital seemed tired and bedraggled to him. A graduate of a medical school that later merged with UC Irvine’s School of Medicine, Baldoni became much more interested in the hospital after UC Irvine acquired it in the mid-1970s. To Baldoni, the old county hospital was nothing more than an eyesore that needed to be torn down. In its place, he envisioned a facility outfitted with the most sophisticated medical technology available and built with patient safety and comfort in mind. Over the years, Baldoni’s feelings grew for UC Irvine, where he received medical care and attended lectures and conferences with his wife,

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“I think the new University Hospital is going to be the crown jewel of Orange County.” - Dr. Rudolph Baldoni, M.D. ‘61

Dorothy. About a decade ago, Baldoni participated in the reformation of the School of Medicine Alumni Association, which further deepened his connection to the university. When he learned of plans for the new University Hospital, a project he had long dreamed of, he could barely contain his enthusiasm. A new hospital, he thought, would do much to enhance the university’s already strong reputation and make a real contribution by providing, in his words, “local residents with the best possible medical care possible right here in our own community.” A successful anesthesiologist who later branched

out into real estate and banking, Baldoni decided to contribute $100,000 to the hospital campaign. He also solicited support from other School of Medicine alumni. As a physician, Baldoni believed he had a moral obligation to help improve the quality of area healthcare and medical education and to give back to the place that had given him so much. Ever the savvy businessman, Baldoni decided to take advantage of a new opportunity to increase his giving by another $200,000 to University Hospital.

distribution amount from his retirement account, and free up additional resources for other charitable giving.

“I think the new University Hospital is going to be the crown jewel of Orange County,” he says.

Utilizing an I.R.A. Rollover Gift, he was able to make a gift, avoid paying taxes on the annual required

Baldoni said UC Irvine is finally going to have the hospital it has always deserved.

For information on tax law changes for 2009 including IRA Rollover Gifts, call 949-824-6454, e-mail legacyplan@uci.edu, or visit www.giftlegacy.uci.edu

One patient’s story

From broken to inspired By Marc Ballon UCI Health Affairs

When Kimberly “Kimmie” Harris’s parents first saw their daughter in the hospital bed, they went into shock. Covered in blood, the 14-year-old Newport Harbor High School sophomore was breathing through a ventilator, her beautiful face a tangle of broken bones. A few hours earlier, Kimmie had fallen from a four-story balcony. If not for a tree that had broken her fall — and, she says, God’s intervention — Kimmie would have died instantly. Still, she broke her nose, jaw, and lost most of her teeth and much blood. Rushed to a Santa Ana hospital, Kimmie’s father and mother — respectively a doctor and registered nurse — quickly concluded that she could receive more compassionate and advanced care elsewhere. They insisted that hospital administrators transfer Kimmie to UC Irvine Medical Center. The Harris’s knew UC

Irvine well. Dr. Kenneth Harris earned his bachelor’s degree there. Years later, renowned surgeon Thomas Ahlering, M.D., successfully removed Ken’s cancerous prostate at UC Irvine Medical Center, using minimally invasive robotic technology. “I received first-rate care at UC Irvine,” Ken explains. So did his daughter. Upon her arrival, a team of physicians, respiratory therapists and nurses cleaned some of Kimmie’s still-dirty wounds and stabilized her. A team led by Dr. Omar Husein, a facial plastic surgeon, successfully performed 12 hours of reconstructive facial surgery. Since then, Dr. Husein has periodically checked up on Kimmie, encouraging her to stay positive. “I think of Dr. Husein as my savior,” she says. “He is so kind and really cares.” The compassion and professionalism Kimmie experienced at UC Irvine

have made her a believer. “I want to go to college

in that caring environment,” she explains.

www.alumni.uci.edu | page 21

From Left: Eva Lee, Joan Irvine Smith and Edwin Monuki

Advocacy group still honors UCI faculty for cutting-edge research UC Irvine cancer geneticist Eva Lee has spent the past 20 years trying to unravel the secrets of how tumor-suppressor genes work and how mutations can lead to breast and other cancers. Her work has won grants from the National Institutes for Health and favorable press from such respected publications as Science and Time. Still, Lee says her recent selection by advocacy group Research Associates as recipient of the prestigious Athalie Clarke Achievement Award

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rivals any accolade. “I feel extremely, extremely honored,” Lee said. For 25 years, Research Associates has helped publicize “all the amazing, cutting-edge research going on at the UC Irvine School of Medicine and all the excellent physicians available to the community,” President Emeritus Madeline Swinden says. The 150 members of the all-female group hold four luncheons per year where they learn about

Eva Lee, professor of biological sciences, selected as Athalie Clarke Achievement Award recipient groundbreaking research taking place at the School of Medicine and later “spread the word” throughout the community, said founding member Mary Roosevelt. Over the past two decades, Research Associates also has awarded more than $500,000 to 40 UC Irvine researchers

to support their efforts, most recently giving $10,000 to geneticist Lee and $5,000 to pathologist Edwin Monuki. Researchers leverage their awards to receive federal and other funding, often for new research projects. Research Associates was founded in 1983 by the

late Athalie Clarke, who, along with her daughter Joan Irvine Smith, gifted 600 acres to the University of California to establish UC Irvine. Research Associates served as the School of Medicine’s first support group and initially had about 50 members. Like its size, Research Associate’s reputation has grown considerably over the years. “I think they’re doing a wonderful job,” said Smith, who continues to be a major group benefactor.

One patient’s story

Doctor’s persistence saves three lives Hemorrhaging and without a pulse, the end seemed near for Stephanie Shaffer. But Dr. Matthew Dolich refused to give up on her. Glancing at a recent photo of a smiling Shaffer with her husband and newborn son, the UC Irvine trauma and acute care surgeon went to work. He oversaw a massive resuscitation effort, including blood transfusions and CPR. Nothing helped. Then Dolich took another look at the Shaffer family photo, redoubling his efforts. “I wasn’t fighting for just one life, but for three,” he said. Shaffer’s difficult journey began 10 days earlier on April 17, 2007. While giving birth at a south Orange County hospital, her newborn son Brian inhaled amniotic fluid. Within hours, doctors had placed him on a respirator. The worried mother had problems of her own. Shaffer, who suffers from a rare circulatory disorder called Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome that affects blood vessels and lymph vessels, soon experienced major internal bleeding. After 50 blood transfusions, doctors decided to transfer her to UC Irvine Medical Center, one of the only regional hospitals that specializes in the treatment of rare and complicated conditions. Soon, Dolich was fighting to save Shaffer’s life. After 45 minutes, he miraculously got a pulse and rushed her to the operating room for emergency surgery. Over the next weeks, Dolich oversaw several more operations. All the while, he buoyed Shaffer’s spirits with words of encouragement. In early June 2007, Shaffer finally returned home and reunited with her husband and now healthy baby. She often thinks of the special doctor who cared for her. “I am so grateful to Dr. Dolich and UC Irvine for saving my life,” Shaffer said. www.alumni.uci.edu | page 23

classnotes: updates from anteaters Marriage Rose Anne Delfin [Eng. ’03] wed Floris Hill on April 19 in Burbank.

1970s Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. has appointed Kenneth W. Bentley [Hum. ’73], vice president of community affairs and educational programs for Nestlé USA, to its board of directors. Dr. James Hupp [BioSci. ‘73] has been named the founding dean of the new

Business Journal.

1980s

Michael Lynch [SocSci. ’79] recently published a new book entitled Truth Machine: The Contentious History of DNA Fingerprinting.

Cecily Anne O’Regan [BioSci. ’85] was awarded an LLM degree with distinction from the University of Edinburgh in Technology, Innovation and the Law. O’Regan works as a patent attorney at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto.

David A. Sheraton’s [Bio Sci. ’79] company, R&D Medical Products, Inc., was recently ranked 47 “Fastest Growing Private Companies” by the OC

Linda Marienhoff Coss [SocSci. ’85] published her third book, What Else is to Eat? The Dairy-,Egg-, and Nut-Free Food Allergy Cookbook.

School of Dentistry at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.

1990s Coren D. Wong [SocSci. ‘92] has been named a principal in the firm Freeman, D’Aiuto, Pierce, Gurev, Keeling & Wolf . Craig Ima [M.B.A. ’97] was named marketing director for Windes and McClaughry. Ima was brought in to develop and execute marketing strategies for the 82-year-old Long Beach accounting firm.

Veronica Vargas [SocEco. ‘97, SocSci. ‘97] became licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist on July 25. In September, she began a postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services.

2000s Mark D. Drapeau [BioSci. Ph.D. ‘03] is a research fellow studying life sciences and social software for the Department of Defense in Washington DC. Evan Zelig [SocSci. ’00] opened the Law Office of Evan E. Zelig, in Santa Rosa, California.

SHARE YOUR NEWS We love to hear from UCI alumni! Tell us what you’ve been up to. We publish career news, new additions to your family, marriages and professional accolades from the past six months. It is our policy to not publish engagement announcements. Fill in the form below or send your updates to: alumni@uci.edu. You are welcome to send high-resolution photos (300 dpi or greater) with your submission. Mailed photos cannot be returned.

Name___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Class year_ ___________________ School/major________________________________________________________________ Address______________________________ City_______________________________________ State______ ZIP_ ___________ Phone _____________________________ E-mail________________________________________________________________ News___________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ page 24 | winter ‘09 your uci

In Memoriam

Paralympian Nick Scandone ‘90 passed away January 2

Obituary notices are run within nine months of first

Former UC Irvine AllAmerican sailor Nick Scandone [SocSci. ’90] passed away January 2 after a long battle with ALS.

publication and as space allows. Send all materials, including high-resolution photos, to: alumni@uci.edu. Ruben Marchosky [M.D. ‘59], retired physician and surgeon and longtime resident of San Marino, Calif. passed away on August 23, 2008. Dr. Edwin Jacobson [M.D. ‘57] passed away March 11, 2008. He was 78. John Michael Grace [M.D. ’62] passed away on January 1, 2008 at the age of 66. Dr. Leonard B. Beller [M.D. ’62] passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at home in Los Angeles. He was 76. Salvatore Stella [M.D. ’62] passed away on November 11, 2008. Carl O. Jelinek [Eng. ’68, MS ’69] passed away on Oct. 11, 2008, at his home in Camarillo. He was a lifetime member of the UCI Alumni Association. Gregory K. Hayes [BioSci. ’71] died on August 16, 2008. He was a retired dentist residing in Oceanside, Calif. Laura Rostvold [Hum. ’72] passed away July 23 following a battle with

multiple sclerosis and cancer. Charles C. Willis, Jr. [Hum. ’73] passed away Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas from injuries received in an auto accident. Verna Henn Brady [Arts ’74], 82, died July 29. Ruth Slater [Arts ’75] passed away October 2008. John Donan [SocSci. ’75] passed away on June 28, 2008 after a two-year battle with prostate cancer. While he attended UCI, he was the program director for radio station KUCI. Richard Mark Bobb [Arts ’75] passed away on November 16, 2008. David Alan Gaffney [Hum. ’75] passed away on Sept. 1, 2008 at the age of 59. Leask Schmidt [Arts ’78] passed away on August 22, 2008, after battling cancer. Alexandra Williams [SocSci. ’88] passed away on August 6, 2008 after

Scandone, 42, won a gold medal with teammate Maureen McKinnon-Tucker in the SKUD-18 class at the 2008 Paralympic Sailing in Qingdao, China, this past summer.

Intercollegiate Sailing Association All-American in 1988, helping the Anteaters win a national championship that year. He also was named the 2006 Lauds & Laurels Distinguished Alumnus in the School of Social Sciences.

Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Award in 2005. At UCI, he was named an

He was named US SAILING’s 2008 Sportsman of the Year and is nominated for US SAILING’s 2008 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award. He was honored with the US SAILING’s

an 11-year battle with breast cancer. Williams was 42 years old. On September 4, 2008, Harold Boihem, III [SocSci. ‘90] died after a battle with cancer. Dr. Elizabeth Wiatr [Hum. M.A. ’99], a Boise State University professor of Art History, died Nov. 11, 2008, at her home. She was 48. Cody Munson [Hum. ’05], 25, passed away on August 15, 2008, in Hollywood.

answers to:

A-mazing Anteaters! 31

(puzzle on page 29)

www.alumni.uci.edu | page 25

economy What impact is the having on you?

The United States is in a recession. The State of California is facing a staggering deficit. We asked Anteaters to tell us what impact the current economy is having on their daily lives. Here are their stories and suggestions.

“I HAVE REALLY put some control into my spending - eating out less for work lunches, budgeting my entertainment spending and clothes, less travel.

“HERE ARE some ways to save that we or our clients have used in the last year:

ONE THING I can say it has focused me in really making sure my job is secure. I am more grateful for the job I have and do extra to make sure I am an asset to my company. In an economy like this your best asset to protect is your job.”

2. Repair instead of replace items that break

Marcelo Farjalla, MBA ‘05 Program Manager, Microsoft

1. Make coffee at home/office instead of going out

3. Wait one week or more on purchases to see if they are really needs. 4. Maybe a different insurance policy could equal savings 5. Eat meals in more often 6. Cut overnight mailing by using e-mail for non-confidential items 7. Do your own lawn cutting 8. Do your own home repairs / painting 9. Drive less and carpool when possible 10. Walk or ride the bike where feasible

READ MORE To view more responses, visit the UCI Alumni Association’s LinkedIn group page: www.linkedin.com page 26 | winter ‘09 your uci

11. Contribute as much as possible to 401k / Roth / SEP and Coverdell accounts while market is down Dennis Selke Financial Planner, CTO and Co-Owner Selke Consulting

UCIAA MEMBER RESOURCES

“I QUIT THE GYM I never went to and started walking/jogging on a fairly regular basis. I even rode my bike to work a few times (about 8 miles one-way) before the weather turned too cold and wet. When it warms up again, I’ll do it more often. It started out as a way to save on gas, but cycling was a passion of mine that kind of got lost in the shuffle over the past few years. So it’s actually kind of nice and only adds about 50% to my commute time (45 vs. 30 minutes).” Warren Oshita ‘89 Sr. Copywriter, Catapult Direct Marketing

“I AM ignoring the press. Mark Satterfield of Gentle Rain Marketing talks about “Courageous Optimism”. My motto? Move forward everyday ... even if they are small steps. Stay Linked In. Connect with good people. Be courageous.” Kris Patton Owner, Kris Patton Promotions

“I HAVE ACTUALLY increased spending on “extra” items lately due to the great bargains to be had. Fortuantely, I have not been affected by the downturn besides a 30% hit to my 401K.”

As members of the UCI Alumni Association, alumni and friends are extended exclusive discounts and access to resources both on and off campus. CAREER CENTER UCIAA and the UCI Career Center have partnered to offer free access to Zotlink, the UCI jobs board. Alumni also receive up to 20% off addiotnal Career Center Services. Go to page 28 for more details. KAPLAN DISCOUNT Alumni looking to go back to school can save $125 off any Kaplan Prep Test course for any area of graduate study. EXTENSION CLASSES All UC campuses offer discounts on extension classes to members of any UC alumni association. Discounts vary by school. At UCI, members save 10% per class. TECHNOLOGY SAVINGS UCI Computer Store offers the educational pricing discount to UCIAA members (Apple products and software titles are excluded.) SAVINGS ON EVERY DAY NEEDS Health Insurance Life, health and gap-health insurance programs are avaialble through Collegiate Insurance Resources. Car insurance UCIAA partners with GEICO insurance to offer up to 8% discount on car insurance policies.

James Underwood ‘96 Information technology, Canon Develoment Americas

UPCOMING EVENT UCI’s Center for Investment and Wealth Management

Time to expand your network

As one of six centers of excellence in The Paul Merage School of Business, the center provides public educational seminars addressing the current economic climate.

The UCI Alumni Association offers alumni numerous FREE ways to network electronically with one another for career advise, job hunting or mentoring needs. LinkedIn Nearly 3,000 Anteaters are part of UCIAA’s LinkedIn group. You can find, be introduced to and collaborate with Anteater professionals.

Online Directory UCIAA hosts an online directory for alumni to help Anteaters find one another. (Please note, the directory cannot be used for mass mail or e-mail communciations.)

On the Web:

Facebook UCIAA has created its own “Fan Page” to connect Anteaters who use Facebook.

ONLINE DIRECTORY www.alumni.uci.edu

LINKEDIN www.linkedin.com/ (search for UCI Alumni)

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com (search for UCI Alumni Association)

(click on ONLINE COMMUNITY and follow instructions to login )

The next seminar is: Economic Outlook Revisited: Changing Strategies for Changing Times Thursday, July 23 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The Pacific Club http://merage.uci.edu/Classic/EventSites/EconomicOutlookRevisited/ Visit the school’s Web site for a summary of Dean Andrew Policano’s January Business Outlook presentation: http://www.merage.uci.edu/News. aspx?EventID=34

www.alumni.uci.edu | page 27

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

Thanks.

UCIAA would like to thank its members for their support. Our members are the lifeblood of the organization. Membership dues support scholarship and student programs, alumni chapters and clubs, events, career and online services, as well as this publication. Supporting UCIAA is not the only benefit of membership, it is only the beginning. Members get exclusive access to discounts and services, from campus to nationwide partners. Our members also are given opportunities to participate and get involved with events across the country that enrich both the individual and the university. UCIAA is constantly working to provide its members with new benefits and a reason to stay connected. If you are interested in membership, giving the gift of membership or simply renewing your membership, please visit us online at: www.alumni.uci.edu Even if you are not a UC Irvine graduate, you can still become a member, support UCIAA and take advantage of many of the benefits offered.

ANNUAL

Membership Rates

LIFE

Set for Life! The following alumni became life members of the UCI Alumni Association between October 1, 2008 through January 15, 2009. UCIAA would like to thank all of our members for their continued support. Kahlil Amin ’08

Juan Medrano ’05

Marla Bracken ’03

Frank Musisi ’00

David Carter ’81, ’89

Kole Peck ’04

Lizbeth Cordova ’01

Lauren Ryan ’06

Tom Dao ’89

Roidina Salisbury ’79, M.F.A. ‘82

Sarah Diroy ’08 Michael Dovbish ’93

Cynthia Schaldenbrand ’74, M.A. ’75

Amanda Franciscus ’08

Craig Shugert M.B.A. ’93

Yingwai Fung ’74

Tracy Siudzinski ’97

John Gamido ’05

Donald Smith ’02

Christopher Harris ’98

Lydia Sung ’08

Leigh Julius ’79

Ronald Taylor ’71

Alumni

$50

$500

Student

$30

$400

Gregory Kahlen ’74

Nicholas Tomimatsu ’05

Masahiro Kitahara

Jennifer Tsai

Jennifer Kramer ’91

David Wang ’06

Kresimir Lovric ’99

George Wong M.D. ’58

Taylor Mar

Yaofan Yi ’06

Recent Grad*

$30

$400

Associate

$55

$600

To learn about our joint membership options and installment payment plans, contact UCIAA at: 949-824-ALUM (2586). * Recent graduate is defined as having graduated in the last two years.

WORKING FOR YOU UCIAA has partnered with the UCI Career Center to offer our UCI degree holders free access to ZotLink, the career centers’ online job database. Employers from across the country, in all disciplines, post more than 22,000 job openings each year. From entry-level to career positions, ZotLink is a resource that can help you in your job search. Go to www.career.uci.edu and click on the alumni link and follow the instructions for completing the Zotlink request form. Members also save 20% off the Alumni Compass package of career services and resources offered by the UCI Career Center. See page 31 for tips from UCI Career Center Director Kathryn Van Ness on job hunting in an economic downturn. page 28 | winter ‘09 your uci

Member Savings Save 50% on rentals at the Alumni House

Planning a party? Hosting a meeting? The Phineas Banning Alumni House is the perfect place for your next event. The K. Mark Nelson Conference Room offers a comfortable setting for meetings, retreats conferences, small receptions and parties. The conference room is equipped with a gas-burning fireplace, sky light and floor-to-ceiling windows. In addition, you’ll have access to our private patio and lush garden landscaping. UCI Alumni Association members also save 50% off the already low rental rates: $200 for the first two hours $50 for each additional hour *Additional fees may apply. For more details, visit:www.alumni.uci. edu/houserental or contact UCIAA at 949-824-2586.

Help UCIAA raise funds with a few minutes of your time Alumni and friends can help raise money for UCIAA by requesting a free rate quote from our car insurance partner, GEICO. In turn for a few minutes of your time, GEICO will make a contribution to UCIAA at no cost to you. Not only could alumni and friends save as much as 8% off GEICO’s already low car insurance rates

A-mazing Anteaters! Starting anywhere, fill in the blank squares with the missing numbers so that they make a path in numerical order, 1 through 49. You can work vertically or horizontally in any direction. Diagonals are not allowed. Good luck!

31 32 35 36 43 44 45

as part of the UCIAA discount program, but UCIAA will raise much needed funds for existing alumni and student programs.

Go to www.geico.com and when asked to select your group affiliation, choose UCI Alumni Association OR call 800368-2734.

15 14 13 12

See page 25 for the answer.

www.alumni.uci.edu | page 29

AROUND THE CIRCLE February 2009 Wednesday 18 Social Sciences. The first 30 days of the new administration. 3:30 p.m., Student Center, Pacific Ballroom AB. More: 949-824-2904. Paul Merage School of Business. Fully employed MBA info session. 6:30-8 p.m., Merage School of Business. More: 949-8244622. Thursday 19 Disability Services Center. 2008 ‘Eaters with Abilities Golf Tournament. Noon, Tijeras Creek Golf Club. $150. Registration required. More: 949-824-7494. International Studies. UCI War Veterans: Their Experiences in Iraq Revealed. With UCI war veterans. 3:30-5 p.m., SSPA 1100. More: 949-824-8687. Center for Immunology. Seminars in Immunology Series 2009: With Monica J. Carson. Noon-1 p.m., Tamkin Bldg. F114. More: 949-824-9648. University Art Gallery & Room Gallery. 2nd Year M.F.A. Review. Opening reception 6-9 p.m., University Art Gallery and Room Gallery. Free. Exhibit continues through March 6. More: 949-824-9854. Social Sciences Dinner Club. Life in a Virtual World. 6 p.m., University Club Library. $40. R.S.V.P. More: 949-824-1659. Extension. Ethics in Marketing. 6:30-9:30 p.m., University Extension C 108109. $350. Through March 19. More: 949-824-1514. page 30 | winter ‘09 your uci

Friday 20 Early Cultures. Points of departure: Political theology on the scenes of early modernity. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., HIB 135. More: 949-824-7616. Music Chamber Series. Kei Akagi & The Tokyo Trio. 8 p.m., Winifred Smith Hall. $9-$11. Also Feb. 21. More: 949-824-2787. Drama Mainstage. The Bacchae Trilogy. 8 p.m., Claire Trevor Theatre. $9-$18. Continues through Feb. 28. More: 949-8242787. Wednesday 25 Extension. Horizons of the Great Park: Irvine/Design. 1-4 p.m., Student Center, Pacific Ballroom C. More: 949-8245414. Planning Policy and Design. COPC Civic Engagement Conference. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Student Center, Doheny Beach. More: 949-824-0563. Center for Immunology. Mechanisms of Neuropeptides in Intestinal Inflammation. Noon-1 p.m., Tamkin Bldg. F114. More: 949-824-9648. UCI Opera. Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury (Disorder in the Court). 8 p.m., Winifred Smith Hall. $9-$13. Continues through Feb. 28. More: 949824-2787. Friday 27 Biomedical Engineering. Distinguished Lecturer Series: The Cutting Edge of Soft Tissue Wound Healing. 3:304:30 p.m., Natural Sciences II 3201. More: 949-8246284.

events taking place on and off campus

Saturday 28 Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine. Successful Aging: Integrative Medicine Throughout a Lifetime. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport, Newport Beach. $249-$299 ($119 for students and residents). Continues through March 1. More: 949-8245763. Barclay. Los Angeles Ballet – Director’s choice. 7:30 p.m., Barclay Theatre. $55-$95. More: 949-854-4646.

March 2009 Monday 2 Biological Sciences. Immunization Hesitancy: A rising tide that challenges the public health. 7-8 p.m., Beckman Center. More: 8242500. Tuesday 3 Biomedical Engineering. Functional and molecular imaging of articular cartilage: Toward a new medical paradigm for osteoarthritis. 3:30-4:30 p.m., Natural Sciences II 3201. More: 949824-8705. UCI Jazz Orchestra. Winter Jazz Concert. 8 p.m., Irvine Barclay Theatre. $9-$13. More: 949-824-2787. Wednesday 4 Music. UCI Wind Ensemble. 8 p.m., Winifred Smith Hall. Free. More: 949-824-2787.

Discovery to Meet Global Health Needs. 3:30-4:30 p.m., Natural Sciences II 3201. More: 949-824-6284. Drama Stage 2. The Book of Tink. 8 p.m., Studio Theatre. $9-$11. Continues through March 14. More: 949-8242787. Saturday 7 Arboretum. “Prelude to Spring” Winter Bulb Festival. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Arboretum. $2. Continues March 8. More: 949-824-5833. Music Chamber Series. Galanterie: The Twilight of the Lute. 8 p.m., Winifred Smith Hall. $9-$13. More: 949-824-2787. Sunday 8 Music. UCI Choir and Men in Blaque. 8 p.m., Winifred Smith Hall. $9-$13. More: 949-824-2787. Monday 9 Music. UCI Percussion Ensemble. 8 p.m., Winifred Smith Hall. Free. More: 949824-2787. Thursday 12 International Studies. Mediation, Conflict Resolution, and Consensus Voting Procedures. 3:30-5 p.m., SSPA 1100. 949-8248687. University Art Gallery and Room Gallery. Senior

Exhibition. Opening reception 6-9 p.m., University Art Gallery & Room Gallery. Free. Exhibit continues through March 20. More: 949-824-9854. Dance. Dance Film Festival. 6:30 p.m., Winifred Smith Hall. $5. Through March 14. More: 949-824-2787. Friday 13 Institute for Software Research. Saving the World Through Ubiquitous Computing. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Bren Hall 6011. Free. R.S.V.P. required by March 9. More: 949-824-7951. UCI Symphony Orchestra. Legacy. Pre-concert conversation 7 p.m., concert 8 p.m., Claire Trevor Theatre. $9-$13. Also March 14. More: 949-824-2787 Barclay. For Kids – A Moon Between Two Houses. 7 p.m., Barclay Theatre. $12-$16. More: 949-854-4646. Monday 16 Barclay. Brentano String Quartet. 8 p.m., Barclay Theatre. $35-$45. More: 949-854-4646. Tuesday 24 Extension. Paralegal Admissions Meeting. 5-6:30 p.m., University Extension A 101-2. More: 949-824-1228.

Paul Merage School of Business. Life of a project; processes of innovation under uncertainty and over time. Noon, SB 122. More: 949-824-1172. International Studies. The human faces of the war on terrorism. 3:30-5 p.m., SSPA 1100. More: 949-824-8687. Friday 6 Biomedical Engineering. Distinguished Lecturer Series: Science and Technology

Beall Center for Art & Technology. Scalable Relations. Family Day 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Beall Center. Free. Exhibit continues through March 14. More: 949-824-4339.

IN CLOSING Kathryn Van Ness, Director of the UCI Career Center

Finding a job in a tough economy Kathryn Van Ness has served UCI as its director of career services for nearly 10 years. Here she provides tips and twists on time-proven ways to land your next job in a tight economic climate.

Employers hire talent based on skills and strengths. It is your responsibility to be crystal clear; a hazy vision of your “brand” will lead to a weak resume and a poor interview.

Hard economic times are clearly upon us. Business Week recently reported that jobs lost during the economic downturn are expected to range from 2.7 million to 4 million, with the bottom hitting in late 2009.

Internalize your brand and represent that identity to everyone you encounter.

How should job search strategies change in response to these times?

Acknowledge anxiety Aircraft crash survivors swallowed their fear and looked for an exit. Then they single-mindedly reached that exit. End of story; life saved. Finding a job requires the same focus and commitment. Set clear priorities and leap into action.

Brand yourself See yourself as your own product – a unique blend of skills and strengths that are exactly what some employer wants.

This often requires no more than a smile and a friendly disposition. Other times this will require admittedly more self-tuning. Be ready with your best shot -- any stranger could be a hiring manager.

Write elevator speech So what do you say in an the time it takes to go up to floor eight in an elevator? Shy or not, you absolutely must forge your own job search or “elevator speech”. Write a 30-second summary of your situation, skills and goals. Polish and memorize your “call to action” in a mirror or with positive allies and friends. Popping this pitch into daily conversation solicits help from many people who

COMMENTARY will know you’re looking for a new job. Once your pitch has broken the ice, invite your “pitchee” to refer you to others. Get e-mail addresses and forward your resume.

Build your village Does it really take a village? Absolutely yes! Forge a chain of confidence and competence for your job search. Carefully choose a few individuals who believe in you. Think about each link. Make sure everyone is up to date and being used to full capacity. They will boost your confidence, give important feedback and advice, and reflect your strengths to others in their daily lives. Remember, these individuals deserve a status update throughout your job search. And a special cup of coffee when you meet with success! Once you’ve linked your personal energy to a killer resume and a sparkling elevator pitch, where do you look for hidden opportunity?

Everywhere! Begin with relationships -- e-mail your status and goals to former co-workers and friends. Use your UCI alumni connections. Talk at the gym and on the treadmill. Talk in the grocery checkout line. Talk at the dog park. Talk at birthday parties and weddings!

Tools of the trade As for technology, be sure to use the Internet wisely during your job search. What are the pros and cons? The more focused the job search engine, the better. Use Google and other engines to target job search sites specific to your expertise. But don’t expect the Internet to do your job for you – there’s no substitute for face-toface connection. Do not

let the internet drain you of valuable energy for true networking. It is a full-time job to find a job! Use your time management skills, to do lists, a contact management tool (who, what, where, when, next action), and commit to a daily “work” schedule. Fill the pipeline so the right jobs will come your way. When you see a potential for success, lock doggedly onto that direction to see where it leads. Hard economic times are clearly upon us. Finding a job no longer resembles a fun treasure hunt where someone has hidden clues easily found. You’ll have to create your own treasure map to lead you to where X marks the spot.

UCI RESOURCES Job listings The UCI Career Center and the UCI Alumni Association have partnered to offer FREE access to ZotLink, the UCI job listing service which advertises more than 22,000 openings each year.

Videos, tips and samples The UCI Career Center has developed numerous online tools: www.career.uci.edu www.alumni.uci.edu | page 31

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Inaugural Adventure UCI sophomore student-athlete Victor Bonilla took a roadtrip of a lifetime to the Presidential Inauguration. See his story, page 18.

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