Thousands of UCLA alumni returned to campus on Saturday, May 9 for a day-long celebration of pride and accomplishments. Highlights of the day included popular panel discussions involving several School of Public Affairs faculty and fellows discussing issues of national and international interest.

Albert Carnesale, UCLA Chancellor Emeritus and Professor of Public Policy led a discussion on the National Academies initiative, America's Climate Choices, a suite of studies designed to inform and guide responses to climate change across the nation. Dean Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr., moderated a discussion on the first 100 days of the Obama administration with School of Public Affairs Senior Fellow Jim Newton, the editorial pages editor of The Los Angeles Times; and CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider. Amy Zegart, Associate Professor, Department of Public Policy and Fellow, Burkle Center for International Relations, addressed issues of national security and foreign policy with co-panelists General Wesley K. Clark (ret.), Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Senior Fellow, UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations.

The day culminated in a reception for the School of Public Affairs community during which the departments of Social Welfare, Urban Planning, and Public Policy bestowed Alumni Achievement Awards to graduates of the respective programs: John Oliver, ’69 MSW, director of the Department of Social Work, California State University Long Beach; Cecelia Estolano, ’91 MA UP, chief executive officer, Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles; and Celeste Drake ’02 MPP/JD, Legislative Director for U.S. Representative Linda Sanchez.