The "Clash of the Cans" food drive competition between UC Irvine and California State University, Long Beach will kick off Monday, Nov. 2. Sponsored by the parking and athletics departments at both institutions, the drive is part of the Black and Blue rivalry series, allowing UCI donors to demonstrate Anteater pride while helping the needy. All food collected through Friday, Dec. 18, will be donated to the Orange County Food Bank. Look for collection bins at parking kiosks, the main parking office, Crawford Hall and, during sports events, the Bren Events Center. Donation bags will be available at all parking kiosks during the campaign. Full bags returned with a business card or email address attached will make donors eligible for prize drawings.   More »

Every year, about 30,000 visitors get a glimpse into campus life and culture during hourlong student-guided tours of UC Irvine. On average, college-bound teens visit eight campuses before deciding on one. "Tour guides are the face of UCI. It's their job to bring the campus alive," says Bryan Jue, assistant director of visitor services. "Visitors don't remember building names, but they do remember stories and personal anecdotes." The job starts at $8.50 an hour, and training includes a series of mock campus tours. Longtime guide Liz Seward (pictured) says the best tours are those in which visitors get involved and ask lots of questions.   More »

When an 'Eater wants to get a party going, watch out, especially if it's her wedding. Jill Peterson (pictured), a UC Irvine graduate student in the School of Social Ecology, did a hip-shaking, hand-raising dance down the aisle when she married Kevin Heinz in June. The entire wedding party got into the act too, somersaulting and hand walking to Chris Brown's "Forever." A YouTube video of the unconventional procession has been viewed nearly 9 million times, and the couple has appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America," NBC's "Today" show and the "CBS Evening News." "It's been astounding," the bride says. "We've heard from Poland, France, Australia, Brazil, all over the world." To see the video, go to   More »

The UC Irvine School of Physical Sciences today announced the creation of the Ralph J. & Carol M. Cicerone Graduate Fellowship In Earth System Science for doctoral students. The fellowship, endowed at $200,000, will support research resulting in journal publications and/or for the student's dissertation. Graduate student Ray Anderson, working with department chair Michael Goulden, will receive the inaugural fellowship, made possible with generous gifts from the Cicerones and other gracious donors. Ralph Cicerone (pictured), UCI chancellor emeritus, leads the National Academy of Sciences.   More »

UC Irvine students are heading back to elementary and middle school classrooms to teach students about climate change. CLEAN Education designs grade-appropriate lessons using everything from hand-held puppets to ecosystem models made of plywood and papier-mâché. The nonprofit's acronym comes from its mission to address climate change through learning, empowerment, action and networking. "Our goal is to discuss climate change in an engaging and fun way to get children interested in science," says Francesca Hopkins, group co-founder and Earth system science doctoral candidate.   More »

A forum on Irvine's efforts to embrace its diversity and address the resulting issues will be led by Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, at the UC Irvine Cross-Cultural Center. Kang kicks off the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity’s Campus Conversation Series, which provides opportunities to talk about equal opportunity and the varied ethnic groups and cultures at UCI and in surrounding communities. Event co-sponsors include Cross-Cultural Center, Office of the Vice Chancellor Student Affairs, Difficult Dialogues, Asian American Studies, Staff Assembly/Staff Ambassadors, UCI ADVANCE Program, and the Office of Community & Government Relations.   More »

UC Irvine’s Mock Trial team tied for eighth place at the American Mock Trial Association National Championship Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa April 19. The weekend marked the team’s most successful year to date; Anteaters placed 12th in last year’s tournament. The team also was voted the most sportsmanlike in the country, taking home the Championship Spirit Award for civility and fair play. Sophomore Ana Dixit and freshman Tom Collins won individual awards for their roles as witnesses and attorneys. “By any measure -- be it dominance or decency -- the Anteaters have become a national powerhouse,” said Justin Bernstein, UCI Mock Trial head coach.   More »

Senior neurobiology major Victoria Flores is one of 10 winners of the AspiringDocs.org video contest and will receive $1,000 toward her medical school application costs. Undergraduate students nationwide submitted a 2-minute video explaining why they wanted to be a doctor as part the Association of American Medical Colleges’ campaign to increase diversity in medical education. Flores, an Orange County native active in the Chicanos/Latinos for Community Medicine group on campus, will apply to medical schools in Southern California next year with hopes of getting accepted to UCI’s innovative Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC). “Becoming a doctor is a stepping stone to a bigger dream of mine,” says Flores, who plans on merging a medical practice in gynecology with her interests in holistic heath. Winning videos are featured on YouTube.   More »

Kyle Good's notion of a sustainable energy storage device designed to power electric vehicles has catapulted him to the finalists in the "What's Your Crazy Green Idea" contest sponsored by X Prize Foundation. "If chosen, my idea could become the next energy and enviroment X Prize competition with a $10 million incentive to anyone who can achieve the goals specified," said Good, a second-year film and media studies student at UC Irvine. The X Prize Foundation's goal is to promote creation of radical breakthroughs that benefit humanity. Its most publicized achievement was funding the construction of a private spaceship. Good's "Capacitor Challenge" is competing against two others. Winners are chosen by popular vote. To cast a ballot, go to   More »

Anteaters flexed their political muscles this week by showing up for early voting at the UC Irvine Student Center. The Orange County Registrar of Voters processed more than 1,800 voters during early voting, said spokeswoman Katherine Reedy. Countywide, more than 21,000 voters cast early ballots. The Associated Students of UCI and the organizations that compose it registered more than 4,000 students, according to ASUCI external affairs director Andres Gonzalez. "Getting such numbers involved going into the dorms, into lectures and massive campaigning on Ring Road," Gonzalez said. The registrar encouraged early voting due to a record number of registered voters – well over 100,000 more for this election than in 2004. The office is encouraging people to try to vote midday Nov. 4 to avoid the early morning and evening rush.   More »

The Ford Foundation has notified UC Irvine that it will receive a second-round grant for its Difficult Dialogues program. Overseen by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Manuel Gomez and his staff, Difficult Dialogues provides a forum for all sides of potentially divisive social issues to be discussed. The aim is to foster greater understanding and civility on campus and throughout the community. Only about half of first-round grantees win renewed funding, which is based on the success of the program.   More »

Thousands of high school graduates – 4,738 to be exact – are recovering from their bouts with senioritis and intend on enrolling at UC Irvine as freshmen this September. The University of California Office of the President released figures this week detailing the number of students who have submitted their Statement of Intent to Register at UC campuses. These students will begin the process of joining the Anteater family during new student orientations scheduled throughout the summer. Although final registration numbers will not be available until next January, the fall 2008 incoming freshman class is expected to be the largest in UC history.   More »

Moved by the plight of victims of the devastating China earthquake, UCI students have quickly launched a relief effort that has raised more than $30,000. Leading the volunteer corps: Wei Li, a second-year UCI doctoral student in planning, policy and design. Li decided to launch the effort when he heard his mother – who lives 800 miles from the epicenter – cry on the phone after seeing the bodies of young schoolchildren on TV. He and other UCI students have invited the community to a candlelight vigil and concert in memory of the victims 7-8 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at the UCI flagpoles. On June 27, Li will lead another opportunity to help earthquake and cardiovascular disease victims: www.chinacal.org/Opportunity%20of-a-Lifetime.pdf   More »

UC Irvine's senior Mock Trial team walked away with a 12th place finish out of 64 teams at the Mock Trial National Championship Tournament in St. Paul, Minn., April 4. The trip marked the first time a UCI team made it to the national championship -- a significant achievement considering the UCI team was started just three years ago. UCI's team beat out competitors from Stanford and Duke, among other prestigious universities. First-year student Brisa Simmons took home an All American Attorney Award and Mitchell Davis, a junior history major, was presented with the All American Witness Award for his portrayal in trial of the "nerdy brother of the defendant." Individual awards were given to only 20 individuals among the tournament's 500 participants. The national tournament marked the end of a busy season for the UCI team, which collectively brought in six team and nine individual awards.   More »

UC Irvine's senior America Mock Trial Association team will advance to the national championships in St. Paul, Minn., in April after winning second place in the regional championships Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23-24. Only the third year that teams from UCI competed in a field of 30 teams, both the veteran team and the junior team placed in the top 10. The veteran team's 7-1 record tied for first place with UCLA, but after tie-breaking procedures were implemented UCI emerged in second place. The junior team placed eighth and won the Spirit of AMTA award. Club President Marissa Oxman also won an Outstanding Lawyer award. The team prepares from September through February with a set of facts supplied by AMTA. Members meet five to 10 hours a week and practice on their own time as well. "We have to commit the Federal Evidentiary Code to memory," Oxman said. While team members would seem like naturals to populate UCI's first law school class in fall 2009, Oxman says participants represent a wide range majors. She is a junior majoring in dance.   More »

UC Irvine’s inaugural Peter’s Parade kicked off homecoming week Monday, Feb. 25, at the Student Center. Inspired by the parade theme 'Eater Nation, 16 student organizations decorated golf carts reflecting UCI Athletics spirit. The parade also featured a performance by the UCI dance and cheer team, as well as a break dancing routine from BBoys Anonymous. UCI's mascot, Peter the Anteater, served as grand marshal. Students from the MatSci (Materials Science) club won first place for the float decoration competition among non-Greek organizations, and Alpha Phi won first place in the Greek category with their "Alpha Phi-Natics" float (pictured). UCI men's basketball team will play its homecoming game against Cal State Northridge at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1, in the Bren Events Center.   More »

UC Irvine dance troupe Kaba Modern celebrates its 16-year anniversary by competing on MTV's new reality show Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew, which premiered Feb. 7. Six members represent the group -- Tony Tran, Mike Song, Yuri Tang, Lawrence Kao, Cindy Minowa and Jia Huang -- beating out hundreds of hopefuls and earning a spot as one of nine dance groups competing for the grand prize of $100,000 and a touring contract. On the premiere, Kaba Modern impressed the judges with their razor-sharp precision and innovative choreography; they were selected as the favorites in their round and earned immunity from elimination. As the competition continues, viewers will vote to select the group who will win the top prize and title. The competition airs 10 p.m. Thursdays on MTV.   More »

The UC Edison Scholars Program was the focus of a celebration held in the UC Irvine Student Center on Jan. 22. Sponsored by the UC and Edison International, the program awards $15,000 scholarships to more than 100 community college transfer students attending UC campuses and majoring in math, sciences and engineering. UCI administers the program, which has provided 117 students over the past eight years with financial support to enable them to focus on their academics. Edison Scholars also complete 30 hours of community service with a UC outreach program. The event also recognized the American Indian Summer Preparatory Academy, a UCI program that offers high school students a one-week residential experience on campus.   More »

Lindsay Hopkins was selected the new political director to the Democratic Party of Orange County Monday, Dec. 17. A recent graduate of UC Irvine, she received her bachelor's in political science and had been an intern at the DPOC for the past year. "From her work with California Public Interest Research Group as a student to her work for the party as a volunteer organizer, she demonstrates a comprehensive skill set and an ability to grow with experience," said Melahat Rafiei, DPOC executive director. "We all look forward to working with her." Hoffman said she wants to help develop Democratic leadership in Orange County and build bridges between groups with common goals. "This position gives me the unique opportunity to turn my volunteer path into a career path," she said   More »

UC Irvine senior two-meter man Tim Hutten has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Peter J. Cutino Award, given annually to the outstanding male and female collegiate water polo players in the nation as voted by the coaches of the Division I universities. Hutten, who was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation’s Player of the Year, scored 75 goals this season and led the nation with an average of 3.75 goals per game. He received this year's "Vellekamp Award" scholarship at UCI. The Cutino award honors the late Peter J. Cutino, former University of California and The Olympic Club coach, who passed away in September 2004. The female finalists will be named in May.   More »

Five UC Irvine students were among 26 first-place winners for outstanding scientific research presentations at the 2007 Sigma Xi Student Research Conference in Orlando, Fla., held Nov. 2-3. The students and their areas of study were: Nicholas Olivas, behavioral science; Aaron Mendez, cellular and molecular biology; Brian León, chemistry; Amanda Ruiz, ecology and evolutionary biology; and Kameelah Abdullah, physiology and immunology. The students were recognized at an awards ceremony with medals and invitations to join Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society. Over the years, the society has had more than 200 Nobel laureates among its members. Nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate students, representing 100 institutions, participated in the two-day conference.   More »

For her efforts to use art as a medium to raise social awareness, Rebecca Dawn Westerman was recently named UC Irvine’s 2007-08 Dalai Lama Scholar. The scholarship is awarded to undergraduates who show leadership potential and emphasize the ideals of ethics, peace and positive global relations. A senior art history major from Weaverville, Calif., Westerman traveled to Thailand and worked with local monks in an orphanage in summer 2006. She plans to use the scholarship to create a large-scale "Peace Flag" exhibit in spring 2008. UCI community members will be able to create their own flags with positive messages, which will be arranged in a circle along the 1-mile perimeter of Ring Road.   More »

Gov. Schwarzenegger honored UC Irvine education doctoral candidate Kurt Suhr as the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Principal of the Year Tuesday, Sept. 18. Suhr, principal of Newport Heights Elementary School, was recognized for his work in promoting physical education programs in elementary schools. He provided incentives for students who walked to school, and increased exercise opportunities during lunch and recess. Suhr started the Coordinated Approach to Children’s Health Physical Education program at Newport Heights, and more than 850 classrooms throughout the state have since adopted the program. Each year the Governor’s Council honors educators who go above and beyond their duties to promote physical activity. Suhr was recognized at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles and received $10,000 for physical education programming.   More »

Summer at UC Irvine is rather calm compared to the hustle and bustle of the school year; the halls are quieter, the plazas nearly empty. A quick walk by room 1208 in Social Sciences Plaza B, however, yields a much different scene. Here, 22 students are enrolled in the School of Social Sciences' Summer Academic Enrichment Program. For the past five weeks, these juniors and seniors – most of them first-generation university students – have voluntarily subjected themselves to SAEP's rigorous curriculum. Social sciences faculty show them general methods for conducting research, performing statistical analysis and communicating findings – essential knowledge for any student interested in pursuing an advanced degree, says Caesar Sereseres, SAEP co-director and social sciences’ associate dean of undergraduate studies.   More »

Annette Burgueno, a UC Irvine alumna who graduated in June with a bachelor’s in sociology, was recently named a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship recipient. Designed to help young people of exceptional promise reach their full potential, the scholarship program awards up to $50,000 annually for up to six years of graduate study. Recipients are chosen for their academic achievement, financial need, will to succeed and leadership and community involvement. Burgueno grew up around neglect, poverty and drug abuse. She found hope through her deaf/mute grandmother. The first in her family to graduate from high school and college, Burgueno will pursue a master’s in social work at USC in the fall, and eventually work as an advocate on behalf of at-risk children and families. UCI’s first Jack Kent Cooke scholar, Burgueno is from Whittier, Calif.   More »

UC Irvine is represented by 25 student-athletes on the Academic All-Big West Conference Team for spring sports. To be eligible, student-athletes must maintain a minimum 3.2 grade point average, complete one full year at their institution and compete in 50 percent of the team contests. A total of 152 student-athletes from the eight member Big West institutions received the honor. UCI’s honorees are: men’s golf, Brian Edick; men’s tennis, Victor Lamm; women’s tennis, Ali Borowicz and Jessica Broadfoot; men’s track & field, Ricky Barnes, Aaron Corbett, Adrian Doty, Matt Grilli (pictured), Ryan Hershey, Storm Huie, Shawn Maghzi, George Morris, Nick Mosey and Eric Nyberg; women’s track & field, Lauren Collins, Samantha Costantini, Tayler Cusick, Elaine Gillespie, Amber Gordon, Erinn Kim, Candice Proctor, Corica Rodgers, Jamie Schwab, Kristen Silverman and Sharitie Williams.   More »

The count is complete: A May 27 event raised more than $145,000 to support guest speakers, cultural events and undergraduate research projects in Middle East studies at UC Irvine. Guest of honor Tony Shalhoub, star of the USA Network show “Monk,” expressed his support for the Middle East Studies Student Initiative program, which aims to generate support for a comprehensive Middle East education program on campus. Comedians Maz Jobrani and Aron Kader entertained the 100 businessmen and women, scholars and students in attendance.   More »

UC Irvine student Michael Q. Nguyen was recently selected one of five recipients of the Boy Scouts of America National Young American Award. Created in 1968, the award is given to college students who have demonstrated high achievement in academics and are involved in community service. Nguyen, a first-year biological sciences and public health double major, has been active in several local public service campaigns, serving as a translator with the Santa Ana Public Library and leading an effort that raised $50,000 for victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia in 2004. Nguyen was recognized in a national meeting of the Boy Scouts in Atlanta, Ga. last week and received a $7,500 award.   More »

Twenty teams of UC Irvine students will compete Friday, May 18, in the finals for the 2007 Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth Business Plan Competition. The teams taped oral presentations of their business plans on campus last week. The videos are posted on ocregister.com where the public can view them and vote on the best plan. Winners of that vote will be submitted as the Register's People's Choice candidate. Plans range from molecular imprinting to a search engine for tutors. The winning plan will receive $15,000. Five other plans will receive cash prizes as well. Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, a Newport Beach law firm, donated the prize money. Two student teams also will vie for up to $1 million in seed financing. To see the videos, click   More »

UCI has introduced “zotAlert,” an emergency alert system that uses text messages to quickly notify students of a natural disaster, crisis response or need to secure the campus. To be used only in an emergency, zotAlert adds to the university’s existing emergency communications network. Students are strongly encouraged to provide their cell phone numbers to the university by visiting www.reg.uci.edu/studentaccess, clicking “Change of Address” and updating their contact (including emergency) information. Faculty and staff also are invited to sign up for zotAlert messages by visiting www.uci.edu/phupdate, logging in and updating their profile with an emergency cell phone number. Everyone who signs up by Wednesday, May 16, can be part of a system test planned for later that week.

The Green Campus Program and Student Housing Wednesday unveiled “The Green Room,” a tour room at the Mesa Court housing complex in UC Irvine that is furnished completely with environmentally-friendly products. Bed sheets and other linens are made of organic cotton, hemp or recycled cloth. Soap and laundry detergent are biodegradable and non-toxic. Mechanical devices are Energy Star certified. Purchase information is attached to each item, making it easy for visitors to incorporate energy-saving practices into their own residences. Visitors can see The Green Room during housing tours offered by Student Housing or by appointment.   More »

On the Today Show Tuesday, undergraduate Jenna Otter discussed her recovery from a bear attack that injured her and her dad while hiking in Montana's Glacier National Park in August 2005. "I'm doing great," Otter told co-host Meredith Vieira. "I'm dancing at UC Irvine right now. I don't feel like anything has really necessarily hindered me from any progress I would have made otherwise, if this hadn't happened."   More »

Senior outfielder Matt Morris has been named to the Dick Howser Trophy watch list, an annual award given to the top player in collegiate baseball. Morris currently tops the team and is among the top hitters in the Big West Conference with a .372 batting average. The award is sponsored by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association in memory of the Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987. Criteria for consideration include on-field performance, leadership and moral character. The winner will be named at the College World Series, June 15.