LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
ANSWERING THE CALL
IF YOU ’ RE AN ALUM , CHANCES ARE YOU ’ VE ANSWERED A CALL FROM UC SAN DIEGO . You know the one . That call . The one that asks for you to give back . I ’ ve answered that call too — both before and after becoming the Chief Alumni Officer for UC San Diego , and I want to tell you how my perspective has dramatically changed .
It really comes down to one definition : that of the phrase “ giving back .” Many people hear this simply as monetary , but in my role , I have learned of the many forms it can take .
Giving back could be as easy as connecting with a fellow alum you haven ’ t seen in a while . It could mean connecting with other Tritons at any one of our volunteer opportunities or networking events . In the professional realm , it could be hiring your fellow Tritons , coming back to mentor students , or being a resource when a current student reaches out to ask how you got to where you are in your career . These activities strengthen our bond in the world , which in turn strengthens our collective success .
Giving back could be as simple as taking pride in your degree and telling people you ’ re a Triton . Because with every new ranking we earn , with every new breakthrough you read about , your pride should rise because of what your university is doing for the world .
Giving back could mean simply coming back . Visiting the campus you remember and seeing how it has changed , witnessing the determination and potential of current students , or remembering your own time here as a student and reflecting on how far you ’ ve come since .
There ’ s always more online !
A nontradition as rich as ours couldn ’ t fit in just eight pages . See more of the historic artifacts that make the Triton experience unique at tritonmag . com / nontradition
Our 2017 alumni honorees had so much to say about medicine , art , writing , data and social justice — visit tritonmag . com / 2017honorees for the extended interviews .
Kate Rubins ’ 99 came back to Earth with spectacular photos taken from aboard the International Space Station . View the slideshow at tritonmag . com / katerubins
And of course , giving back could also be monetary support . It ’ s an important means of helping the university transform our students , transform our community and transform the world . But if the only way you can give back is by giving of your time — volunteerism , ambassadorship or mentorship — we appreciate you all the same !
So think of this next time you answer a call , and let your answer be involvement of any kind . Or better yet , don ’ t wait for the call — think of this , and let the call come from within .
With Triton pride ,
Steph Barry ’ 94 Assistant Vice Chancellor & Chief Alumni Officer UC San Diego Alumni
6 TRITON | SPRING 2017