The True Triton Awards luncheon honored the spirit of giving back , celebrating three alumni leaders who keep UC San Diego close in heart and mind . Chancellor Khosla and ( L-R ) Alumni past- President Jerrilyn Malana ’ 86 honored Sam Knight ’ 73 for contributions big and small : from a soft-skills training program he developed for STEM students to the good deeds he does regularly for students while visiting campus with his dogs , Sunny and Blue . Wendy Kwok ’ 99 was highlighted for her roles on the UC San Diego Foundation Board and Student Foundation , and for having created many endowments and international partnerships for the benefit of students . And at 90 years young , Bob Rex , PhD ’ 58 has left an inspiring legacy on campus — his support of experiential learning programs for Alaska Native high school students and a lifetime of philanthropic support for Scripps Institution of Oceanography show his devotion to research and diversity .
Ambition and emotion were on full display at the weekend ’ s Student Showcase , as four current Tritons shared their honest thoughts on the social and academic life for students today . Xiangdi Zhang ’ 19 recalled her experience leaving her family to come to the U . S . as an international student , pursuing her studies alone in a foreign country . “ I want to use this platform to advocate for more support for international students ," she said . " Be it mentorship or financial , it ’ s about personal growth and learning how to give back to the global community .” Lin Hein ’ 19 likewise invited alumni to be a part in students ’ lives : “ We want you to sit down at our table , brainstorm ideas with us , laugh together . If there ’ s a cause you want to address , most likely there are students working on the same thing .”
Jason Carbone ’ 90 minced no words relating his career in reality television to “ a battle for the soul of humanity .” Carbone discussed the potential of television to shape the world as we know it : “ We have entered an era where people broadcast their lives and the loudest ones get famous ,” he said . “ When we ’ re constantly hunting for the biggest , craziest spectacle in people ’ s real lives , we stop living real lives and start living TV shows .” For Carbone , it comes down to the power of stories , and our power to choose what stories we consume — those that can affect profound social understanding ( think Pedro , the HIV-positive member of 1994 ’ s The Real World : San Francisco ), or others that highlight our worst qualities for the sake of spectacle . ( Puck , anyone ?)
Between breakout sessions and networking receptions , alumni left ready to reconnect , re-engage , and recommit to being a part of UC San Diego in meaningful ways — through mentorship , volunteering , lifelong learning and more . We need you , our alumni , as partners in advancing the mission of the university to make change in our communities and beyond . UC San Diego is a part of you , and there are many ways you can continue to be a part of UC San Diego . Learn more at alumni . ucsd . edu
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