COVER STORY

THE NEXT CHAPTER: UCLA’S EXPANSION
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The Future Is Now
With three key acquisitions in Southern California, UCLA is mapping out a bold new vision for the university, and the city, in the years ahead.
MADELINE ADAMO and MARY DAILY | ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRETT AFFRUNTI 

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5 Years, 5 Goals
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Darnell Hunt discusses UCLA’s exciting new five-year Strategic Plan, including going “glocal,” inclusive excellence, and why top faculty recruits all ask the same single question. 
TALEEN ANANIAN

 

FEATURES

The Original L.A. Law
As it celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, UCLA Law has a simple message to convey: When it comes to tackling the most critical issues of our times, it’s just getting started.
DELAN BRUCE | ILLUSTRATIONS BY MICHAEL WARAKSA

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Living Between Worlds 
Wu Tsang M.F.A. ’10 is one of our most fascinating and talented provocateurs, challenging the very notion of what art is — and what it can be. 
SHANA NYS DAMBROT

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The Gift of Lives
UCLA has become a world leader in organ transplants, giving hope — and many more years — to patients.
CHRISTINE SPEER LEJEUNE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISHA JUCEVIC 

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Every Vote Counts. But Who’s Counting?
Guaranteeing free and fair elections is the most important bulwark we have to protect our democracy. Here’s how four UCLA professors are helping lead the charge.
JONATHAN RIGGS | ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRIAN STAUFFER 

 

DEPARTMENTS

FORWARD THINKER
Saving the Planet, One Block at a Time 
Gaurav Sant is transforming carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into concrete while producing green hydrogen fuel — award-winning processes that all started with a boyhood interest in … seashells.
JOHN HARLOW | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA FRIEDMAN 

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CHANGE AGENT
Building a Portfolio of Hope
Mining her own life for inspiration, Erika Hirugami ’14, M.A. ’22 is turning a spotlight on the beautiful art of undocumented creatives. She’s also changing their lives. 
MARY DAILY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUSTAVO SORIANO 

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MY VERY OWN UCLA
Overcoming the Odds
Recent grad Nilton Serva ’23 tells of his incredible journey from incarcerated youth to proud Bruin — and how coming to Westwood changed his life forever.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON WOJACK

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HAIL TO THE HILLS
From ‘Rags’ to Bruins
How the UCLA mascots have evolved over the years to become the beloved bears we know today. 
FIONA RUANE

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BIG PICTURE
Poetry in Motion
A forthcoming anthology showcases the genius of Harryette Mullen, UCLA’s master bard. 
JOHN HARLOW | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BETHANY MOLLENKOF 

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AT ISSUE
The New Frontiers
A series of new acquisitions will expand UCLA’s ability to serve students and the city of Los Angeles. 
UCLA CHANCELLOR GENE BLOCK

 

QUICK TAKES 

Body Language
In a new book, a master of motion explains how he teaches Hollywood to move. 
MARY DAILY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEREMY JACKSON 

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Enough to Make You Laugh
What Mali the bonobo is teaching us about the contagiousness of joy.
JOHN HARLOW 

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Diving In
Tongva artist Mercedes Dorame ’03 has brought Catalina Island to the Getty, hoping to reaffirm her tribe’s presence — and meaning — in Los Angeles. 
MADELINE ADAMO

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No Sweat
A Bruin scientist discovers a radically easy new way to diagnose stress — and do something about it. 
JOE MANDRAKE