Spring Week Celebrates UC Law SF’s Strong Alumni Community
More than 400 alumni returned to their alma mater in early April to celebrate UC Law San Francisco’s growth, connect with students and see vibrant new spaces that are enhancing the learning experience.
It was part of the third annual Spring Week put on by the law school’s Alumni Association, which featured events on campus and across the city of San Francisco. Networking, catching up with friends, and fun were also major highlights of week.
“Alumni are one of our law school’s most vital resources,” said Meredith Jaggard, executive director of the Alumni Association. “Their achievements enhance our reputation, and their support makes UC Law SF and its future graduates thrive. Spring Week is about celebrating them and the crucial role they play in advancing our institution.”
The week kicked off on April 3 with a fireside chat between Chancellor & Dean David Faigman and Lyft President Kristin Sverchek ’07. She shared how UC Law SF prepared her for success in business, law and technology, instilling pride among fellow alums and inspiring future graduates.
In a virtual town hall, Faigman described UC Law SF’s new state-of-the-art buildings and partnerships with other colleges as part of its Academic Village campus transformation. He also touted the law school’s wide range of offerings that help students gain hands-on experience and explore different areas of law.
“We are giving students an opportunity to find their niche, to find where they want to concentrate their interest as they consider and contemplate what their career in law is going to look like,” Faigman said.
April 4 marked the law school’s third annual Day of Giving, which raised more than $50,000 for vital academic programs, including scholarships, student organizations, and public-interest fellowships for law students and recent graduates.
“These donations help boost our quality and reputation as top-notch center for legal education and fund crucial opportunities and programs for students and recent grads,” said Hayden Reynolds Cowan, assistant director of Annual Giving and Development Communications at UC Law SF.
Visiting alumni also toured the brand new 14-story building at 198 McAllister St., which includes 656 apartments for students of UC Law SF and other Bay Area universities along with a 400-seat auditorium, two practice courtrooms, and new spaces for flagship centers and scholarly publications.
The tours were followed on April 5 by an all-alumni party in the rotunda of San Francisco City Hall, which included a performance by the Lollipop Guild of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. The event also recognized Matt Davis ’89 of Walkup, Melodia, Kelly, & Schoenberger as the Alum of the Year.
Graduates celebrating milestone reunions mingled at a jazz brunch on campus April 6, and all alumni were invited to watch the San Francisco Giants take on the San Diego Padres later that evening. This year, alumni sponsored students who wanted to attend the game, creating new networking opportunities.
Jaggard said this year’s Spring Week also attracted more alumni who had not visited campus or engaged with the law school in recent years – and it led to new connections.
“We had multiple alumni express interest in mentoring current law students,” she said. “Spring Week reminds us of the strength of our alumni network and how it continues to contribute to the law school’s vibrant future and that of its future graduates.”