Michael Evan Waterstone

The ceremony honored the students from the UCLA College of Letters and Science for the class of 2012, noted as the highest-achieving students to ever graduate from UCLA. Remarks were given regarding UCLA's status as a premier university, its history of Nobel laureates, and its successful intercollegiate sports program. Key discussions during the ceremony involved recognizing the students' academic achievements, thanking their support systems, acknowledging students graduating with special honors (including research participants, community service involvement, Latin honors, and college honors), and addressing the Chancellor's message about UCLA thriving despite budget constraints, focusing on institutional transformation through research, financial self-reliance, and inspirational public service values like integrity, excellence, accountability, respect, and service.

The One Mind for Research Campaign launched a 10-year plan in 2011 to unlock the mysteries of the brain. This strategic initiative prioritizes unifying global research efforts through extensive collaboration among leading universities, government entities, and advocate groups. It further aims to significantly raise public awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding brain disorders, while simultaneously emphasizing the immense economic burden of these conditions to catalyze greater investment in scientific discovery and the development of cures.

UCLA launched its Centennial campaign with a goal of raising $4.2 billion to secure its future. The campaign celebrates UCLA's first century and outlines plans for the next, aiming to maintain the institution's strength by ensuring continued support for great students and faculty.