Go Gauchos!

Thousands of alumni will reunite at UC Santa Barbara to reminisce, network and show their support for the university at the 12^th Annual All Gaucho Reunion from Thursday, April 26 through Sunday, April 29.

This UCSB signature event, which brings together alumni from across the United States and around the world, is held on the university’s campus and is produced by UC Santa Barbara Alumni with Nationwide as the presenting sponsor.

Highlights include 50^th anniversary celebrations for the College of Creative Studies, Broida Hall and the Class of ’68, a 30^th anniversary celebration for the campus’s MultiCultural Center, the Gaucho Festival and the first-ever Gaucho Grown Showcase. Community members are invited to the many events.

“As the name implies, this weekend is designed for all Gauchos,” said UCSB Alumni Associate Director John Lofthus. “We have a diverse set of events and talks including social receptions, student performances, athletic games and career panels. Our hope is that all of our alumni and community members will find programming that speaks to them.”

The All Gaucho Reunion is a major component in Alumni’s mission of building strong, lifelong relationships with the campuses 210,000-plus alumni, Lofthus noted. “Some of our returning alumni have not been back to campus for more than 50 years,” he said. “This weekend allows them to become better acquainted with what UC Santa Barbara has become and where it is going.”

The All Gaucho Reunion is an important occasion not only for connecting and bringing alumni back to celebrate all things UCSB, but also to support current students. Proceeds from many of the All Gaucho Reunion events will benefit student scholarships at UCSB. In addition, reunion participants will join with UCSB Greek life students in collecting food and monetary donations for the Associated Students Food Bank, which is run by students in support of fellow classmates experiencing financial challenges.

Reunion highlights:

• College of Creative Studies 50^th Anniversary

The College marks its golden anniversary with an alumni reception

• Broida Hall 50^th Anniversary

Celebrating a half-century of physics at UCSB

• Gaucho Festival — Put together the Gaucho Gallop 5K & Kid’s Mile, Taste of UCSB Wine & Beer Garden, a kids’ zone and representatives from academic departments mingling with alumni and you have the daylong Gaucho Festival.

The Gaucho Gallop is a flat, scenic, professionally timed run through campus. The Santa Barbara Athletic Association Grand Prix Course is geared toward all ages and fitness levels, and competitive and first-time racers. Tailored for future Gauchos, the Gaucho Gallop Kid’s Mile is free for kids ages 10 and under. All Kids Mile finishers receive medals.

Taste of UCSB Wine & Beer Garden features alumni vintners and brewers bringing the best of the Central Coast. Among them are August Ridge Vineyards, Draughtsmen Aleworks, Enegren Lager & Ales, Figueroa Mountain Brewery, Geissinger Winery, Hollister Brewing Company, Beachwood Brewing, Koehler Winery, Michel-Schlumberger, M Special, Municipal Winemakers, Roblar Winery and Vineyards and Sanford Winery.

• Gaucho Grown Showcase

Aimed at engaging alumni through their professional lives, this event features panel discussions and workshops such as “Playing with Fire,” a look at the impact of wildfire on our ecology and economy; “Building a Community of Women in Tech”; “Navigating First-Gen Success”; “WTF: Watching the Fed and Other Things”; and “Building Strong Teams.” Alumnus and co-founder of The Honest Company Christopher Gavigan will give a talk on finding passion in your career.

• Gold Coast Step Classic “Boots to the Sand”

A cultural event centered on the legacy of historically Black Greek letter organizations features performances by African American and Black fraternities and sororities. A reception follows.

Among other All Gaucho Reunion events are networking and career get-togethers, athletics, Greek gatherings, exhibitions, lectures and tours.

Questions can be directed to Samantha Putnam, UCSB Alumni Association programs director, at Samantha.Putnam@ucsb.edu.