Good vibes on campus as the annual All-Staff Picnic returns
Faculty and StaffFriends and SupportersThey came for the food — especially the crisp, juicy watermelon and cool ice cream. They stayed for the friendly, furry dogs.
After a two-year hiatus, UCLA Staff Assembly and the Chancellor’s office pulled out all the stops at the 17th annual All-Staff Picnic to show gratitude for the people who keep campus running every day, especially during the pandemic.
Chancellor Gene Block took to microphone, opening with words “borrowed” from Martin Jarmond, Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics.
“When he talks about the team, he doesn’t just mean the players on the field … He means everybody who makes it possible for athletic success, and it’s the same here for academic success,” said Block, who spent a portion of the event working the food distribution station with vice chancellors and deans.
“You are the team, and therefore I want to thank you deeply for all that you do,” Block said.
Several thousand staff enjoyed temperatures in the mid-70s and thus were in no hurry to leave Dickson Plaza staying for the bulk of the two-hour event, during which they could enjoy locally sourced food, games, dancing and therapy dogs courtesy of UCLA Health.