Los Angeles glows blue and gold to celebrate UCLA

Civic Engagement

To help celebrate UCLA’s final day as a 99-year-old, some of Los Angeles’ most famous landmarks — stretching from City Hall to Los Angeles International Airport — were illuminated in blue and gold, becoming symbols of Bruin spirit.

Leading up to the nighttime visuals, UCLA threw a birthday party open to all Los Angeles residents in downtown’s Grand Park. Beginning around 6:30 p.m., people gathered to enjoy performances by KCRW DJ Jason Bentley and the UCLA Bruin Marching Band, all while enjoying bites from top local food trucks. UCLA alumna and ESPN SportsCenter anchor Cari Champion served as the evening’s emcee…

Champion also introduced Chancellor Gene Block, who proudly pointed out that about a third of UCLA graduates are the first in their families to receive a college degree and emphasized the connection between UCLA and the city.

“We have never forgotten that we are a public university,” Block said. “We are dedicated to the city. We love being here. It has made UCLA what it is being in Los Angeles.”

Read more on UCLA Newsroom.