UC Alumni Gala
Our flagship fundraising event, the University of California Alumni Gala, exemplifies the generosity and spirit of our community. In March 2026, we hosted our 9th Annual Gala at the One Whitehall Place, raising funds for various scholarships and research initiatives at UC while also bringing together alumni, students, and friends for an evening of celebration and connection. This year we raised over $140,000 (£105,000) for UC!
The University of California Trust and the UC Alumni UK Network warmly request your presence at the 10th Annual University of California Alumni Gala on Saturday April 17, 2027 at the iconic Goldsmiths Hall in Central London.
Our evening begins with a sparkling reception, leading to a three-course dinner and remarks from distinguished guests. During the soiree, guests are invited to enter the raffle and bid in the auctions, both featuring highly coveted items and one-of-a-kind experiences. Finally, you will have a chance to enjoy our fundraising casino, all in support of student scholarships! Sign up to save the date.
Since its inception, the Gala has supported the following funds at the University of California:
- Berkeley Study Abroad Scholarship Fund
- UC Berkeley Fund for I-House
- UC Davis Study Abroad Foundation
- Irvine Study Abroad Fund
- UCLA Study Abroad Program and Student Support Discretionary Fund
- UCLA United Kingdom Undergraduate Study Abroad Scholarship
- UC Riverside Education Abroad Programs Fund
- UC San Diego Alumni United Kingdom Education Abroad Program Scholarship
- UC San Diego Basement Accelerator Innovation Fund
- Triton Alumni and Welcome Center Fund
- Triton Men’s Track and Field
- Triton Women’s Track and Field
- UC Santa Barbara UK Donor Group
- Santa Cruz Study Abroad Fund
- UC Education Abroad Program Guardian Scholars Fund
Interested in supporting student initiatives at the Gala?
9th ANNUAL GALA RECAP
Our Keynote Speaker: Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine
Chancellor Howard Gillman is the sixth chancellor of the University of California, Irvine. He is an award-winning scholar and teacher with an expertise in the American Constitution and the Supreme Court. An alumnus of UCLA, he now holds faculty appointments in the UCI School of Law and the Department of Political Science. He also provides administrative oversight to, and serves as co-chair of the advisory board of, the University of California’s National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement. Learn more about Chancellor Gillman.
Honorable Mention: Chancellor Cynthia Larive, UC Santa Cruz
As the 11th chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz, Cynthia Larive leads an institution known worldwide for its high-impact research, for seeking interdisciplinary solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, and for its commitment to social and environmental justice. Larive is a first-generation college graduate, earning her Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from UC Riverside while raising her daughters, Erin and Megan, with her husband, Jim. Learn more about Chancellor Larive.
Honorable Mention: Dean Jennifer Chatman, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
Jennifer A. Chatman is the Bank of America Dean of the Haas School of Business. Prior to becoming dean, she held the Paul J. Cortese Distinguished Professorship in the Management of Organizations Group. She has served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and from October to December 2023, she served as the school’s Acting Dean. She is also the Co-founder of the Berkeley Center for Workplace Culture and Innovation and co-hosts the podcast The Culture Kit with Jenny & Sameer with Sameer Srivastava. Chatman earned her PhD at Berkeley Haas, and her BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley. Learn more about Dean Chatman
Prizes from last year include:
Have a tipple - or six! Enjoy a fine wine tasting for six at the Humble Grape, Bow Lane. The tasting will include a three-course meal with a champagne reception, wine pairings, and an on-site sommelier.
Have you ever dreamed of being immortalized in fiction? Now is your chance! You can win the opportunity to name a significant character in the next novel by UC Riverside alumnus John R. Childress, along with signed copies of his other eco-thrillers. Who will you choose: hero? Heroine? Or will you play the villain?
Time to unwind! Enjoy a two-night stay with breakfast at the fabulous Hotel & Winery Señorío de Nevada outside Granada, Spain. Treat yourself to delicious local wines after a day of exploring the Alhambra, or stay in and enjoy the views of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains.
With thanks to our 2026 sponsors
Stone King provide clients with seamless, complementary legal advice covering all aspects of law. They are independently recognized as a leading law firm by both Chambers and the Legal 500.
For US or UK citizens living overseas, Maseco Private Wealth are uniquely positioned to provide tailored financial services that simplify your unique multi-jurisdictional wealth needs.
Jaffe & Co is a London-based family-run firm of US and UK tax advisors helping the US expat community in London, the UK and across the globe.