Colleges : Campus scene : IRVINE: UCI Chemists Make National Top 10

The UC Irvine Department of Chemistry was named one of the top 10 chemistry departments in the nation in a recent issue of Science Watch, a publication of the Institute for Scientific Information.

The university’s No. 9 ranking is based on the number of times a research paper issued by the UCI chemistry department is cited in research reports issued by other universities, corporations or government laboratories.

Irvine ranked ahead of all other University of California chemistry departments, including Berkeley, which ranked 10th. Harvard University was listed in first place, followed by Caltech.

HUNTINGTON BEACH: Golden West Plans Welcoming Event

High school students are being invited to attend Golden West’s College Day ’95 festivities, which will be from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 22. Admission, parking and a barbecue lunch are free.

Faculty and staff will be at information booths to answer questions about the college’s academic and career programs, financial aid, free counseling services, transfer opportunities and registration procedures.

High school seniors can apply for admission to Golden West and “get a jump on early registration and financial aid,” a campus spokeswoman said.

SANTA ANA: College Board Member to Chair Committees

Shirley Ralston, now serving her fourth term as a member of Rancho Santiago Community College’s governing board, has been named chair of two state committees by the California Community Colleges’ Board of Governors, a Rancho Santiago spokesman said.

Appointed to the Board of Governors by former Gov. George Deukmejian in 1990, Ralston was recently chosen to chair the Student Services and Special Programs Committee and the Choosing the Future ad hoc advisory committee, spokesman Dale Ruhe said.

Ralston is a resident of Orange and a graduate of Rancho Santiago College.

IRVINE: Seminar Directed at Aspiring Actors

A seminar on television and film acting careers will feature a casting director and a Hollywood agent discussing how aspiring actors and actresses can break into the profession. Casting director Billy DaMota, who has cast feature films that include “Colors” and “Above the Law,” will join Helen Barkan, an agent with Aimee Entertainment, and photographer Michael Papo. The seminar is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, and will be conducted by Frank Pangborn, an actor and Irvine Valley College faculty member.

The cost is $42. Information: (714) 559-3333.