UCI Offers Class of 2000 Its 1st Lesson

Dressed in gowns and collars, a dozen faculty and administrators at UC Irvine marched onto the stage at Bren Events Center on Tuesday to give members of the Class of 2000 their first college lesson.

“Study Italian operas and modern jazz. Read newspapers to keep up with current events. Learn about the wondrous works of the brain,” said James McGaugh, a psychobiology professor and director of the university’s Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.

“As the first class of the 21st century, you have a special obligation. Be sure to study hard the next fours years and learn a lot.”

After settling into dormitories and registering for classes, the university’s 3,100 freshmen were summoned to Bren Events Center on Tuesday morning to listen to advice from UC Irvine Chancellor Laurel L. Wilkening and others.

Faculty and administrators challenged students to take advantage of all learning opportunities during their years at UCI.

Joel Ruiz, president of the Associated Student Body, offered the freshmen some tips.

“Make lifelong friends and thank your parents for helping you to get here,” he said. Biology major Jennifer Squires, 18, said, “I think they’re trying to make everyone feel proud to be at UCI. The university has gotten a lot of academic recognition, and they want us to be hyped about that.”

Added freshman Hayato Tamura, 18: “I’m glad to be here. It’s the best school I could have picked.”