Celebrate UCI

Irvine, Calif., April 11, 2006 - Each year, UC Irvine invites the community, alumni, prospective students and their families to visit the campus, learn more about the university, and enjoy food, games and entertainment along the way.

Thousands are expected to participate in the 28th annual "Celebrate UCI"
Saturday, April 22. The all-day campus open house welcomes all ages with events that include an Earth Day celebration, a classic car show and a medieval festival in Aldrich Park. Campus tram tours and information sessions will be held throughout the day to introduce prospective students and their families to academic life at UCI.

Aldrich Park festivities

The Wayzgoose Medieval Faire, now in its 35th year, features costumed knights, minstrels, musicians and jugglers. More than 100 clubs and organizations offer multicultural foods, crafts and games in booths throughout the park, as dancers and bands perform on two stages. Nearby, a petting zoo, pony rides, carnival games and a children's stage provide entertainment for kids. This 10 a.m.-5 p.m. event, among UCI's oldest traditions, is sponsored by the Associated Students of UCI.

The Earth Day celebration includes educational booths, Earth-friendly vendors, electric vehicles, non-profit organizations, and the Dionysus film festival highlighting social and environmental concerns. The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the day kicks off at 7:30 a.m. at the Anteater Recreation Center with hundreds of local schoolchildren participating in environmental service activities on campus as part of National Youth Service Day. UCI Earth Day is sponsored by the UCI Volunteer Center.

The 8th annual Car Show on the Green, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., features more than $1 million-worth of classic cars. Eighteen awards will be given in categories such as best in show, best paint, judge's award and people's choice. The show is sponsored by the UCI Police Department.

Tours

Campus tram tours will be available 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and walking tours at
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Guided tours include visits to UCI's housing communities, Anteater Recreation Center and the libraries.

Academic information

Academic counselors will present info about various undergraduate programs from 11 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. Additionally, from 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m., booths will provide information about UC Irvine Extension, Summer Session, School of Medicine, Paul Merage School of Business and the Department of Education programs.

For new and prospective Anteaters

Information sessions will be offered on the Campuswide Honors Program, undergraduate research opportunities and transferring to UCI. "Explore UCI" offers an overview for newly admitted students and their parents.
In addition, admissions, financial aid and housing offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Events new this year to Celebrate UCI

"Under Construction Indefinitely: Forty Years of Designing UCI" exhibit, Langson Library, Reynolds Gallery, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

"Explore UCI" information session, for newly admitted students and their parents, Crystal Cove Auditorium, 9-10:45 a.m.

"California Teach" Initiative information session, for students interested in becoming math or science teachers in Rowland Hall, Room 101, noon-1 p.m.

Student Center expansion information booth will display renderings of expanded Student Center and Cross-Cultural Center buildings, Ring Mall near the construction site, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

LGBT Resource Center open house, with information on education and resources on sexuality and gender identity, Gateway Commons, Room 106,
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission and parking for Celebrate UCI are free. For more information, call (949) 824-5182 or visit www.uci.edu/celebrate.

About the University of California, Irvine: The University of California, Irvine is a top-ranked university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Founded in 1965, UCI is among the fastest-growing University of California campuses, with more than 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students and about 1,400 faculty members. The second-largest employer in dynamic Orange County, UCI contributes an annual economic impact of $3.3 billion. For more UCI news, visit www.today.uci.edu.

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Contact:   
Christine Byrd
(949) 824-9055
cbyrd@uci.edu

UCI maintains an online directory of faculty available as experts to the media. To access, visit: www.today.uci.edu/experts.