As I reflect on my eight years serving as the administrative vice chancellor at UCLA, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the dedication and passion demonstrated each day by our division. There have been many challenges that we have had to work through, including those we experienced during this last spring quarter. As Dr. Julio Frenk, our incoming chancellor, mentioned to me, these incidents don’t define UCLA.
Our collective efforts have continually advanced UCLA’s mission, creating exceptional Bruin experiences for our students, faculty, staff and visitors. This dedication is further enhanced by our commitment to the five pillars of UCLA’s latest strategic plan and the Administration’s focused efforts on making UCLA a more effective and efficient university.
Every member of our team plays a crucial role in this mission. I am deeply thankful for all the contributions —big and small— that make UCLA a vibrant place to work, learn, play and live. As we enjoy the summer months, it's an opportune time for us to reflect on the achievements of the past academic year and to look forward with anticipation to the impact we will continue to have on our community in the coming year.
This year also marks a significant change in UCLA’s leadership as we bid farewell to Chancellor Gene Block, whose remarkable 17-year tenure has been defined by outstanding achievements and visionary leadership. As we honor his legacy, we welcome Darnell Hunt, our executive vice chancellor and provost, who will serve as interim chancellor through the end of 2024. In January 2025, we will welcome Chancellor Frenk as UCLA’s seventh chancellor. Furthermore, we are pleased to have Stephen J. Agostini, an experienced finance leader with a distinguished career in higher education and government, who recently joined us as vice chancellor and chief financial officer.
One of Chancellor Block’s lasting legacies will be the three new acquisitions that will define UCLA’s future: UCLA South Bay, the university’s largest land addition in its history; UCLA Downtown, a historic 11-story building in the city’s core; and the UCLA Research Park, the closed Westside pavilion that was being reinvented by Google. It will soon become a hub for dynamic scientific discovery by UCLA and industry researchers. These sites will provide new opportunities, fostering innovation and growth, and elevate our mission in new and profound ways.
Additionally, as we watch the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic events in Paris now through August 11, we realize that at its conclusion the focus will turn to Los Angeles and UCLA to prepare for the 2028 Games, as UCLA will be the Olympic and Paralympic Athletes Village and Training Center. This period will undoubtedly be an exciting and transformative time for our community.
As we move forward, let us embrace the opportunities ahead with optimism and enthusiasm. Together, we will continue to build on our successes, create lasting impacts and contribute to the global stage. Our journey is one of constant evolution, and each of us plays a vital part in shaping the future of UCLA. Here's to another year of remarkable achievements and shared triumphs.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Beck
Administrative Vice Chancellor
