Bruins Nation, a UCLA Bruins community

Here's a story about our nemesis, coach Billy Donovan of Florida. Much as we dislike what he's done to the Bruins in the Tourney, it's worthwhile to learn about dynamics between him, his athletic director, and his university's president. While reading the article, it occurred to me how little we really know about Howland, Guerrero, and Block. Howland is practically a ghost off the basketball court. Guerrero is nowhere to be found outside of photo ops and buffets. Block hides out in the far corner of campus, ensconced in a second-floor office in Murphy Hall. We don't know what is truly important to these men, beyond the superficials of dollars and (maybe) victories. Do they care about integrity? Do they have a strong sense of purpose? How do they conceive of themselves as educators? Based on what we are able to observe, we would probably be disappointed to learn the answers to these questions, but it's troubling that they don't communicate in a way that would give us useful and positive insights. The linked article at least gives us an idea of what kind of a person Donovan is. By the way, scroll to the bottom of the article. Whose team appears in the photo right after the story of Donovan and the Gators?

Bialik was in a car accident at Hollywood Blvd. and La Brea Avenue. She injured her left hand. But she said, "In pain but will keep all my fingers." After starring in "Blossom," Bialik studied neuroscience at UCLA, where she received her Ph.D. in 2007.

Forbes.com's Annual list of America's 650 Top Colleges ... "The rankings, which are compiled exclusively for Forbes by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for College Affordability and Productivity, focus on the things that matter the most to students: quality of teaching, great career prospects, high graduation rates and low-levels of debt. They do not attempt to assess a school's reputation, nor are they a measure of academic selectivity and we pointedly ignore any metrics that would encourage schools to engage in wasteful spending."

From UCLABruins.com: "A total of 32 UCLA Bruins will head to London, England for the 2012 Olympic Games, bringing UCLA's all-time total of Olympic appearances to 646. Of the 32, 24 are athletes (18 former, 4 current, 1 incoming, 1 former coach), and eight are coaches or delegation members. The Olympics begin July 25 with soccer games two days ahead of the Opening Ceremonies and will conclude on August 12."

UCLA is pleased to offer live streaming of the College of Letters & Sceince Main Commencement Ceremony and the Economic Departmental Graduation! The College of Letters and Science Ceremony will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 15. The Economics Graduation will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 16.

Apparently they were not "Wonder Years". UCLA alum Danica McKellar has filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court from composer Michael Verta after 3 years. Very sad.

"UCLA electrical engineering ranked no. 1, UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science ranked no. 4 by Microsoft Academic Search" Behind only to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and University of California Berkeley. Also "This dynamic worldwide ranking also places aerospace engineering at no. 8, and computer science at no. 9."

Newest Bruins Hall of Fame Class: Ron Ballatore (men's swimming coach), Dr. Julie Bremner Romias (women's volleyball), Jack Hirsch (men's basketball), Fred McNeill (football), Stacey Nuveman (softball), Charles Pasarell (men's tennis), Coralie Simmons (women's water polo) and Stella Umeh (gymnastics). In addition, Dr. Gerald Finerman will be inducted for his extraordinary service to the department.

Congratulations! Gore Verbinski '87 and Bruin Alexander Payne MFA '90