An interactive memorial commemorating veterans, the first of its kind at UCLA, is on display in the Court of Sciences today and Bruin Plaza Thursday.

Organizers of the memorial encouraged passersby to write down the names of veterans they know, or choose a name from their list of UCLA veterans. The goal of the event, organizers said, is to get people thinking of what Memorial Day – which falls on Monday, May 28 – means for the UCLA community.

“Civilians sometimes take the time off for granted, but it should really be about remembering the people who have passed on serving our nation,” said Andrew Nicholls, a fourth-year psychology student and veteran’s coordinator at the UCLA Veteran’s Resource Office.

Nicholls served eight years in the army, and comes from a family with a rich history of service. He pointed to the name he had written on the board: “Michael H. Simpson.” Simpson, he explained, was a friend who recently died while on duty in Afghanistan.

“William LacLacblan, Class of ’50″ was another name etched on the wall. Second-year english student Dmitry Neronov stopped by the memorial on his way back from class to write down the name, which he selected from a list of veterans. Neronov said his mother works as an instructor for the military, so he appreciates the contributions of those who serve.

Third-year geophysics student Jacquelynne Vaughan kneeled close to the wall to scribble the name “Brad Parks” on the wall. Parks, a friend of Vaughan, is currently a second-year physics student. After high school, he went straight to the Marines and infantry. “He works really hard, and is overall a really good person, so I wanted to commemorate that,” Vaughan said.

Military Veteran’s Organization, Bruin Battalion, Operation MEND, Red Cross and ROTC are co-hosting the event. The boards are provided by the nonprofit Nicholls co-founded, KIA WIA Foundation or “Killed in Action – Missing in Action.”

This is the first year these groups have come together to organize a memorial board on campus. The plan, Nicholls said, is to keep these boards in storage and bring them out each memorial day to display. Nicholls said he would like the project to become an annual event, so that the UCLA community can connect with veterans.

“I hope the community finds something powerful in this event,” he said.

The memorial boards will be up in Bruin Plaza on Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

—Kate PM

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It’s I <3 UCLA Week (in case you’re one of the three students who aren’t aware). One of the many events this week is the I <3 UCLA Blood Drive sponsored by Student Alumni Association. It may not be the most glamorous event this week, but it’s for a good cause. Plus, you get some awesome swag for doing it. I’ve donated blood before, and while I was apprehensive at first, I’ve come to actually enjoy the experience.

If you go to a blood drive, chances are you’ll be asked to sign up for the bone marrow donor list. Last year, I was actually a match for a leukemia patient. I ended up giving a peripheral blood cell donation (which is less intrusive than donating bone marrow), and it was a truly humbling experience. While it is a big time commitment if you do get called, I’d highly recommend signing up to be a bone marrow donor. I’m going to try to convince you by talking about all the sweet perks you get (at least, based on my experience).

1) Free Food: It’s every college student’s dream. Getting food without having to fork over money for it. If you donate blood, you usually get some cookies, juice and maybe some chips. But when you donate bone marrow, you get all that plus a free lunch!
2) The Nurses Pamper You Like Crazy: Again, I’m just speaking from my experience, but the nurses treat you like royalty. You’re selflessly giving something you have for the benefit of another person. In a hospital, that practically makes you a rock star. They’ll open your drinks and cut up your food if your arms are still sore after the procedure. And they’ll give you all the blankets you want. Oh, by the way…
3) The Blankets Are Frickin’ Awesome: Hospital blankets are the comfiest things I’ve ever had on my body. And they’re so warm. They must put them in a microwave or something because the blankets were so toasty. When your blanket loses its heat, they’ll take it away, and give you another one that’s just as warm as the last one.
4) You Get to Watch TV: If you end up giving a peripheral blood cell donation, you’re lying in a bed with two needles in both arms for 4 to 6 hours. Luckily, they’ll have a TV, so you can watch whatever you want. When I donated, I finally had a chance to catch up on the final season of Seinfeld. You really can only watch TV, so it’s a perfect excuse for not doing your homework. And one more thing…
5) It’s the Perfect Excuse for Getting Out of Class: You’re helping another human being. If your professor doesn’t excuse you from class, he/she has no soul.

The I <3 UCLA Blood Drive takes place Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Kerckhoff Grand Salon. You can schedule an appointment at 310-825-0888. The first 250 donors get a free I <3 UCLA tank top. More free stuff! And everyone gets a movie ticket for donating. Even more free stuff!

—Mike Bedard

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Who doesn’t love free stuff? Here’s the Bruin Buzz… that is, a list of places and times where you can save (and get free stuff and food) this week.

Monday

• Westwood Fashion Night Out: Receive 20 percent off at Brandy Melville, Keane and Mix in Westwood between 7 and 9 p.m.. Just make sure to mention FAST at UCLA.
• Changing the Paradigm: Introducing Theories of Change: Enjoy some free food at the Social Justice Caucus Town Hall put on by the Community Programs Office from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Covel Commons Grand Horizon Ballroom.
• White Frog Film Screening: Light refreshments provide at the screening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bradley International Hall A/B.

Tuesday

• Jazz Reggae Student Ticket Giveaway:  Get free tickets to both Jam and Reggae Days for the 2013 Jazz Reggae Festival held on May 26 and 27. No campouts are allowed before 6 a.m., and CTO will open at 8 a.m. Similar to the Spring Sing ticket sales, expect long lines.

Wednesday

• Picnic at Sunset with the Student Food Collective: Bring your own utensils and a blanket and enjoy the free food and sunset between 5 and 8 p.m. at the Sunset Rec Upper Pool location.
• Taiwan 101 Workshop: Learn about Taiwan and try some free Taiwanese snacks at 12 p.m. at Ackerman 2408 as part of Taiwanese American Heritage Week put on by TASC Initiative at UCLA.

Thursday

• Thank UCLA Day: As part of I <3 UCLA Week, the Student Alumni Association is giving out free T-shirts, Jamba Juice and Pretzels between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Bruin Plaza.
• Bruins Night Out & Dank Restaurant Deals: Hosted by CEC and General Representative 1 as part of I <3 UCLA Week, there will be various restaurant discounts in Westwood as well as a free sneak peak of Pixar’s new Monsters University.

Friday

• Student Technology Survey: Give feedback on technology at UCLA and get a free slice of pizza (till they run out, so get there early) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Bruin Walk. Also enter the raffle to win $30 and $50 Amazon cards.
• Greek Intervarsity Spring Rush: Learn about the group and eat at Sunset Rec from 2 to 4 p.m.

With blogging contributions by Morgan Dobbins.

—Kassy Cho

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A chocolate fountain with strawberries and cheese fondue. Tables of free plastic bow ties and white beads…

Gatsby would approve.

The Gatsby Gala, hosted by the On Campus Housing Council and Canyon Point, took place Thursday night in the Covel Grand Horizon Room.

The colorful lights shined on a floor filled with women floating around in flapper dresses. Other guests were decked out in suits and bow ties. The playlist was a mix of modern tunes such as Justin Timberlake’s “Suit and Tie” and more classic jazz songs. After all, you can’t dance the Charleston to “Party Rock Anthem.”

Joel Ontiveros, a fourth-year world arts and cultures student, taught the entire dance floor the popular 20’s dance. He went step-by-step, so everyone could learn the difficult dance moves, even saying “Leonardo would be so proud” as people started to pick it up.

“We watched YouTube videos and taught ourselves,” said Ontiveros. “We threw in some hip hop and jazz to make it current.”

Kate Misogas, a third-year psychobiology student and member of the Office of Residential Life, was dressed head-to-toe in a red flapper dress she found at Forever 21.

“It’s a pretty good turn out considering the little amount of advertising,” Misogas said.

While the night was all about the 20’s, some decided to come to the dance specifically because of their love for ‘The Great Gatsby’.

“I’m not normally a social person,” said first-year english student Tanu Srivastava. “So I thought a dance based on a book was the best way for an english major to meet people.”

—Sarah Greenwald

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Let’s play a game of “Who I saw in Ackerman today.” Here are the clues:

1) He’s Olympic gold medalist

2) He lit the Olympic Flame at the 1984 summer games in Los Angeles.

3) He also happens to be a fellow Bruin (class of ‘59)

It’s Rafer Johnson, who I spotted sitting near Panda Express, just sipping some boba and chatting with students about politics–Los Angeles politics that is.

He came to help his fellow Bruins support Wendy Greuel, Los Angeles City Controller who is running against Eric Garcetti in the Los Angeles mayoral elections. Voters hit the polls on May 21.

Since early spring, students have come together to help promote Wendy Greuel’s campaign for office, and Johnson was the special guest at Thursday night’s phone bank.

So how exactly did he get involved in all of this? Well, it all goes back to his days as a student athlete here at UCLA.

While a student here Johnson ran track, and he also played basketball under the coaching of John Wooden. He credited his success to all of the support that people, like Wooden, gave him over the years.

“You know I worked hard to be good at what I did, and you don’t get that way alone.”

After he retired from sports in 1960, Johnson decided he wanted to give back to the same community that helped him with his achievements. Since then he has been involved in charities and events that serve the community, including the Special Olympics, which (coincidence!) is how he got to meet Wendy Greuel.

“I’ve known Wendy for many years,” he said, “We got to work together with fundraising opportunities for the Special Olympics.”

Cathi Cohen, a third-year political science and psychology student, was working the event as part of an internship. She and her fellow interns work for the Greuel’s West Los Angeles campaign office, and have been working to promote student interest in the election, and Greuel.

“Voter turnout at the first election was pretty small, about 18% of registered voters in L.A.,” said Cohen. “Students just don’t know what’s going on, especially with USAC elections going on this week.”

Johnson said he supports Greuel because she is works for the community.

“Wendy gives back, and not just once or twice, or in one specific place. No, it’s all across the board, all over L.A.,” he said.

And out of curiosity, as a UCLA alumni what was his hope for students here?

“I feel that I made the right choice in coming to UCLA, and I just hope that more students would feel the same way.”

That school pride was obvious, especially when he mentioned how he’d been involved in some board or another here since he graduated. He’s also just one alumni of an extended Bruin family (his wife, mother in-law and children are all UCLA graduates)!

His pride for the school was clear when I snapped a picture of him at the campaign table.

“Should I wear my UCLA jacket?” he asked, laughing.

-Estefani  Herrera, Bruin contributor

—Kate PM

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