Since 1970, UC's MESA program has helped educationally disadvantaged students make it to college, while also addressing California's shortage of math and science professionals.

The Board of Regents has appointed UC professor emeritus Lawrence H. Pitts, M.D. as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs of the UC system. Pitts has been serving as interim provost since February 2009.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has awarded research fellowships to 17 early career scientists and scholars at the University of California. Winners include promising, early career academics from chemistry, computer science, mathematics, molecular biology, and physics.

The new Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC) has appointed the following to the leadership team: Stephanie Rosh, Manager – Retiree Insurance Program; Richard Townsend, Manager – Operational Compliance and Calculations; Robert Pettit, Director – Retirement Operations; Mary DeShaw will transition from her dual role of Director – Retirement Operations and Service Center Implementation Manager to a full time role of providing project management, implementation support and other consultative functions for the Service Center; Ellen E. Lorenz, Director – Business Controls and Customer Service. Please join us in congratulating Stephanie, Richard, Robert, Mary and Ellen.

For 34 years, Willie Archie has led the UCOP Singers during their performance at the annual holiday party. This will be his final year directing the group.

UC’s Treasury Workstation, an automated, web-based cash management system, has been awarded a bronze Alexander Hamilton Award.

Congratulations to Barbara Allen-Diaz and Kay Harrison Taber who have been appointed to new positions in Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Jan Corlett has been appointed as Executive Officer and Chief of Staff within the Division of Academic Affairs. Patricia Osorio-O’Dea has been appointed as the new Deputy to Vice Provost Dan Greenstein.

Applause is a place for us to celebrate milestones, years of service, awards and accomplishments among UCOP colleagues. To nominate a colleague for recognition or to share an important group achievement to be featured