ERG celebrated its 50th Anniversary this year with a four-day weekend of memorable events and shared experiences. Whether you joined us in person or want to revisit the celebration, here is a detailed recap of ERG’s 50th Anniversary weekend, held from May 1 to May 4.
May 1 – ERG Spring Show at Giannini Hall
The weekend began with ERG’s annual Spring Show at Giannini Hall. Alumni were invited to a community potluck, silent auction, and a graduate student talent show that highlighted the creativity and spirit of the ERG community.
Throwback Highlights
In recognition of ERG’s 50-year history, we’ve included a few memorable snapshots from past Spring Shows:
“This was when our cohort performed ‘Magic Dance’ by David Bowie from the movie Labyrinth. Choreographed by Sophie Major. Baby played by Britt Shaw. I can’t remember why we did that, but it was hilarious!”
– Jessie Knapstein
“When George W. Bush was elected to a second term in 2004, I began wearing all black each day. The election—especially given the U.S. had invaded Iraq instead of Saudi Arabia—felt like a signal that we were no longer living in an informed democracy. The Spring ERG Talent Show that year coincided with my retirement. Unbeknownst to me, the students honored my daily tradition of wearing black by dressing in black for a group photo. Wanting to stand out for the occasion, I pulled out a colorful Thai silk shirt from my backpack that I had bought decades earlier in Bangkok. That spontaneous gesture added a fun twist to an already unforgettable event.”
– Dick Norgaard
May 2 – Field Trips & Annual Lecture
The second day featured a series of all-day field trips, followed by ERG’s 31st Annual Lecture on Energy and the Environment.
Campanile Social (@chris.topher.hyun): Friday’s welcome social at the Campanile provided a relaxed setting for alumni, students, and faculty to reconnect.
That evening, ERG hosted the 31st Annual Lecture in Stanley Hall, featuring a conversation between Mary D. Nichols and Dr. Carla J. Peterman. They reflected on their professional journeys, shared insights, and discussed how to uphold environmental and social values in times of significant change.
Dr. Peterman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer at PG&E—and a PhD alumna of ERG—joined Nichols, Chair of the California Air Resources Board, to address critical topics such as air quality and environmental sustainability.
Couldn’t attend the lecture in person?
Watch the full livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/live/XTF8YLufvCA
The lecture was followed by a reception with complimentary food and drinks, a great opportunity for ERG alumni to chat and network with one another! The night ended with the ERGie Bar Takeover at Freehouse.
May 3 – The Return of The Big Event
ERG and the ERG Alumni Network revived The Big Event after a decade-long hiatus, marking a major highlight of the anniversary weekend.
1970s ERGies (@jayla_walker7): The ERGies from the 1970s, “the OGs”, that were able to attend the big event
The Big Event took place in Berkeley’s very own Faculty Club. The day first opened up with registration and coffee in the glade that morning for all alumni to enjoy, followed by a breakfast hosted for our Big Event volunteers. We were elated to welcome back ERG’s very own John Holdren (and his wife Cheri) as the Keynote speaker for the event. Co-founder and first ERG faculty member, Holdren discussed ERG’s history, what’s to come as a result of our most recent election, and how we as ERGies must prepare for the effects of new administrative policies.
Following Holdren’s speech, ERGies broke into networking groups, providing an opportunity to connect around shared interests and areas of expertise. The Faculty Club then hosted a lunch, which was followed by breakout sessions in the Social Sciences Building and a relaxed social hour on the Glade.
Plenary Panel (@ehpanzer): The Big Event plenary featured (from left to right) Zoë Chafe, Heather Cooley, Tracey Osborne, and moderator, Isha Ray.
A candid moment from our photo booth in the Glade during Social Hour.
Our Big Event ended with dinner and an ERG party in the Faculty Club’s Great Hall! The event included dancing, dessert, photo booth & live music by the ERGie house band, The Noisy Neighbors.
Noisy Neighbors (@ehpanzer): ERGie band, The Noisy Neighbors, close out the night with a rockin’ dance party.
May 4 – Cohort Activities and Gatherings
ERG’s 50th Anniversary celebration concluded with an ERG gathering in Point Reyes with John and Mary Harte, where alumni were welcome to a hike at Drake’s Beach and pizza night at the Harte house. A social gathering was then hosted for Switzer Fellow alumni at Sol Taqueria.
