What Matters to Me and Why Alumni Series

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Please join us for the next “What Matters to Me and Why” Alumni event!

Who:   Dale Mayeda ’91 and Jill Halvaks ’80
When:  Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at 6 p.m.
Where:  Newkirk Alumni Center
Reservations:  Required at WMMW Registration Form
A light supper will be served. Space is limited, so please reserve early.

The new “What Matters to Me and Why” Alumni Series continues Tuesday, May 17, with a dialogue between Dale Mayeda ’91 and Jill Halvaks ’80, facilitated by Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning and Dean of Undergraduate Education Michael Dennin. This informal, conversational dinner series explores the dynamics of student-mentor relationships and how the encouragement and support of these mentors has profoundly impacted the student experiences, career paths and life journeys of some of UCI’s many distinguished alumni.

Dale Mayeda is head of effects animation at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Currently Dale is responsible for creating and managing all of the effects in the upcoming feature film “Moana.” His team supports the character performances and art direction of effects ranging from oceans, shorelines, storms, magic and lava. Dale joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1999. His credits as effects animation head include “Chicken Little,” “Bolt” and the Academy Award-winning “Frozen.” He also served as effects animator on “Tangled,” “Paperman” and “Big Hero 6.” Prior to joining Disney, Dale got his start in the live action visual effects facilities The Post Group and Ranimaker Digital Pictures. Dale earned his bachelor’s in information & computer sciences with a minor in management from UCI in 1991. During his time at UCI, Dale was influenced by and involved in SPOP, as well as many other campus organizations. He considers Jill Halvaks an invaluable mentor.

Born and raised in Northern California, Jill Halvaks became a Southern California transplant when she started her undergraduate life at UCI in 1976. After she graduated with a degree in humanities, a two-year job offer turned into a career at UCI. Beginning with the start of New Student Services in the Student Affairs division, Jill worked for the next 33 years in Student Life & Leadership (formerly Office of the Dean of Students) coordinating New Student Programs and Summer Orientation. For the last 18 months of employment (before an early retirement in 2013), Jill was the interim associate dean of students, overseeing New Student Programs (including SPOP), Greek Life, Veteran Services, the LGBT Resource Center, and Clubs & Organizations. Jill and her husband, Rob, live in Irvine. She has two sons, Brett (26) and Ryan (22). In retirement, Jill volunteers with Friends of the Library Heritage Park, UCI Retiree Association and Families Forward.

“What Matters to Me and Why” encourages reflection about values, beliefs and motivations in the lives of those who shape our university. The series explores personal journeys – choices made, difficulties encountered, commitments formed and joys revealed – with the hope that these stories will help us to understand diverse pathways in life, work and leadership. Such understandings are crucial for fortifying tolerance, strengthening bonds, and supporting the virtues that make UCI a great institution.

We are pleased to offer this series in collaboration with the Student Alumni Association, a registered campus organization that enhances the student experience at UCI by connecting students to one another, alumni and the university.

We encourage you to join us May 17. Please complete the event registration form to register.

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