Hats Off to the Class of 2023

Students and alumni reflect on lessons learned and future hopes

Kendal Houck

“It’s okay to not know exactly what you want to do or who you are. We’re young, we have the time, give yourself a grace period to find out who you are and don’t be so concerned with going so fast in life. Go at your own pace, not anyone else’s.”

At 17 years old, Kendal Houck had a clear plan in her mind. She would graduate college early and get a master’s degree by age 22 and have her life’s trajectory figured out. This June she completed her undergraduate degree in sociology one year early, yet she’s rethinking her original fast-paced career goals. After graduation she is going to serve as a substitute teacher for a year before deciding if she wants to pursue being a teacher or a school counselor.  

Adam Walker

“Waking up, playing with [the team] every single day, and getting to live with them too, was definitely more than I could have ever asked for out of a college experience.”

It was easy to spot them all wearing Burger King paper crowns as they waited to line up for the graduate procession. Senior Adam Walker and a group of friends from the UC San Diego Men’s Soccer team stopped by Burger King at Price Center for a meal before the big ceremony—“If no one stops us, we’re going all the way” commented a player when asked if they were going to forego wearing the traditional mortarboard. Earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Walker’s vision is to travel around Europe after graduation before pursuing a career in environmental engineering.

Rebeca Silva

“I really liked learning and being among people that have the same mindset and want to grow. That’s what I’m going to miss most about being in college, having those deep conversations…not everyone wants to engage in those. Here it stimulates you, you ask those hard questions.”

Rebeca Silva is excited to see what the future holds. This June she earns a bachelor’s degree in sociology, the first in her family to complete a four-year degree. A San Diego native, she is passionate about helping people and addressing injustice in our society. Her goal is to become certified as a paralegal and further explore the field of law where she hopes to create change through policymaking.

Chris Canole 

“Think beyond your expectations. Let your imagination run wild. When Buckminster Fuller spoke at our commencement, he gave me a piece of advice that I kept for life: change yourself up every five years. Pretend that you’re spending four years of college and a year of graduate school in whatever you’re doing…see the outside community as your new professors.”

Chris Canole was part of UC San Diego’s first undergraduate class. At the time there were only about 500 students on campus, and on his graduation day in 1969 just 125 peers were seated with him. Canole entered the university as a physics student with a pre-med focus, but after taking a required art class at his college he immediately became hooked. The rest of his life has been spent creatively, with careers as an artist, writer, sculptor, illustrator and professor. Canole was one of several UC San Diego alumni who processed with graduating students as part of the Golden Triton Society—a group of alumni who completed their degrees 50 or more years ago and remain highly involved with the university.