Sep 29, 2021

Dear students and colleagues,

Now entering its tenth year, “What Matters to Me and Why,” the annual series of informal discussions with respected members of our campus community, has enjoyed remarkable success.

We would like to personally thank all who have attended our previous talks and invite those who could not attend to view recordings of past events here.

We are delighted to announce that Hal Stern will kick-off the first “What Matters to Me and Why” event of the 2021-22 academic year on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Hal Stern is Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor and Chancellor’s Professor, Department of Statistics. Provost Stern previously served as founding chair of the Department of Statistics, Dean of the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, and Vice Provost for Academic Planning. Prior to joining UCI, he held faculty positions at Iowa State University and Harvard University.

Within the field of statistics, Provost Stern is known for his research on Bayesian statistical methods and for collaborative projects in the life sciences and social sciences. He is co-director of the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence, funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and is part of the leadership team for the Conte Center at UCI, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to study the impacts of early-life experiences. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Statistical Association, and the Institute for Mathematical Statistics.

“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.

Please mark your calendar for future “What Matters to Me and Why” speakers:

  • Thu, October 21 (Via Zoom): Alumni Series – Johnny Hou ’06, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, NZXT
  • Tue, November 16 (Via Zoom): UCI Health Series – Charles P. Vega, M.D., Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, Faculty Director of Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC), and Associate Dean of Cultural and Community Education, UCI School of Medicine
  • Wed, November 17 (In-Person and Via Zoom): Ian Williamson, Ph.D., Dean of the Paul Merage School of Business

We encourage you to join us Oct. 20 to hear Provost Stern’s unique perspectives. To attend via Zoom register here. To attend in person register here.

With best wishes,

Jonathan Feng
Chair, “What Matters to Me and Why” Program Committee
Distinguished Professor, Physics & Astronomy