Bruin Olympians: Healthy Competition

You know those days when life is stressful and the choices are tough, it seems like the whole world is waiting for you? Now imagine that the whole world is waiting! Hear from these notable Olympic competitors about what it's like to compete while the world is watching your every move. Discover how they've taken that healthy spirit of competition and successfully incorporated into their lives and careers, and how you can instill that Olympic spirit into your own life.

Moderator

Valorie Kondos Field ’87, UCLA Gymnastics coach

Panelists

Keith Erickson, volleyball, NBA athlete, sports broadcaster
Rafer Johnson ’59, decathlon, California Special Olympics
Jackie Joyner-Kersee ’86, track and field, Athletes for Hope Foundation
Dot Richardson ’84, softball, director and medical director, National Training Center
Sinjin Smith ’87, volleyball, professional beach volleyball, coach

3 - 4:15 p.m.

The Good Life: Food and Wine and Popular Culture

Americans today are more sophisticated culinary consumers than ever before, searching independent vendors and mass retail outlets alike for the right wines, the perfect olive oils and the tastiest cheese. Chefs have become full-fledged celebrities and formerly obscure products are now mainstream stars. Explore how this new awareness of fine food and drink is shaping our culture in new and delicious ways.

Moderator

Amy E. Goodman ’95, TV personality, author

Panelists

Courtney Cochran ’01, M.B.A. ’05, wine expert, author
Susie Fogelson, senior vice president, Food Network and Cooking Channel, judge on The Next Food Network Star
Jonathan Gold ’82, Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer
Evan Kleiman ’76, M.B.A. ’80, radio host, Good Food, chef, restaurateur

4:30 - 5:45 p.m.

Life as a Movie: Living On and Off the Set

Enjoy a freewheeling discussion as notable and award-winning actors and directors share their experiences, perspectives and anecdotes on balancing life and work, off screen and on the set. Find out how they manage raising families with busy shooting schedules that may take them far from home or keep them well into the night. Learn about their creative approaches to building and keeping relationships on and off camera.

Moderator

Felicia D. Henderson ’84, M.F.A. ’04, creator, Soul Food; executive producer, Gossip Girl

Panelists

Sean Astin ’97, actor, director, producer, writer, The Lord of the Rings, Rudy, The Goonies
Anel Lopez Gorham ’98, actress, Popular
Gina Prince-Bythewood ’91, director, producer, writer, Secret Life of Bees, Love & Basketball
Reza Sixo Safai ’96, M.F.A.’99, actor, director, producer, writer, The Mario Valdez Story, Circumstance
Brad Silberling, M.F.A. ’87, director, producer, writer, 10 Items or Less, Lemony Snicket, Judging Amy, Felicity