President Ortiz shares some good news in today's video message. The fifth annual Southern California Tasting & Auction, which was held on Sunday, attracted more than 800 guests who enjoyed food, wine, beer and auctions in support of the university. The event was held in the Rose Garden, and proceeds will support scholarships and other academic initiatives.

Provost denBoer announces the winners of the 2012 Provost's Awards for Excellence. The awards recognize outstanding faculty and were chosen from a rigorous and highly selective process. They awardees are: Chemistry Professor Ed Walton, Provost's Award for Teaching; sociology Professor Faye Wachs, Provost's Award for Service; and biological sciences Professor Jill Adler-Moore, Provost's Award for Scholarship and Creative Activity.

President Ortiz also shares good news of a record gift to the College of Environmental Design. Architecture alumna Juliana Terian has pledged $2.5 million - the single largest cash gift in the history of the college and the sixth largest in university history. The unique, unrestricted gift will support initiatives in the Department of Architecture and throughout the college.

The campus community is invited to participate in a few upcoming events. The Farm Store hosts the 6th annual Strawberry Festival and Tractor & Car Show on Saturday. Theatre students will perform "Curse of the Starving Class," by Pulitzer Prize winner Sam Shepard and directed by our own Linda Bisesti. The play opens May 11.

To read the entire video message, download a PDF of the transcript.