Oceanids Logo bw

 

We are consolidating our mailboxes with the Internatiional Services and Engagement Office, ISEO.  All mail should now be addressed as follows (except when otherwise stated)

Oceanids

c/o ISEO

Student Center B

9500 Gilman Drive, #0018

La Jolla, CA  92093-0018

 

 

 

Who Are We?

Oceanids is a University of California, San Diego organization and support group promoting friendship and services to the UC San Diego community.  Oceanids is open to all who are interested in UC San Diego as well as faculty, staff and active members of campus support groups and their spouses.  In particular, we shall:


Oceanids service activities include:  Undergraduate service awards, graduate fellowships and other service projects.  The Newcomers group welcomes and assists new members to the UC San Diego community throughout the academic year.  For more information on Newcomers, contact Liz Wills, (858) 454-6858. 

Our annual events include:  Fall Welcome Lunch, Whale Watching, Campus Focus, and Spring Luncheon, just to mention a few.

Interest Groups are the backbone of our Oceanids organization.  They are here to meet the many varied needs of our UC San Diego families.  If you are interested in book clubs, bird watching, practicing your French or German, wine tasting, playing bridge, join us.  For a more complete list and description of our groups, click on Interest Groups.

Join!

If you are a University scholar, researcher, staff member, visiting guest of the University or a person interested in being part of a vibrant University community, you are invited to join us.  For more information, please contact oceanids@ucsd.edu, or download a membership application , or renewal application and/or a donation form.

Renewing Members

If you would like to renew your Oceanids membership, download a renewal membership form and follow the instructions listed on the form.

President's Message  

This year, 2025/26, we have co-presidents Mary Hanson and Liz Winant, and we would like to briefly introduce ourselves.

  

Shortly after I retired from teaching high school French, my neighbor and friend Judy Vacquier told me about a French conversation group led by the late Pat Stone, who lived right down the street. Pat and the other Cafe Français members welcomed me with open arms, and I was thrilled to discover so many local French speakers. Soon I learned about the bridge group, and it was game on. I continue to look forward to our bi-monthly games. Although we strive to elevate our game, we try not to take ourselves too seriously.

I believe it was Judy who first approached me about serving on the leadership team. My first role was as Interest Group Coordinator, which was a good fit because like so many of us I initially joined Oceanids because I was invited to join an interest group. From 2013 to 2015 I served as president, and enjoyed becoming more involved with our philanthropic mission and our connection to UC San Diego, although I never fully learned how to navigate the bureaucracy. That’s still true. From 2015 to 2025 I was recording secretary. During all of these years on the board I’ve appreciated what a dedicated, friendly and talented group of people I’ve had the privilege of working with. Now it is a distinct honor to serve as co-president with Liz Winant.

Mary Hanson, Co-President, Oceanids

Mary and I have a very similar route to joining Oceanids. My friend Judy Vacquier was very persuasive when she talked about the many benefits of joining Oceanids, but I had to wait until I retired from my position at The Birch Aquarium. I finally retired in 2005 and immediately joined Aviset, the Oceanids birding group. I was an avid birder in England, but had had no opportunity to learn much about Californian birds. This very knowledgeable group of birders taught me, and continues to teach me, much about our birds.

Soon a friend was retiring from her position on the Board as Recording Secretary. I did not know anyone on the board at that time, but was told that this is a great way to become involved, and it was!

One thing led to another and I joined the Book Group and became Financial Secretary. I had experience with the UC financial system and that has proven to be useful. But the most valuable gift Oceanids has given me is the opportunity to meet and work with a wonderful, diverse, fun group of people.

It is an honor to be co-president with Mary Hanson and we look forward to sharing the coming year with you.

Liz Winant, Co-President, Oceanids

 

  Special Announcements

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Oceanids and Newcomers

Whale Watch

Sunday, January 25, 2026

10am - 1pm

on the Legacy Ship

1717 Quivira Rd., San Diego 92109

PRICE: $28

 $14/children 10 yrs and under, including infants

 

* To reserve your spot, send your check to Liz Wills' home address (consult your Oceanids Directory)

For more information or questions, Liz Fong-Wills

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Your help from Oceanids is appreciated!

(Student Letters received from support from the Oceanids Emergency Fund)

Dear Oceanids Board,

I’m writing to confirm receipt of the Oceanids Emergency Fund and to express my sincere gratitude for your support. The $1,500 assistance directly helped us recover from fire-related expenses, allowing us to cover a significant portion of the outstanding liability. This support meaningfully eased both the financial and mental burden on my family at a time when we were stretched thin.

Beyond the immediate financial relief, the Fund was a beacon of hope during a very difficult period. Knowing that the UCSD community stood with us made a profound difference. I am especially grateful to ISEO and to you, Grace, for your patient, empathetic guidance since February--your responsiveness and understanding carried us through the logistics and the stress. Thanks to Oceanids, we were able to focus on stability—returning to coursework, research, and daily life—without the constant worry of how to bridge the gap. I deeply appreciate the compassion and care behind this program and the generosity of everyone who contributes to it.

Please feel free to share this letter with the Oceanids’ Board. If any further information would be helpful, I’m happy to provide it.

With heartfelt thanks,

(Name withheld)
Computer Science and Engineering

Dear Oceanids Board,

Members, I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support through the Oceanids Emergency Fund. I received an award of $1,500 (approximately $1,290 after taxes), which came at a time when I was facing significant financial and emotional stress.

As an international graduate student pursuing my studies on an education loan, I experienced an unexpected accident at my UCSD graduate housing that led to additional expenses. The financial burden from this incident was difficult to manage alongside the academic and research responsibilities of graduate life. Receiving this support from Oceanids helped me pay a portion of those housing-related charges and brought immediate relief from the financial pressure I was under. Beyond the monetary help, this assistance truly lightened my mental load. It allowed me to focus again on my coursework, research, and overall well-being without the constant worry of how to make ends meet. Knowing that there is a community at UCSD that genuinely cares about students in times of hardship means more than words can convey.

Thank you once again for your generosity and compassion. Your kindness made a real difference in my life, and I will always remain grateful for the support you provided during a challenging time.

With sincere appreciation,

(Name withheld]

Graduate Student, Department of Science and Engineering University of California, San Diego

Dear Oceanids,

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for awarding me the grant of $6,172 through the Oceanids Emergency Fund. At a time of immense personal and financial hardship, your generous support means I will be able to successfully complete my Masters degree program at UC San Diego this June as planned. Due to the recent and unexpected death of my grandmother abroad combined with ongoing family legal matters, I was facing severe financial strain without means to cover my housing and living costs for the final term. Thanks to your assistance, I now have the security and peace of mind to focus solely on my studies without added stress over basic needs being met. Knowing I will graduate on schedule and begin a new chapter thereafter brings me immense relief and joy. I am so thankful to the Oceanids board for recognizing my situation and helping me continue my education through these difficulties. Your compassion will forever be remembered.

Sincerely,

(name withheld)

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Oceanids Board of Directors  2025-2026

       
  Co-Presidents Mary Hanson and Liz Winant  
  Immediate Past President Jim Bunch  
  Co-Vice Presidents Barbara Bank and Mary Woo  
  Second Vice President Mary Cutchin  
  Recording Secretary Janet Ambrozek  
  Treasurer Jan Ouren  
  Financial Secretary Liz Winant  
  Nominating Committee

Anne-France Saillot (cont), Marion Spors, Judy Vacquier, Janet Ambrozek, Joan Stevens (alt)

  

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Member Alert!

Enter Oceanids'Upcycle Show

at Ocenaids Virtual Gallery of Arts and Crafts

Member artists and upcyclers/recyclers are invited to submit items to the Oceanids Upcycle Group Show in our newsletter’s virtual Gallery of Arts and Crafts. To hear more about the invitation and to submit entries, view details in our December Newsletter. 

For more information, please contact Jan Ouren.

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Gallery of Arts and Crafts

As our Oceanids' membership includes many artists, we are offering Oceanids members an opportunity to show and share their creations. We encourage you to submit one of your art works, along with a short bio of yourself, to be published in our newsletter--available online to members and the public.As our Oceanids' membership includes many artists, we are offering Oceanids members an opportunity to show and share their creations. We encourage you to submit one of your art works, along with a short bio of yourself, to be published in our newsletter--available online to members and the public.

To exhibit your work, please send a .jpg of your work and a short bio to Jan.

Our last gallery featured Barbara Bank and her decorative folk art tole painting.  You can see the article the Newsletter on pages 4 & 5.

If you have a collection or interest you would like to share, please contact Jan.  We would love to hear about it!

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Join Our Oceanids Interest Groups

Cafe Francais                                     Piano Soiree

 

Tapas                                 Wine Tasting

+ Many More

See Newsletter for more information

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Our new link to registering your Oceanids events is:

 https://events.campuscoverage.com/programs/uc/ucsd/fas/application

For more information on registration, please visit  our Links page

*******************************************************************************New Spotlight

Meet and Greet

Iris Moné

Professional singer, songwriter and musician

Read about Iris here

You can follow Iris on:

www.instagram.com/iris.mone

www.facebook.com/irismonemusic

www.youtube.com/IrisMone

 

 

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Volunteer Opportunity

 

UCSD International Students and Programs Office's

English-in-Action (EIA) Program

Conversation Program is looking for volunteers who will enjoy meeting with an international student, scholar or spouse for 1-2 hours on a weekly basis to assist them in improving their English conversation skills and to share our American culture. Participating in EIA is provides considerable cultural insight and a deeper appreciation for diversity which helps students gain a greater respect and appreciation for other cultures. No knowledge of foreign languages or teaching experience is required. EIA volunteers attend an orientation session and have access to the materials and resources of the International Students & Programs Office.   Conversation leaders can work with participants individually or in small groups and typically meet for 1-2 hours/week at a location that is convenient for both, including remote meetings, on campus or off campus.

Please visit http://bit.ly/EIATutorExperiences to hear what current and past volunteers have shared about their experiences with EIA. To apply or for more information, please visit our website: eia.ucsd.edu Questions? Please email Shelly Taskin at eia@ucsd.edu

 

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UCSD Art Power

Music, Dance, Special Events

For more information, visit

https://artpower.ucsd.edu/

 

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For questions regarding the website, please contact Mary Woo, mwoonew@gmail.com