One of the best.
Those who remember the sixties will recall the label ‘Beserkeley’ applied to the students at UC Berkeley, protesting the Viet Nam war. The then governor of California went as far as to fire the Chancellor, Clark Kerr, for refusing to expel these uppity students. The students, of course, were right.
And though a public school, UC Berkeley lays claim to some of the highest academic standards in the US, meaning in the world. Nobel laureates galore come from Berkeley and there’s probably no cheaper way to garner a world class education in any one or more of a broad range of curricula. I would have no issues with my son attending this great school if he turns down the Ivy League.
Most striking – after you get over the dramatic hillside setting – is the university’s commitment to architecture. You will find all periods here and while the styles are all over the place, there’s something for everyone.
A commitment to architecture. Click the picture for Howard’s resumé.
The Energy Biosciences building.
The Quad.
Everything a campus should be.
The belltower.
The Bay Bridge seen from the main cross street on the hill.
Studying.
The California building.
Live free or die.
“We have been here every Friday since 9/11.”
Traversing the campus I was engaged in conversation by a freshman studying business and physics. Interesting combination. He wanted to go to London to attend Question Time in the House of Commons and we had a lively discussion on the differences between American and British legislative systems, concluding that both were in thrall to big money interests. I disabused the lad of any idea of going to London. “Go to Paris, my man. That’s where American democracy originated. Plus, it’s beautiful.”
UC Berkeley is stunning. You can easily get there on the BART (Downtown Berkeley stop) from anywhere in the Bay Area. Just be sure to avoid the Ansel Adams exhibit of over processed monochromes in the Bancroft Library.
All on the Nikon D3x with the 35/1.4 Sigma.