DOWNEY -- Over 50 UCLA Alumni from the Southeast Los Angeles Region welcomed Downey attorney Ricardo Perez, who has been named president of the Southeast Bruins, and the incoming Board of Directors at an event Aug. 16 at Downey's Lock & Key.

It's aim was to invite alumni to engage in the association and to kick-off a new year of programming.

Known officially as the UCLA Alumni Los Angeles Southeast Network, the association is officially recognized by UCLA and strives to create a sense of community among the 5,000 UCLA alumni in the area.  

Alumni consist of individuals in multiple professions, and includes attorneys, engineers, doctors, educators, judges, business owners, elected officials and more.  

Programming for the Southeast Bruins includes networking events, student activities, family-friendly events, and game-viewing parties at Joseph's in Downey. There are community service components as well, including a Thanksgiving turkey and food drive in Maywood and a holiday teddy bear drive benefiting children fighting cancer.

Events are held throughout the Southeast Region, including an annual "Send-Off" in South Gate for newly admitted students, and an annual networking event in Whittier.  

For more information about the events or the group, contact Ricardo Perez, Southeast Bruins president, at rperez@alumni.ucla.edu.