Photo of a group of UC Davis students. Historical photo of people on UC Davis campus walking with bicycles. Photo of a crowd of UC Davis students sitting on the lawn.

Aggie Stories - Oral History Project

About the Project

"Aggie Stories Alumni Oral History Project" logo with teal speech callout shape and intersecting gold rounded rectangle.


Every UC Davis Aggie has a story, and the Cal Aggie Alumni Association wants to hear yours. However, with over 300,000 alumni, it would take many years to meet with each of you individually. That's why we've decided to embark on a new project called Aggie Stories - Oral History Project to collect stories from alumni like you. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact UCD has had on your lives and who you are today. Every time we don’t capture or preserve stories, it feels like another opportunity lost. We’re excited to get started!

Have You Moved?

As part of this project, we are also taking this opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to UC Davis. Publishing Concepts Inc. (PCI) will help us collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved and inadvertently lost touch with your alma mater.

Your Story:

So what UC Davis memory will you tell?

  • Is there a faculty or staff member who had a profound impact on your life?
  • Did you meet your Aggie sweetheart at UC Davis?
  • Is there a defining moment at UC Davis that helped shape your future?
  • Have connections you made on campus turned to lifelong friendships?
  • Where you on campus during a historical moment?
  • What was your Picnic Day experience?

What’s Next?

If you haven’t already, you will receive a postcard and email from PCI, on our behalf, with two important invitations:

  • An invitation to update and verify your contact information to strengthen our UCD alumni network and to keep you updated on the latest school developments.
  • An invitation to share your UCD experience. What are your fondest memories from your time at UCD? PCI has a dedicated team ready to record your stories.

The PCI team will collect stories until December 2022. After that, they will enter a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed in June 2023.

We look forward to hearing from each and every one of you regarding the memories of your time on campus!

What to Look For:

Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from CAAA, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your Aggie Story!

Sample Postcard:
Sample postcard for "Aggie Stories: Oral History Project" that will be sent to UC Davis alumni.

 

  • PCI Partnership

  • To support our effort to capture as many Aggie stories as possible, Cal Aggie Alumni Association is partnering with PCI, whose trained staff of real, live human beings will work with us to interview you. PCI will also help collect and assemble the stories into the Aggie Stories book that we can share with all Aggies. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information, or otherwise used it for outside marketing.

  • Do I have to buy something?

  • No. This project is being done at NO COST to CAAA. The project is completely funded by the alumni who choose to purchase the Aggie Stories book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various book packages will be offered.

    PCI will also offer you the option to join the Cal Aggie Alumni Association and purchase exclusive Cal Aggie Alumni Association branded merchandise. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project or order the Aggie Stories book.

    We are excited to embark on a project like this with the support of PCI and our extraordinary alumni. We sincerely thank every person that participates and chooses to purchase the book. 

Frequently Asked Questions by Alumni

 

  • 1.    I received an email/postcard/phone call asking for my personal information and a story about UC Davis. Tell me more about the project.
  • We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for the Cal Aggie Alumni Association and UC Davis. PCI is a family owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allows us to hear about your personal experiences from your time at UC Davis and how the school helped shape your life since then. And, while we have you on the phone, we want to make sure your contact information is up to date.
  • 2.    Does the CAAA or UC Davis benefit from this at all?
  • Yes, in a few different ways:
    •    Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni
    •    Legacy – sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our school
    •    Memberships – increases membership to the Cal Aggie Alumni Association
    •    Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our school
  • 3.    How do I know my information will only be used for Oral History Project purposes?
  • PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law. Upon completion of the project, PCI will redact PII (Personal Identifiable Information) from any and all electronic files that we have supplied or were produced by PCI in connection with the production of the Oral History Project.
  • 4.    I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How may I do this?
  • •    If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify all the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at UC Davis. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to the Cal Aggie Alumni Association at the conclusion of the project. 
    •    If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story. 
    •    If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call the dedicated UC Davis update line at 877-652-2146
  • 5.    Can I choose what information prints in the publication?
  • The only information that is included in the publication is your name, class year and degree, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your alumni record for the school/alumni association. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before December 9, 2022 by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. 
  • 6.    I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.
  • You can call back at any time before December 9, 2022 to share your story.
  • 7.    I shared a story and the representative said I could send a photo. How do I do this?

  • You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption. 

    If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed (note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

  • 8.    Can anyone purchase a book?
  • The Cal Aggie Alumni Association Oral History Publication is available for sale only to UC Davis alumni.
  • 9.    When will I receive my book?
  • The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in June of 2022, the books will be distributed in June/July 2023.
  • 10.    I ordered a book / package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?
  • Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.