![Chancellor Block in full regalia is framed by giant letters L and A. He speaks into a microphone at 2023 UCLA Commencement. Behind, Randall Park, and a large crowd clap.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/chancellorcommencement.png)
![Chancellor Block stands outside (during the daytime) with military personnel wearing hats at the 2022 Memorial Ceremony.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2022_MemorialDayCeremony-32-1.png)
“Bruins are nothing if not marked by optimism, and it is in our DNA to look at the world as one that is ripe for constant reshaping.”
Photos
![Chancellor Block and 2022 commencement keynote speaker Katelyn Ohashi take a selfie outside of Pauley Pavilion.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2022_Commencement_ChancellorBlock-6-1024x735.jpg)
(June 2022)
![Environmental champion, Morton La Kretz, wears his UCLA Medal as he stands between Carol and Gene Block](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-with-Carol-Block-and-Morton-la-Kretz-2018-1024x865.jpg)
(October 2018)
![Chancellor Block hands out a sandwich at the staff picnic in 2014.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-Hands-out-Sandwiches-at-staff-picnic-2014-e1690564651891-829x1024.jpg)
(August 2014)
![](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023_BruinDay-65-1024x724.jpg)
(April 2023)
![Chancellor Block onstage with Nobel Prize winner Dr. Randy Schekman and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the 2014 UCLA Commencement](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-Kareem-Noble-winner-Randy-Schekman-Commencement-2014-e1690565017704-984x1024.jpg)
(June 2014)
![Chancellor Block and Carol Block take to the stage for the Friendsgiving event at First Thursdays.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2022_FirstThursdays_Friendsgiving_Block-6-1024x810.jpg)
(November 2022)
![Chancellor Gene Block shakes hands with UCLA Medal recipient and alumnus Rafer Johnson.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-Rafer-Johnson-UCLA-Medal-2016-e1690565070354-1024x665.jpg)
(May 2016)
![Chancellor Block joins a student volunteer in tamping down new turf at the Nickerson Gardens housing project.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-Laying-Sod-Volunteer-Day-2012-1024x683.jpg)
![Chancellor Block (standing in front of Jackie Robinson Stadium) poses with Rachel Robinson for the Jackie Robinson Athletic Complex](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-with-Rachel-Robinson-and-Robinson-athletic-complex-2015-1024x759.jpg)
(November 2014)
![Chancellor Block poses with Gen. Kofi Annan and Meyer Luskin in 2013.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-With-UN-Sec-Gen-Kofi-Anan-and-Meyer-Luskin-2013-1024x869.jpg)
(June 2013)
![Chancellor Block fist bumps a child at a Veterans event in 2018.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-First-bumps-kid-at-UCLA-veterans-event-2018-1024x819.jpg)
(November 2018)
![Chancellor Block takes a selfie with a guest at the UCLA Latinx Welcome event, designed to foster community for Latino students.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2022_HSI_LatinxStudentConvocation-64-1024x861.jpg)
![Chancellor Block and attendees pose for a photo at the 2007 Veterans Day Event.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2007_VeteransDayEvent-1-scaled-e1690565853209-1013x1024.jpg)
![Chancellor Block with Joe and Josie Bruin holds a certificate of recognition from the California State Assembly for UCLA Volunteer Day](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-Joe-and-Josie-Bruin-volunteering-2017-1024x792.jpg)
![Chancellor Block handing out backpacks to students at Volunteer Day in 2016.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-with-pupils-Volunteer-Day-2016-Hutchinson.jpg)
(September 2016)
![Chancellor Block with Nobel Laureate Lloyd Shapley in Sweden in 2012.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-With-UCLA-Nobel-Laureate-Lloyd-Shapley-in-Sweden-2012-e1690566233502-1024x671.jpg)
(December 2012)
![Chancellor Block speaks at Pauley Pavilion during the 2009 commencement ceremony at UCLA](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-Commencement-2009-e1690566269347-885x1024.jpg)
![Chancellor Block with then California attorney general Kamala Harris and UCLA Law Dean Rachel Moran in 2015.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Blocl-with-Kamala-Harris-and-law-dean-Rachel-Moran-2015-e1690566310776-1024x890.jpg)
(February 2015)
![Chancellor Block speaks with Housing staff in preparation for move-in days, for about 14,000 incoming students, into their new homes on campus.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/220916_MoveInDay-3-1024x816.jpg)
![Chancellor Block presents composer Wadada Leo Smith the UCLA Medal in 2019.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-with-composer-Wadada-Leo-Smith-UCLA-Medal-2019-1024x779.jpg)
(November 2019)
![Carol Block takes a paintbrush from Chancellor Block's cup, as they kneel on the asphalt and paint a bright red letter 'L' during UCLA Volunteer Day.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Block-With_Carol_Volunteer_Day_2012-transformed-2-1024x683.jpeg)
![Chancellor Block and others pose for a photo in front of The Herb Alpert School of Music building in 2011.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20110328_TheloniousMonk_Partnership-1024x681.jpg)
(March 2011)
![UCLA Chancellor Gene Block poses with faculty, from various universities, at the UCLA HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institution) Visioning Forum.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2022_HSI_VisioningForum-41-1024x839.jpg)
(October 2022)
![UCLA Chancellor Gene Block poses for a group photo with the Undergraduate Student Association Council, which celebrates the welcoming and inclusive environment fostered by clubs and organizations.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023_PresidentsBanquet-15-1024x635.jpg)
(April 2023)
![Chancellor Block welcomes families and guests to Bruin Family Weekend, for student workshops, activities and events.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2017_UCLA_BruinFamilyWeekend-143-1024x964.jpg)
![Chancellor Block and attendees pose for a photo at the CNSI (California NanoSystems Institute) grand opening in 2007.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2007_CNSI-Opening-1024x683.jpg)
![Chancellor Block and Carol Block pose with Mariachi de Uclatlán, a student group dedicated to the performance of traditional Mexican music.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2022_HSI_LatinxStudentConvocation-60-1024x735.jpg)
![Chancellor Block and attendees pose for a photo at Wilson Plaza during the 2023 Memorial Day Ceremony.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023_MemorialDayCeremony-38-e1690501924942-1024x871.jpg)
![A Sproul Hall staffer shows boxes of supplies for move-in days to Executive Vice Chancellor Darnell Hunt and Chancellor Block.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/220916_MoveInDay-10-1024x683.jpg)
!["
Students join Chancellor Gene Block at the True Bruin Welcome block party, as part of the monthly First Thursdays in Westwood Village. "](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2022_BlockParty-ChancellorBlock-9-1024x866.jpg)
![Flags and balloons create a festive environment for Chancellor Block at the Latinx Welcome event.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2022_HSI_LatinxStudentConvocation-61-1024x796.jpg)
![Chancellor Block and his wife Carol pose in front of a ferris wheel during This True Bruin Welcome party introducing students to First Thursdays.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2022_BlockParty-ChancellorBlock-2-1024x831.jpg)
![Chancellor Block and Carol Block pose with students, during a meal, during Bruin Family Weekend.](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2017_UCLA_BruinFamilyWeekend-079-1024x682.jpg)
!["
Chancellor Block and Carol Block join students for a ""spooktacular"" Halloween-themed First Thursdays event. "](https://blocktribute.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023_FirstThursdays_WestwoodSpooktacular-22-1024x722.jpg)
Guestbook
As Chancellor Block prepares to step down in July 2024 after 17 years of service, Bruins and friends are invited to share memories or offer well-wishes to the Blocks. Messages can be submitted in writing or by video, and will be shared with the chancellor and some will be posted on this site.
Congratulations on a great tenure. Having worked with a number of presidents and universities, I can confirm that you’re the best I have known. So proud to be an alum. I have worked with over 500 CEOs of for profit companies and want you to know that being the Chancellor (or President) of a university is a much harder job. Bravo and thank you.
Martin C Murrer
MBA UCLA
Chancellor and Mrs. Block,
Thank you for your inspirational leadership of UCLA. You have truly been wonderfully creative and forward thinking leaders and a great team! I wish you and your family lots of fun, warmth, closeness, and good health and happiness!
Jill Nemiro
UCLA alum
Thank you Chancellor Block for taking such good care of the entire UCLA community! You will be missed.
Sheryl Jacobson
Dear Chancellor Block, wishing you the best on the next chapter of your life. Reading your messages over the last 12 years of my career here at UCLA Health has been truly inspiring. Thank you for your service.
Nohemi Rosales
UCLA Health Staff and Alumni
Well done, Chancellor Block! Thanks for your hard work and dedication over the years. You’ll be missed!
Judy Fortin
UCLA Health Chief of Communications
You will be greatly missed . You are an outstanding Chancellor and I was honored to serve under you. Best wishes in your future endeavors.
Bartly Mondino
UCLA Stein Eye Institute