San Diego-based Cymer, Inc., founded by alumni Robert Akins and Richard Sandstrom, was recently named by Forbes as the No.1 most innovative tech company in the U.S.

University of California, San Diego alumni are innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders who continue to change the world across all industries, from science, technology, medicine and public service to business, education, politics and the arts.

And they continue to make headlines. Recently San Diego-based Cymer, Inc., founded by alumni Robert Akins and Richard Sandstrom, was named by Forbes as the No.1 most innovative tech company in the U.S. for its leading role in deep-ultraviolet photolithography systems. Alumnus Gary Jacobs is co-founder of San Diego’s High Tech High International, an innovative new model of education that was one of three schools in the nation vying for President Obama to speak at this year’s commencement. And alumna Megan McArthur, who served as a space shuttle Atlantis crew member on the final servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope, continues to make history as a scientist and NASA astronaut.

Akins, Sandstrom, Jacobs and McArthur are just a sampling of the university’s visionary alumni making a global impact. These four, and many more, will be coming back to campus to celebrate their achievements — and the achievements of all alumni — during the third annual Alumni Weekend, June 16-19.

“The single greatest measure of a university is the quality of its graduates,” said Armin Afsahi, executive director of UCSD Alumni, a group that represents UC San Diego’s 130,000 alumni. “Our graduates advance business, discover cures, support causes and transform communities. In June, UC San Diego will be celebrating this diverse group of individuals who are making a difference in the world.”

UCSD Alumni Weekend offers something for everyone, including the Friday, June 17 Alumni and Family Night at Birch Aquarium.

All UC San Diego undergraduate and graduate alumni are invited to enjoy a weekend of reunions, receptions, campus tours and special events. And this year, the fun and festivities will not only celebrate alumni but also will serve as the final toast to the yearlong UC San Diego 50th anniversary celebration.

From the academic and career-oriented to philanthropic and social, Alumni Weekend events provide something for everyone. Weekend highlights are listed below:

• Thursday, June 16
  Inspiring Minds: A Special Evening with UC San Diego Faculty
• Friday, June 17
  Fourth Annual Scripps Day: Jump In and Celebrate All Things Scripps
  Alumni and Family Night at Birch Aquarium
• Saturday, June 18                      
  Alumni Surf Invitational and Beach Party
  College Reunions and Campus Tours
  Networking for Young Professionals
  Alumni Celebration: 50 Years. 50 Leaders (proceeds benefit student scholarships)
• Sunday, June 19
  Alumni Brunch: Volunteer Appreciation

Alumni and community members have an opportunity to purchase "A Marvel Inside A Miracle" (www.alumni.ucsd.edu/book), a 128-page visual history of UC San Diego’s journey from a Marine base of Quonset huts, scrub and cacti to a world-class university of almost 30,000 students.  Proceeds benefit Invent the Future, UC San Diego’s student support campaign.

For more UCSD Alumni Weekend information, complete event details and registration, visit www.alumni.ucsd.edu/alumniweekend.