The Los Angeles City Council presented Chancellor Julio Frenk with a proclamation welcoming him to the city Friday.

Katy Yaroslavsky, who represents District 5 – which includes UCLA – led the presentation discussing Frenk’s achievements and future plans. She said UCLA is one of the city’s most vital institutions, adding that the institution has educated generations of Angelenos and has vital connections with the city for partnerships such as climate change research and workforce development.

After an introduction from Yaroslavsky, who is a UCLA alumnus, Frenk addressed the council and spoke about the university’s role in LA.

Flanked by members of the UCLA administration, Frenk talked about connecting with LA through volunteer services. He cited the Disaster Recovery Center established at UCLA Research Park in January, saying over 2,500 UCLA community members volunteered to assist with recovery efforts for the LA County fires.

Over 20 UCLA faculty are helping to sustainably rebuild LA as a part of an independent blue-ribbon commission alongside LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, he added.

[Related: Disaster Recovery Center opens at UCLA Research Park to aid LA County fire victims]

Frenk also said the university has a significant economic and social impact. About one-third of undergraduate students at UCLA are the first in their families to attend college, which is part of the reason the university continues to be ranked No. 1 public university in the country, Frenk said.

UCLA is also the fourth-largest employer in LA County, he added.

“Our research advances lead and help and empower companies and ventures,” Frenk said. “We actively translate our discoveries into solutions.”

The chancellor added that UCLA students benefit from living in “the creative capital of the world,” listing the Hammer Museum, Fowler Museum and UCLA Film and Television Archive as ways the university contributes to LA’s creative and cultural breadth.

Frenk also said UCLA has collaborated with LA Unified School District and local community colleges to strengthen educational pathways. He added that Luskin Day at City Hall, an annual event for graduate students at Luskin School of Public Affairs to meet with local government leaders, will take place April 11.

“Together, as a city and a university, I am proud of all that has been accomplished in the 105 years of existence of our university,” Frenk said. “Thank you again to the council for this warm welcome and for your ongoing partnership.”

Paco Retana, UCLA Alumni Association president, gave a presentation to the council on Frenk’s career prior to his time at UCLA and said the former University of Miami president has championed the health, education and well-being of people around the world.

[Related: From public health policy to higher education: Julio Frenk becomes UCLA chancellor]

Yaroslavsky then presented Frenk with the proclamation as they smiled for the camera, holding the picture frame embellished with blue and gold signed by each council member.

Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, an alumnus who represents District 14, said UCLA gave her the opportunity to get an affordable world-class education as a nontraditional student.

“As a proud double Bruin, it is such an honor to welcome Dr. Julio (Frenk) as the seventh chancellor of UCLA,” Jurado said, adding that she was a teen mother, as well as a transfer and commuter student. “UCLA gave a girl like me a chance to be in these positions.”

Jurado added that she believes higher education leaders can shape future generations – a task she said is especially relevant “given the attacks on our universities and our students.”

Upon learning about Frenk’s background, Jurado said, she found that it was clear to her that he was the right choice for UCLA, saying she applauds him for his support for international and immigrant students and workers.

District 1 Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez said she used data from UCLA research for her activism prior to being on City Council, adding that the data will help the council create policies that ensure no community in LA gets left behind.

UCLA James Lawson Jr. Worker Justice Center, which is located in Hernandez’s district in MacArthur Park, is under construction. She said she hopes she can tour it alongside Frenk when it is finished.

Yaroslavsky closed the presentation by saying that there is much more for the council and UCLA to do together in the future.

“At this moment, more than any other moment, we need that partnership with people who are interested in facts and the truth, and that’s what’s coming out of UCLA,” Yaroslavsky said. “That’s what we are going to do to drive our city forward.”