It’s been more than four months since I had the honor of becoming interim chancellor of UC Merced. The day before I took the reins from Dorothy Leland, we all celebrated the opening of labs, learning spaces, and offices in the second phase of the Merced 2020 Project. It was a wonderful reminder of the transformative trail we are blazing at the University of California system’s youngest campus.
And the good news has kept on coming. Our students led the way in a Give Tue UC Merced giving campaign that raised more than $180,000 and broke records for participation. Many of you participated and for that I am grateful. Just before the holidays, I had the privilege of shaking hands with 180 of our best and brightest graduate and undergraduate degree recipients at fall commencement. And as we prepared for the winter break, we learned that, in partnership with the city of Merced, we were awarded one of only 20 grants in the country by the Levitt Foundation to bring outdoor summer concerts to the community — an affirmation that, as much as we are here to educate future Californians and conduct world-class research, we are also working to uplift Merced and the Central Valley.
For a look at all this past year’s good news, we’re sharing with you a Year in Review online publication that does a great job of capturing the excitement and energy of the entire UC Merced community in 2019. I hope you will enjoy it and share it with others who want to know more about what we have all built here.
As a new decade opens before us, I continue to be inspired by the people who shape UC Merced, from students, faculty, and staff to trustees, alumni, community leaders, and generous philanthropic partners. They make my job an absolute joy and will forever be a part of our journey in which we inspire the next generation of leaders. I look forward to the opportunities that 2020 will present, including completion of the final phase of Merced 2020, on budget and on time.
Next fall will mark 15 years since the first classes were held here. How far we have come. How far we have yet to go. As I said during my address in October, this university is no longer just a promise. It is a glorious reality, poised for the next stage of our upward journey.
Best wishes to you and yours during the holiday season,
Upcoming Events
January 31: Chancellor’s Speaker Series – Michael Lewis
UC Merced Interim Chancellor Nathan Brostrom reflects on the hopes of 30 years ago, when the UC system announced Merced would be the home of the newest campus, and the surpassing of the predictions and expectations that came with the honor.
The Levitt Amp Concert Series announced in late December that Merced was chosen as one of the recipients of their outdoor concert series grants. The grant application was spearheaded by UC Merced in collaboration with local government.
Goal achieved! UC Merced supporters turned out in force on Giving Tuesday with a record number of donors contributing to campus scholarships and fellowships. More than 1,300 individuals donated during the 24-hour Give Tue UC Merced campaign.
Nearly 200 students took part in the campus's Fall Commencement exercise Sunday at the Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center as friends and family cheered them on. Jessica Anderson '10 served as the commencement speaker.
Professor Rebecca Ryals is part of a partnership working to advance the scientific understanding and demonstrate success of ecosystem-based climate solutions in California, such as applying compost to grasslands to help fight climate change.
Team Project Protect, mentored by Professor Miriam Barlow and sponsored by Healthy House, is developing a mobile app that translates and correctly pronounces medical words to assist younger people in helping their elders communicate better with health-care providers.
