Dear UC Merced Fellows,
My family and I arrived in Merced two short months ago, at which time I began my tenure as the 4th chancellor of the University of California, Merced, energized and ready for the challenges and opportunities that come with serving in this role.
I was inspired by the vision of UC Merced, and continue to be inspired by the resilience and tenacity of the students, faculty, staff, and partners, like you, that make up our campus community. Though we start this academic year under very different circumstances from previous ones, we will not be deterred from carrying out our mission of teaching, research, and public service, while keeping in mind the safety and success of our community remains our utmost priority.
Last week, about 2,000 incoming first-year and transfer students were greeted with the video below, which features the longstanding campus tradition, the Scholars Bridge Crossing.
|
|
Though most are not physically on campus this semester, we are honored to welcome them to our Bobcat community and are committed to supporting their success no matter where they are. To that end, we launched a virtual support structure, the Student Dens program, designed to ensure both new and continuing students have access to services, connections, and a community to support their continued success. If you are interested in engaging UC Merced undergraduate students through this program, you can sign up through this interest form.
I want to thank you for all that you've done for UC Merced. We truly would not be where we are today without the support of people like you. As our campus forges ahead into its next phase of growth and development, I look forward to our continued partnership.
Finally, I am pleased to share that I will deliver my first Chancellor's Annual Address next month via YouTube on Monday, October 12 at 3 p.m. I hope that you will be able to join us for this virtual event to hear about the state of our university and our priorities for the year ahead. Please look out for the email invitation to register and submit questions you would like me to address.
Thank you again for your support, and please take care and stay safe.
Best,
Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D.
Chancellor
|
|
UC MERCED FOUNDATION UPDATES |
|
Conversations with Campus Leaders |
|
You are cordially invited to register for upcoming Conversations with Campus Leaders. Note that prior knowledge of topics is not necessary - all are welcome to join the sessions to learn more about programs, initiatives, and research from across the university. You are also welcome to invite a guest that may be interested in learning more. If you have any questions regarding the series, reach out to Stephanie Sia at ucmfoundation@ucmerced.edu or (209) 382-4142.
|
|
COMING UP...
Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 AM
Please join us for a conversation with Nancy Burke, Professor and Department Chair of Public Health in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. Dr. Burke will discuss UC Merced Public Health’s faculty research and engagement with the COVID-19 pandemic response.
|
|
2020 Trustees' Impact Fund |
|
|
|
This year's Trustees' Impact Fund is supporting the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve, for which we can receive a funding match from the State of California through Proposition 68. This allocation will provide critical funding towards building a field research station on the site. We have raised over $265K toward the project, meaning over $530K with the match funding. If you are interested in contributing, gifts can be made online using the link below. If you have any questions about the project, please contact Lisa Pollard Carlson at lpollard@ucmerced.edu or (209) 291-8169.
|
|
A new chapter began at UC Merced on June 1 with the completion of the massive $1.2 billion Merced 2020 Project, an extensive expansion of the campus’ physical space and capacity.
|
|
 |
UC Merced is one of the country’s best four-year universities for quality, affordability and alumni outcomes, according to Money’s 2020 Best Colleges rankings by value.
|
|
|
|
HP donated 100 computers to UC Merced in the late spring, 69 of which were used by incoming Bobcats participating in the Summer Bridge program.
|
|
|
|
|
Marjorie Zatz now serves as interim vice chancellor for Research and Economic Development, and her primary goal in the new role will be positioning the campus to earn R1 research status.
|
|
|
|
After more than two years in development, the pre-proposal for the Ernest & Julio Gallo School of Management is now being reviewed by administrators and faculty on campus, the first step in the formal approval process.
|
|
|
|
|
Before the rover left Earth, current and former members of UC Merced’s Fundamental Tribology Lab conducted critical tests that provided key information for the mission’s success.
|
|
|
|
Armando Quintero’s passion for water, conservation, nature and responsible stewardship has carried him through his life, from his days as a National Park ranger, artist, teacher and leader of natural history journeys to his executive director position with the Sierra Nevada Research Institute.
|
|
|
|
|
UC Merced is one of four campuses across the country uniting to harness the power of innovation and technology to develop precision agriculture for a sustainable future.
|
|
|
|
Thanks to a three-year, $1.8 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, a team of researchers, including mechanical engineering Professor Ashlie Martini, are forming a new center on mechanochemistry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Check out the virtual concert here, hosted by UC Merced and the City of Merced through the Levitt Foundation. The performance opened with the UC Merced faculty rock band G Street Revolution, followed by Valley Wolf, an up-and-coming Modesto band that uses swirling organs, heavy drums and guitar to underscore socio-political lyrics arising from modern Latinx culture.
|
|
On a hot June evening, UC Merced Professor Josh Viers joined farm advocate and farmer Tom Willey on his front porch near Fresno to talk about California’s water, disadvantaged communities, agricultural production and the future as part of the new “Down on the Farm” podcast that’s now available for all to hear.
|
|
|
Tour the virtual gallery of art submitted by UC Merced students, faculty, and staff on Facebook here. Vote for your favorite student piece with a "heart" to determine the People's Choice Award winner!
|
|
Choose from a wide selection of virtual backgrounds to download and use during your Zoom meetings. There are various campus locations, branded backdrops, as well as options to celebrate our Spring 2020 graduates!
|
|
|
Thank you for your continued support of UC Merced as members of the Fellows program.
If you have any feedback or questions about the UC Merced Fellows program, please do not hesitate to reach out to UC Merced Foundation staff at ucmfoundation@ucmerced.edu or (209) 382-4142.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
