UC Merced Magazine | Commemorative Chronicle

FOREWORD.

FROM THE CHANCELLOR

As this issue of UC Merced Magazine repeatedly illustrates, this moment is not only about looking back with immense pride and satisfaction; it’s also about celebrating where we are even as we look forward with vision and purpose. As we celebrate this milestone year, let us further rea rm our shared mission to empower students, advance knowledge and inspire innovation. Together, we will continue to write the next chapter of our university’s extraordinary story, here, in California’s Central Valley and beyond.

his fall, UC Merced achieves another major milestone: the 20th anniversary of our university opening its doors to students, faculty and sta . In just two decades, what began as an ambitious vision to further share extend the transformational impact of a University of California education has grown into a brilliant and thriving community of scholars, innovators and leaders whose bene ts have reached far beyond our campus. From the rst class of pioneers who helped shape the culture and traditions that continue to de ne the campus today, to the thousands of students who now proudly call themselves alumni and Bobcats, our story is one of progress, prosperity, discovery, and transformation. We have built world-class academic facilities and programs, developed groundbreaking research that addresses the challenges of our time and expanded opportunities for rst-generation, low income, and historically underrepresented students to pursue rigorous higher education. And our collective work in these arenas has not gone unnoticed. From many members of our campus community having garnered national and international recognition for their work, to being named a Carnegie Opportunity University, achieving the prestigious R1 Carnegie designation, and now recently being named a Top 25 Public University by U.S. News & World Report, the trajectory of UC Merced in its rst 20 years has been unparalleled.

is moment is not only about looking back with

immense pride and satisfaction; it’s also about celebrating where we are even as we look forward with vision and purpose.

ank you for being part of our shared journey. Whether you were here early on or have just recently joined our Bobcat community, your contributions and belief in our mission make this moment possible. Here’s to the rst 20 years and to the limitless possibilities ahead.

Fiat Lux,

JUAN SÁNCHEZ MUÑOZ, PH.D. CHANCELLOR