UC Merced Magazine - Volume XVII, Issue 3

In its short history, the venue also has been the site of major external events. Among the largest gatherings was a staff retreat for College Track, a national nonprofit focused on partnering with and supporting college students from underserved communities. Nearly 200 staff members from across the nation attended the retreat in August 2022. Another significant community event, the Merced County Fireman's Ball, is expected to include more than 200 attendees in May. UC Merced's own VIP events in the ballroom have included Illuminate, a celebration that marked the public launch of the university's Boldy Forward comprehensive fundraising campaign, as well as the official dedication of the ballroom itself. Debbie Henderson, who oversees event scheduling in the Conference Center as part of her responsibilities in the UC Merced Office of Auxiliary-Hospitality Services, said 223 event bookings have been made for the ballroom since the beginning of 2022, encompassing nearly 14,000 guests.

CONNECTING THE CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY

By Francesca Dinglasan, UC Merced

Since its inception, the Dr. Vikram and Priya Lakireddy Grand Ballroom in the UC Merced Conference Center has served as the site of numerous high-profile and large-scale events. As the first meeting venue of its kind for the university and the region, the 5,700-square-foot space has brought together the campus and community, helping fulfill the Lakireddy family's desire to create opportunities to expand community ties and strengthen bonds. Priya Lakireddy, an assistant regional director in the UC Merced Office of Research and Economic Development and a University of California Regents staff advisor, and her husband, Dr. Vikram Lakireddy, a UC Merced Foundation trustee and local cardiologist, have frequently attended events in the unique venue. "We are gratified that the grand ballroom has provided a welcoming and engaging space to connect UC Merced with people from throughout our region," Priya Lakireddy said. The variety of events hosted in the Lakireddy Grand Ballroom has enabled UC Merced to welcome not only guests from throughout the university and region, but also statewide and international visitors. Recent university functions in the ballroom have included: • The Afrikans for Retention Outreach (AFRO) Fest interactive conference held in conjunction with the Bright Success Center. • Research Week, the university's annual showcase of research projects and initiatives. • The Merced County Office of Education science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) Fair, which aligned with Research Week and brought young students from the Merced area to present their own research. • A visit from Universidad Aut6noma Chapingo students, who traveled from Texcoco, Mexico, to learn about UC Merced's agriculture research and other programs. • The Community Labor Center's Farmworker Health Study event, which allowed researchers to present their findings about the challenges faced daily by farmworkers to local lawmakers and community leaders.

Dr. Vik ram an dPriyaLakireddy aregenerous suppo rters oftheUC Mercedcampus.

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