Chancellor

The University of California, Merced, today announced the appointment of Thomas W. Peterson, assistant director for Engineering at the National Science Foundation (NSF), to the position of provost and executive vice chancellor.

A joyous throng of 776 degree candidates of the University of California, Merced, today marched through the Beginnings Sculpture and onto the campus' South Bowl to receive their prized degrees, marking the culmination of the newest UC’s seventh academic year.

UC Merced celebrated its largest graduating class — 81 percent larger than last year’s graduating class of 428 — with some 7,000 family members and friends present. The total number of UC Merced students with degrees is just above 2,000.

From improving the performance and efficiency of solar cells to using solar technology to speed up fruit drying, a wide array of topics were covered by distinguished scientists at the UC Solar Research Symposium at UC Merced on Dec. 9.

Chancellor Dorothy Leland of the University of California, Merced, has issued the following statement on recent protest incidents at other UC campuses:

“Free speech and nonviolent protest have an honored place in American society and on college and university campuses. In light of recent incidents on several sister University of California campuses, I met last week with senior leadership to review our protocol for managing protests on campus and to plan for a campus teach-in related to the concerns of the Occupy movement.

Chancellor Dorothy Leland of the University of California, Merced, said today the 6-year-old campus has made significant contributions to the state through its innovative research and that more investment is needed for it to meet its promise to bring greater economic prosperity to the San Joaquin Valley, the fastest-growing region in the state.

The University of California, Merced, has contributed approximately $650 million to the San Joaquin Valley economy since the campus began initial operations in July 2000, the university reported today.

Statewide, the value of UC Merced’s cumulative economic contribution has amounted to $1.225 billion. Both totals reflect university expenditures through June 30, the end of the campus’ 2010-11 fiscal year.

Dear Campus Community Members,

As the 10^th anniversary of the September 11 tragedy approaches, I hope you will join me in taking time to reflect on both the lives lost on that fateful day and where we stand as a global community a decade later.

In a university setting where the free exchange of ideas is not only accepted but also vigorously encouraged, we are in a unique position to explore ways to bridge cultural, religious and political differences, and build bonds of friendship and respect that triumph over fear and hatred.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onhhjB1ixYA

UC Merced received its first visit by a U.S. senator Wednesday, as Sen. Barbara Boxer met with Chancellor Dorothy Leland, learned about the work of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute (SNRI), interacted with faculty and student researchers and spoke to a select group of students and news media.

With a proven record of building universities, UC Merced Chancellor-Designate Dorothy Lelandis prepared to lead the campus through its next phase of development by growing its academic and research profile.