Campus supporters, administrative and academic leadership, faculty members, students and alumni gathered for UC Merced’s Celebration of Philanthropic Leaders event, held March 19 to recognize the campus’s annual giving and leadership donors.
Some undocumented students struggling with financial aid restrictions are receiving up to $25,000 for their educations through TheDream.US, a scholarship program designed to help highly motivated, low-income students.
The program is particularly helpful to UC Merced, which has over 300 undocumented students enrolled this spring. Three students on campus won scholarships last year: Mariela Arceo Madriz, Paul Chavez and Flor Aquino.
UC Merced employees and alumni were loud and proud supporters of the #GiveTueUCM campaign, part of the international day of charity known as Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1.
Including matching funds, the university raised more than $310,000 for undergraduate scholarships and $316,000 total. Last year’s inaugural effort raised just over $40,000.
UC Merced staff and administrators encouraged about 400 Le Grand High School ninth- through 12th-grade students to aim for a University of California education. The visit on Nov. 19 was part of Achieve UC, a systemwide effort to deliver a simple message to students: College, and a UC education, is within reach.
UC Merced’s interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life Brian O’Bruba urged the students to see themselves as college material.
The season of giving is just around the corner, and UC Merced is getting in the spirit. On Dec. 1, the campus will participate in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. All around the world, people will come together for the unified purpose of celebrating generosity and giving.
The UC Merced Alumni Association and Athletics and Recreation will host the inaugural UC Merced Journey 5K Fund Run on Sept. 5 to celebrate the campus’s 10th anniversary.
Current students, staff and faculty members, alumni and community members are invited to participate. All proceeds from the run will support student scholarships. The goal is to raise $2,500, which will be matched 3-to-1.
On Dec. 2, UC Merced alumni, parents, staff, faculty members and friends of the campus came together for the first #GivingTuesdayUCMerced, in an effort to create a positive effect on the lives of students.
The UC Merced Foundation Board of Trustees recently honored the 
Lorraine Sturdevant always wanted to explore other countries, but finances were always an obstacle.
