The University of California, Merced, received the largest incoming class of students in its 13-year history this semester, as total enrollment neared 8,000 for the first time.

The fastest-growing university in the nation, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, UC Merced now enrolls 7,375 undergraduate and 592 graduate students for a total of 7,967 students — an 8.6 percent increase from 7,336 in 2016, as reported in the university’s fall census.

Saturday’s annual Journey 5K Fund Run has special meaning for the UC Merced community.

Last November, the campus lost Ryan Nunez — head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country teams — in a tragic motorcycle accident.

“Artists to my mind are the real architects of change, and not the political legislators who implement change after the fact.” — William S. Burroughs

The economic and educational advantages of having a University of California campus in the San Joaquin Valley are easy to measure — just look at the thousands of alumni contributing to the region, hundreds of staff members boosting the local economy, and professors conducting research that directly and indirectly benefits society.

More than 2,200 students — many entering their first year at UC Merced — arrived last weekend in cars, trucks and minivans packed to the gills with living essentials from clothing and toiletries to laptops and microwaves.

Move-in weekend is always a bustling time on campus as parents, families and friends help their Bobcats get settled in and spend some time on the campus with them before heading home.

As the frenzy surrounding the Aug. 21 solar eclipse begins to peak, physics Professor Wil van Breugel is using the opportunity to give Merced stargazers a crash course in the science and history of these astronomical curiosities.

“It’s important for people to fully appreciate the science,” van Breugel said. “This is an opportunity to try to explain things more fundamentally.”

UC Merced’s University Communications has launched Newsroom, a revamped news website housing information for the campus community and the general public.

In addition to cosmetic improvements, the site’s launch coincides with the department’s new approach to covering the news at UC Merced and sharing it with the university’s most important audiences.

UC Merced’s University Communications has launched Newsroom, a revamped news website housing information for the campus community and the general public.

In addition to cosmetic improvements, the site’s launch coincides with the department’s new approach to covering the news at UC Merced and sharing it with the university’s most important audiences.

UC Merced is taking steps to fight hunger and tackle food waste on campus and across Merced County.

UC Merced’s Athletics Department has hired women's volleyball coach and alumnus Surabordin "Ai" Prachumsri as the men's volleyball head coach.

More than 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students are expected to participate in the University of California, Merced’s 12th com