University of California, Merced - Alyssa Johansen

From Strawberries to Smart Farm: Alum Adamaris Alvarez Grows Passion into a Career Path

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 18:01:20 +0000

By Alli Sweigard, ��ϰٿ�

June 18, 2025

Alvarez is the first student to complete the AgTEC Certificate program

Growing up in Watsonville, a vibrant agricultural community on California's Central Coast, Adamaris Alvarez always knew she wanted to work in agriculture. She worked on her family's berry ranch, Alvarez Farms, where she grew a deep appreciation for the hard work agriculture demands.

But it wasn't until she saw an Instagram post about an internship at ��ϰٿ�'s Experimental Smart Farm that she realized she could help shape the future of farming.

"It caught my attention. Coming from an agricultural background, I saw myself being able to do those things," she said.

After almost two years of digging into everything ag tech, Alvarez graduated in May - the first in her family to go to college - with a B.S. in environmental sciences.

She believes she has found not only her future, but what lies ahead for her whole industry.

"Ag is always going to be in high demand, no matter what," Alvarez said.

Alvarez joined the Experimental Smart Farm team as a student specialist in October 2023 and took on a range of agricultural responsibilities, quickly becoming a key part of the university's innovative farming effort. She helped plant seeds, transplant seedlings, disc plots and support the construction of a new reservoir and irrigation system, and she learned firsthand how to operate and maintain farm equipment, such as tractors and an autonomous farming robot.

"I would say it's important to be more hands-on than just classroom lectures," said Alvarez. "I learned by doing. For me, it's easier to see and to learn stuff fast if I'm the one in charge of figuring out how to fix it."

Farm leadership took a liking to her, pointing out her willingness to get her hands dirty.

"Adamaris has been fantastic to work with at the farm. As a part of the first-ever cohort of students to work the farm, she has been an integral part of its building," said Danny Royer, Experimental Smart Farm and Greenhouse Coordinator. "Adamaris embodies so much of what motivates me to show up every day - she's eager to learn and willing to roll up her sleeves and do the things that need to be done to facilitate research and student experiences on the farm."

While Alvarez enjoyed the farm work, she said the biggest lessons came from working with a team.

"Teamwork and communication are so important. Everyone needs to be on the same page for the farm to function. You learn how to problem-solve together, not just listen to a lecture," she said.

Alvarez is the first student to complete the F3: Farms, Food, Future AgTEC (Agricultural Technology and Education Collaborative) certificate program at Merced College, simultaneously with finishing her bachelor's degree.

The AgTEC Certificate program equips students with hands-on, practical skills in precision agriculture and modern farm systems. Designed for flexibility and real-world application, the program offers a self-paced format that worked well with Alvarez's busy university schedule.

"It's self-paced and it's flexible, especially for a university student with midterms, finals and all that stress," she said. "There's not a (time) limit to finish the course and that's really helpful."

"The F3 AgTEC certificate serves as a cross-Valley training program, a crucial pathway for current farmworkers, college students, and for the ag industry to adopting more on-farm technology and improving the quality of jobs," said Leigh Bernacchi, executive director of VISTA F3 at ��ϰٿ�. "Adamaris brought a lifetime of ag experience, fluency in Spanish and the technical know-how to being a participant-evaluator, improving the program for the thousands to follow and mentoring current participants."

"This work is about honoring the people who feed a nation and have built a lifetime of knowledge in the fields - knowledge that traditional education has too often overlooked," said Karen Aceves, F3 AgTEC regional director. "The F3 AgTEC Certificate doesn't just teach skills. It recognizes them. It builds a real pathway for farm workers to be seen, valued and formally supported in a system that was never originally designed for them. That is what makes this transformative."

Alvarez encourages other students to seek out opportunities beyond the classroom, especially at places like the Smart Farm.

"It will really help you build up a lot of skills," she said. "You're going to have those skills to make your resume look good and it will attract more job opportunities."

As a self-described introvert, Alvarez said her experience as a student specialist and mentor to other ag tech students helped her grow essential communication skills.

"In order to have this farm function the way that we want, everyone here has to be connected in some way and be notified in some way or another," she said.

Alvarez's experience also expanded her appreciation for agricultural research. She's especially excited to watch the farm's upcoming agrivoltaics research project. Agrivoltaics is the combination of growing food near solar panels for energy generation, water savings, reduced plant stress and shade for workers and animals.

"With research like the groundwater recharge reservoir, agrivoltaics and other projects, it helped me see that it's more than just crops," she said.

Graduation isn't the end of Alvarez's agricultural journey; it's just the beginning. This summer, she will launch her ag tech career with Nitricity , a local fertilizer producer, traveling across the Central Coast to conduct soil sampling and strengthening her knowledge of farming practices. Industry relationships through F3 and Nitricity led to the opportunity.

"��ϰٿ� students like Adamaris and research facilities like the Farm are making agriculture an exciting industry to work in," said Bernacchi. "The future of farming is now and it's at ��ϰٿ�."

Study: Mass Deportations Would Cost California Economy $275 Billion, Decimate Critical Industries

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:01:09 +0000

June 17, 2025

California's economy has a strong reliance on undocumented labor, the study said.

Mass deportation of California's undocumented residents would open a $275 billion hole in the state's economy, cripple industries ranging from agriculture to hospitality, disrupt countless small businesses, and lead to $23 billion a year in lost tax revenue.

Those are the conclusions of a study released June 17 by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute and by ��ϰٿ� public health Professor Maria-Elena De Trinidad Young. The study, which relied on numerous data sources and in-depth interviews with dozens of employers, elected officials and community leaders, was supported by the California Health Care Foundation.

Immigrants, both documented and undocumented, are integrated tightly into the California economy through millions of essential jobs that span a range of critical industries, all contributing extensively to the state's $4.1 trillion economy, the fourth-largest in the world.

The study comes amid intensifying immigration enforcement by the federal government that includes expanded operations and swifter deportations of individuals without legal status.

Key points from the study:

About 1.5 million undocumented residents make up 8% of California's workforce. Mass deportations would cost the state an estimated $275 billion in wages and other direct and indirect economic activity.
The average undocumented immigrant in California pays $7,000 in taxes. The loss of tax revenue from mass deportations would cost state, local and federal budgets a combined $23 billion annually, potentially impacting funds for a range of public services.
About 40% of California's small businesses are owned by immigrants; nearly 11% of those are owned by undocumented immigrants. These small businesses generate local taxes, help lease commercial units, and create contracts for local distributors, and cater to a community's specific needs.
Geographic regions with higher proportions of undocumented residents, including the San Joaquin Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, Inland Empire and Los Angeles, would experience the worst impacts.
Based on wages alone, undocumented workers generate 5% of the state's overall economic activity, a figure that rises to 9% when the ripple effects of their spending and other contributions are factored in.

Young and her ��ϰٿ� team conducted in-depth interviews with nearly 40 people for the study, including business leaders, elected officials and the heads of community-based organizations. Her work added nuance to the study's data by adding voices from people who have seen the early impacts of increased immigration enforcement.

"California has a long and rich history of embracing immigrants and the many valuable contributions they bring to our state, economically, culturally and in so many other ways," Young said. "Understanding how increased immigration enforcement is affecting such a large swath of our population is critical to addressing the fears many in the immigrant community are experiencing and informing how we plan for not only economic and fiscal impacts but the human impacts."

Four ��ϰٿ� students worked with Young to conduct the interviews and perform qualitative analyses of transcripts: graduate students Sarina Rodriguez, Sharon Tafolla and Fabiola Perez-Lua, and undergraduate student Samantha Valle Meraz.

"This report is so impactful because it combines the best of both worlds of research," Rodriguez said. "Our partner's economic analysis is complemented by our qualitative interviews that document what is happening right now on the ground and what policy changes California's community and business leaders need to protect our state's immigrant communities."

Interview respondents emphasized that these workers bring extensive experience and deep skills to critical roles that benefit all Californians - from growing and cooking food, cleaning homes and offices, building housing, caring for children and the elderly, and ensuring packages are packed and delivered.

The impacts of mass deportations on certain industries and geographic regions would be particularly disruptive, the study found. As the nation's top agricultural producer, California depends heavily on immigrant labor: 63% of the state's agricultural sector are immigrants and almost 26% are undocumented. In construction, 41% of workers are immigrants and 14% are undocumented.

"Immigrants, both documented and undocumented, are deeply and intricately woven into our overall economic fabric," said study co-author Abby Raisz, research director for the Bay Area Council Economic Institute. "The impact of losing 8% of California's workforce would have a crippling effect on the state economy. The impacts would extend far beyond California's borders, with labor shortages contributing to higher food prices nationwide."

California's economy has a strong reliance on undocumented labor, the study said. Nearly half of the state's undocumented population has been in California for 20 years or more and have extensive experience in their respective industries, a crucial addition to the overall workforce even if they perform jobs categorized as "low skilled."

The study found broad support in the business for comprehensive federal immigration reform, a task Congress has struggled with for decades. With consistent immigration policies, business owner would have more certainty in planning workforce needs and how immigrants fit into those plans, the study said.

From Dreams to Degrees: Graduates Celebrate with Scholarship Donors

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 19:06:06 +0000

By Francesca Dinglasan, ��ϰٿ�

June 12, 2025

��ϰٿ� donors Cheryl Matsubara and Dar Chen with Chen and Matsubara Family Scholar Jahaira Morales ’25 (center)

��ϰٿ�’s graduating Class of 2025 recently celebrated its achievement at the campus’s spring commencement, joined by family members, close friends and loved ones.

For two graduates, Jahaira Morales and Bryan Gutierrez, the ceremony also was an opportunity to meet with a couple of other individuals who have been invested in their higher-education journey at ��ϰٿ� – their scholarship benefactors, Dar Chen and Cheryl Matsubara.

As Chen and Matsubara Family Scholars, Morales and Gutierrez received financial awards throughout their four years at ��ϰٿ�. They both received the initial scholarship disbursement as incoming freshmen and were eligible to renew it every year as long as they remained in good academic standing.

“I’m very thankful and lucky for being chosen for this scholarship,” Morales said during her meeting with Chen and Matsubara. “School is really expensive, and the scholarship supported me so much throughout my time as an undergrad.”

Morales, a biological sciences major who attended high school in nearby Turlock, said the financial assistance was essential for the necessities to complete her studies.

“The money was important for my supplies,” she said. “I remember my laptop broke, and I was only able to get a new one because of my scholarship.”

Gutierrez, a Merced native who earned his degree in psychology, also expressed his gratitude for the resources provided by the Chen and Matsubara Family Scholarship.

“It really came as a surprise when I was selected, and I am extremely appreciative,” he said.

The two new graduates are the latest Chen and Matsubara Family Scholars to meet with the couple who supported them. Before they visited Merced during commencement, Chen and Matsubara met with other scholarship recipients, observing the dedication and resilience of ��ϰٿ� students.

“I’m very impressed with them and how much they value coming to this campus,” said Matsubara. “They have a lot of responsibilities, and I get the sense that they need to work to help with the financial stress.

“That is why we decided to do a current-use scholarship,” she added, citing their preference for a scholarship that provides funding to students immediately rather than an investment for future use. “We hope it helps relieve the financial stress and gives them a little more time to concentrate on their studies or be active in other areas on campus.”

As self-described products of public education and the University of California, Matsubara and Chen noted that “the value of public education is well understood and appreciated by us.”

“Public education is just so vital and the great equalizer,” said Matsubara. “The UC system does a wonderful job, and we want to continue to be a part of that.”

Matsubara and Chen are both UC Berkeley alumni and had considered charitable giving to their alma mater. They started learning more about the UC campus in the Central Valley, located about an hour away from where Matsubara grew up as the daughter of a farmer, and saw the proportional impact their philanthropy could have on the much younger and growing university.

“We looked into the size of endowments at UC campuses and realized Berkeley’s is at a certain level, and the newest campus is completely different,” said Chen. “We had a few conversations and decided our financial assistance program would make a bigger difference at Merced on a relative basis than UC Berkeley and would be able to help more people.”

Cheryl Matsubara and Dar Chen in front of the under-construction Medical Education Building, which will include the Chen and Matsubara Family Anatomy Small Group Room.

In addition to their multi-year undergraduate scholarship, Chen and Matsubara have also made a gift in support of the campus’s new Medical Education Building. In recognition of their generosity, the facility’s dedicated anatomy space will be named the Chen and Matsubara Family Anatomy Small Group Room.

Chen and Matsubara shared that the inspiration for the gift came from a conversation between the couple and one of their scholars.

“A few years ago, we had the chance to talk to a couple of the scholarship recipients and asked how their programs were going,” said Chen. “One was in pre-med and told us she needed to go to a community college for her anatomy classes, and we thought, ‘How could that be right?’

“��ϰٿ� should have that capability and facility,” he added. “Also, Cheryl’s degree is in biology and her favorite subject is anatomy, so when the Medical Education Building was proposed, the anatomy room was a natural choice for us.”

Chen and Matsubara are optimistic that ��ϰٿ�’s medical education efforts will help improve health care access and quality in the underserved Central Valley and that their support of promising students from the region is contributing to that important outcome.

“We’ve always wanted to give back to help others in their education,” said Matsubara.

It is an ideal the couple hopes they will inspire in others, including the students who benefit from their support. When saying goodbye and sharing their well wishes with Morales and Gutierrez, Chen reminded the new graduates, “Just remember that 30 years from now, you’ve got to pay it forward.”

Alumna Laura Showalter, Foundation Diplomat Jane Binger Create Chemical Sciences Scholarship

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 23:05:38 +0000

By Francesca Dinglasan, ��ϰٿ�

June 10, 2025

Alumna Laura Showalter ’16, ’18 (left) and ��ϰٿ� Foundation Diplomat Dr. Jane Binger have established a new scholarship to support chemical sciences majors.

��ϰٿ� students pursuing degrees in chemical sciences now have access to a new source of financial support, thanks to a gift from two of the university’s most dedicated advocates.

Alumna Laura Showalter ’16, ’18 and ��ϰٿ� Foundation Diplomat Dr. Jane Binger have established the Showalter Binger Scholarship to assist promising students who demonstrate passion and perseverance on their journeys to becoming future scientific leaders.

Showalter, who graduated from ��ϰٿ� with a double major in chemical sciences and management followed by a master’s in chemistry and chemical biology, remembers the stress of needing to be on the deferred tuition payment plan and always working to make the next payment to get through school. She said that creating a scholarship at her alma mater had been on her mind for a very long time.

“There are a variety of ways that I’m giving, but in my heart, I wanted to give more,” she said. “A scholarship was something I had dreamed about doing further down the line, but I thought, ‘What if I could support some people now? Why not give a little until I can give a lot? Why not start to have an impact now?’”

The idea for the scholarship further expanded when Showalter brought up the concept to Binger, whom she first met as an undergraduate. Binger, along with her husband Dr. Bob Bernstein, are longtime ��ϰٿ� supporters who have respectively served as a ��ϰٿ� Foundation Diplomat and Trustee since 2004.

Among Binger’s many service contributions to the campus, she has worked extensively with the Center for Career and Professional Advancement. She has helped coach Grad Slam finalists in refining their presentations for the University of California competition and for years has offered mock interviews to assist students in preparing for real-world interactions.

Binger and Showalter first worked together as part of a mock-interview session, with the mentorship experience developing into a lasting friendship and professional camaraderie that continues today.

“My friend and I started a nonprofit called DeepTok, which helps community-college and university students meet their goals. I would think of Laura when I needed an example of a tremendous resume or when I started a series of course maps. She is very inspiring to me, so we kept in touch and have worked together at DeepTok,” explained Binger. “We were talking, and she happened to mention her plan of giving back to ��ϰٿ�. When she told me her concept for a scholarship, I immediately said, ‘I’ll do that with you if you want.’”

The unique partnership in co-establishing the scholarship is rooted not only in Showalter and Binger’s commitment to mitigating economic hardship for aspiring scientists but also in their shared hope to motivate individuals whose personal grit enables them to overcome past challenges and empowers them to achieve their goals.

Showalter and Binger’s examples of resilience and grittiness are evident in their own notable accomplishments while facing adversity. A Merced native, Showalter graduated from high school when she was just 14 years old and enrolled in a community college full-time before transferring to ��ϰٿ�. During her last semester as an undergraduate, she took a course overload of 20 units, worked several part-time jobs and was selected as her graduating class’s commencement speaker. As she was navigating those multiple priorities, her father’s health was rapidly declining.

“He was very sick, and we believed it was stage-four cancer at the time, so the thought of spending time on schoolwork to get through finals week instead of spending time with him was agonizing,” she said. “But he always had been my biggest cheerleader. He told me more than anything else, he wanted me to finish strong and that nothing would make him happier.”

Driven by her father’s encouragement, Showalter powered through her physical and emotional exhaustion and completed the semester, earning straight As and delivering a successful commencement speech. Although her father was too ill to attend the graduation ceremony, he eventually received a proper diagnosis, and the resulting treatment led to his gradual recovery.

“Everything ended up going well, but in that moment, when I was overwhelmed and confronted with that heavy toll, I depended on grit,” said Showalter. “I define grit as the ability to look at the path in front of you and take the next step, even when it’s difficult or things keep knocking you down.”

For Binger, grit is a trait she experienced firsthand growing up, as well as a quality that she proffers as a “differentiator” when speaking to her professional coaching clientele, which includes physician leaders, executives, and students.

“I’m from a family of grit, so I have quite a bit of it myself,” she said. “My mother was from a small rural town and the first in her family to become a college graduate and doctor. My father was a first-generation student from the San Joaquin Valley, who left home at 11 and started working in fields, vineyards and with livestock to put himself through junior high, high school, college and eventually the dental school at the University of the Pacific.

“To me, grit is when you just keep going when you hit a bump in the road,” she continued. “It is seeing problems as just a temporary part of your journey. It’s seeing yourself in the big picture when you hit a bump, and sticking with your goals, even when they get hard and when you're hitting more bumps than you expected.”

Showalter and Binger are hopeful that their joint scholarship will serve as a testament to their unwavering confidence in ��ϰٿ� students, whose ability to persevere, succeed and thrive despite in some cases the instability and uncertainty of their circumstances reflects the specialness of the campus community.

“Jane and I want our future scholars to know we believe in them, we care about them, and that the world needs their unique talents,” said Showalter. “We hope this scholarship reduces their financial stress and helps them continue on their journeys.”

New Dining Space Mural Honors Native Heritage, Student Perseverance

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 21:05:10 +0000

By Seth Allen, ��ϰٿ�

June 6, 2025

Yanira Garcia Calderon (left) and Briza Avila are two of the artist who brought the mural “Resistencia" to life.

Hidden for a year behind two large barn-style doors, a powerful new mural now adorns the walls of the Yablokoff-Wallace Dining Center. The latest piece of public art on the ��ϰٿ� campus explores Native past and future with themes of identity and representation.

Funded through a grant from the Division of Equity, Justice & Inclusive Excellence in collaboration with Dining Services and Executive Chef Jonathan Gutierrez Santiago, the project was led by Professor Richard Gomez, a lecturer in Global Arts, Media and Writing Studies. It was painted by student artists Briza Avila, Yanira Garcia Calderon, Oscar Torres and Coco Zaragoza, with Roxanna Hernandez serving as videographer.

The mural, “Resistencia", was unveiled May 5 to a crowd of students, staff and community members. The event featured cultural performances by the Ballet Folklorico and the Bobcat Mariachi Band, along with a special meal service to mark both the mural unveiling and Cinco De Mayo.

The mural is split into two sections on the wall of the Lakeview dining room.

On the left side, a large portrait of a woman (modeled after a student worker at the YWDC) stands surrounded by Native symbolism. Above her in gold is Coyolxauhqui, Aztec goddess of the moon. To her right, a hummingbird, or Copilli, represents a spiritual messenger and reminder of people’s Indigenous roots. To her left, a deer dancer appears beside a ceremonial cottonwood tree, and a small red handprint on her dress calls attention to the unreported sexual violence toward Indigenous women.

On the right side of the mural, a woman offers corn to a Dining Services worker. Beside them stands the Beginnings sculpture with a ��ϰٿ� graduate inside it, suggesting the transition from past to present to future. The portrait of the graduate is slightly larger than the statue, a nod to the strength of the ��ϰٿ� student body. Below them, a fruit bar reflects the locally sourced produce featured in the campus dining halls.

“The mural carries a lot of cultural weight,” said artist Avila. “It's very intimate, like an embrace. It shows others that I’m included, and I deserve to be here.”

The left side of the mural “Resistencia"

The project was completed over two semesters. After planning throughout the fall, the artists spent the spring semester bringing the mural to life. What started as weekend painting sessions quickly turned into early mornings, late nights and a few overnight stretches.

Among the artists were graduating seniors who saw this as an opportunity to leave their mark on ��ϰٿ�.

“This mural is my voice, and I hope it inspires others,” Calderon said. “I want future generations to see it and know that we belong in these spaces.”

The unveiling took place on Cinco De Mayo. On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces, many of them Indigenous, defeated French troops at the Battle of Puebla. Celebrated annually, the victory at Puebla is a symbol of resistance.

For Gomez, the timing of the mural felt intentional.

“This recent project comes at a pivotal time in our history,” he said. “It adds voice, color and representation to our campus community.”

Gomez hopes to partner with others across campus to transform any blank wall into a space that sparks conversation and connection.

“I am always open to collaborating with more of our campus community who wish to add color and representation to our walls.”

Gift Creates ��ϰٿ�’s First Endowed Chair in Agricultural Technology

Anonymous — Wed, 21 May 2025 17:00:32 +0000

By Francesca Dinglasan, ��ϰٿ�

May 21, 2025

��ϰٿ� Foundation Board of Trustees member Christine Long's generous gift creates the university's first chair in the ag-tech field

A new endowed chair will significantly enhance ��ϰٿ�’s work to advance research and innovation in the agricultural technology sector.

Housed in the School of Engineering, the Christine Nemec Long Endowed Chair in Agricultural Technology was created through a generous gift from longtime ��ϰٿ� Foundation Board of Trustees member Christine Long.

Long — a co-founder, former owner and current board member of Hilltop Ranch, one of California’s most prolific almond processors and exporters — has supported the university since its earliest days, involved in a group of community members determined to bring the 10th University of California campus to Merced.

“It dawned on me that if we had a major university in the Central Valley, it would make a difference in K-12 education,” she said. “Having a university and educated and skilled people would bring up education everywhere in the region. I saw that as a natural consequence.”

In the two decades since she first rallied to make ��ϰٿ� a reality, Long has continually served on the ��ϰٿ� Foundation Board since 2013; was one of the inaugural members of the Chancellor’s Associates, the university’s long-standing giving society; and has been invaluable in facilitating the campus’s connections and relationships with agricultural industry partners.

The Long Endowed Chair is ��ϰٿ�’s first chair in the ag-tech field.

“The San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys are the most fertile valleys in the world, and ��ϰٿ� is in the middle of that,” said Long. “Why shouldn’t Merced be a leader in ag tech? Agriculture is changing and is becoming more advanced and technical. People who work in agriculture are much more skilled than they used to be, and they require new understanding.”

Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz said he was grateful to Long for a gift that will benefit ��ϰٿ�, the School of Engineering and university research into ag tech.

“The Central Valley has the critical ecosystem to support cutting-edge breakthroughs in ag tech,” Muñoz said. “By establishing this vital chairship and endowment, Ms. Long ensures that our university flourishes as a leader in research and education impacting the sector.”

Among ��ϰٿ�’s priorities in advancing agricultural science and technology is to address regional challenges through innovation, educational programs focused on both theory and applied agricultural production practice, and students equipped with the knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to solve real-world issues.

“Ag tech is a brand-new field for me,” Long said. “I’m excited for this new beginning, and I like the idea of being the first person to bring an ag-tech chair to ��ϰٿ�.”

��ϰٿ� to Celebrate the Class of 2025 with Spring Commencement Ceremonies

Anonymous — Wed, 14 May 2025 18:17:48 +0000

May 14, 2025

Commencement ceremonies will take place on the ��ϰٿ� Recreation Field.

The University of California, Merced, will celebrate the accomplishments of more than 1,500 students during its Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies, to be held May 16 -18 on the ��ϰٿ� Recreation Field. The ceremonies will recognize graduates from all academic schools over three days of celebration.

The festivities begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16, with the Graduate Division ceremony, honoring 120 students receiving master's and doctoral degrees.

On Saturday, May 17 at 9 a.m., the School of Engineering and the School of Natural Sciences will jointly recognize 600 graduating students. Lucia Barboza, a first-generation computer science and engineering major from Delhi, will be the student speaker. Barboza was a web developer intern for ��ϰٿ�'s Valley Institute for Sustainability and Technology (VISTA). Through participation in the UCDC Program, she worked with the American Historical Association in Washington, D.C., focusing on efficient legislative tracking and website management. She also completed two software engineering internships with Salesforce, leading to a full-time role at the company after graduation. Barboza plans to pursue a master's degree in cybersecurity.

The final ceremony, on Sunday, May 18 at 9 a.m., will celebrate 800 students from the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. Maya Manesh, a double major in cognitive science and sociology from Dublin, Calif., will address graduates. While at ��ϰٿ�, she served as treasurer and public relations and outreach officer of the Cognitive Science Student Association, as vice president of the Sociology Club, as vice president of operations for Kappa Kappa Gamma, and as an academic scholar in the Fiat Lux Scholars Program. She performed undergraduate research in Professor Colin Holbrook's EvoLab and received the Abrescy-Kranich Library Award for Undergraduate Research Excellence. Manesh was also awarded a University of California Education Abroad Program Global Scholarship to study abroad in Italy in 2024. After graduation, she plans to become a college advisor to help increase accessibility to higher education.

All commencement ceremonies will be held outdoors, and guests are encouraged to arrive early. Attendees should allow at least 30 minutes for parking, walking to the venue and ticket scanning. Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and all guests must be seated prior to the beginning of the processional to ensure a smooth and respectful experience for all in attendance.

Accessible parking will be available for vehicles displaying a valid ADA placard or sticker. Security measures will be in place at all ceremonies. All guests will pass through metal detectors upon entry, and some may be subject to additional screening and bag checks.

To ensure a safe and respectful environment, the following items are strictly prohibited at the commencement venue:

Air horns, beach balls, signs, umbrellas, or other items that may obstruct views or cause distractions
Balloons or inflatables of any kind
Alcohol
Any type of smoking or tobacco products
Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
Weapons of any kind, including firearms and knives
Drones (UAS - Unmanned Aircraft Systems) or other model aircraft
Animals, except for service animals
Backpacks (diaper bags and medical necessity bags are allowed)

For additional details about the ceremonies, parking, accessibility and security guidelines, guests are encouraged to visit the commencement webpage. For those unable to attend commencement ceremonies in person, a livestream of each ceremony will be available online.

��ϰٿ� to Welcome Future Bobcats at Bobcat Day Celebration

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:49:22 +0000

Alyssa Johansen, ��ϰٿ�

April 16, 2025

A full day of tours, presentations, activities and celebrations will give prospective students a taste of what ��ϰٿ� has to offer.

��ϰٿ� is excited to welcome admitted students, their families and friends for another unforgettable Bobcat Day. Set for Saturday, April 19, this annual open house promises a full day of engaging presentations, activities and a firsthand look at life as a Bobcat. Throughout the event, faculty, staff, students and alumni will be available to share personal experiences and answer questions about academic programs, student life, clubs and organizations.

Prospective students can count on ��ϰٿ� students, staff and faculty to answer their questions.

Bobcat Day gives future students the chance to connect directly with faculty and staff during academic sessions hosted by the schools of Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. These presentations will showcase scholarly offerings, hands-on research opportunities and the many ways students can engage in and out of the classroom. Other highlights include sessions on studying abroad, campus safety, on-campus jobs and internships, and guided lab tours.

In addition to the informational events, Bobcat Day will offer plenty of fun and entertainment:

Campus and Housing Tours: Explore state-of-the-art facilities, innovative research spaces, recreational amenities and a variety of housing options on guided tours.
Culinary Offerings: Enjoy bites throughout the day at the Yablokoff-Wallace Dining Center, the Lantern Café in the Kolligian Library, food trucks along Scholars Lane and The Pavilion.
Bobcat Day Bash: The Pavilion Lawn will be buzzing with music, games, prizes, student performances, live DJs, a Bobcat family photo op and opportunities to meet local businesses and community partners showcasing what makes the City of Merced unique.
Recreation and Athletics Experience: Head to the recreation fields and the Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center for a day filled with sports, games and activities, with chances to win some Bobcat swag!

Free parking is available in the Bellevue Lot. Visitors are encouraged to check the Bobcat Day webpage for the full schedule, campus maps and more event details.

��ϰٿ� Celebrates Student Philanthropy Month With Leadership, Service and Giving

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 20:18:35 +0000

Alyssa Johansen, ��ϰٿ�

April 11, 2025

Since 2022, Student Philanthropy Month at ��ϰٿ� has promoted a culture of giving and gratitude.

In March, ��ϰٿ� wrapped up another successful Student Philanthropy Month, an annual tradition led by the Student Alumni Association that inspires students to engage in the spirit of giving and service. The monthlong celebration offers students a deeper understanding of philanthropy and its impact on campus and beyond.

"Student Philanthropy Month is a powerful reminder that true philanthropy isn't just about financial donations - it's about uplifting the people, the causes and the missions of the organizations we support, empowering them through our time, talents and shared commitment," said Magdalena Castaneda, director of alumni engagement.

Since 2022, Student Philanthropy Month has focused on building a culture of giving and gratitude at ��ϰٿ�. The initiative explores philanthropy through four weekly themes: leading, serving, giving and engaging. Each week features events designed to help students recognize the importance of service, leadership and generosity in building stronger communities.

From left: Panelists Mayra Martinez, Omar Guerrero, Josiah Beharry, Ebony Goytia Hermosillo, and moderator Andrea Tafolla.

'Dinner for Champvocates' Kicks Off the Month

The month began with "Dinner for Champvocates," an evening of dialogue and networking at the ��ϰٿ� Conference Center. Students participated in a Q&A with alumni who work in the nonprofit sector, gaining insights into how philanthropy aligns with personal and professional goals.

Panelists shared their post-graduation experiences and emphasized the role of advocacy and intentional community-building in their philanthropic journeys.

"They emphasized the importance of creating inclusive spaces, especially during challenging times, and reminded us that kindness and thoughtfulness toward our communities, networks and ourselves are more essential than ever," one participant said.

Following the panel, students joined a networking session to connect with alumni and one another, exploring ways to align their values with action.

Supporting Student-Led Fundraising

As part of the giving theme, students were encouraged to promote their causes through the campuswide Philanthropy Fair. Eight student organizations completed training sessions that provided tools and knowledge to fundraise effectively, including access to a customized crowdfunding page.

Throughout the month, Alumni Relations staff guided student organizations through the fundraising process, offering one-on-one support and access to a comprehensive fundraising toolkit. These resources helped student leaders develop effective campaigns to raise awareness and secure support for their causes.

Through Monday, April 21, alumni, parents, students and community members can support any of the featured registered campus organizations, or RCOs, with gifts eligible for a match of up to $1,000, thanks to the generosity of the Student Affairs Scholar Transformational Impact Fund.

This year's participating organizations include:

-American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA): Supporting the launch of BOBSat-1, a satellite program studying the water cycle and root health in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada.

-��ϰٿ� Archery: Enhancing safety through the construction of new stands for target bales.

-Bobcat Band at ��ϰٿ�: Expanding the instrument inventory for campus performances.

-Delta Epsilon Mu Inc.: Funding health events that feature guest speakers.

-Kairos Dance Group: Hosting a Asian Pacific Islander Festival celebrating cultural diversity.

-MissionBrain:UCM: Organizing a health workshop with a neurosurgeon from Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.

-Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers: Supporting technical and professional development opportunities.

-Yamabuki Taiko: Purchasing traditional instruments to enhance cultural performances on campus and in the community.

On April 5, dozens of students and alumni worked to clean Lake Yosemite.

Bobcats Give Back: Day of Service

As part of the service theme, students participated in the annual Day of Service at Lake Yosemite, hosted in collaboration with the Community Engagement Center and Merced County Parks and Recreation. More than 50 students and alumni took part in the event, working together to clean and maintain a location frequently used by the campus community.

The event reinforced the idea that giving back to one's local community is a powerful form of philanthropy. Participating students also earned CatLife hours for their service.

Celebrate Persian New Year Today with Nowruz Lunch at Pavilion

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 17:51:09 +0000

By Seth Allen, ��ϰٿ�

March 20, 2025

��ϰٿ� Executive Chef Robert Sedlemeyer and student Behnoush Seifinoferest discuss recipes for the Nowruz lunch event at the Pavilion.

��ϰٿ� Dining Services will celebrate the spring equinox and Persian New Year today with its second annual Nowruz event.

Organized by Executive Chef Matt Perez in collaboration with Belinda Braunstein, coordinator of the English Language Institute, lunch will be served at the Pavilion dining center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 20. The lunch features traditional Persian dishes crafted with help from volunteer Ph.D. students.

Meal plans, CatDollars, and credit and debit cards will be accepted. For those without a meal plan, lunch costs $12.88.

For over 3,000 years, Nowruz has marked the beginning of spring and a 13-day celebration of the Persian New Year. Rich in symbolism, Nowruz (“new day” in English and pronounced “no-rooz” or “now-rooz”) represents new beginnings, renewal and the strengthening of connections between friends, family and nature.

“It is wonderful that we all celebrate spring, symbolizing nature's regrowth, and Nowruz can be a meaningful reason to do so,” said Farzan ZareAfifi, a Ph.D. candidate in mechanical engineering and one of the volunteers. “I often take this time to visit friends and family I haven’t seen in a while.”

Celebrated by more than 300 million people worldwide, Nowruz traditions include fire-jumping, a ritual meant to cleanse the past year's misfortunes, and the setting of a Haft-Sin table, which displays seven symbolic items that begin with the letter S.

The 13th and final day of Nowruz is spent outdoors, usually camping or picnicking, as being in nature is believed to bring good luck and ward off bad omens associated with the number.

“Nowruz is the most significant celebration for people across multiple Farsi-speaking countries,” said Behnoush Seifinoferest, a volunteer and Ph.D. candidate in biochemistry. “I’m grateful to the university for providing us with a space to experience the joy and warmth of this ancient tradition, even while we’re far from home.”

The menu features traditional recipes such as zereshk polo morgh (barberry rice with saffron chicken), ash reshteh (a Persian noodle soup) and kookoo sabzi (a pan-fried frittata made with eggs, herbs and spices).

“Nowruz is about new beginnings. It’s nice to celebrate life with your loved ones as nature is being reborn in spring,” said Camellia Haghverdian, a volunteer and Ph.D. candidate in sociology

On Wednesday, the volunteers spent the day in the kitchen, working alongside the chefs to prepare for the Nowruz meal. The students' input was essential in making the dishes as authentic as possible.

“In Dining, we feel it is extremely important to have representation of our scholars through the food we serve,” Perez said. “We know that food is nostalgic, and with so many of our scholars being away from home, we want to do what we can to provide them with a little bit of comfort. We may not be able to cook just like home, but with their help and recipes we can sure give it our best.”

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