Founders Day Events Highlight Campus's First 10 Years

UC Merced will commemorate the 10th anniversary of its groundbreaking with a series of Founders Day events Oct. 25 through 27.

Several events throughout the three-day celebration will recognize founding faculty and staff as well as honor founding Legacy Circle donors, University Committee of Merced members, founding Foundation Board of Trustees and government officials who played a part prior to the university’s groundbreaking on Oct. 25, 2002.

“I look forward to celebrating this noteworthy milestone with colleagues, friends and campus supporters whose vision, dedication and hard work helped UC Merced reach the official groundbreaking 10 years ago this month,” Chancellor Dorothy Leland said. “Whether you were here in 2002 or joined later in the campus's history, I hope each faculty, staff and student will join us in celebrating how far we’ve come in such a short span of time.”

Events on campus and in the city of Merced are intended to build closer ties with the community and showcase the many ways UC Merced is fulfilling its mission.

Market on Main

The campus is heading downtown during the city's final Market on Main from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25. More than 50 campus groups have signed up to demonstrate what UC Merced has to offer. Exhibits and demonstrations, from cutting-edge research and academic programs to athletic teams, recreational clubs and community projects, will be featured. Community members are invited to join in the celebration and sign up for a tour on campus the following weekend.

The UC Onward California mobile tour is also scheduled to make an appearance at Merced’s Market on Main event that night.

Vital and Alice Pellissier Family Distinguished Speaker Series

UC Merced’s Vital and Alice Pellissier Distinguished Speaker Series presents Colgate University Professor Anthony F. Aveni on “The End of Time: The Maya Mystery of 2012.”

Learn more about astronomy, history, anthropology and the Mayan calendar at a free public lecture at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Art Kamangar Center at the Merced Theatre, 301 W. Main St., Merced.

People are encouraged to reserve seats by Friday by calling 209-228-RSVP or emailing specialevents@ucmerced.edu. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Aveni is a distinguished professor at Colgate University and a world-renowned expert in astronomy, anthropology and Native American studies. Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the nation’s top 10 professors, and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education voted him the National Professor of the Year, the country’s highest award for teaching.

Faculty and Staff Ice Cream Social

UC Merced faculty and staff are encouraged to take a break from their work and enjoy a cool treat from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 26 in the Lantern to help celebrate Founders Day.

Blue and Gold Founders Day Student Event

Students are invited to the Blue and Gold Founders Day student event 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26 on Scholars Lane Plaza. Enjoy free pizza and participate in activities such as a spirit contest, face painting and photo booth. Also, they can dunk their favorite ASUCM and campus staff member into a tank. This event is free and open to the campus community.

Alumni Founders Day Events

Digging Into Our Legacy: General Meeting and Standing Lunch — Oct. 27

Come meet the UC Merced Alumni Association (UCMAA) board members, learn more about UCMAA's goals for the year and enjoy a complimentary lunch. Learn more

Building Relationships, Building Networks — Oct. 27

Alumni and students are invited to learn tips and tricks from UC Merced Foundation Board of Trustees members on the importance of building relationships and networks to push their professional development forward. Learn more

Visit the alumni website for more Founders Day alumni events.

Founders Day Celebration

On Oct. 27, UC Merced's Founders Day Celebration will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the university’s groundbreaking and will recognize UC Merced Founders Day honorees. This event is by invitation only. For more information, call 209-228-RSVP or email specialevents@ucmerced.edu. Reservations are being accepted online.