Bobcat Bound

Fresno Student Eager to Dive into Life at UC Merced

July 27, 2026

Bobcat Bound graphic and a photo of incoming student Peyton Smith.

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester. Peyton Smith brings a love of water sports, an interest in medicine and a goal to work as a pediatrician to UC Merced. The Fresno student brings a deep resume of public service in high school...

New UC Merced student and the Bobcat Bound graphic

From Atwater to UC Merced with a Big Head Start

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester. Tayven Tipler won’t travel far from his hometown when he starts at UC Merced and he is...

Victorville Student Pursues Neuroscience at UC Merced

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester. After moving from Nigeria to the United States two years ago, Wonderful Ezieme built a...

Depicted is student Anthony Savala Alvarez, in a red cap and gown at his high school graduation, with a blue and gold graphic reading "Bobcat Bound"

Student from Modesto Ready to Make an Impact at UC Merced

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester. Anthony Savala Alvarez comes to UC Merced this fall with several accomplishments under...

New Bobcat Looks to Expand Impressive Research Resume

This is the final entry of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2025 semester. Adriana Ponce Mata spent the last two summers working in one of the largest and...

Cal-Bridge Scholar Rolando Ortega Wants to Build the Future

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2025 semester. Rolando Ortega is closing in on his dream of earning a Ph.D. This fall, the Cal-Bridge...

Buhach Valedictorian Pursues Environmental Engineering at UC Merced this Fall

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2025 semester. Drake Ledford was an exemplary high school student, earning a 4.29 GPA. The Merced...

Incoming UC Merced student Manjot Maan is pictured shooting a basketball against a graphic that reads "Bobcat Bound"

New Adventures Close to Home for Incoming UC Merced Student

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2025 semester. Manjot Maan is a student-athlete from Modesto who will focus on academics when he...

Two people with a banner, blue and yellow graphic reading "Bobcat Bound."

Incoming Bobcats ‘Grew Up’ with UC Merced

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2025 semester. One could say UC Merced has always been part of incoming Bobcats Ella and Satchel Ortez...

‘Queen of the Court’ Ready to Make Her Mark at UC Merced

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2025 semester. Michailla Springs led her high school basketball team in scoring and earned MVP honors. With a...