Campus Life

Open Arms, Open Skies: Students Welcomed at Spirited, Soggy Scholars Bridge Crossing

August 26, 2025

Spirits were high and futures bright while all else was soaked in a summer storm that made Tuesday morning’s Scholars Bridge Crossing, UC Merced’s traditional greeting to new students, a welcome unlike any before. Call them Thunder ‘Cats. The ceremony embraced about 2,000...

Former Assemblymember Rusty Areias, U.S. Rep. Jim Costa, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz pose for a photo on the UC Merced campus.

California Lieutenant Governor Tours UC Merced

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis visited UC Merced in early June for a tour of the new Merced 2020 Project facilities and to learn more about water and agriculture concerns. Kounalakis and UC Merced...

UC Merced Receives Largest Philanthropic Gift in Campus History

Philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott and her husband, Dan Jewett, have made the most significant gift to the University of California, Merced, in the university’s 16-year history. Scott...

Campus Receives a $1.7 million Design Incentive from PG&E

The Merced 2020 Project continues to be an energizing social infrastructure for UC Merced and has brought the campus numerous awards and honors. In May, the university received another — a $...

Annual Faculty Agency Trip Is Held Virtually

Every year, the Office of Research Development (ORD) a unit within the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED) facilitates a Faculty Agency Trip to Washington, D.C. The trips consist of...

UC Merced critical race and studies major Andrea Guerra was picked for the summer environmental internship with NRDC.

Summer Environmental Internship to Create Bridge for Diverse Talent

UC Merced’s Office of Sustainability and Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are working to create a more inclusive workforce. This summer, both offices are teaming up with the Natural...

University of California Health Leader to Give Commencement Keynote

In Dr. Carrie L. Byington, the novel coronavirus met a formidable foe. As an expert in infectious disease, Byington has been uniquely suited to use her role as executive vice president and head of...

In addition to the virtual commencement this year, graduates had the option to take part in in-person activities.

Class of 2021 Takes Part in In-person Activities Followed by Virtual Commencement

The pandemic has changed many aspects of life, but UC Merced Bobcats demonstrated their ability to overcome life's unexpected curveballs during an academic year unlike any other. To ensure...

Bobcat Won’t be Stopped by Pandemic, Creates a Resource for Students  Worldwide

Like many students at UC Merced, pre-medical student Nina Bouzamondo-Bernstein faced uncertainty as the COVID-19 pandemic spread throughout the world. She had applied for more than 40 clinical...

The women's volleyball team celebrates its success.

Bobcat Teams Rise Above with Inspiring Levels of Success

It’s an incredible time to be a Bobcat student-athlete. In a year turned inside-out by COVID-19, UC Merced’s intercollegiate teams have risen above with atmospheric levels of success...

All News