Campus

Former Gov. Gray Davis Awarded Chancellor’s Medal for Transformative Leadership in Bringing UC Merced to the Central Valley

February 24, 2026

UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sanchez Munoz and Governor Gray Davis pose with the Chancellor's Medal

At an intimate gathering of supporters, UC Merced awarded former Gov. Gray Davis the Chancellor’s Medal — the university’s highest honor — in recognition of his instrumental role in bringing the 10th University of California campus to Merced. The medal was presented...

Chef Ed Porter adds finishing touches to dessert

Celebrity Chef Ed Porter Visits UC Merced in ‘Takeover’ of Yablokoff-Wallace Dining Center

Chef Ed Porter, winner of Guy Fieri’s Grocery Games who was featured on the hit Netflix series “Pressure Cooker,” visited campus on April 11 for a takeover of the Yablokoff-Wallace...

UC Merced Welcomes Future Bobcats for Bobcat Day

UC Merced will host incoming students, their families and friends on Saturday, April 20, for Bobcat Day - the university's annual open house. Bobcat Day will begin at 9:15 a.m. with a...

Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz shaking hands with Las Positas College President Dyrell Foster. Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz shaking hands with Madera College President Angel Reyna.

Two Community Colleges Join UC Merced Transfer Pathway for Students

UC Merced has partnered with two California community colleges to further extend access to students transferring to a four-year university. In April, ceremonies were held to sign agreements with...

Students, Alums Awarded Prestigious NSF Graduate Fellowships

Three UC Merced graduate students and two undergraduate alumni were recently offered fellowships from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). “I am...

Members of Lambda Alliance posing inside of a booth

Pride Week Puts the Focus on Self-healing

The campus and community are invited to participate in this year’s Pride Week at UC Merced, taking place April 8-12. Lambda Alliance (LAMBDA) is spearheading efforts once again in collaboration...

Graduate students from UC Merced’s three schools will take the stage to compete in the Graduate Division’s 10th Grad Slam finals on April 8.

Graduate Division Hosts 10th Grad Slam Competition

Who will UC Merced’s Grad Slam champion be? Cheer on the finalists on April 8 and find out. Graduate students from UC Merced’s three schools will take the stage to compete in the...

A rendering of the new Field Education Center shows how it will provide shelter.

New Center Offers Opportunities to Observe and Learn about Natural Resources

Even though the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve (MVPGR) is adjacent to campus, it's an area that can be daunting to access. Last year, more than 2,000 people visited the...

Provost Betsy Dumont. Quote: What can we do to set up UC Merced for where it wants to be in 20 years?

Curiosity and Care: Betsy Dumont's Path to UC Merced Provost

In a thick rainforest in Papua New Guinea, they're tracking bats. Researchers glue radio transmitters to the creatures’ little, furry bodies, then wait. And wait. When a bat flits...

Riverside City Manager and UC Merced grad student Mike Futrell

Ph.D. Student Juggles Academic Demands with Managing a City

Glancing at Mike Futrell’s resume, one might ask, “What hasn’t he done?” He is a retired United States Navy captain with two submarine tours under his belt and 26 years of...