Chancellor

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...

The Chancellor's Annual Address to the UC Merced Foundation

Ladies and gentlemen, members of the board of trustees and members of our community, friends of the University of California Merced, students, faculty and staff — I would like to begin on a...

Legacy Builders - An Oral History about the Class of 2009

The Class of 2009 were pioneers of the Bobcat spirit, overcoming obstacles and defying the odds. Ten years later, we look back at UC Merced’s formative beginnings from the perspectives of those...

Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Interim Chancellor Nathan Brostrom hosted a rally at the National Voter Registration and Census Festival.

UC Merced Hosts Voter Registration and Census Festival, Welcomes Padilla

UC Merced hosted the National Voter Registration and Census Festival Monday, with more than 200 students registering for next year’s election. The university partnered with the Latino...

Celebrate Hispanic Culture, Heritage and Education

Mid-September through mid-October is National Hispanic Heritage Month, and today marks the start of Hispanic Serving Institutions Week, too. UC Merced offers free events and programming to observe...

UC Merced has risen 61 spots in the overall U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings in the past two years.

UC Merced Takes Another Giant Leap in U.S. News Rankings

The fastest-growing public research university in the nation is the fastest-rising university in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings. The University of California Merced,...

New Batch of Bobcats Celebrate Welcome Week

UC Merced welcomed the largest incoming class to campus over the past week, as more than 2,000 first-year and transfer students took part in Welcome Week festivities. Throughout the weekend,...

Outgoing Chancellor Dorothy Leland cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the second phase of the Merced 2020 Project.

UC Merced Unveils Second Phase of Merced 2020 Project, Says Thank You to Leland

Two simple words, “Leland Legacy,” captured the significance of Wednesday’s opening event for the second phase of the Merced 2020 Project, an event that doubled as a goodbye and...

Groundbreaking ceremony for the Merced 2020 Project

Chancellor Leland’s Lasting Legacy

UC Merced has celebrated a number of milestones and achievements in Chancellor Leland’s eight years on campus. Here are 10 of her greatest hits, as compiled by the Division of External...

Dr. Art Kamangar and Calvin E. Bright - represented by his daughter Carol Bright Tougas - were honored with the Chancellor's Medal last week.

Two Longtime University Supporters Honored With Chancellor’s Medals

Dr. Art Kamangar and Calvin E. Bright have been invaluable in the development of UC Merced since before the campus opened its doors. To commemorate their philanthropy and outstanding service, this...