Alyssa Johansen

Recognizing food as both sustenance and a cultural experience that can evoke memories, cross boundaries and bring people together, seasoned chef and media personality Ed Porter recently brought his latest short film to UC Merced for an exclusive screening.

“The Food that Fuels” is a documentary that highlights the San Joaquin Valley and its role as a global supplier of fresh produce. It features a section on UC Merced’s Experimental Smart Farm and regional farms participating in Dining Services’ award-winning BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Produce Buying Program.

A tree planting ceremony was held on campus to commemorate Arbor Day 2024. Various campus groups planted and dedicated 14 trees, each type representing a different tenet of the university. Volunteers planted olive trees to symbolize peace and hope, red maple trees to symbolize vibrancy and endurance and oak trees to symbolize strength and resilience.

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 with other campus units, offices and departments. A variety of events are planned all week long to celebrate LGBTQ+ identity and culture and highlight campus and community resources.

UC Merced invites all Bobcats to give back to the university and campus community by participating in numerous events planned throughout March as part of the third annual Student Philanthropy Month.

The monthlong initiative, hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations and Student Alumni Association (SAA), is dedicated to building a culture of philanthropy and awareness at the university.

The American Council on Education (ACE) and Fidelity Investments this week presented the 2024 Award for Institutional Transformation to UC Merced and to Florida Atlantic University.

The award, established in 2014, recognizes institutions that respond to higher education challenges in innovative and creative ways and achieve dramatic changes in a relatively brief period. It was presented along with a $10,000 prize to each institution at the ACE Presidents and Chancellors Summit in Washington, D.C.

Join us as we celebrate International Women's Month at UC Merced! We're dedicated to empowering women and fostering their success both on campus and beyond. Throughout the month, a lineup of exciting events to honor and uplift women in our community. From inspiring talks to empowering workshops, there's something for everyone to enjoy and learn from. Come be part of the celebration and let's continue to uplift and support each other!

What does the greater Merced community need to know about climate change? How might the Central Valley play a significant role in discussions and solutions about carbon dioxide removal? What new projects are on the horizon, and can they bring economic and community benefits to the region?

Editor's note: In honor of Black History Month, the UC Merced newsroom is highlighting some of the organizations, services and people who serve or represent the Black community on campus.

For many aspiring college students, it can be hard to picture themselves attending a four-year university, especially when they will be the first in their family to attend. UC Merced's partnership with The 1300 Campaign is giving local young men of color a first-hand experience of what being a student at UC Merced might feel like for themselves - from the dorm room to the research lab.

Hundreds of UC Merced supporters made it crystal clear they believe in the university's mission, giving a record-breaking amount to support current Bobcats and other members of the campus community, through scholarships and fellowships, research projects and more.

A total of 692 gifts were made during the campus's annual monthlong fundraising campaign, Give to UC Merced, which amounted to nearly $1.3 million in vital funding for the university.

After Thanksgiving wraps up, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday take hold of many people's time, attention and dollars. However, there is another day of opportunity — one that holds the potential of creating a positive ripple effect originating at UC Merced and extending across the globe.