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Welcome to UC Merced! I am delighted that you are considering the University of California as your partner in growth. You will enjoy the best of both worlds at UC Merced: the rock solid foundation of a world-class higher education system and the maverick spirit of pioneers.

Growth is a common theme at UC Merced, the first new UC campus in 40 years. We focus on growing and sustaining our physical environment as we much as we grow and nurture our learning community. We invest as much energy, planning and resources into expanding the boundaries of knowledge through research as we put into encouraging kinship among the faculty, staff and students who co-create our campus traditions and identity.

Your personal, academic and career growth will be stimulated by the unique combination of broad, interdisciplinary education and close, supportive attention for which UC Merced is known. You will find it easy to fit in, given the culture of helpfulness on campus. And, when your path directs you to places beyond our campus, you may find it bittersweet to leave.

Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck once observed, “Growth itself contains the germ of happiness.” If that is so, and my experience confirms it, you will make many joyful discoveries here as you grow toward your success.

Steve Kang, Ph.D.
Chancellor