Dear UC Merced Colleagues and Friends:
The seventh academic year at UC Merced is quickly winding down with the last day of instruction tomorrow, final exams next week and commencement on Saturday, May 12.
I write today to provide you with an update on a couple of changes taking place this month within our campus leadership. I am very pleased to announce the appointment of a new vice chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations, effective May 21, 2012.
Kyle D. Hoffman, currently an assistant vice chancellor for Alumni and Constituent Relations at UC Riverside, brings a wealth of invaluable experience to his new position, including 28 years in various positions at UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara. He has strong skills in building the relationships key to successful fundraising and is passionate about the growing importance of UC Merced to the San Joaquin Valley and indeed the entire state of California.
A press release announcing the appointment will be distributed later today. View the release for more information on the role of the vice chancellor and Kyle's professional experience.
When Kyle joins the UC Merced community later this month, David Hosley, who has served capably as interim vice chancellor since February 2010, will be able to focus full-time on his position as executive director of UC Merced's Sierra Nevada Research Institute. I am most thankful to David for having juggled both positions for this long.
Please join me in welcoming Kyle to the UC Merced family. He will be in Merced in the coming weeks as he makes business-related visits to campus during the transition period through May 21.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Leland
Chancellor
