Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to you upon my return from Washington, D.C., where I had the privilege of advocating for the University of California and our Merced campus on Capitol Hill directly with members of the Senate and House and their staff. During my trip, I attended the annual meeting of the American Council on Education, where it was announced that UC Merced has achieved the prestigious R1 status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This remarkable milestone, attained in less than 20 years since our founding, is a testament to your dedication and exceptional contributions to our campus.
Reflecting on this significant achievement, I am profoundly grateful for the vision and determination of our founding faculty. When we began, there were faculty who believed in our mission and started the journey that brought us to this moment. We recently lost one of these pioneers with the passing of Dr. Roland Winston. I am profoundly grateful for the vision and determination of Dr. Winston and other early and founding faculty including Dr. Martha Conklin, Dr. Roger Bales, Dr. Ann Myers Kelley, Dr. Thomas Harmon, Dr. David Kelley, Dr. Peggy O’Day and Dr. Christopher Viney. Their resolve, and that of many other faculty who followed, to embark on this ambitious journey and commitment to build a new UC campus laid the foundation for our current success. I encourage you to read the article recognizing Dr. Winston on our website where his contributions are recognized.
To our current faculty and staff who have embraced this mission with passion and excellence, your research is making a profound impact on society. The work conducted within our schools and interdisciplinary institutes addresses pressing global challenges and continues to elevate UC Merced’s national and international reputation.
Achieving R1 status is a collective accomplishment. To our faculty who have secured competitive research grants, mentored graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, published important studies, and upheld the highest standards of academic excellence while building our programs - your dedication has been extraordinary. To our staff who have tirelessly supported our research and educational missions, this accomplishment also belongs to all of you.
In recognition of our journey and those who have been pivotal in its realization, we will spotlight both our founding and current faculty and staff in the weeks ahead. Additionally, we will host an appropriate celebration during Research Week to come together as a Bobcat community and commemorate this milestone. More details will follow.
As the newest R1 university in the University of California and the only one in the San Joaquin Valley, together we are poised to reshape the future of research, access and opportunity in California and beyond.
With deepest appreciation,
Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D.
Chancellor
