A group of UC Merced history students put their knowledge and skills to good use this summer on a project that hits, quite literally, close to home.
The students — Josh Melendez, Adam Brown, Ramon Barragan, Sarah Spoljaric, Mike Steele and Joshua Lourence — conducted research, compiled oral histories and generally did the grunt work on a new exhibit documenting UC Merced’s history, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of its opening.
“This project has educated me a great deal about the research-intensive process that is required to create a museum exhibit,” Lourence said. “The exhibit is an opportunity for the university to celebrate 10 years of pioneering achievement, and for the community to see the fruits of its vigorous campaign to get a UC campus in Merced.”
The exhibit, titled “UC Merced at 10: A Decade of Building, Developing and Contributing to Our Community,” will open at the Merced County Courthouse Museum with a ceremony starting at 5 p.m. Oct. 15. The exhibit is scheduled to run through Feb. 28, and admission is free.
Jane F. Lawrence, special advisor to the chancellor and former vice chancellor for Student Affairs, helped develop the idea for the exhibit and secured funding from the Office of the Chancellor, the dean of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, and the interim vice chancellor for Student Affairs to provide internships to the students.
The students, working with faculty advisor Mario Sifuentez, got the kind of hands-on experience that will benefit them as they pursue graduate degrees and begin their professional lives.
“In essence, they were learning how to be a graduate student,” said Sifuentez, a history professor. “You have a job and you have to get it done — people who are self-motivated and have a strong work ethic make it through.
“And this is one example of what they can do with their careers. Working in museums and on public history projects is a perfect way to immediately put your history degree to work.”
The exhibit will cover five themes: Planning and Construction, Environmental Conservation, Academic Development, Student Life and Economic Impact. Among the historical moments captured in the exhibit are:
- the community lobbying the UC Board of Regents to select Merced as the future home of the newest UC campus;
- founding Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey’s political maneuvering to get the campus open;
- how endangered species impacted the building of the campus; and
- first lady Michelle Obama’s 2009 commencement address.
Lawrence, who has been involved with UC Merced since 2001, said the exhibit is a fitting testament to a university that has grown from humble beginnings to become a source of pride for the community, region and state.
“I know how hard the community worked to bring the campus to Merced,” Lawrence said. “I also know how much work it was to open the campus and get it up and running. The community and university can feel very proud of all that has been accomplished over the last 10 years.”
Sarah Lim, the museum’s director, said the exhibit marks a continuation of the fruitful relationship between the museum and the university.
“We at the Courthouse Museum appreciate the time and attention of the students, staff and faculty who have worked on this project,” Lim said. “Through our combined efforts, we have produced an exhibit that all community members can visit and appreciate. This engaging and impressive exhibit shows that our positive relationship will continue to grow.”
Bob Carpenter, who helped lead the effort to site the campus in Merced, will give a presentation with UC Merced students at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 as part of the opening. For information, call the Courthouse Museum at 209-723-2401 or visit www.mercedmuseum.org.
