Last weekend, we came together to celebrate our master's and doctoral degree graduates' hard work and achievements.

Since the campus’s first graduate students began in 2003, graduate education has been at the heart of UC Merced’s teaching and research mission. Our newest graduate degree recipients of the first major research university of the 21st century carry great promise as tomorrow’s thought leaders and innovators. We look forward to the positive impact they will all have on our state, nation and world in the years to come.

Our graduates have persevered and overcome many challenges to reach this point and join the ranks of esteemed UC graduate alumni. Their resilience and personal strength has been tested even more than during “normal” years, and we are proud of all that they have accomplished.

Graduates: This is a time to reflect on your journey at UC Merced, to celebrate your successes, and to look ahead to the bright future that awaits you. As you move on to the next chapter of your life remember all you have learned, the relationships you have built and be proud of all you have achieved.

Congratulations again, and best of luck in all your future endeavors!