SCHOLARS BRIDGE CROSSING
We will be meeting at 8:30 AM by the UC Merced (UCM) letters located on the Pavillion lawn on August 25, 2026.
As part of your Bobcat experience, incoming first-year and transfer students are invited to join us for this year’s Scholars Bridge Crossing, proudly sponsored by Pearl Family Dentistry! Since the campus first opened in 2005, the Scholars Bridge Crossing tradition has served as a celebration and rite of passage for all incoming students to commemorate the start of their journey as Bobcats! In addition to hearing welcoming remarks from Chancellor Juan Sanchez Muñoz, incoming students can expect to be led through the Beginnings sculpture — a tradition that comes full circle when graduates are led the opposite direction during their graduation day. To learn more about the tradition, continue reading below...
The Journey Begins....
In 2005, the campus welcomed the inaugural class of incoming students through a celebration that has evolved into the tradition we know today as “Scholars Bridge Crossing.” Led by founding faculty and dressed in white UC Merced polos with the words “Launching the Future,” students crossed Scholars Bridge signifying the beginning of their academic journey. Throughout the years, the tradition has evolved from a simple march up Scholars Lane to a fanfare celebrated by current students, faculty, staff, and campus leadership. Students can expect to be led up Scholars Lane, over Scholars Bridge, and through the Beginnings sculpture for additional activities and programming following the festivities. In keeping with tradition, students are presented with a complimentary “Let the Journey Begin” t-shirt sponsored in part by local businesses whose logos are featured on the back - serving as a metaphor for the support students receive from the larger Merced community.
JOIN US FOR ORIENTATION OPEN HOUSE!
We’re thrilled to invite you to our Orientation Open House after the Scholars Bridge Crossing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where you can visit different university departments, take tours, enjoy activities, and take some swag. The Orientation team will provide you with a “Bingo Card” featuring our different departments. Students who complete their cards by visiting a set number of locations will be entered into an opportunity drawing. We invite you to join our Orientation Open House after crossing Scholars Bridge and embark on this new journey, connect with our departments, and see what they have to offer!
A Special Thank you to this Year's Supporters of the UC Merced Journey!
Scholars Bridge Crossing Event Sponsor
DON'T FORGET TO PICKUP YOUR COMPLIMENTARY JOURNEY T-SHIRT!
DATE: Monday, August 24, 2026
TIME: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Sentinel Rock 145 / Commuter Lounge
CatCards required!
Journey T-shirt Blue Sponsor
My Merced
In 2014, the UC Merced Foundation Board of Trustees were discussing long-term objectives such as greater engagement and support, when the idea of an alma mater emerged. Originated in 18th-century England, an alma mater is a song or hymn that lyrically expresses loyalty to a school, college or university. The Board Chairman at the time, Lee Kolligian, recommended Jimmy Dunne, an accomplished songwriter and music producer in Los Angeles. Dunne has earned more than 70 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums, along with Grammy, Emmy, Country Music Award, Broadcast Music Inc. and Juno awards and nominations as a songwriter and publisher. My Merced captures the spirit of the university and has become a campus tradition being performed at each Commencement Ceremony as students make their transition to alumnus.
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