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Greetings,
This year marks the 20th anniversary of UC Merced, the youngest campus in the University of California system. In just two decades, UC Merced has achieved extraordinary success and is transforming lives and communities across the Central Valley and beyond.
Last week, our team from Friends of the University of California spent two days in Merced touring the campus, exploring downtown, and meeting with university leadership, local and state elected officials, and UC advocates.
The sense of pride in UC Merced and its role in advancing opportunity throughout the region is unmistakable.
Highlights of UC Merced's recent achievements include:
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Ranked #25 Best Public University in the Nation (U.S. News & World Report)
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Ranked #1 in the Nation for Social Mobility (Wall Street Journal)
- 3 out of 5 undergraduates are first-generation students
- A new Medical Education Building, opening in 2026, will expand access to healthcare and help address the Central Valley's physician shortage
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Ranked #10 Most Green Campus in the Nation (Princeton Review)
- Gold or Platinum LEED Certified Buildings
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Now a proud NCAA Division II Member (UCM Bobcats)
UC Merced represents the promise of public higher education at its best — inclusive, innovative, and deeply connected to the people it serves.
Fiat Lux,
Bettina Duval, President
Cathy Unger, Vice President
Friends of the University of California
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