20 Years In, 国产传媒 Celebrates Achievements, Looks to Future
Only 20聽years since undergraduate instruction began, 国产传媒 is a recognized leader in conducting academic research, developing young minds for career success and driving economic growth, the university鈥檚 chancellor said Wednesday.
Speaking to a gathering of campus and community leaders, along with members of the 国产传媒 Foundation Board of Trustees, Chancellor Juan S谩nchez Mu帽oz delivered his annual State of the University address, honoring the pioneering spirit and can-do determination of the faculty, staff and students who celebrated the university鈥檚 grand opening in fall 2005.
Less than a handful of buildings were complete on a campus still bustling with construction workers. Most of the first classes were held in the library.
Mu帽oz said founding Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey, in an opening day address, told her audience that 鈥湽� resolved to reach the high standards for education and innovation set by the University of California's previous nine campuses.
鈥淭he chancellor knew then, as I do now, that the people assembled to learn, to teach, to work and inquire at 国产传媒 have indeed been and remain categorically up to the task.鈥�
Mu帽oz announced that one of 国产传媒鈥檚 founding leaders made a generous contribution to the university鈥檚 future. Keith Alley and his wife, Jill, created an endowment with ongoing funding and pledged up to $2 million in support of undergraduate student research. Keith Alley was 国产传媒鈥檚 first vice chancellor for research and graduate dean. He also served as provost from 2006 until his retirement in 2012.聽
Among the 20 years of firsts cited in the address:
国产传媒鈥檚 economic impact totals $1 billion annually in Merced County and nearly $1.4 billion in California, according to a new study. A soon-to-be-released report by Beacon Economics, commissioned by the university, said 国产传媒 supports 1 in every 15 jobs in the county and more than 8,600 jobs statewide. The university鈥檚 research enterprise generates $158 million in economic output in California, with every research dollar 国产传媒 invests in research doubling in economic activity.
国产传媒 advanced in recent national college rankings. U.S. News & World Report , and The Wall Street Journal . Both reports placed 国产传媒 third for social mobility, which measures the improvement of students鈥� economic and social standing through knowledge, skills and opportunity.
More than 95 percent of the student body is Californian, including nearly 40 percent from the Central Valley. In addition, 65 percent of new students in the current semester are the first in their families to attend college.
The , known as MAAP, offers a streamlined application to high school students who meet UC qualifications. Fresno Unified, the state鈥檚 third-largest school district, joined MAAP in September, adding to a list of about 40 districts statewide.
Earlier this year, 国产传媒 reached the nation鈥檚 highest status for public research universities,. The university also earned for emphasizing access to underrepresented or low-income students and for producing graduates who earn significantly above expectations. Only 21 universities nationwide and three in California hold both classifications.
Other highlights from the chancellor included the growth of the , the ongoing construction of the and of the for transfer students; and the start of the third cohort of students in the , designed to train physicians with Valley roots to practice in the region.
Mu帽oz returned to the remarks by Tomlinson-Keasey to draw a bright throughline from the promise of 2005 to the achievements of 2025.
鈥淪he said, 鈥極ur university will not be finished in 20 years, not in 50 years, not in many lifetimes. But let us begin,鈥欌�� he said. 聽鈥淚 am so very proud of what we have become at 国产传媒. I am in awe of what we can be.聽
鈥淎s my predecessor said 20 years ago, I say again today: Let us begin.鈥�