About 2,000 first-year and transfer students participated in UC Merced’s annual Scholars Bridge Crossing on Tuesday morning, marking the start of the fall semester and the university’s 20th anniversary. The event took place during a summer storm, which brought heavy rain and thunder, making this year’s ceremony different from previous ones.
Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz addressed the incoming students before leading them across Scholars Bridge with his wife, Professor Zenaida Aguirre-Muñoz, and the university’s three school deans. “We’re all excited to have you here, and we’re going to get this thing moving,” Muñoz said. “You are the realization of a future launched 20 years ago. You will find countless ways to discover who you are and who you want to become.”
As rain intensified during the ceremony, faculty and staff cheered for students while holding welcome signs as makeshift umbrellas. The procession continued despite lightning and thunder, ending at the Beginnings sculpture. Unlike previous years where students paused for greetings after crossing the bridge, this year’s weather prompted a swift passage followed by shelter under nearby buildings.
Students later gathered indoors for boxed lunches and continued welcome activities. Many shared their reasons for choosing UC Merced and their aspirations for college life.
Romeo Yang from Sacramento chose bioengineering because he liked that “the campus is very walkable.” He said, “I definitely think it will be fun here. I’ve met a lot of new people.”
Winnie Mabula from San Jose moved to the United States from Kenya two years ago and plans to pursue pre-med studies. She cited generous financial aid as a factor in her decision: “I couldn’t say ‘no’ to that,” she said. “What stood out to me is that everybody is nice and friendly. The atmosphere is very welcoming.”
Jonathan Brown of Placencia selected computer science and engineering after considering other universities: “It has a really good campus life and the best amount of things I’m looking for.”
This year’s event included sessions with academic advisers and professors. Associate Dean Anne Zanucchi and Professor Yang Lor spoke with new students in classrooms. Kassandra Suentel of Tracy said about Lor, “I asked him a couple questions and he was very informative,” adding that “He helped me start to figure out my future here.”
Fourth-year chemical engineering major Luis Onofre demonstrated how a metal wire returns to its original shape when heated—a nod to resilience as new students begin their academic journey.
Public Information Officer Patty Guerra contributed reporting.
