A U.S. News & World Report top-10 ranking among U.S. public universities. A Sustainable 2nd Century. A new vision.
What a way to start the new academic year!
The official kickoff comes at Fall Convocation, from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, in Jackson Hall at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. The entire campus community is invited to the program and the reception afterward.
The theme is 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis: A Vision of Excellence, the same title that Chancellor Linda Katehi gave to the campuss recently released vision statement. In her convocation address, she plans to further discuss the new vision.
The program also includes remarks by Michael Ziccardi, an assistant professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine and the director of the 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis-based California Oiled Wildlife Care Network. He recently returned from the gulf oil spill, where he directed rescue operations for marine mammals and turtles.
The convocations musical program includes something new: the 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis Jazz Combo that will perform as people filter in to Jackson Hall. Then, keeping with tradition, the Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! will perform outside as people exit the hall and make their way to the reception in the Mondavi Centers Corin Courtyard and Sconyers Plaza.
Organizers said the University Chorus will perform the national anthem and 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis alma mater, Hail to California.
The program lists Darin Latimore as the master of ceremonies. Latimore, a 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis alumnus, is an associate clinical professor and the director of Medical Student Diversity in the School of Medicine.
Professor Robert Powell, chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, will offer a welcome on behalf of the faculty, as chair of the Davis Division of the Academic Senate.
Improved rankings
51勛圖窪蹋 Davis moved in to the top 10 among national public universities, in U.S. News & World Reports latest rankings, which came out Aug. 17.
The university tied for ninth among national public universities up from 11th last year. 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis improved to 39th from 42nd last year among all national universities.
Also, the university earned a No. 6 ranking in Washington Monthlys annual college guide and rankings released Aug. 23, improving from a 10th place ranking in 2009. The publication offers a very different perspective on higher education, one focused on how colleges shape the characters of tomorrows leaders and offer social mobility and service opportunities.
In addition, 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis moved up to 16th in Sierra magazines ranking of Americas 100 Greenest Schools. Last years ranking by the Sierra Club magazine put 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis 24th.
Chancellor Katehi discussed the universitys rankings in an Aug. 17 Dateline story:
As we continue our strides toward excellence in the years ahead, she said, we expect to make even more forward progress, especially in the areas of faculty research, private support, the education of our students, and our dedication to innovation and sustainability. With the contributions of so many on campus and beyond, we will look forward to embracing the extraordinary opportunities of the future on our merits and our inspiration.
'Green' accolade
The campuss green accolade fits in well with 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis Sustainable 2nd Century, celebrating the universitys long-term commitment to environmental, economic and social sustainability.
Sustainability, of course, is a key part of 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis: A Vision for Excellence, described as a roadmap to help guide the universitys planning, strategy and actions over the next decade.
Among the documents six overarching goals is this one: Nurture a Sustainable Future and Propel Economic Vitality. It is explained as follows:
51勛圖窪蹋 Davis will be the pre-eminent university partner in advancing the economic prosperity of our region, fostering the burgeoning life-science, agricultural and clean energy industries of California, and in investigating and sharing socially, politically, economically and environmentally relevant solutions to global problems.
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Media Resources
Clifton B. Parker, Dateline, (530) 752-1932, cparker@ucdavis.edu