Golden State Today

The UC Davis community is preparing to come together for a solemn occasion as the university plans to host a Remembrance Ceremony on May 21 to honor those who have passed away since June 1. The ceremony, open to both UC Davis and UC Davis Health communities, aims to create a space for remembrance and celebration of the individuals who have left a lasting impact.

Chancellor Gary S. May will provide a brief introduction at the ceremony, which will also include musical performances and a reading of names to commemorate the contributions and memories of those lost. The university is encouraging members of the extended community to review the current list of names and ensure that everyone who has passed away since June 1 is included. Additional names can be submitted online until May 15, with the assurance that names of individuals whose families have requested exclusion will be respected.

In a separate event, the community will gather on April 29 to honor undergraduate Karim Abou Najm on the one-year anniversary of his passing. The event will feature readings, a Q&A session on mental health, and a lecture by Andrés Sciolla, a professor emeritus of clinical psychiatry. Additionally, a bike path, bench, and memorial sculpture will be unveiled in honor of Abou Najm at Sycamore Park.

Both events are open to the public, with RSVPs encouraged but not mandatory. Further details and information about the events can be found online as the UC Davis community comes together to commemorate and remember those who are no longer with us.