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Sunday, December 22, 2024

UC Davis Chancellor highlights student-led community service initiatives

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Chancellor Gary S. May | Official website

Chancellor Gary S. May | Official website

As the holiday season approaches, Chancellor Gary S. May of UC Davis reflects on the significance of service within the university community. He emphasizes that service has been integral to UC Davis since its establishment as a land-grant university, serving California, the United States, and beyond.

Chancellor May highlights recent efforts by students and faculty in various community service initiatives. Last month, Aggie athletes crafted blankets for patients at UC Davis Children’s Hospital under the leadership of Kayla Wolfe, president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Wolfe notes that being a supportive part of the community is ingrained in UC Davis Athletics.

In 2022 alone, over 12,000 undergraduate students contributed more than two million hours to community service projects. Chancellor May himself participated in a gardening activity with Lambda Omicron Xi sorority members at Grace Garden in Davis.

UC Davis's commitment to making a difference is recognized by Princeton Review, which ranks it seventh among public universities for community service opportunities and student engagement.

One notable program is Clínica Tepati, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The clinic provides free healthcare with a focus on Latino patients and involves both undergraduate and medical students like Natalie Chrisman in hands-on patient care experiences.

The Mercer Veterinary Clinic offers veterinary services to pets of individuals experiencing homelessness. Hannah Hsieh Rogers from the School of Veterinary Medicine describes her work there as transformative.

Programs like College Corps connect low-income students with service opportunities across communities. Daniela Delgadillo-Arroyo shares her experience working with diabetes patients through CommuniCare+OLE’s Food is Medicine program.

Environmental science majors Andrea Serna, Sarah Samano, and Sarah Maranta participate in sustainability projects through the Learning by Leading program at UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden.

Chancellor May underscores how these experiences build teamwork and leadership skills among students while fostering connections within communities. He encourages continued engagement in service activities as a measure of success for enhancing lives.

The chancellor concludes his message wishing everyone happy holidays and encouraging them to find opportunities to serve their communities in the coming year.

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