Foreword

Dear Merced College Colleagues,

As we prepare to gather for our State of the College event on April 7—being held in Los Banos for the very first time—I find myself reflecting on the remarkable journey of our Los Banos Campus and the community that has supported its success for more than 50 years.

This edition of the Blue Devil’s Advocate is a celebration of that history, and a recognition of the momentum that continues to build thanks to the commitment of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters on the Westside.

In this issue, you’ll find a story that traces the campus’s evolution—from its earliest days to the permanent facility that opened in 2007 on land generously donated by Larry and Georgeann Anderson. It is especially fitting that we will honor the Andersons with the President’s Medallion during this year’s State of the College event. Their visionary support laid the foundation for a thriving educational hub that continues to serve generations of students.

You’ll also read about the Los Banos Child Development Center, now nearing the end of its inaugural academic year. This new addition has already become a vital resource, offering both hands-on learning opportunities for local students and accessible child care for student parents. It is one more example of how our Los Banos Campus is growing in ways that meet the real needs of our community.

We’re proud to profile Vikki Grijalva and Tiffiny Tevis—two family members, coworkers, and fellow alumnae whose story speaks to the spirit of connection and belonging that defines the Los Banos team. And in a thoughtful Q&A with Professor Jason Long, we’re reminded of just how far we’ve come—Jason’s first year teaching here was 2006, just before the doors opened on the current campus.

As we look to the future, I’m filled with optimism. Thanks to the passage of Measure P, we’re preparing for the next chapter in Los Banos with many upgrades and improvements. This includes the construction of a new Career Technical Education facility, a transformative project that will expand access to workforce training and create new pathways for students in Los Banos and the surrounding communities.

To all who have played a role in this journey: Thank you. Your belief in the power of education and in the mission of Merced College makes everything we do possible. I hope to see many of you at the State of the College as we honor our past, celebrate our present, and continue building for the future together.