Chris Vitelli
This is always one of the most exciting times of year on a college campus, as we prepare to honor our students and all the hard work they’ve done to create a better future for themselves and their families.
Foreword
Chris Vitelli, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President
Dear Merced College Colleagues, This is always one of the most exciting times of year on a college campus, as we near the end of another academic year and prepare for another graduation to honor our students and all the hard work they’ve done to create a better future for themselves and their families. It’s always heartwarming to see graduates celebrating with their loved ones, sharing hugs and selfies in their caps and gowns on our beautiful campus. This year, the Los Banos Campus gets its own moment, as we host our first full graduation ceremony on the Westside. Read more about the ceremony, and the immense pride it has created for Los Banos and the surrounding community, in this month’s issue of Blue Devil’s Advocate. Also close to my heart is the Cunningham family, who have created a lineage at Merced College that now spans four generations. I have the great fortune of working side-by-side with Vice President Jill Cunningham every day, and I have watched Jill’s son Ryan grow into a bright student and leader, particularly in his role serving as student trustee on our Board of Trustees. I am truly grateful for the support, friendship, and partnership of Jill’s father Jim Cunningham, and I only wish I could have met Founding Trustee Byron Cunningham and thanked him for his incredible contributions in our formative years as a college. All across our district, you will find family connections that speak to the welcoming environment and transformative opportunities we provide at Merced College. So many of our employees are also alumni, having either started their academic journeys here or resumed their education after finding jobs here. Many of our employees also have children who are current students or recent graduates, and you can sense pride they feel for themselves, for their families, and for Merced College. Also in this issue, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a profile of alumnus Sam Samra, who met his wife when they were both students at Merced College, went on to serve for decades with the California Highway Patrol, and then left retirement for a second career—again in public service—in the office of Congressman John Duarte. And we get to know Raul Alvarez, whose positive presence on campus has made him a perfect fit as Student Support Coordinator for the Associated Students of Merced College. Raul is a big part of the team that’s managing our graduation planning and coordination, and we are lucky to have such an amazing group of professionals on our side. I know how busy you all are these days, wrapping up the year and preparing for finals, graduation, and other major events and initiatives. Please take a moment to appreciate yourself, your colleagues, and the students we all work so hard to support. We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of the Blue Devil’s Advocate. Sincerely,
Chris Vitelli, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President
All across our district, you will find family connections that speak to the welcoming environment and transformative opportunities we provide at Merced College.
-CHRIS VITELLI, Ed.D. Superintendent/President
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