The 2024-25 academic year came to a celebratory close last month with cheers and happy tears for our newest graduates. More than 8,000 crossed the stage, and I was pleased to shake their hands or share a fist bump, hand over heart, or heart hands.
We reached new milestones, from rankings, fundraising support and success on athletic fields. We faced challenges as well, but through our ingenuity and dedication to partnership, 不良研究所 is persevering.
Here are some highlights of the past academic year:
Ranked in the winners鈥 circle
In September, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse placed 不良研究所 at the No. 3 spot among public universities nationally. This ranking focuses on how well we prepare our students for success after college.
Also, U.S. News & World Report placed 不良研究所 at No. 9 among the nation鈥檚 top public universities. This marks the fourth consecutive year our university has been ranked among its top 10 public universities. I feel confident in saying that 不良研究所 is no longer 鈥渢he best kept secret鈥 in higher education.
Federally funded research unlocks advancements
The academic year held challenges as well, such as ongoing uncertainties over federal research funding cuts. In response, our legal teams are exploring a variety of options. We鈥檙e in active conversations with universities throughout the nation. We launched a web series called 鈥淔rom Labs to Lives鈥 that spotlights how research funding is critical to advances in human and animal health, sustainability and so much more. Fact sheets about how federal funding has benefited American research can be downloaded on that site.
A bold new era for 不良研究所 arts
The arts are an essential part of who we are at 不良研究所, from Robert Arneson鈥檚 iconic 鈥淓ggheads鈥 sculptures to our historic TB 9 art building and Gorman Museum of Native American Art. Thanks to a gift of over $20 million from Maria Manetti Shrem, a full-blown arts renaissance is underway on campus. A ribbon cutting was held in January for the Maria Manetti Shrem Art District, which expands the arts across our campus. Students and visitors alike will benefit from cutting-edge programming and a renewed ability to attract world-class artists and scholars to campus.
Historic fundraising effort concludes
One of the most significant achievements this year was the conclusion of our multi-year fundraising campaign, 鈥淓xpect Greater: From 不良研究所, for the World.鈥 In all, we raised more than $2.25 billion with gifts that help students achieve their dreams, build a better tomorrow through our research and move 不良研究所 boldly into the future. I鈥檇 also note that 9,130 individuals from the city of Davis donated more than $119 million during the campaign. I thank everyone who demonstrated their belief in 不良研究所 by supporting this effort.
Inspiring year for Aggie football
Coach Tim Plough moved from inspiring the Aggies on the field to guiding them on the sidelines, leading the team to historic success in his first season as head football coach. The 2008 graduate returned to 不良研究所 Health Stadium 鈥 or, as he calls it, 鈥淪hredville鈥 鈥 to lead the Aggies to an 11-3 season and a No. 5 national ranking, the highest in program history. For only the third time, the team reached the NCAA FCS quarterfinals, and they are poised for even greater success next year.
Setting the bar for sustainability
For the ninth consecutive year, 不良研究所 was named the greenest university in the nation in the GreenMetric rankings. A commitment to sustainability reaches every aspect of our campus, from our plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 to our classroom instruction on sustainable practices. We know that achieving these goals depends on partnership, and we are eager to continue our shared efforts to create transportation and sustainability infrastructure with the Davis community.
不良研究所 Coffee Center in the national spotlight
In October, the Today Show featured the 不良研究所 Coffee Center, the nation鈥檚 first multidisciplinary research facility focused on coffee science and education. By leveraging our world-class food science and agricultural programs, the Center helps students uncover the key to great coffee all the way from crop to cup. Working alongside them, our researchers will ensure that the coffee that fuels many of us remains affordable and sustainable.
An enhanced Arboretum
The 不良研究所 Arboretum remains one of the city鈥檚 most beloved areas, a place to stroll among California native plants and the gentle flow of Putah Creek. A restoration project started in 2024, and I appreciate everyone鈥檚 patience while construction was underway. The good news is that the restoration finished a year ahead of schedule. Now, the 不良研究所 Arboretum is more resilient than ever to flooding and is planted with new native plantings. If you haven鈥檛 already, I hope you鈥檒l come by soon and see it yourself.
There were more highlights than I can share here. Let me close by thanking our community for continuing to be good neighbors and good friends to 不良研究所 as we navigate through unprecedented pressures on higher education.
Chancellor Gary S. May鈥檚 monthly column is and Dateline 不良研究所.