Dear Campus Colleagues,
Today, as a nation, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose activism and vision for a just America still resounds with us today.
While we have made significant strides, there is more work to be done. Here at UC Merced, we must continue to do that work with our sustained commitment to embody the principles of equity, justice and opportunity for all people regardless of background. As we look forward, Dr. King leaves us a powerful blueprint for how to achieve that change through persistent efforts united in steadfast purpose and love.
We embark on this new year on the thorough grounding of our mission in higher education. Let us reflect on the words of Dr. King on that purpose:
“The true function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the true goal of education."
Dr. King himself was a true believer in the transformative impact that happens when education is used to achieve a common good towards a more just society. He modeled the fusion of the mind and the heart to raise the barometric bar of equality in society.
May we not only be inspired by his words, but may we use them to guide our journey. Dr. King’s words challenge our campus and country to live up to its highest ideals. We must all do our part to meet that challenge together. What Dr. King’s legacy shows us is that together is the only way we will.
