This year marks the largest graduating class in University of California, Merced’s history.

More than 900 students are eligible to graduate this year, university officials said.

As a result of such growth, the campus plans to hold two commencement ceremonies with two keynote speakers.

Retired astronaut and engineer Jose Hernandez and acclaimed author and organic farmer David Mas Masumoto will deliver keynote addresses at the eighth commencement ceremonies.

Hernandez will speak to candidates in the schools of Natural Sciences and Engineering on May 18. Masumoto will speak to candidates from the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts on May 19.

“This is an exciting time for our graduates and their families,” said UC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland. “Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Masumoto were born in the San Joaquin Valley and embody the same pioneering spirit and passion to succeed that our students emanate.

Rolfe Construction, in partnership with the City of Merced, will be closing

Highway 59 at Gerard Avenue in Merced will be closed for sewer main installation and roadway trench paving starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday through Sunday at 11 a.m.

Gerard Avenue will also be closed between Canal and G Street during this time frame.

Motorists should expect 10-minute delays and should take alternate routes whenever possible.

This Saturday is the  8th annual Britanny Wilkinson United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) Fundraising Dinner. (KMPH FOX 26 Great Day's Kim Stephens is the night's MC.)

All are invited to this evening at Break the Barriers at 6pm. Tickets are $25 each. There is always an amazing raffle, beautiful silent auction, delicious dinner and special program learning about Brittany and the disease she lived with - a disease few still know about but 1 in every 200 people has a genetic mutation that may lead to mitochondrial disease. 

Mitochondria are in all our bodies, in our cells giving us energy. For those living with mitochondrial disease, which is genetic, that mitochondria doesn’t work right affecting the body in very painful ways.

Clovis East graduate, Brittany Wilkinson lived with this all her 18 years. Amidst her migraines and other debilitating pain, she gracefully raised awareness and funds for others living with this disease.