2025 Beginning's Sculpture Lighting Ceremony
Each year, UC Merced Staff Assembly hosts the Beginnings Sculpture Lighting Ceremony, a heartwarming tradition that brings our campus and the greater Merced community together to celebrate the season of light, gratitude, and connection.
Held in the Carol Tomlinson-Keasey Quad, this free event welcomes everyone — UC Merced staff, faculty, students, families, and community members — to join in an evening filled with festive music, refreshments, and the illumination of the iconic Beginnings sculpture. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the spirit that unites us all as Bobcats and neighbors.
This year’s celebration is made possible through the generous support of our campus sponsors and dedicated volunteers who help make this event a highlight of the season. (Full sponsor list below.)
- Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
- Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Location: Carol Tomlinson-Keasey (CTK) Quad, UC Merced
- Admission: Free and open to all
Free parking will be available in the Bellevue Road Green Zone lot for all attendees.
We’d love to know you’re coming — please take a moment to RSVP using the link below!
For details about where to park and how to get to campus, visit:
Parking Information
For more event information please reach out to staffassembly@ucmerced.edu
A special thank you to our sponsors!
UCM External Relations
EJIE
Department of Undergraduate Education
Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
School of Engineering
Department of Finance and Administration
Physical Operations, Planning, and Development
