On Campus Content

How a Beaked Whale Made its Way to UC Davis

Jocelyn C Anderson — February 17, 2026 - 9:49am

Long ago, on a faraway Aleutian island, a pair of rare beaked whales got stranded. One was saved by biologists and swam back to sea. The other perished, and its skeleton now hangs in the atrium of Storer Hall at UC Davis.

Over the 40 years that it has hung there, the whale has become a mascot of sorts, even donning seasonally appropriate accessories — a witch’s hat in October and a graduation cap in June.

But where did it come from?

Staffer to Serve as Picnic Day Parade Marshal

Jocelyn C Anderson — February 17, 2026 - 9:45am

Paul Cody, Ed. D ’17, prepares to take his place as this year’s Picnic Day parade marshal, a role that celebrates his more than two decades of dedication to the beloved tradition. Picnic Day is set for April 18, 2026.

“It’s an honor,” said Cody, a senior research associate in Student Affairs who served as staff advisor for Picnic Day in the Center for Student Involvement for 25 years. “I take great pride in serving as the marshal.”

A Campus Connection

Jocelyn C Anderson — November 17, 2025 - 9:32am

Newly appointed UC Davis fire chief Nate Hartinger ’00 identified his career path by the time he graduated with dual degrees in communication and sociology. He’s since worked with the campus fire department for 25 years and counting.

Touchdown Tower Transformed

Jocelyn C Anderson — November 06, 2025 - 2:15pm

UC Davis has not one, but two water towers — and while most people recognize the one along Interstate 80, it’s the other tower near UC Davis Health Stadium that’s now stealing the spotlight. Affectionately known as “Touchdown Tower,” this 162-foot utility landmark just completed a full restoration and now features two UC Davis logos and programmable LED lighting, transforming it into a new symbol of Aggie pride.

Law Professor Moderates Groundbreaking PBS Series

Jocelyn C Anderson — October 14, 2025 - 9:53am

In an era of extreme division, Aaron Tang, law professor at UC Davis, as found a national — and creative — platform to encourage civil discourse.

Celebrating 100 Years of Graduate Education in Davis

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025 - 9:20am

On a crisp fall morning in 1925, a dozen graduate students in white button-down shirts with their slacks cuffed over worn brogans arrived at the University Farm in Davis. They were united by a shared ambition: to pursue advanced studies in agriculture at what was then the research extension of UC Berkeley.

It was a quiet beginning for graduate education in Davis — seeding what would grow into one of the top graduate education programs in the country.

See Butterfield Horse Sculptures at School of Veterinary Medicine

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025 - 9:13am

John Pascoe, executive associate dean emeritus of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, said he has always wanted to bring more art to the school, having seen the positive effect of public art at land-grant veterinary schools across the country. Over his more than 40 years at UC Davis, the now-retired Pascoe led the school’s efforts to collaborate with artists to acquire works, especially those depicting animals.

Exploring Country

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025 - 9:11am

UC Davis professors Glenda and Jesse Drew aim to reclaim country music for working people through an original documentary, two decades in the making: Open Country.

“We feel like country music has kind of been taken away from its roots,” said Jesse Drew, professor of cinema and digital media at UC Davis. “A lot of people today think it's very conservative and right-wing music, and that’s not really its origins.”

Get To Know the People and Projects Behind Aggie Square

Jocelyn C Anderson — May 19, 2025 - 9:00am

Aggie Square, the $1.1 billion innovation district that will bring together UC Davis’ cutting-edge research with private-sector companies and startups, officially opened May 2. The innovation district is next door to UC Davis Health in the heart of Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood, and features everything from housing to research facilities.

Here’s a roundup of articles detailing Aggie Square’s launch, the people behind the project, new tenants and future events.

Shields Library Celebrates the Arboretum with Archival Exhibit

Jocelyn C Anderson — April 25, 2025 - 10:00am

Shields Library is celebrating the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden and its vibrant history with a new exhibit, “Community in Bloom.”

Located in the library’s lobby, the exhibit will run through summer 2025 and features more than a dozen photographs and documents from the University Archives dating back to the 1950s.