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Accompanying the traditional diploma dispersals are graduation guest speakers, who share their own experiences, offer words of wisdom, job adviceand praise the students for a job well-done. This year, students, familiesand friends will get to listen to a combination of current and past UC Davis students and guest speakers at the commencement ceremonies.

The end of every UC Davis spring quarter is often marked by excitement for a leisurely summer, anticipation of graduation for seniorsand the rising panic of those students not ready to give up the college life. This spring quarter, however, has a historical significance for the university as Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef steps down from the position he has held for 15 years. Since Vanderhoef’s appointment in 1994, UC Davis has seen expansion on almost every level. The development of the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis’ acceptance into the Association of American Universities (AAU), the revamping of the south entrance to campusand a drastic increase in the student population are just a few changes that have taken place under Vanderhoef’s tenure.

As the year is coming to an end,so comes the time for some faculty members to say goodbye,for now,to UC Davis. Jay Mechling,American studies Professor Jay Mechling of the American studies department has taught at UC Davis since1971and is set to retire this year after35dedicated years.

Tim Fife held his future in an envelope. About two months ago,Fife and his classmates – all graduating UC Davis medical students – received their residency matches,which notified them where in the country they would go to begin practicing medicine. All across the nation,students learned of their residencies at the same time – 9a.m.PST.Before the clock struck nine,Fife could only look at the sealed envelope with anticipation.

As our economy continues to falter by the ongoing recession,many UC Davis students find themselves re-evaluating their future career plans and exploring paths they otherwise wouldn‘t have considered. Eddie Birnbaum,a fifth-year senior engineering major,is one student who had to do so.

1) I’ll miss the energy of the campus… the passion people here have for the things they do. Samantha Ponce,genetics 2) The people– I’ve made a lot of good friends here,and the professors have helped me with letters of recommendation for gradschool. Nimra Suhail,psychology

TODAY East Quad Farmers Market 10a.m.to2:30p.m. East Quad Support local farmers and buy some fresh produce,nuts,flowers and more! Pick up some tasty treats for a fun springtime dinner or a nice afternoon snack. M.I.N.D.Institute’s Distinguished Lecturer Series UC Davis M.I.N.D.Institute 6p.m. 282550th St.,Sacramento Adele Diamond,one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience will speak.Don’tmiss this amazing opportunity!

The UC Davis population may drop for summer,but many of its bicycles will remain to the dismay of campus transportation officials and those looking for bike parking.Luckily,the UC Davis International Pre-Law fraternity,Phi Alpha Delta,offers a solution. This is the first year that Phi Alpha Delta is sponsoring the bike collecting effort,which began by the bicycle shop Mike’s Bikesin2007.The fraternity will gather any bikes students want to donate and transport them to Mike’s Bikes in Sacramento where they will be used to assist a developing nation in Africa.

President Barack Obama recently signed a bill preventing people under the age of21from obtaining a credit card unless they have a co-signer or can show they have the capacity to pay back loans on their own. The CARD Act was designed to prevent students in debt as well as other consumers from being taken advantage of by credit card companies with unfair lending and billing practices.

A growing trend in the workplace and on college campuses is the use and abuse of prescription drugs to enhance brain performance.Drugs like Adderall,Ritalin and Provigil – normally prescribed to treat ADHD and narcolepsy – are used by manyresearchers and studentsas a way of maintaining focus and raising productivity levels. With standards for achievement seemingly always on the rise (particularly at UC Davis,where the average GPA for admitted first-years is now3.94),it’s nowonder people are turning to what has become known as “brain doping” to achieve.

This Thursday,friends,familyand members of the UC Davis community will come together to honor Malfitano’s memory,as the ASUCD Conference Room is officially renamed the Angelina Malfitano Room.The ceremony will begin at4p.m.on the third floor of the Memorial Union. “She was charming and completely disarming… I don’t think I met anyone who was just so eager to complement people,” said Adam Barr,a2005alumnus and former ASUCD senator,who workedMalfitano in student government.

TODAY Water Justice: Local and Global Perspectives Noon 3201 Hart Check out this panel discussion sponsored by the John Muir Institute of the Environment. Open Mic Night with SickSpits 7 to 10 p.m. Griffin Lounge Open Mic Night is a free event, and lets artists showcase their talent. Studentscan enjoy a night of spoken word and acoustic performances. Please arrive early, as seating is limited.