It is nearly time to gather again to welcome our newest campus community members and to renew long-standing friendships and collaborative ties at our traditional Fall Convocation, set this year from 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 27 at Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.

This year's convocation theme is "Our Personal and Collective Calling: To Make a Difference."

"It's a calling that we take very seriously and that truly distinguishes us," said Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef.

So it is no accident that Washington Monthly magazine's just-released rankings, which measure a university's contributions to society, place UC Davis 10th among all U.S. universities, both public and private, the chancellor said.

"At convocation, we'll reflect a bit more on how we can continue to make a positive difference in people's lives, both as individuals and as a university community," he said.

The chancellor will be joined at the podium by five campus community members, who will share brief personal stories about how they approach making a difference. They are: Jeffrey Mount, professor of geology and director of the Center for Watershed Sciences; Eisha Zaid, senior genetics major; Lin King, Staff Assembly chair and manager of the R4 (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rebuy) program; Marya Welch, emerita faculty member; and Francisco Rodriguez, alumnus, former Student Affairs staff member and current president of Cosumnes River College.

Jessie Ann Owens, newly appointed dean of the Division of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies, will serve as the event's master of ceremonies. Immediately after the program, a reception will be held at Mondavi Center's Corin Courtyard and Sconyers Plaza for everyone in attendance.

The convocation will be Webcast live, with audio and video available at the campus's home page, www.ucdavis.edu.