Indelibly Davis, A Quarter-Century of UC Davis Stories....and Backstories

By Larry N. Vanderhoef

Books by former university administrators aren't likely to sail off library shelves or tally an impressive number of digital downloads. But I hope this book-a telling of select stories across 25 pivotal years at the University of California, Davis, will appeal to members of our campus family curious to know more about the unique path that has led to who we are today. I learned long ago as provost (1984-1994) and chancellor (1994-2009) the importance of hearing and sharing UC Davis' many stories, of understanding and appreciating the campus's history and distinctive culture. Those stories reveal what we value, how we behave (in good times and in bad) and how we optimally set our sails for changing winds. They helped me lead. This book aims to round out our UC Davis anthology with stories that will tell you something new (and special) about the campus, that are relevant to its development and identity, and that touch on its values and culture-on that special spirit that revered former UC President Clark Kerr believed set it apart from all other UC campuses.These stories are my memories, augmented by corroborating research and interviews. I've done my best to write accurately and fairly and with clarity and candor (and, at times, with entirely appropriate chagrin) about topics that, across the years, have stayed strong on my mind. Stories about people who radiate that special Davis spirit...about wished-for do-overs...about conflicts (and responses)...about heartbreaking tragedy...about wing-and-a-prayer risk-taking...about the payoffs of patience and persistence...and about tough, principled decision-making (what my dad would call "having starch"). And I've tried to add to the record-and in some cases, to correct it. I've tried to tell the story behind the story, to tell you something you likely don't already know. Of course, the story-telling is incomplete-really just a sliver. But I hope these stories, gleaned from my quarter-century on the 5th floor of Mrak Hall, will add to the rich narrative of a university with a remarkable past and even brighter future.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 098637010X
• ISBN13: 9780986370106
• Release Date: January 2015
• Publisher: eScholarship
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.