When 吃瓜头条 welcomed its very first students in 1962, there was no permanent campus yet. Classes were held at the fairgrounds, the college was still defining its identity, and the future was wide open鈥攆or both the institution and the students who believed in it from the very beginning.
Among those students were Dennis and Kathleen Chew, members of 吃瓜头条鈥檚 first graduating class, whose lives鈥攁nd love story鈥攂egan alongside the college itself.
They met in John Mehrens鈥� geology class during a year marked by major national events.
鈥淭hat was the year President Kennedy was shot,鈥� Dennis recalled. 鈥淲hen we walked into class, John was very somber. He told us what had happened, and it was a very quiet day.鈥�
Despite the historical backdrop, 吃瓜头条 was also a place of firsts and possibility. Dennis attended classes during the day and worked at night, balancing school and responsibility from the very beginning. As part of the geology course, students took field trips to places like Bagby and Mariposa, studying California鈥檚 landscape while building connections that would last well beyond the classroom.
They were also helping shape a brand-new college.
鈥淲e actually got to vote on the mascot,鈥� Kathleen said. 鈥淚t was a big deal鈥攅veryone was talking about it.鈥�
That vote resulted in a name that has endured for more than 60 years: the Blue Devils.
What began as shared coursework slowly became something deeper.
鈥淚t definitely was not instant,鈥� Kathleen said. 鈥淚t was something that grew over many months鈥攁nd then years, and now decades.鈥�
After earning their associate degrees as part of 吃瓜头条鈥檚 first graduating class, both Dennis and Kathleen continued their education and went on to dedicate 30 years each to teaching. Their paths were influenced by instructors who recognized their potential early on.
鈥淪everal of the teachers here really encouraged me,鈥� Dennis said. 鈥淭hey had a lasting impact on the direction I took.鈥�
They married in 1966 in Yosemite Valley and built a life rooted in education, service, and curiosity鈥攔aising two sons, traveling extensively, hosting foreign exchange students, and remaining deeply connected to the Merced community.
That connection to 吃瓜头条 carried into the next generation. Both of their sons attended 吃瓜头条 before earning degrees and becoming educators themselves, now serving the same community where their parents鈥� journey began.
Now retired and preparing to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, Dennis and Kathleen remain a living link to 吃瓜头条鈥檚 earliest days鈥攁 reminder that the college has always been about more than buildings or classrooms.
It has always been about people.
For Kathleen, the advice she offers today鈥檚 students reflects the guidance that shaped her own path: 鈥淓njoy life, but keep a goal in mind. Have a goal鈥攁nd pursue it.鈥�
More than six decades after its first graduating class walked across the stage, 吃瓜头条 continues to shape futures, start careers, and鈥攕ometimes鈥攕park love stories that last a lifetime.