UC Davis' Green Aspirations

Learn about UC Davis' plans to become one of the largest and best colleges in the US and also the world leader in green technology development.

The History of UC Davis in California Part 6/6 Host: The wide variety of research conducted by the science and technology departments at UC Davis has contributed immeasurably to our world over the past 100 years. Linda Katehi: You cannot believe that that public research university and we can be that, we can be one of the top 5 universities in the country and all over the world. Host: In the world of science, arguably the most visible contributors are astronauts and UC Davis help trained two of them. Tracy Caldwell: I got here and the whole experience I had just completely prepared me for what I am good to be at NASA and I think I’m doing much better. Host: Tracy Caldwell has spent more than 300 hours in space and she was part of the 2007 shuttle crew that visited the international space station. And Steve Robinson has been space three times. He received international acclaim in 2005 when he successfully made unplanned repairs to the space shuttle heat shield. In addition to understanding the world better, much of the research at UC Davis today focuses on making our world a better place. Linda Katehi: UC Davis is in the wonderful position to really start attacking problems like puberty or health care, transportation, energy for example and the climate and the sustainability, problems that others may not be able to address at the level of quality that we can. Host: A major area of scientific research has been in designing cleaner more efficient vehicles. Bob Segar: In terms of transportation, we’ve got a phenomenal institute for transportation studies with leaders nationally on alternative fuels, alternative transportation methods. We got to plug in hybrid vehicle center. Host: Their research is being studied by major car manufacturers and the best ideas are often incorporated into new designs seen on the road. Improving people’s quality of life take shape in a variety of places at UC Davis, the textiles and clothing department develop wild land fire fight gear that’s more light weight and comfortable. The mission of the biogas energy project is to turn garbage and food waste into fuel that can power homes and inside the California Lighting and Technology Center they’re creating LED lights that will provide more light with less energy, and scientist at the university also take pride in their work to support mother nature. UC Davis has research centers that stretch from the Sierra to the shores of the Pacific and for decades they’ve been working to improve the environment everywhere in between. UC Davis researchers have been at the fourth run of documenting changes to help of Lake Tahoe. And in rivers and streams heading west, scientist have been studying the disappearance of fish they’ve create new protections for watersheds. And when a cargo ships filled thousands of gallons of oil under the San Francisco Bay, UC Davis faculty and students were there saving wildlife. Bob Segar: One of the things that’s really in this campus has DNA is doing work that matters to propagate the lives of Californians. That’s the way it is campus started and that model really holds up at UC Davis today. Host: AS they celebrate the 100 anniversary of their school one thing seems clear about UC Davis graduates. Rex Hime: And you cry is a core belief and philosophy that just spread throughout your person. Neal Van Alfen: I’m an alumnus of UC Davis and so I’m very, very proud of all the college. Host: Some of the older traditions are gone now. Like how to use to grow hay in the quad. Then there was the pajama rush, Wild West days and the frosh soft wall with its tug-of-war and tank rush that countless traditions in quirks still live on. From their long relationship with the bicycle, the double decker and every year in the spring a science show. A battle of the bands, and a Dotson race and another big thing when it comes to tradition in pride is UC Davis athletics. The tradition of Aggie Athletics expands from boxing in the 1920’s to the national championship in women’s tennis and from NFL stars to their new status as a division one school. The farm versus farm game against Stanford, a football game aggie fans will talk about for the years to come. Bob Biggs: You know I think most people thought we’re going go down there and hopefully make the competitive. Nevin Bergen: I’m interrupted by talking about the cross by nations and it's in. Bob Biggs: And after we scored the touch and it was almost a surreal feeling, you know the players were so excited on the sideline and the coaching staff and I trying to cool calm collective because I knew the game am not over but I have to admit I was pretty greedy at that time too. Host: Now as the 100 class graduates from UC Davis these proud graduates represent the future for this university as it begins its second century.