McClatchy Washington Bureau

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MERCED, Calif. — The total cost for last month's commencement ceremony at UC Merced has finally been tallied.

Just over $1 million.

Private contributions of more than $185,000 (including in-kind-gifts) added to $500,000 in unrestricted interest earnings on a private endowment fund, managed by the UC Office of the President, have helped offset the cost of the event.

The balance will be covered by non-state dollars from campus sources and offset by any additional donations that may be made, according to a press release from UC Merced.

The original budget for the ceremony to commemorate the university's campus' first, full, four-year graduating class was $100,000, officials on campus said this Spring.

An estimated crowd of 12,000 attended the afternoon ceremony on May 16, despite sweltering temperatures and a harsh afternoon sun. Almost all members – 511 of 517 – of the graduating class were also on hand.

To read the complete article, visit mercedsunstar.com.