In keeping with this year's convocation theme, "Finding — and Being — the Inspiration," we asked several of those in attendance to discuss the inspiration in their lives.

One of the respondents, Ken Burtis, dean of the College of Biological Sciences, not only told us his inspiration, but he introduced him: Michael Bakis, Burtis' seventh-grade science teacher from Yuba City, whom Burtis had invited to the convocation.

Another respondent, alumnus Tom Stallard, showed off his inspiration, too. It was a book: UC Davis' general catalog for 1964-65, Stallard's freshman year.

He had brought the catalog to the convocation, because the back cover features a statement by then-Chancellor Emil Mrak on the "Purposes of a University ... to explore the world of men and things and ideas."

Interviews by Dave Jones, photos by Cheng Saechao/UC Davis

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