By: Sriya Joshi, ASUCD Picnic Day Publicity Director
Picnic Day, the annual open house at UC Davis, will have the theme “Welcome to Wonderland” and highlight Laci Gerhart, an associate professor of teaching, as the parade marshal. The 111th Picnic Day will take place on April 12.
The 16 students on the Picnic Day Board of Directors selected the theme and parade marshal, and announced them today (Nov. 21) at a campus reception.
“Picnic Day is a magical time for the UC Davis campus and community, and we want to show it off in our theme!” Picnic Day Vice Chair Rishita Dwivedi said.
Wonderland represents the spectacle that the UC Davis campus becomes with the variety of live events, exhibits, and activities. “We invite you to experience the excitement of our community on Picnic Day,” Picnic Day Chair Mina Sarmah said.
The Board of Directors chose Gerhart, from the Department of Evolution and Ecology, as parade marshal because of her ability to brighten her students’ days and make an impact on people around campus.
“Laci Gerhart is a fun and kind soul in and out of the classroom,” Dwivedi said.
Sarmah added, “From her fun costumes to lively lectures, Laci Gerhart has left a lasting impression on every student who has entered her classroom. She opens doors to wondrous opportunities of education and is the epitome of what teaching at UC Davis looks like.”
Gerhart’s research focuses on the interactions of students and technology in and out of the classroom. She evaluates the effectiveness of various campus-based tools, third-party apps, and participatory science platforms to engage students.
Picnic Day is one of the largest student-run events in the nation. This hallmark event showcases and celebrates the richness of campus life; highlights the diverse achievements of UC Davis students, alumni staff and faculty; and provides a day of education, information and entertainment. The day’s events include fun for the whole family with a children’s fair, musical and dance performances, educational exhibits and sporting events. For more information, visit https://picnicday.ucdavis.edu/
