UC Riverside first-year business student Dennis Cha was selected as the winner of the 2025 R’Card photo contest on March 12. His winning image, which features a burro in front of palm trees under a bright blue sky, will soon become a familiar sight to the campus community. The photograph will be printed on thousands of new R’Cards distributed to students, staff, and faculty for the 2025–26 academic year, making Cha’s work an everyday part of UCR life.
Cha first developed an interest in photography during high school, experimenting with one of his dad’s older cameras. What began as curiosity quickly grew into a passion, and he deepened his skills by joining his high school’s photography club. Over time, his hobby turned more serious as he upgraded equipment and invested more effort into learning technique. Cha eventually purchased a Sony Alpha 9, a professional-grade camera, which became the tool he relied on to capture the winning R’Card image. He submitted the photo just before the contest deadline in February, demonstrating not only technical skill but also a sense of timing and persistence.
Today, Cha continues to hone his craft as a student photographer for UCR’s College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS). In this role, he has photographed a wide range of events and performances across campus, documenting the energy and creativity of the university’s students and faculty. These experiences have given him opportunities to develop versatility as a photographer, capturing everything from large gatherings to intimate artistic performances.
Recalling the moment of inspiration for his winning entry, Cha explained that the photograph almost didn’t happen. “I had gone around campus and couldn’t get any good shots,” he said. “As I was heading back to my dorm, a herd of donkeys were right outside of AI (Aberdeen-Inverness Hall) waiting for me.” The serendipity of the moment, paired with his readiness to act quickly, allowed him to take a photograph that resonated with the campus community.
Since 2020, UCR Auxiliary Services has hosted the annual R’Card photo contest, encouraging students to share their unique perspectives of campus life. The contest is open to all students, who are invited to submit original images that highlight UCR’s landscape, culture, and spirit. Once submissions close, the campus community selects the winner through online voting on Instagram, ensuring that the final choice reflects the voice of students, staff, and alumni.
Evan McGuffin, operations coordinator for the Highlander Service Station, emphasized the value of the contest. “This contest is a great way to involve students and the UCR community in choosing their R’Card design,” he said. “It’s something that sets us apart from other UCs.” The process creates a sense of shared pride, as the winning design becomes a visual representation of the student body’s creativity.
As this year’s winner, Cha received several prizes, including a framed print of his photo, a certificate, a free 2025–26 R’Card, and a $75 Barnes & Noble gift card. Beyond the tangible rewards, however, the recognition itself holds deep meaning. “I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” Cha said. “My friends and family thought it was really awesome I got the chance to do this.”
For Cha, the honor affirms the effort he has dedicated to his craft and the support he has received from the UCR community. His story also highlights the importance of creativity at UCR, where student work is celebrated and shared in ways that make a lasting impact.