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 blue sky, will be printed on thousands of new R’Cards distributed to students, staff, and faculty for the 2025-26 academic year.

INSIDE UCR Author - Jordan Cornet

Cha became interested in photography in high school, starting out with one of his dad’s old cameras. He joined his high school’s photography club and eventually upgraded his camera to a Sony Alpha 9, which he used to capture the winning R’Card photograph.

He is currently a student photographer for the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and has photographed various events and performances around campus. 

“I had gone around campus and couldn’t get any good shots,” Cha said.  “As I was heading back to my dorm, a herd of donkeys were right outside of AI (Aberdeen-Inverness Hall) waiting for me.”

Since 2019, UCR Auxiliary Services has hosted the annual R’Card photo contest, inviting students to submit original images for a chance to be featured on the campus identification card. The winning photograph is selected by the campus community by voting on Instagram.

“This contest is a great way to involve students and the UCR community in choosing their R’Card design,” said Evan McGuffin, operations coordinator for the Highlander Service Station. “It’s something that sets us apart from other UCs.”

As this year’s winner, Cha received a framed print of his photo, a certificate, a free 2025–26 R’Card, and a $75 Barnes & Noble gift card.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” he said. “My friends and family thought it was really awesome I got the chance to do this.”