Traditions

John Bidwell donated his eight-acre cherry orchard to secure the northern branch of the State Normal School for Chico in 1887. The corner boundaries of his cherry orchard are marked today by a planting of cherry trees, each with a plaque that commemorates this gift.

CSU, Chico has had a succession of names in its more than 100-year history, and you may be able to date an alum by the name he or she uses when referring to the university, which has been known by the following names:

Northern Branch State Normal School
of California (1887-1921)
Chico State Teachers College (1921-1935)
Chico State College (1935-1972)
California State University, Chico (1972-today)

CSU, Chico’s eminent graphic design professor Gregg Berryman was commissioned to design a logo for the university. The logo (above left) Berryman created was put in place in 1972 at the same time the school changed its name from Chico State College to California State University, Chico. It was designed to suggest a flaming torch of learning, a growing plant or tree, a book or a scroll, or a human shape. CSU, Chico was the first university in the CSU system to develop an integrated visual identification system.

In 1992, Gregg Berryman created the current University Seal (below). It features a stylized drawing of Kendall Hall and the Bell Tower of Trinity Hall. The Romanesque architecture of these two buildings and Laxson Auditorium contribute to the old-world ambience of our campus. They remain an architectural influence for even our newest campus buildings. The Latin words “ARS PROBAT ARTIFICEM” mean “Art is the test of the artisan.”

Trinity Hall, built in 1931 and designed by Chester Cole, is an example of Mediterranean church design of the medieval period. The square bell tower resembles campaniles found in Italy. Of special interest are the pairs of twisted columns at its top. Trinity Hall was initially the campus library. Later, it became the Campus Activity Center before the Bell Memorial Union was constructed. Today it is a department and faculty office building.

n May 1966, university alumni and friends presented the carillon housed in the bell tower of Trinity Hall to Glenn Kendall, who served
as president of Chico State from 1950 to 1966. The carillon is played on special occasions and regularly on the hour and half-hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The words to the hourly carillon tune are

Ding Dong Ding Dong
Hear the Bells Chime
High in the Tower
Hark to the Hour

CSU, Chico’s nickname, Wildcats, was established in 1924 by a vote of the student body. Maxon Mellinger, who was a fan of the Northwestern Wildcats, submitted the winning name. The school’s newspaper was also called The Wildcat until the mid 1970s. A live wildcat mascot, donated to the school by athlete and 1925 alum E.R. Deering, first arrived on campus in 1928. The cat’s first appearance at a basketball game included his nipping the leg of a referee and nervously answering the “call of nature” on the basketball court. Despite this somewhat embarrassing beginning, the Wildcat has endured as a symbol and mascot for the institution, whose students and alums proudly refer to themselves as Wildcats. The current version of the Wildcat symbol (below right) was designed by
a student, Anna Giacometti, in 1989.

Colusa Hall, built in 1921, is the oldest building on campus and the only building that remains of the original State Normal School. It has been completely renovated to meet seismic building codes and will eventually house the Janet Turner and University Art Collections, art gallery, and a conference facility.

The numbers in the sidewalks at the entrance to Kendall Hall cover time capsules prepared by each class year. This tradition was discontinued in 1969, and rekindled in 2000 with the help of the A.S. and Alumni Association.

The school colors are cardinal and white, worn proudly by many as a “Block C” for Chico.

In general, most buildings on campus are named after the counties in our service area: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, Shasta, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, and Yuba Halls. A few are named after their primary function or activity: the Center for Regional and Continuing Education, the Performing Arts Center, the Physical Science Building, Plant Operations, the Student Health Center, the Residence Halls Recreation Center, the University Center, and the University Housing and Food Service.

One residence hall is named after Mt. Whitney (because it’s the tallest and next to Shasta and Lassen Halls), and three halls after the local Indian tribes of Esken, Konkow, and Mechoopda.

Several buildings and places are dedicated to faculty, alumni, or friends of the university for their outstanding service. These individuals contributed significantly to the history and traditions of our university.

Acker Gymnasium
The 1937 basketball team won the first Far Western Conference championship for Chico, giving Coach Art Acker the championship he had sought for fourteen years. The gymnasium is named for Mr. Acker, who, until his death in 1991 at the age of 99, attended every game.

Albert E. Warrens Reception Center
The former president’s home is named in honor of Albert Warrens and was originally designed by the distinguished architect, Julia Morgan.

Aymer J. Hamilton
This building is dedicated to Dr. Aymer J. Hamilton, president of Chico State College from 1931 to 1950. The building was then a teacher training school, and today houses classrooms.

Ayres Hall
This building is dedicated to John C. Ayres, painter and art historian, professor of art, and department chair from 1946 to 1967.

Bell Memorial Union
The student union was dedicated in 1969 and is named after Dr. Hugh M. Bell, professor of psychology and dean from 1928 to 1967, who, through his leadership and counsel, made special contributions to student life and well being.

Bidwell Bowl
The amphitheatre adjacent to Children’s Playground, was built as a WPA project in 1938. It is part of the legacy of John and Annie Bidwell, who left Bidwell Park and Children’s Playground to the City of Chico.

Bidwell Mansion
Completed in 1868 and now a historic monument and part of the California Parks System, Bidwell Mansion was once owned by the university and used as a women’s residence hall for many years, when it was named Bidwell Hall

George Petersen Rose Garden
The George Petersen Rose Garden was named for the original owner of the Christian and Johnson floral company. Mr. Petersen, whose father was the gardener for John and Annie Bidwell, donated all of the rose bushes here.

Gus Manolis Bridge
This bridge between Kendall and Holt Halls
was dedicated in 1961 to Gus Manolis, football “Coach of the Century,” who had a 23-12-1 win-loss record from 1954 to1957, and died while participating in a search for a lost boy.

Harlen Adams Theatre
This theatre complex in the Performing Arts Center has been the setting for many outstanding theatrical performances as well as the office for Dr. Harlen Adams, a distinguished teacher, scholar, university administrator, community leader, and friend of the performing arts.

Holt Hall
This building is dedicated to the memory of a truly distinguished teacher and scholar, Dr. Vesta Holt (1892-1970), professor of biology, department coordinator, and division chair.

Hutch’s Plaza
“Old Hutch’s Plaza” is named in honor of W.H. Hutchinson, a distinguished professor of history and “yarn spinner” who often held court on the bench in this location.

Kendall Hall
In recognition of his outstanding leadership and service to the university and northeastern California, this building is dedicated to Dr. Glenn Kendall, campus president from 1950 to 1966.

Langdon Engineering Center
This building is dedicated to Dr. Herbert F. Langdon, who established the engineering program at Chico State. He was a distinguished professor of engineering and division chair from 1946 to 1965.

Larry Wismer Theatre
This theatre is dedicated to Dr. Lawrence H. Wismer, outstanding teacher-director, founder of The Court Theatre, and professor of drama from 1963 to 1980.

Laxson Auditorium
This building is dedicated to Dr. C. Robert Laxson, professor of music from 1946 to 1968.

Meriam Library
Meriam Library honors both a father and son: Morrison E. Meriam, professor of psychology from 1902 to 1934, and Theodore “Ted” Meriam, community leader, alumnus, and friend of the university, a member of the California State University Board of Trustees from 1961 to 1971, and its chair from 1968 to 1969.

O’Connell Technology Center
This building is dedicated to John Francis O’Connell, student body president in 1936, member of the Board of Trustees of the California State University from 1977 to 1984, and board chair from 1981 to 1984.

Paul L. Byrne University Farm, Agricultural Reaching and Research Center
The 800-acre University Farm is dedicated to former State Senator Paul L. Byrne.

Roth Planetarium
The Roth Planetarium was made possible by a gift from James F. and Betty Jane Roth in 1976.

Ruth Rowland-Taylor Recital Hall
This recital hall is named in honor of Ruth Rowland-Taylor, professor of music and head of the music department from 1929 to 1955.

Sapp Hall
The Alumni House was dedicated on Homecoming Day, 1992, to Ella Caroline Sapp, alumna, Chico Normal School class of 1916.

Shurmer Gymnasium
For her unsurpassed contributions to physical education and women’s athletics, this gymnasium is named for Jane Wells Shurmer, teacher, scholar, and coach from 1938 to 1968.

Selvester’s Café-By-The-Creek
Dedicated to “A diamond in the rough,” the café is named after John Selvester, the Associated Students director of food services and assistant general manager from 1951 to 1972.

Taylor Hall
This building is dedicated to Dr. Alva P. Taylor, a distinguished scholar, professor of English, and department chair from 1929 to 1953.

The University Hymn is sung to the tune of the symphonic poem Finlandia by Jean Sibelius.
The last two verses were penned by our own Professor Ernst Schoen-Rene.