University’s 120th Birthday

Part of 2007 Founders Week Festivities

Anniversary celebrations, including one for CSU, Chico’s 120th birthday, highlight this year’s Founders Week events taking place April 21–29.

Founders Week is the special occasion each spring to celebrate CSU, Chico’s heritage and achievements. This year marks the 14th annual Founders Week, though the event’s roots date back to 1909, when Charter Day was held to remember the school’s early days and memorialize founder John Bidwell.

To commemorate the University’s founding in 1887, the public is invited to a 120th birthday party gathering on Friday, April 27, at 1 pm by the Rose Garden behind Trinity Hall. There will be musical entertainment, special guests, and cake for everyone, plus some surprises to enliven the festivities. Chico is the second oldest of the California State University campuses and one of the oldest public universities on the West Coast.

On Monday, April 23, the 50th anniversary of the Rose Garden will be noted in a ceremony at noon. The popular campus site has been home to hundreds of rose plants, which were initially donated by George F. Petersen, for whom the garden is named. Petersen, owner of Lindo Nursery in Chico from 1909 to 1948, was the son of John Bidwell’s groundkeeper.

The Associated Students of CSU, Chico will mark its 65th anniversary with lots of activities on Tuesday, April 24, in the Bell Memorial Union. While the campus has had student government since 1901 and perhaps even earlier, the A.S. did not incorporate until 1942. With a $26 million budget, CSU, Chico’s A.S. is the largest in the CSU system and has one of the widest ranges of responsibilities in the country.

Two programs for which CSU, Chico is well known in the North State—nursing and agriculture—will have special events during Founders Week. On Wednesday, April 25, at 3 pm, the School of Nursing will have an open house for its new clinical simulation lab, located on the Cohasset Campus of Enloe Medical Center. The lab features state-of-the-art, lifelike simulators that allow students to respond to a wide array of medical situations. On Thursday, April 26, the College of Agriculture will dedicate its new organic dairy with an open house starting at 10 am. Tours of the facility, located at the University Farm off Hegan Lane, will be available to the public.

Founders Week will feature many other special and annual events.

A schedule of main Founders Week events appears on page 3. A full schedule of Founders Week events is available at the Web site: www.csuchico.edu/pa/foundersweek.

Founders Week Calendar

Founders Week, the yearly celebration of CSU, Chico’s heritage and achievements, marks its 14th anniversary April 21­29.

Saturday, April 21
Eco-Fest. Kendall Hall lawn, noon–6 pm.

Sunday, April 22
Paul Zingg Reception: President Selects from the Janet Turner Print Collection. Janet Turner Gallery, 3–5 pm.

Monday, April 23
Rose Garden 50th Anniversary. Rose Garden, noon.

Tuesday, April 24
College of Natural Sciences Poster Session. BMU Auditorium, 9 am–3 pm.

Campus History Tour. Kendall Hall lawn, 10 am.

Campus Arboretum Tour. Kendall Hall lawn, 11 am.

A.S. 65th Anniversary Celebration. BMU Mall area, 10 am.

Outstanding Faculty Service Award. Albert E. Warrens Reception Center, 4 pm.

Wednesday, April 25
Clinical Simulation Lab Open House. Clinical Simulation Center, 3–7 pm.

Thursday, April 26
Organic Dairy Open House. University Farm, 10 am.

36th Annual Staff Awards Luncheon. BMU Auditorium, 11:30 am–2 pm.

Outstanding Professor Award Presentation and Reception. PAC 134, 3 pm.

Friday, April 27
Esplanade Walking Tour. Front of Bidwell Mansion, 10 am.

University 120th Birthday Celebration. Rose Garden, 1 pm.

2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards. BMU Auditorium, 6:30 pm.

Saturday, April 28
Jackie Faris-Rees LEADership Dinner Auction. BMU Auditorium, 5:30 pm.

Sunday, April 29
Jackie Faris-Rees/A.S. Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament. Bidwell Golf Course, 9 am.

For a complete Founders Week calendar, go to
www.csuchico.edu/pa/foundersweek.
For a complete Earth Month calendar, go to
www.aschico.com/?Page=981.