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Curt Richard and Bob Phillips in college

College Friends Make A Perfect Match for Organ Donation

Wildcat bonds truly do last a lifetime— when alum Bob Phillips needed a kidney, his former college roommate came to the rescue.

Blake Ellis poses next to a tree

Alumna Chooses Nature to Nurture Others

Blake Ellis is at the leading edge of harnessing the natural world’s healing powers—even when that environment itself may trigger anxiety.

Fall colors of red and gold in the downtown street trees brighten Broadway Street in downtown Chico.

Alumni-Owners of Downtown Chico Businesses Share Their Stories

Whether they opened their store shortly after graduation, took over a longstanding business, or brought something new to the area mid-career, the owners of four downtown businesses share what makes the Chico State connections special to them.

College students walk past a building illuminated from the inside at night.

Worth Sharing: Reyes Shines Light on Farm Workers’ Walk

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Trinity Roses

Fond Farewell: Former Director of Alumni Allen Sherwood

Remembered as friendly, funny, and wise, Allen Sherwood directed alumni relations at Chico State for two decades.

Allison Messner leans against a porch railing with a landscaped yard behind her.

Five Questions with Yardzen CEO Allison Messner

After a devastating megafire destroyed her yard, Allison Messner cofounded an online landscaping design platform that is gaining national attention.

Portrait of Karen Wilkins-Mickey

Alumna Makes History as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Seattle Seahawks

In January 2021, alumna Karen Wilkins-Mickey joined the Seattle Seahawks as their director of diversity, equity, and inclusion—the first such hire at the team level in NFL history.

A photo from the ground looking up at intersecting bars beneath a library.

Worth Sharing: Brown Earns National Honors

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Kathleen Belzer at work as a midwife.

Five Questions with Certified Nurse Midwife and Alumna Kathleen Belzer

Nursing alumna and midwifery advocate Kathleen Belzer is driving diversity and equality in pregnancy and childbirth healthcare.

Isaiah Henderson poses in front of a brick wall

Kinesiology Grad Student and Former Marine Honored with CSU Trustees’ Award

Isaiah Henderson, a kinesiology grad student and veteran, will receive the 2022-23 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement.

The sun sets amongst clouds, buildings, and trees

Worth Sharing: CCAA Honors Wildcat Soccer Players

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Colin Wiseman on a boat.

Bringing Mental Health to Light

Chico State alumni and family find healing through mental health awareness advocacy and the creation of a Senate bill to improve youth mental health in schools.

Anthropology Faculty Reflects on Fulbright Experience in Jordan

Anthropology faculty Jesse Dizard shares about his experience as a Fulbright Scholar in Jordan.

Isaac Brundage poses in front of a brick wall

Meet Isaac Brundage, Chico State’s New Vice President for Student Affairs 

Isaac Brundage, Chico State's new Vice President for Student Affairs, draws on his upbringing and professional experience to reach students.

The brick facade of an academic building with three arches in the front

Chico State Awards President’s Scholarships to Five Incoming Freshmen

Chico State has awarded five first-year students $30,000 through its President's Scholarships.

Terry Dyer

5 Questions with Alum and Executive Director of World AIDS Museum Terry Dyer

Terry Dyer is an activist at heart—from taking action for those who cannot, to being a voice to those on the margins, to his position as Executive Director of the World AIDS Museum.

Jon Ebeling

Fond Farewell: Political Science Professor Emeritus Jon Ebeling

Jon Ebeling's career at Chico State spanned more than 40 years and inspired countless students to pursue careers in public administration.

Steven Dyer poses in front of a building

New Art Teacher Brings Professional and Personal Success to Chico State

Steven Durow enjoyed tremendous success as a professional artist—but teaching has always been at the heart of his craft.

A pedestrian walks across a bridge with the path shrouded in a canopy of trees

Worth Sharing: Soccer Teams Honored For Exceptional Work In Classroom

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Michelle Bergland-Smith

Fond Farewell: Retired ASC Michelle Berglund-Smith

Known for her candy dish and birthday cakes, Michelle Berglund-Smith was considered the backbone of the Computer Science Department for her expertise and passion.

Rose of Sharon shrub blooms outside of Kendall Hall

Fond Farewell: Passing of Retired Mathematics Professor Larry Dion

Mathematics and statistics professor Larry Dion will be remembered for his commitment and generosity.

Holly Mahnke

Fond Farewell: Agricultural Science and Education Major Holly Mahnke

With a love of animals and passion for education, senior Holly Mahnke was excited to follow her dream of becoming an agriculture teacher.

A view up a spiral staircase

Worth Sharing: University Advancement Wins Five CASE Awards

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

A bronze wildcat statue is perched during the night amid dramatic lighting

Worth Sharing: All-American, Academic Honors Roll in for Wildcat Student-Athletes

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

A drone photograph shows a late-spring sunset shining through Trinity Hall.

Fond Farewell: Anthropology Professor Emerita Beverly Newbold Chiñas

A visionary in cultural anthropology and scholar of women's studies in Latin America and beyond, Beverly Newbold Chiñas taught at Chico State for 26 years.

Santa Clara county public defender Cesilia Fernandez sits at her desk in her office

Six Questions with Alumna and Santa Clara County Public Defender Cesilia Fernandez 

Cesilia Fernandez, a Chico State alum who graduated with dual bachelor's degrees in Spanish and International Relations, now works as a public defender in Santa Clara County.

Thousands of Physical Maps Need a Home—Students Helped Find One

With a move from Butte Hall looming, GIS students helped find a new digital home for hundreds of physical maps.

Stars shine above Trinity Hall.

Fond Farewell: Retired Nursing Professor Beverly Jenkins

Beverly Jenkins taught nursing on campus for 22 years and was known for her compassion for and empathy to students.

Yellow and red roses bloom in the foreground with academic buildings in the background.

Staff Awards Recognize Exemplary Employees

Staff Council honors five employees for their customer service, safety dedication, Wildcat spirit, and overall awesomeness.

Students walk to and from student housing on a college campus

Worth Sharing: Pike Pens Piece Exploring Benefits of Traditional Ecological Knowledge

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Stars shine above Trinity Hall.

Fond Farewell: Professor Emeritus and Athletics Coach Larry Burleson

During a teaching and coaching career that spanned nearly 40 years, Larry Burleson instilled in his students and student-athletes a dedication for technique and appreciation of play.

Luke Reid stands in the stands of a stadium with a soccer field behind him

5 Questions with University Sports Information Director and Alum Luke Reid

University Sports Information Director Luke Reid combines his passion for athletics with his love for his hometown.

Julia Moriarty smiles and poses in a hallway

5 Questions with Alumna and Geotechnical Consultant Julia Moriarty

Geotechnical engineer Julia Moriarty ('94) loves watching the details of how things are built—from roads to bridges to fire stations.

A sign reading California State University, Chico sits in front of a brick academic building

Chico State Announces New Vice President for Student Affairs

Chico State has named Isaac Brundage its new vice president for Student Affairs

Trinity Hall and its bell tower are pictured with trees on a spring morning.

Fond Farewell: Kinesiology Professor Emeritus George David Swanson

A world-class expert in pulmonary physiology, George David Swanson helped create a mass spectrometer that was used on the Mir Space Station.

The side of an academic building features flat panels and a few very tall windows as it reflects the sun

Worth Sharing: Professor Emeritus’ New Book Explores Role of Propaganda in War

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Rose bushes in the foreground with academic buildings on a college campus in the background

Chico State Honors Diversity and Inclusion on Campus

Nine faculty, staff, and students are honored with the 14th Annual Conversations on Diversity and Inclusion Awards.

Stars shine above Trinity Hall.

Fond Farewell: Retired History and Social Science Professor Ken Rose

Ken Rose was an impassioned and well-respected historian and history professor, as well as a beloved musician in a local Irish band.

Chico State Alum Luke Barker Poses on a baseball field in his Milwaukee Brewers uniform

Chico State Alum Barker is a Big Leaguer!

Former Chico State All-American baseball player Luke Barker has been called up to the major leagues by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Bright yellow leaves of fall adorn a tree on a college campus.

Five Faculty Receive Professional Achievement Honors

Recipients of these annual awards are honored for exemplary teacher-scholar achievement at Chico State.