1969 Time Capsule Reveal Highlights University’s Annual Golden Grad Reunion Weekend

Some will travel great distances, while others still call Chico home. Either way, when California State University, Chico’s Class of 1969 returns to campus this week, they will be welcomed back with open arms.

CSU, Chico’s Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement will host its annual Golden Grad Reunion—celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1969—on Thursday, Sept. 19 and Friday, Sept. 20 with two days of events to reminisce, come together with former classmates and create new memories.

Highlighting the annual Golden Grad Reunion, the Class of 1969’s time capsule will be removed from its spot in front of Kendall Hall, and its contents will be revealed in full view of the reunion participants. Coincidentally, the 1969 time capsule is the last to be buried annually by CSU, Chico students until the tradition resumed in 2000—meaning the next time capsule removal and reveal will not take place until 2050.

Ann Plimpton Pyeatt (Business Administration, ’69) said she’s looking forward to the reunion, as well as spending time and catching up with her classmates.

“I truly love Chico State and remember fondly the awesomely beautiful campus and many lifelong friends I made while there as a student from 1965–69,” she said. “So many happy memories, and I’m looking forward to all the hugs, laughter and fun we’ll have reminiscing.”

The event’s festivities begin on Thursday, Sept. 19, with the Chico Chapter Alumni Fall Mixer at the Albert E. Warrens Reception Center from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. All CSU, Chico alumni—and their guests—and University friends are welcome, including members of the Young Alumni Network. Hors d’oeuvres with beer and wine will be served, and tickets are available for $15 per person.

The signature reunion gathering is scheduled to take place on Sept. 20, from 12:45 to 5 p.m. Alumni who graduated in 1969—and their guests—or before are welcome, and tickets are available for $20 per person. The reunion will provide a number of opportunities to reminisce and revisit remembered places on campus, while also being introduced to the many updates and upgrades.

An optional campus tour kicks off the day’s events starting in front of Kendall Hall at 12:45 p.m. Then, the Class of 1969 time capsule will be removed from its spot underground in front of Kendall Hall at 2 p.m.

The setting then moves to the Arts and Humanities Building for an Open House at 3 p.m., followed by hors d’oeuvres with beer and wine inside the building’s Critique Space at 3:45 p.m. Following remarks from University President Gayle Hutchinson, the contents of the Class of 1969 time capsule will be revealed.

“It will be so nice to see old friends and exciting to open the time capsule to see what was important to us back then,” said Mike Halldorson (Arts, ’69; Credential, ’71), who is also slated to be honored in October as one of eight Distinguished Alumni the University is honoring this year. “Chico State has enriched my life along with countless others.”