Luke Reid

Luke Reid (History, '04; Kinesiology, '09) is a content producer for University Communications.

Assistant Professor Logan Smith (left) and student Tatum Raymond (right), pose sitting next to each other in the lab where they measure soil microbes.

Tatum Raymond Committed to Making the Most of Her College Experience; The Results (and Raymond) Rock

Digging in the dirt. Drawing. Working with water buffalo. Rawlins Award Winner Tatum Raymond came to Chico State committed to making the most out of her college experience and the results have been awesome and eclectic.

Dr. David Kagan poses with a pumpkin during the 2017 Pumpkin Drop.

Fond Farewell: Retired Physics Professor David Kagan

David Kagan, a physics professor at Chico State for almost 40 years, is remembered for his student-first perspective and contagious enthusiasm for learning.

A screen grab of the video thumbnail for How to with President Perez Be a Radio DJ

How to with President Perez: DJ a Radio Show

Follow along as President Steve Perez selects a DJ name, a title for his show, and what song to play first while discovering how to be a Radio DJ at KCSC, Chico State's student-run radio station.

Kym Crosby runs across the finish line during the 100 meter race while competing for team USA during the 2020 Paralympic Games.

Get Ready to Watch Track and Field Alumna in Winning Form at 2024 Paralympic Games

Coming back from injuries, three-time Paralympic Games medalist and alumna Kym Crosby is ready for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

The Trinity Hall Bell Tower shot from below through a canopy of trees and greenery.

Fond Farewell: Professor Emeritus Patrick McCaffrey

Patrick McCaffrey, who taught at Chico State for 39 years, is remembered as a great professor, mentor, and friend.

Beth Shook smiles for a portrait in front of a chalkboard.

Removing Barriers and Increasing Resources

Anthropology Professor Beth Shook is dedicated to removing hurdles from student learning. Her always growing learning library and contributions to a free textbook are just two examples.

Peter Kittle poses in front of a chalkboard.

Leading with a Listening Ear and an Open Door

Known for his listening ear and his open door, English Chair Peter Kittle is the winner of the Outstanding Faculty Leader Award.

A family with a bike filled with summer adventure gear.

Your Best Summer Ever—The Wildcat Way

With summer approaching fast, we asked 20 alumni experts—from safari leaders to librarians—for tips and tricks to make this the BEST SUMMER EVER!

An illustration of Kendall Hall at Chico State, with the words 'Wildcat Conversations' written in whimsical letters above it.

Wildcat Conversations: Ultramarathoners on Living Life with the Long Run In Mind

Alumni and ultramarathoners Tim Tollefson, Jimmy Elam, and Anthony Costales—three of the fastest in the world—share how they stay disciplined and dedicated to their craft.

Wearing a black shirt with white accents and black-rimmed glasses, Marcus Morton stands and smiles in front of Kendall Hall.

Toughest Opponent Yet No Match for English Major

Inside the wrestling ring, Marcus Morton exuded confidence, but when it came to school, he was nervous about stepping in for another round. It turns out, he's a champion in the classroom as well.

A split photo: one with a person smiling and smelling wine and a the other with a person smiling while holding up a freshly harvested radish.

Crash Course: General Ed Ag Classes Bear Fruit for Life

Chico State students don’t have to know how to milk a cow or work with cover crops to benefit from the ag department. Instead, they learn how to grow their own vegetables and pair wine with their meals, earning GE credits and having fun along the way.

Maia Crummett kneels on the edge of a Faba Bean field and holds a plant.

Professors Provide Encouraging Push for Future Entomologist

Maia Crummett will come running to assess a creepy crawly. But it wasn't until she got some important encouragement from a professor that she felt confident in front of a crowd.

Ben Guerrero standing in front of the ice at the 2024 NHL Winter Classic.

From Chico State to Seattle, Wildcat Still Sharing the Gospel of Hockey

Seattle Kraken Vice President of Communications Ben Guerrero credits the foundation he built at Chico State for steadying his climb to the highest heights of professional sports.

Dan Ostrander in his home office, surrounded by books, framed artifacts and photos, and autographed memarobilia.

Get A Close Look at the Lives of Former Presidents of the United States on May 3

As an orator, educator, and historian, Dan Ostrander has worked closely with nine US presidents, some of whom became his friends. On Friday, May 3, he'll share his experiences with a presentation titled: The Presidency: A Close Look at the Lives of Former Presidents of the United States.

Chico State baseball fan John Brownell pictured in his regular spot at Nettleton Stadium, at the bottom of Section 201.

Much More Than A Super Fan

The bond between John Brownell and the Chico State baseball team is one of the great stories in collegiate athletics.

Brandy Huffhines rises to shoot over a leaping defender in this artistic double-image photo.

Double the Dancing! Watch the Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament This Week

Chico State is doing double the dancing this March! The women’s and men’s basketball teams both earned berths in the NCAA Championship Tournament beginning Friday.

Distinguished Alum and and Vice President of A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group Cristina Chavez

Distinguished Alumna and Vice President of A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group Cristina Chavez

Cristina Chavez's confidence grew during her time at Chico State. The 2024 Distinguished Alumni honoree's charm, wisdom, and humility has lifted her to the top of the music industry.

Distinguished Alum and California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass

Distinguished Alumna and California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass

The organization’s first woman President is driven to succeed by those who blazed trails for her and those who will follow.

Jorge Munguia Ramos poses for a photo wearing a blue shirt with a small white pattern.

Perseverance and Push from Professors Propel Future History Teacher

Tempted to return home during his first week at Chico State, Jorge Munguia Ramos not only stayed, but he found community and encouragement that helped him thrive.

Storm clouds hover over a college campus

Fond Farewell: Retired Assistant Librarian Doris Mann

Doris Mann, who worked as an assistant librarian at Chico State for 27 years before her retirement in 1995 passed away on November 25.

A portrait of graduate student Letty Mejia in a purple dress.

Graduate Student Breaking Through Doors Once Closed to Her

As an undocumented child, she grew up constantly being told no. Today, Mejia is working to make sure that kids in her community encounter more open doors than stop signs.

Chico State cross country student-athlete Dylan White raises his hands in triumph as he crosses the finish line as the 2023 CCAA individual champion

Legends Rising and Records Falling: Chico State Athletics off to Scorching Start

Another fantastic fall for the Chico State Department of Athletics is ending, culminating in two more California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) titles, several NCAA Championship berths, and excitement for what’s still to come. Records have fallen and legends have risen, and the year has only just begun! Here are some of the highlights.

Anthony Costales runs during the 2023 Western States 100 while donning his Chico State cross country jersey.

Ultramarathon Alum Leans on Wildcat Crew

A one-pound iced lemon loaf is not an obvious snack for someone running a 100-mile endurance race, but you can't argue with Anthony Costales' results. The Chico State distance running alum relied on those calories and his Wildcats crew to finish 3rd at this year's Western States 100.

A portrait of Michele Thorpe taken in the offices of the North Valley Community Foundation.

Thorpe Leads Throng of Chico State Alumni Caring for Community Youth in Crisis

Chico State is producing great neighbors in the North State. One shining example: The North Valley Community Foundation’s CARE Team, created to connect struggling kids to caring adults and vital resources. The team, 16 deep, is led by alumna Michele Thorpe and includes 12 other Chico State grads.

Adrian Fontanelli poses for a portrait with a soccer ball between his left arm and hip.

Inspired by his Parents, Fontanelli Plays with Passion and Purpose

Chico State Men's Soccer Coach Felipe Restrepo says that teammates try to emulate Adrian Fontanelli because of his pride, joy, and passion. But Fontanelli says his work ethic comes from his parents, Carlos and Marcela.

Crash Course: The Good Life Vs. The End of the World

Two GE courses offered by the College of Humanities and Fine Arts evoke very different ideas: one of existential dread and the other enlightenment and happiness. Yet both encourage students to ask some of life’s age-old questions.

Text across the top reads: "Northern California Horizons The Reed Applegate Collection. Portrait below of Reed Applegate with collared shirt illustrated with some of the prints from his collection. Photo illustration designed by Anna Olesen.

Applegate’s Exceptional Print Collection on Display at the Turner

Members of the public are invited to the opening reception on September 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the ARTS Building.

Thomas DuSell stands next to the larger, lighted stop sign he pushed to have installed at the crosswalk along Warner Street and Ivy Street. The science building is in the background.

Celebrating Thomas DuSell: Campus Safety Award Winner, and So Much More

When he noticed a thorny traffic issue, Chico State Rose Garden specialist Thomas DuSell lobbied for an important change that would keep students and staff safe.

Inspired by His Parents, Vang Perseveres to Earn Master’s Degree

John Vang faced several challenges as he pursued a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree from Chico State. But when he questioned whether he was up for the task, he only had to look to his parents, Xae Chon and Mai Xiong, for the inspiration he needed to push forward.

Joseph James, Chairman of the Yurok Tribe (right) speaks as and Arthur Garcia, Cultural Resource Manager and Tribal Elder of the Wintu Tribe, looks on. The Kapusta 1B project, a new Sacramento River side channel approximately ½ mile long (2,365 feet) created for salmanoid spawning habitat is behind them.

New Channel Teeming With Fish Thanks to Impressive Teamwork

The Kapusta Open Space Side Channel is teeming with tiny fish thanks to a massive team effort spearheaded by Chico State Enterprises and managed by the North State Planning and Development Collective.

Eriberto Hernandez leads students from local high schools on a campus tour during a meeting of The League.

The League Paves Pathways of Possibilities for Local Youth

The League changes the lives of local high school students. Just ask Markel Hardman and Kanye Parham, who just completed their first year of college and are now part of a push to make its impact even greater.

Grad Student and Horror Fan LEAPs into Editing and Publishing

Horror publisher Benjamin Vandersluis credits Chico State’s “killer” English Department for expanding his view of the genre and sparking his love for literary editing and publishing.

Raquel Krach sits on a rock wall with trees and shrubs in the background.

Grad Student Farmer Grows Case for Marrying Agriculture With the Natural World

With her master’s thesis—a collaborative effort to study the effects of agroecology on her almond farm—Chico State graduate student Raquel Krach confirmed what the birds have been telling her. It’s working!

Zion Brigham on a bridge over Big Chico Creek with lush greenery behind him.

Life of Hard Work Pays Off for Agricultural Business Major

Zion Brigham says coming to Chico State: “felt like going from a black and white TV to full color.” He graduates in May with an agricultural business degree and a clear vision for what’s ahead.

Three men pose for a photo on a soccer field, while the man in the middle holds a memorial plaque in his hands.

Pitch-Perfect Wildcats

Thirteen sets of siblings have donned the cardinal and white of the Wildcats, and the men's soccer program’s legacy is becoming intergenerational.

Gaby Saxon poses in the costume shop, where she works.

Soon-to-be Theatre Arts Graduate Has Played a Starring Role Offstage

Gaby Saxon has spent four years at Chico State telling outstanding stories, all while using her growing voice and passion for social justice to create one of the most compelling stories of all—her own!

Karsten Kaufmann poses for a photo in front of his home workstation.

Three Imaginative Media Arts Alumni Making Exciting Moves

Karsten Kaufmann’s dance moves became a viral sensation in 2015. Find out where he and collaborating media arts majors Sophie McGuirk and Michael Connell are today. Hint: They're still making amazing content!

Mia Mendoza and Chico State Women's Soccer Coach Kim Sutton pose and smile in the women's soccer office.

Title IX at 50: Current Wildcat Calling Attention to Women Who Paved the Way

The legacy of Title IX at Chico State is filled with stories of inspiring women. Mia Mendoza knows many of them by heart after spending this year sharing them with Chico State’s student-athletes and fans to honor the 50th anniversary of the landmark legislation.

Casey Donoho pictured at a graduation ceremony.

Fond Farewell: Business Professor Emeritus Casey Donoho

Business Professor Emeritus Casey Donoho is remembered for his passion for ethics and his others-centered approach.

Chico State assistant coach Kat Benton-Laezza (right) and #6 Susanna Garcia (left) watch the action while being followed by a documentary crew during the Wildcats’ soccer match against Cal Poly Humboldt.

Soccer Programs Win Big on Small Screen

The Chico State women's and men's soccer programs shine in episode four of The Rivalries, a documentary series produced for the LG Championships channel available to watch now.