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Chico State

Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy (English, ’97) is the Media Relations Coordinator at Chico State. When he's not writing press releases and pitching story ideas to the media or fielding media inquiries, he's writing about human interest stories, sports, the outdoors and the remarkable students, staff and faculty at Chico State.

Contact Sean Murphy at samurphy@csuchico.edu

Cindy Ratekin, the University’s 2018-19 Outstanding Academic Advisor

CSU, Chico Recognizes 2018-19 Outstanding Faculty

Six members of the Chico State faculty were recently recognized with the 2018–19 Outstanding Faculty Awards.

California State University, Chico President Gayle Hutchinson and Butte College President Samia Yaqub have jointly announced the two institutions’ upcoming Book in Common will be “All They Will Call You” by Tim Z. Hernandez

‘All They Will Call You’ Aims to Honor Anonymous Plane Crash Victims

Author Tim Z. Hernandez discusses the synchronicity of how this year’s Book in Common, "All They Will Call You," came together and its relevance today.

Worth Sharing: The Orion Honored as Best Collegiate Newspaper

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

Native American graduates from Chico State and Butte College smile after receiving their respective diplomas.

CSU, Chico President Gayle Hutchinson Appointed to Serve as CSU’s Presidential Advisor for Native American Initiative

CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White has appointed Chico State President Gayle Hutchinson to serve as the CSU’s Presidential Advisor for its Native American Initiative.

The early morning sunshine is cast upon the face of Kendall Hall.

Worth Sharing: Department of Construction Management Earns Multiple Awards

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

Students from the Chico State Student Philanthropy Council celebrate the University's first 24-hour day of philanthropy in November 2017.

Chico State Giving Day Celebrates 24 Hours of Philanthropy on Thursday

This Valentine’s Day, the entire Wildcat family of students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of Chico State will join forces to send some love to their favorite on-campus causes.

A nursing student crouches down to help a patient at an evacuation center during the Oroville Dam crisis in February 2017.

University’s School of Nursing Named One of Finest in California

Chico State's School of Nursing continues to strengthen its well-deserved reputation as one of the state’s elite programs, this time with a statewide recognition.

Students happily reach into boxes of fresh produce.

CSU, Chico’s Center for Healthy Communities Receives Unprecedented Food Security Contract

Chico State's Center for Healthy Communities has received an unprecedented contract through the California Department of Social Services.

A basket filled with "We Love Our Veterans" sits on a table.

Military Friendly Honors CSU, Chico for its Services Provided to Veterans

California State University, Chico continues to provide a helpful and welcoming environment for its military student veterans. And the recognitions keep rolling in.

First-year pre-nursing student Emily Zarback smiles while standing with Kendall Hall in the background.

Pre-Nursing Student’s Focus and Drive Exemplify ‘Wildcat Spirit’

Freshman Emily Zarback honored for administering lifesaving CPR on a fellow Wildcat.

The face of Kendall Hall is shown in late afternoon.

Worth Sharing: Regional and Continuing Education Captures Regional Marketing Award

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

Chico State professor Joel Zimbleman stands with a group of monks during his time teaching overseas.

Faculty Go Global

More Chico State faculty regularly apply and teach abroad than any other higher education institution in the nation. And they bring back lifelong memories, as well as ways to reinvigorate their teaching at Chico State.

Chico State students hike across a narrow bridge in Lassen Volcanic National Park on an Adventure Outings backpacking trip.

NASPA Excellence Awards Recognize Three CSU, Chico Programs

Whether they have enjoyed a University-sponsored rafting or camping trip, volunteered within their community or requested on-campus accessibility, California State University, Chico students are already well aware of the excellent on-campus services. Now, the University is enjoying national recognition.

The Black History Celebration Choir performs during Chico State's Black History Month celebration.

Poetry Slam, Gospel Choir, Candlelight Vigil Highlight Black History Month Events at CSU, Chico

California State University, Chico will join the national celebration of black culture and achievements during Black History Month, honoring black Americans with a full slate of events through the entire month of February.

An accounting student helps a community member prepare their taxes.

Annual Free Tax-Preparation Services by CSU, Chico Students to be Offered Starting Feb. 4

With tax season officially here, California State University, Chico will once again provide free tax-preparation services for the Chico community for those who qualify.

The sun sets over the Chico State campus on a winter afternoon.

Worth Sharing: NASPA Hands Out Hardware to Three Chico State Organizations

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

A Chico State student works with a pulley display at the Gateway Science Museum's newest exhibit.

‘From Here to There,’ ‘American Wolves’ are the Newest Exhibits at the Gateway Science Museum

From things that float on water and in the air to those that roll on land, our world is in constant motion. And science is behind all of it.

Dozens of eager transfer students attend an event solely for transfer students.

Money Magazine Recognizes CSU, Chico as One of Nation’s Top Colleges for Transfer Students

College students who transfer from a two-year college to a four-year institution can often face a unique set of challenges. California State University, Chico is well-equipped to help navigate this transition and recently has been recognized for its efforts.

The Wildcats Rise logo is seen over a sunrise behind Trinity Hall.

Wildcats Rise Supports Hundreds of Students, Employees

The Wildcats Rise Fire Recovery Fund has distributed more than $661,000 to 534 students, faculty, and staff impacted by wildfire since early November.

The sunset is casting an orange glow on Trinity Hall.

Worth Sharing: Sixteen Chico State Athletes Earn CCAA Fall All-Academic Honors

The following is a listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Small sculptures of flying birds, made out of book pages and colored paper, hang from the ceiling.

CSU, Chico’s Anthropology Museum Explores the ‘Remarkable Lives’ of Birds and Their Relationships with Humans

From their mesmerizing songs to their instinctive behavior, birds have resonated with humans for millennia. The ways in which their lives intertwine with ours will be on display at the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology’s new exhibit.

The bell tower of Trinity Hall rises into the clouds on a beautiful fall morning on the Chico State campus.

Worth Sharing: Professor Emeritus of English Honored at Oaxaca FilmFest

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

The reporting staff of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat erupts in celebration as they learn that the Santa Rosa Press Democrat captured the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting in April 2018 for their coverage of the October 2017 fires in Sonoma County.

From the Ashes: Alum’s Coverage of Wine Country Fires Earns Highest Award in American Journalism

Randi Rossmann has made a career of covering some of the most grueling, ghastly, and demanding stories in the Sonoma Valley. After the Communications alum helped lead coverage of the 2017 Sonoma County fires at The Press Democrat, her team was rewarded with journalism's highest honor.

A group of goats munch on dry grass as a measure to cut back on fire fuels in the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve.

University’s Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve Employing Multiple Fire Mitigation Techniques

In the wake of November’s devastating Camp Fire, California State University, Chico’s Ecological Reserves partnered with Cal Fire, Firestorm, and Terra Fuego to conduct a 70-acre prescribed burn at the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER) in recent weeks.

Chico State students talk to University Study Abroad staff about the many opportunities of studying overseas.

University’s Study Abroad Program Recognized as one of Nation’s Best for Yearlong Participation

For as long as the Institute of International Education (IIE) has been recognizing the nation’s most active colleges and universities for their participation in studying abroad, California State University, Chico has been included in the conversation.

Stickers and t-shirts featuring the design of a pine tree over the state of California are displayed.

Alum Brings Healing with #ButteStrong Design

It took Chico State alum Zac Acker less than three minutes to sketch out the design, & when he posted it on the 12 Volt Tattoo Facebook page, it was clear the #ButteStrong design was a remembrance for what Paradise residents had lost in the Camp Fire—as well as what it still had.

The seven-foot-long, 1,500-pound bronze Wildcat Statue sits in the early evening glow in Wildcat Plaza.

Worth Sharing: Easton Explores History of Disaster – and What That Can Tell Us About Camp Fire Aftermath

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

A student walks with a drip torch lighting off fire in a dry field.

Prescribed Fire Scheduled for Thursday on CSU, Chico’s Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve

After one of the most devastating fire seasons in state history, California State University, Chico’s ecological reserves are partnering with Terra Fuego to conduct a prescribed burn on Thursday, Dec. 13, to reduce fuels, mitigate fire risk, and provide a training opportunity for CSU, Chico students and current and future fire professionals.

Students walk past ginkgo trees in front of the Student Services Center

Sustainability to be the Focus of CSU, Chico’s Sixth Annual Sense of Place Symposium

Over 500 students are expected to discuss important local and regional environmental issues and policies at the sixth annual Sense of Place Symposium on Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Colusa Hall.

Chico State Cycling Team working to clear Brian Kavenaugh’s fire break to mitigate against the Camp Fire.

Chico State Cyclists Circle up to Help Teammate

Some teammates are just teammates. But when one member of the Chico State Cycling Team asked for help building a line break around his home as the Camp Fire marched through the foothills, his teammates didn’t hesitate to help.

The early morning winter sun shines upon the front of Kendall Hall.

Worth Sharing: Parker Presents at Joint Annual Entomological Meeting

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

A college of Business graduate poses in cap and gown.

CSU, Chico’s College of Business Bestowed With Money Magazine Honor

One of Chico State's most populous college has been recognized as one of the America’s standout programs.

Jennifer Lefort stands among rows of beds set up at the Neighborhood Church evacuation center.

Students Care for Evacuees’ Physical and Mental Wellness

Dozens of cots lined East Avenue Church in tidy rows, a stark contrast to the chaos from which Camp Fire evacuees fled. Every face reflected the effects of exhaustion mixed with terror, the air of uncertainty as thick as the smoke outside.

The front of Kendall Hall.

Worth Sharing: Pape Pens Ode to Paradise

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

Volunteers working to assemble 1,200 sandwiches for firefighters, first responders, and shelter volunteers during the Camp Fire.

Feeding Those Affected by the Flames

The nonprofit World Central Kitchen has served up thousands of meals for Camp Fire first responders and evacuees—efforts fueled by Chico State volunteers.

The Wildcats Rise logo is seen over a sunrise behind Trinity Hall.

CSU, Chico Rises to Support Campus and Greater Community Directly Impacted by the Camp Fire

Chico State is working to understand and address the impact of current wildfires on the heart of its institution—students, faculty, and staff—as well as provide mutual aid to emergency responders.

The Student Services Center is photographed at night. Street lights illuminate the walkways around the building.

Campus Community Safety Will be the Focus of University Moonlight Safety Walk on Thursday Night

In an effort to ensure safety on and around campus, California State University, Chico invites the campus and surrounding community to participate in a Moonlight Safety Walk on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 6:30 p.m.

The Makerspace, located in the Meriam Library, features 3D printers, a vinyl cutter, and an industrial sewing machine and is a product of Chico State's Center for Entrepreneurship. Here, a sign for the grand opening for the Makerspace is shown.

University’s Center for Entrepreneurship Receives Global Recognition for Interdisciplinary Excellence

California State University, Chico’s Center for Entrepreneurship has been recognized as one of the world’s top programs for interdisciplinary education and preparation of its students.

A basket filled with brightly colored buttons sits on a table at Chico State. The buttons say, "We Love Our Veterans."

CSU, Chico Will Honor Veterans on Wednesday and Saturday

In an event recognizing veterans in the University community and its alumni, as well as the wider Chico community, California State University, Chico will hold Honoring Our Veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 7 in Colusa Hall 100A

Faculty and staff from Chico State's Concrete Industry Management Program and University President Gayle Hutchinson welcome donor Doug Guerrero as he donates $300,000 to help renovate a concrete lab.

Worth Sharing: Concrete Industry Management Program Receives $300,000 Gift

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