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Kendall Hall is photographed at dusk, illuminated by soft lights against a cobalt blue sky.

Class Notes: Spring 2023

Whether it's starting a new business, writing a book, or achieving a lifelong dream, the Wildcat family continues to reach milestones. Alumni share professional and personal updates for spring 2023.

Standing in full regalia on stage, President Hutchinson extends her arms out toward the audience at a Commencement ceremony.

Path to Prominence

In 2016, Gayle Hutchinson began her presidential term with an ambitious punch list. Having checked off almost everything during the last seven years, she prepares to begin another chapter.

Hirra Khan is photographed outside of Kendall Hall. She wears a white cotton shirt and a tan Hijab.

Business Double Major Ready for Life’s Next Big Challenge

More than 10 years ago, Hirra Khan moved from Pakistan to Gridley as a pre-teen. She will now graduate with one degree in business administration and another in business information systems, and an impressive work résumé.

Jaylen Kruth (left) stands behind a counter as she accepts a purchase by Josh Rodriguez (right) who is using his EBT card to pay. There are a variety of snacks on the counter.

Expanded CalFresh Eligibility Brings Food Access to More Chico State Students

More Chico State students can now qualify for CalFresh benefits to access food, thanks to expanded eligibility requirements.

students stare up at a screen in a planetarium

Worth Sharing: Health Services Administration College Bowl Team Scores Wins

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

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.

A tall brick building glows in the late afternoon sunshine with trees in the foreground.

Fond Farewell: Retired Librarian Joel Leonard

With a strong personality and a lot of joy, Joel Leonard embraced his job as librarian as one with a primary mission of supporting students.

Framed portraits of families that are part of a generation of Wildcat alumni and students that portray the Chico State Wildcat family tree for a feature story in the Chico Statements magazine on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Chico, Calif.

Rooted in Connection: The Wildcat Family Tree

Attending college is a significant milestone for any student, but for many, enrolling at Chico State is both a personal achievement and a family tradition.

Crossed Paths Lead Back to Chico

Recreation Administration majors Suzy and Paul McCreary fell in love at Chico State, and they built their lives around their shared love for their school and giving back.

a family of 10 siblings pose standing and sitting

Degrees of Hope and Opportunity

The patriarch of the Yang family wanted to see all of his children earn college degrees. All 10 of them did from Chico State.

Mother hugs her son while they pose for a photo.

Mother, Son Turned Classmates Learn From Each Other

Kevin LaCombe and Evone LaCombe were overlapping kinesiology students for two semesters—an experience the mother and son called unique and inspiring.

Twin sisters embrace on a bench. One is sitting on the bench while the other sits on the arm rest and places her arms around her sisters shoulders.

Identical Twins Follow Different Dreams

Relying on each other for support, Vanessa and Viviana Mendoza discover their own identity in college.

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.

portrait of Abigail Resendez

Child Development Major Owes Success to Her Grandmother

Overcoming obstacles and adversity as a child, Abigail Resendez is ready to graduate with a degree in child development—and it was her grandmother who helped make it possible.

The sun sets behind an academic building.

Chico State Recognizes 2022–23 Outstanding Faculty

These awards—among the highest at Chico State—celebrate eight phenomenal faculty for academic distinction, prominent scholarship, and commitment to transformative experiences.

A book, titled "How the Word is Passed," sits on a ledge

Deep Look into America’s Relationship with Slavery Named Book in Common for 2023-24

Confronting America's legacy of slavery, the selection for the 2023-24 Book in Common is Clint Smith's “How the Word is Passed.”

Advisor Jaycob Arbogast and students work in the College of Business' FinTech lab.

Student-Managed Investment Fund Takes on a Bull Market 

The College of Business' Student Managed Investment Fund is giving students real-life opportunities to test money investment strategies.

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!

Marin Spalding, left, and Marcus Peoples, on the right, sit side-by-side in a classroom with laptops opened in front of them. Both are dressed in formal clothing, smiling widely and clearly amused.

Students Travel, Grow, and Build Friendships Through Speech and Debate Team

The speech and debate team, which doubles as a club and a course, offers team members space to grow far beyond the competition stage.

Public relations major Skylar Trostinsky is photographed on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Chico, Calif. Originally from the East Coast, Skylar is president of Chico State’s Envy dance team, works as a copy editor at the NorCal Design Center, and is general manager of Tehama Group Communications (TGC).

Journalism Major Finds Career Path to Write Her Own Future

A love of writing led Skylar Trostinsky to journalism and Tehama Group Communications, where she’s honing her skills and paving the way for a successful career in PR.

A brick-laden academic building in the sunshine

Worth Sharing: Chico State Model UN Wins Outstanding Delegation Award

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

Irene Duran poses in high visibility safety gear and a hard hat on Iselin Dock in Woods Hole.

From Northern California to Ocean Engineer

Gridley native Irene Duran (Mechatronic Engineering, '20), moved to Cape Cod after graduating with one mission: an engineering job.

Rio Miner poses for the camera with a colleague in a corporate conference room.

In the Midst of a Successful Career of Catching Bad Guys, Military Vet Pursues Online MBA

After a long and successful career first in the military and then the financial industry, Rio Miner enrolled in Chico State's online MBA program to further his career and fill in the gaps in his business acumen.

Mateus Avalos, wearing a black polo shirt and khaki pants, sits on a bench in front of a brick building for a posed photo.

Construction Management Student Gets Solid Start to Future

Senior construction management major Mateus Avalos went from novice to leader in the program—securing three internships and helping lead community service projects in his hometown of Chico.

An artist rendering of the exterior of a new building

Chico State Receives Transformational Gift to Support New College of Business Building

Alum Jon Krabbenschmidt (Business Administration, ’76) wants to see Glenn Hall become a state-of-the-art building for business students—and he is committing a pair of $5 million toward its construction.

Ricardo Orellana

Chico State College of Agriculture Names New Director for University Farm

Ricardo Orellana's international background, leadership, and diverse agriculture experience will strengthen partnerships and support the program in meeting the needs of agriculture in the 21st century.

Elizabeth “Eli” Contreras-Perez (left) talks with Joel Ramirez, TRIO Project Director, about the support and a sense of belonging Contreras-Perez received in a program called TRIO Student Support Services.

Graduating Public Health Student Embraces Support and Grows Through Challenges

First-gen student, Elizabeth “Eli” Contreras-Perez, has navigated many personal struggles on her path to graduating, finding newfound resilience, and beginning a new chapter in life.

A white bus is parked with its door open; it has Chico State written on the side and the Wildcat logo printed on it

New Transport Program Provides Students Rides to Sacramento Airport During Breaks

Students leaving campus during extended breaks can sign up for Wildcat Rides, a new program shuttling students from campus to the Sacramento bus and train station and the Sacramento Airport.

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!

the sun sets behind an academic building

Through Partnership, Chico State to Provide Income-Eligible Students with Discounted Tablets

Chico State is partnering with a telecom company to offer Android tablets and free or low-cost data plans to students and community members who demonstrate a need for this service.

clouds burst with color behind an academic building

Worth Sharing: Stone Recognized for Outstanding Contributions

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

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.

Stars shine above Trinity Hall.

Fond Farewell: Former Student Development Director Cleo Bauer

Working at four CSUs and Cornell University, Cleo (Bash) Bauer's sense of adventure also led her to climb mountains and explore the world.

A group of young children stand in a circle with four older teachers crouching down to play a game with a ball.

Kinesiology Major Finds Groove in Adapted Physical Education

From hating PE to aspiring to change how it is taught, Drew Jones’ passion for adapted physical education has taken her on a journey of service-learning opportunities and to pursue her teaching credential.

Alumna Sarah Weiss stands in front a rack holding folded T-shirts that she sells on her shop, Queer Gear.

Alumna Takes Pride in Identity, Launches ‘Queer Gear’ Business

Sarah Weiss started an e-commerce store that's not just fashionable, but impactful. Queer Gear sells clothing to promote visibility and representation, while giving back to nonprofit organizations focused on LGBTQ+ causes.

Stylish mural on the side of an academic building looks like a hole has been blown through the side of a concrete building.

Worth Sharing: University Enjoys Trio of Rankings

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

Lindsey Barrett poses in her kitchen with her dough prepared to be fed into the pasta machine.

’Cats Get Cookin’ with Rancho Llano Seco Marketing Director Lindsey Barrett 

From Boston to South America and back home to Chico, Lindsey Barrett explores life through her love of food and writing, and shares her recipe for fresh pasta dough!

Hands hold down a piece of fossilized bone.

Students, Faculty Embrace New Fossils from Ever-Growing ‘Miocene Zoo’ Site

Chico State continues to lead the way in making scientific determinations from the findings at a Northern California site.

A student (left), wearing an orange safety vest, kneels alongside Professor Mohammed Albahttiti (right) while the two work on installing pavers at the site of a community service project at the Chico Islamic Center.

Office Hours: Concrete Industry Management Professor Mohammed Albahttiti

CIM Professor Mohammed Albahttiti empowers students through hands-on service-learning projects that connect theory with real-world application.