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. Their legacies have formed the basis for his work and renowned lectures.   

On Friday, May 3, at 2 p.m., in the ARTS Recital Hall, Ostrander (History, ’67; Credential, ’68; MA, Social Science, ’68) will share stories from his interactions with our nation’s most prominent leaders in his lecture, titled: The Presidency: A Close Look at the Lives of Former Presidents of the United States. The public is invited to attend as he provides an inside look at the lives and leadership styles of Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. Chico State President Steve Perez will join Ostrander on stage, and a reception will follow.  

At Ostrander’s home next to an emerald canyon stream, presidential autographs and notes, photos, sports memorabilia, and historical documents—including a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence—adorn nearly every inch of the warm, timber-lined walls. But the best treasures are found in the stories Ostrander tells. His eyes light up as he shares details about the relationships he’s had with some of the world’s most powerful people; his experiences across the globe; how he came into possession of such amazing and rare artifacts; and what spawned the books he wrote with presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush.  

At Ostrander’s home next to an emerald canyon stream, presidential autographs and notes, photos, sports memorabilia, and historical documents—including a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence—adorn nearly every inch of the warm, timber-lined walls. But the best treasures are found in the stories Ostrander tells.

A presidential historian and US history professor at Butte College for 38 years, Ostrander’s ascendence into the presidential stratosphere came in 1987 and 1990 when he was among the scholars, journalists, and former government officials invited to present at Hofstra University’s annual Presidential Conference. 

His lectures, which he shared with Presidents Nixon and Carter, proved to be his entry into their world. Both expressed appreciation for his perspectives and wanted to discuss more. That led to long-term relationships with both leaders. Carter often referred to Ostrander as his “favorite Republican,” and their relationship has lasted more than 35 years. Ostrander was also among a small group of invitees to First Lady Pat Nixon’s funeral and served on George W. Bush’s foundation board for five years. 

His relationship with Carter is especially strong. Ostrander and his wife, Dawn, have visited the Carters often and raised more than $3 million to help fund the Boys & Girls Club in the Carters’ community of Plains, Georgia, in their honor.  

The Boys & Girls Club of Chico has also benefited from the Ostrander’s generosity. Their leadership and philanthropy helped the Club open a location in downtown Chico in 2003—centered around the 9,300-square-foot Ostrander Clubhouse, built to help provide an encouraging environment, character and leadership development, health and life skills, and sports, fitness, and recreation for children grades 1–6. 

Known only as the Boys Club when Ostrander was growing up in Richmond, the nonprofit has played a key role throughout Ostrander’s personal story.  

“I grew up in a tough part of Richmond and started running around with the wrong kids, so my parents moved us to over by DeAnza High School and they had a Boys Club there that did a lot of good for me,” he said. “I feel that, if you want to change society, you’ve got to give children opportunities to change their lives. I’m a believer that the Boys & Girls Club does that. I’ve seen what it does and how it helped me.” 

Ostrander spent his first two years of college between Contra Costa Community College and the University of California, Berkeley. But he longed to be someplace more personal and found that in Chico State’s Department of History—under the tutelage of Professors Lois Christensen and W.H. “Old Hutch” Hutchinson. 

“I had taken a history class every quarter at Berkeley, but I felt I got a better education at Chico State,” said Ostrander. “The quality of instruction was outstanding, and the professors were just so personable. I spent a lot of time at Hutch’s house, and I could go see Christiansen at her office. They were both so sharp, and I learned so much from each of them.” 

Now Ostrander is looking forward to returning to the site of so many great memories to share some of his own.  

Click here to register for the event.