Legacy of Leaders: College of Humanities and Fine Arts

By Quinn Western, social media and photography intern

In honor of Founders Week, an outstanding student and alum from each college are rewarded for their success, excellence and leadership. The blog will feature a different college each day during Founders Week, April 4–13, 2014.

Today’s featured College of Humanities and Fine Arts honorees show how taking risks for your passion can pay off.

Alumna: Mary Rolland

Mary Rolland (’67) is an artist. And not just an artist, an artist with guts.

From the time she stripped off her water wings at 8 years old to her move to New York City in 1980, she has taken risks to pursue her dreams.

She bought an apartment in SoHo, turned it into a studio, and did private studio visits to make enough money to stay in the Big Apple.

Rolland was known for her oil painting. She has 30 years of experience as an artist and 16 years as a real estate agent in New York City.

She attributes her success to the leadership in the art department at Chico State and has recently established the Mary K. Rolland Scholarship Endowment Fund for Fine Arts.

Student: Hugh Hammond

Senior music major Hugh Hammond released his first album in November 2011 and has another one coming out this month.

Hammond writes folk-rock songs. Some of his inspirations include Jackson Browne, James Taylor and Paul Simon.

He was the first singer/songwriter to establish a collaborative project between the music industry and recording arts programs at Chico State.

He has written eight concert works and composed scores for three documentaries.

Besides being known for his exceptional piano playing, composing, and singing, Hannond is known for being a giver.

He was formerly featured in ‘Cat Tales for giving out Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses on campus.

He also coordinated the Music for Wellness and Healing class for five semesters, organizing student musicians performances for patients and staff at the Enloe Medical Center’s Cancer Center.