Fresno State College - Campus Yearbook (Fresno, CA)

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(J , The foreword of any book is designed to give the reader an insight and preview as to what the author is trying to accomplish. Therefore, the foreword gives the editors of the 1961 CAMPUS on opportunity to explain some of the reasons why the book is presented as it is. This year we have selected THROUGH FIFTY YEARS as the theme for the 1961 CAMPUS. In June, 1961, Fresno State College will honor its 50th graduating class in traditional commencement ceremonies. The 1961 com- mencement marks the start of the 50th anniversary of a college that came into being in 1911 to prepare better educated public school teachers. Each of the 50 classes has had its own history of memorable events. For Fresno State has continued to grow for five decades until this year more than five thousand students call FSC their college, and more than twenty thousand alumni call it their Alma Mater. This anniversary edition is the largest yearbook ever published. However, size is not the whole story, for the book would be of little value if its size were the only significent change. We have tried to include greater coverage of activities and athletic events. The organiza- tion section has been increased 15 pages and a special section on Fresno State ' s history has been added. We have tried to be original, imaginative and at the same time give you quality in a formal way. Our goal has been to please you, the students, faculty and alumni of Fresno State College. Your approval is our reward. We hope this book tells the growth of the college since its founding in 1911. We have also tried to present to you an account of the 1960-1961 school year. So, start flipping pages, and keep flipping them for years to come, and remember . . . there will be other anniversary yearbooks coming from Fresno State, but you have the most prized possession, THE FIRST ONE!

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1911 FIFTY YEARS 1961

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In June, 1912, Fresno State College ' s first senior class, two men and thirty women, presented the school with its first class gift — two small sequoia trees — and ex[ ressed belief that the proportion to which the school should grow would be as great as that of the grown sequoia. The trees, brought from Sonoma County by the parents of one of the first graduates, were planted near the Van Ness Avenue entrance of the Fresno Normal School cam- pus, later named the Fresno State Teachers College and today the Fresno City College campus. Today the sequoias ore enormous trees. The gradu- ating classes have also grown to great sizes. The class of 1912 numbered 32 and the class of 1961 numbers 1,300. This year marks the 50th commencement ex- ercises. Through the years many students have entered the doors of Fresno State College buildings. Many, for one reason or another, stayed for only a brief semester or two semesters. However, many were able and saw fit to remain all four years. It is these students who brought to their college honors, recognition and achievement. Each senior, in some small way, has added history to the college during these fifty years. Many are well known today in all fields of public service — local, state and national. Others have brought recognition to the college through their leadership, personal accomplish- ments and community service. It is these students who recognized the challenge a college education presents. Some graduated during war years, others during depression years and others, more recently, during the change from old campus to new campus. It is to these many alumni who call Fresno State College their Alma Mater that we dedicate this anniversary edition of the 1961 CAMPUS.