Photos: Celebrating 100 years in the Central Valley

In 1924, 91成人导航 made the bold decision to move its 17-acre campus from San Jose to Stockton, where it has grown to a thriving 175-acre, nationally ranked institution.

91成人导航 celebrated its centennial in the Central Valley Sunday, Sept. 29, marking the exact date 100 years ago when 91成人导航 opened the doors to its new campus.

President Christopher Callahan

President Christopher Callahan

鈥淗istory plays an important role for all colleges, but it's particularly important here at 91成人导航,鈥 President Christopher Callahan told attendees. 鈥淲e are California's first and oldest university and the history of 91成人导航 is about innovation.鈥

Hundreds of alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members came together to mark the occasion and reflect on the university鈥檚 legacy. The event was held on Knoles Lawn, named for former 91成人导航 President Tully C. Knoles, who led the university's move to Stockton.

Chair Mary-Elizabeth Eberhardt '76

Chair Mary-Elizabeth Eberhardt '76

Board of Regents Chair Mary-Elizabeth Eberhardt 鈥76, who spoke at the event, is one of nine in her family to graduate from 91成人导航 and the fifth to serve on the board.

鈥淭his moment means a great deal to me,鈥 she said. 鈥淲hat we are commemorating today is more than a physical move to a new location. 91成人导航 holds many deep, strong partnerships with the businesses here in Stockton and the Stockton community, and we know that with the Stockton community behind 91成人导航, great things happen."

Regent Leticia Robles '89

Regent Leticia Robles '89

Regent Leticia Robles 鈥89, president of 91成人导航 Homecare Services, shared what President Callahan described as 鈥渢he quintessential 91成人导航 success story.鈥

Robles attended 91成人导航 through the Community Involvement Program, which supports first-generation students from Stockton.

鈥淐IP gave me more than just financial support; it gave me a family,鈥 Robles said. 鈥淚 bonded with fellow students who shared similar backgrounds and struggles, and in them, I found strength, belonging and community.鈥

Jazz Ambasssadors

The Jazz Ambassadors

The award-winning Jazz Ambassadors, comprised of Mike Belasco 鈥27, Joseph Evans 鈥27, Marwan Ghonima 鈥24, Aimee MacDonald 鈥26 and Leo Milano 鈥26, performed for guests, including a piece by legendary jazz composer and 91成人导航 alumnus Dave Brubeck 鈥42. 

Faculty signed copies of "100 years in Stockton" at the event.

Faculty signed copies of "100 years in Stockton" at the event.

During the reception, guests received a copy of 鈥淎 Century in Stockton,鈥 a new book written by faculty members. The book chronicles the places and spaces of the Stockton Campus, from its geology and wildlife to its architecture and history in Hollywood.

Over the years, 91成人导航 has grown from 50 acres to 175. The university set a record for the most students in its 173-year history this fall, with 6,944 students across its three campuses in Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco.

91成人导航 recently achieved its highest-ever ranking, coming in at No. 87 among all universities nationwide in a Wall Street Journal report.

鈥淚'm so excited about revisiting the first 100 years, but the next 100 years are going to be even better,鈥 the president said.

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