In 1962, an imposter was roaming campus, impersonating a Wildcat reporter to pry for information. That’s what columnist Tim Tregarthen reported in a Feb. 28 issue of The Wildcat, published 64 years ago to this day. He noted that Wildcatters were proud of this discovery, as “it used to be that Wildcat reporters went around trying to impersonate normal people,” but advised that people check a reporter’s identity before sharing sensitive information.
“Even the possibility that someone might be trying to act like us is enough to make you want to get out from behind your typewriter and cheer,” Tregarthen wrote.
Another story in the 10-page issue covered a benefit fashion show featuring 70 different apparel showings under the theme “Fair Sights.”
Funds from the show, sponsored by the Student Dames of Chico State College, contributed to “an increase in the amount of a loan fund for married students at Chico State.” At the time, the loan fund contained $300 (equivalent to $3,158 today) and married students could borrow a maximum of $50 with a 4% interest rate. Students whose wives were active, initiated members of the Dames could receive an interest-free loan.
For years, The Orion ran a section alternatively called “CSU Briefs: Information gathered from CSU student newspapers” or “CSU Briefs: News from CSU campuses” in each issue. In one issue published 26 years ago on this day, the campuses that made it into the section were Fresno, Stanislaus and San Diego.
Meat science students from Fresno State University won the “Hold the Mustard” award at the National Meat Association’s Annual Gourmet Sausagefest with their Bulldog Pepperjack Sausage entry, according to CSU’s newsline. The sausage is still being made today and can be found at The Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market at Fresno State.
In San Diego, three men who were charged with robbery and taken into custody were thought to be connected to a recent robbery at gunpoint of two San Diego State sorority students, according to the Daily Aztec.
In addition to heavy news and opinion coverage of an upcoming vote on the proposal to build the Wildcat Activity Center, then-Chico State President Manuel Esteban penned an open letter to students about the proposal. In his statement, Esteban emphasized that the center would be “an activity center for all, not just a recreation center for a few” and that market research showed students want a recreation center and support the fee increase.
Esteban also addressed the $65 million construction cost, explaining the funds would come from the sale of bonds and repayment would include an amount of interest already reflected in the fee increase.
“While I believe the payment for the WAC should come from the State of California, unfortunately, the state does not pay for recreation centers,” he wrote. “We only get funds to build academic buildings and support facilities to run the campus.”
Archives of The Wildcat and The Orion can be found online and in the Meriam Library on campus.
