The university flag was lowered Thursday on campus to honor the passing of former Chico State President Paul Zingg. He passed away on April 9 at the age of 80.
He served as president from 2004 to 2016. Zingg is remembered for his investment in campus life and the university’s sustainability initiatives.
“Chico State benefited greatly from Paul Zingg’s leadership and vision,” President Steve Perez said. “His focus on student success, community engagement and sustainability helped shape the University’s culture in ways that still resonate today.”
Throughout his tenure, he displayed a commitment to sustainability and inclusivity by establishing programs to support students and help the university adapt to its changing demographics.
In 2006, Zingg was one of 12 founding signatories on the American Colleges & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, pledging that environmental consciousness and carbon neutrality would remain an institutional priority.
Professor Mark Stemen knew Zingg personally and worked with him to establish sustainability initiatives, work Stemen continues to this day.
“He was also the president who advocated for campus divestment of fossil fuels, which he did,” he said.
Born in New Jersey in 1934, he had a lifelong love for sports, something Stemen noted. Zingg also worked as a sports history consultant in 1994.
Stemen recalled Zingg’s love for sports.
“It showed when he declared triumphantly that ‘we would go for the gold’ and all new buildings on campus would be built to a LEAD Gold standard,” he said.
Zingg’s office was filled with sports paraphernalia, according to reporting from The Orion.
“Yes. It’s all about building a team. I’m a coach, a player and a fan,” Zingg told The Orion during a Q&A in 2015. “As president, I do all those things. I’m lucky to have many different roles, just like an athlete would have on a field or court.
“There’s a spree of spirit that comes from such organization in sports and especially at a university.”
Among his many accomplishments the university, Zingg established the University Diversity Council in 2014. The council’s aim is to maintain an atmosphere of equity and diversity for students.
He also played a pivotal role in bringing about the Wildcat Recreation Center, bringing new enthusiasm to the project, which was completed in 2009.
Before becoming president of Chico State, he earned his PhD in history from the University of Georgia, Athens, in 1974. According to the university traditions webpage, he had “published 10 books and nearly 100 articles on American higher education, student learning, educational leadership, sports history, and intercollegiate athletics.”
“You have to be true to whatever you are writing about, but at the same time you have to know your audience,” Zingg told The Orion during a Q&A in 2015. “Above all, it’s about being truthful. If you always tell the truth, your answer will always be the same.”
But Zingg’s tenure wasn’t all glamour. In 2015, the Academic Senate passed, 24-8, a statement of no confidence in Zingg’s leadership.
In August 2015, at his Fall Convention, he announced his retirement. Saying during the meeting that he chose to retire because of “my health, my love for my family and my deep commitment to the best interest of this university,” according to reporting from The Orion.
At his retirement party, The Orion reported him saying, “Sharing values with the campus community was, without a doubt, what I’ve valued most here,” he said. “It was a great ride.”
“Education is about self-discovery,” Zingg told The Orion during a Q&A from 2015. “What we have to do is provide for our students as many opportunities as we can so they can discover something about their values and their interests.”
Paul Zingg leaves behind his wife, Yasuko, and stepdaughters, Chiyo and Sachi.
Caden Huntley and Chris Hutton can be reached at [email protected].
