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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

After years of helping others settle in, Carlie Howell celebrates her own graduation. Photo taken by Mark Robertson on April 26.

Carlie Howell’s campus journey: reflections from a student RA

Maya DeHoyos, Reporter
May 20, 2025

Having helped guide many students, nervous and excited,  through the uncertainty of their first year at college, Carlie Howell now begins her own new adventure. As the Leadcat Resident Advisor and...

Royal Larkspur surrounding Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park. Photo taken by Alexis Bunch on April 11.

Wildflowers have sprung into action in Upper Bidwell Park

Alexis Bunch, Reporter
May 9, 2025

Throughout the healing landscapes of Upper Bidwell Park, purple and yellow wildflowers fill the trails around Horseshoe Lake. With less than a year since the fourth largest wildfire in California history,...

Marley Wood-Pilkinton adding final touches to her “Day On The Green” mural. Photo taken by Alexis Bunch on April 9.

The artist behind the Hub’s chalk wall

Alexis Bunch, Reporter
May 8, 2025

With art supplies predominantly used by young children, colorful murals are created by Marley Wood-Pilkinton at the Hub at Éstom Jámani Courtyard’s blackboard. While making these murals isn't a requirement...

Leslie Cornick shares a moment with a rehab harbor seal pup in Seward, Alaska, where she completed her PhD research. Photo courtesy of Leslie Cornick.

‘Everyone has a story’: Provost Leslie Cornick reflects on her journey

Lexi Lynn, Reporter
May 6, 2025

“Your path doesn’t have to be linear – and sometimes the more interesting path is the one that is not linear,” said Provost Leslie Cornick. The provost and vice president of Academic Affairs has...

Nicolette Aarons on a Europe trip with her family in Barcelona. Photo Courtesy of Nicolette Aarons.

Student Spotlight: Nicolette Aarons

Rachel Shawver, Reporter
April 30, 2025

For Nicolette Aarons, photography isn't just a hobby; it's a way to bottle up joy, passion and memories so they can be relived for years. Now at Chico State, whether she’s capturing the magic of live...

Personnel from CalRecycle, California Department of Food and Agriculture and the State Water Board studying livestock composting piles. Photo courtesy of Kasey DeAtley.

Professor Kasey DeAtley proposes trailblazing livestock composting bill

Elena Mendonsa, Reporter
April 24, 2025

When the average person contemplates the process of livestock production, they might envision a cow being raised on a pasture then sent to a meat-packing facility. However, there is far more that goes...

Seniors shovel dirt over the 2025 time capsule. Photo taken by Lexi Lynn on April 23.

Class of 2025 keeps timeless tradition alive

Lexi Lynn and Chris Hutton
April 23, 2025

Graduating students, friends, faculty and community members gathered outside Kendall Hall to preserve the graduating class of 2025’s memorabilia, commemorating their time at Chico State.  The ceremony...

A restaurant on wheels, the Kelly’s Gourmet Food’s truck operates solely on the Chico State campus. Photo taken by Elena Mendonsa on April 17.

Kelly’s Gourmet Foods truck brings students cheesy goodness

Elena Mendonsa, Reporter
April 23, 2025

On Wednesday afternoon I arrived back at campus after a three hour lab at the University Farm. Tired and hungry, I made the trek across campus to Kelly's Gourmet Foods’ cheesesteak truck located by Holt...

A variety of locally grown produce is one of the main attractions of the Thursday Night Market.

Thursday night market’s impact on downtown businesses

Brynna Garcia, Reporter
April 16, 2025

As the Thursday Night Market kicked off its 27th season on April 10, the streets of downtown Chico were filled with people, vendors, music and entertainment.  Downtown businesses usually close around...

AI Immersion day begins Tuesday to students, faculty and staff heading to Sylvester's 100 to learn more about the new system. Photo taken by Chris Hutton on April 15

Campus community reacts to ChatGPT Edu

Chris Hutton, Entertainment and Features Editor
April 15, 2025

As ChatGPT Edu enters campus, students, faculty and staff consider the ways campus learning will be impacted by the new tool.  ChatGPT Edu is a large language model geared for academia. It was acquired...

The dining hall brings in the most of Dining Service's revenue, offering a wide selection of meal options and a salad bar. Photo taken by Chris Hutton April 14.

Dining Services plans massive changes over the next 5 years

Chris Hutton, Entertainment and Features Editor
April 14, 2025

Emerging from a pandemic, the Camp Fire, enrollment drop, hybridization of classes and the threat of a buyout, Chico State’s Dining Services is gearing up to implement a 5-year plan to reshape all its...

An attendee holds a handmade sign under her arm that reads, “Forever in our hearts.” A photo of Athena and a dove adorn the bottom of the poster. Photo taken by Lexi Lynn on April 10.

A light that won’t go out: Community gathers by candlelight to remember Athena Passidakis

Lexi Lynn, Reporter
April 11, 2025

Around 100 people gathered on Kendall Lawn Thursday night to grieve the wrongful death of Athena Passidakis. Among the poignant crowd were friends, coworkers and community members. Athena was only...