A Brief History of Humboldt State University

Progressive from the Beginning

Humboldt State was founded during the Progressive Movement (1897-1917) in United States history - an exciting era that elevated education to national prominence. Progressives worked to lessen the negative consequences of industrialism. They sought to create a society that was economically equitable and socially just, with increased political participation by the masses.

So on June 16, 1913, California Gov. Hiram Johnson (an eventual sidekick of former-President Teddy Roosevelt) signed the law establishing "Humboldt State Normal School for the training and education of teachers and others in the art of instruction and governing the public schools of this state."

Three Humboldt County towns - Arcata, Eureka and Fortuna - waged a competition over where to locate the school. Led by William Preston, Arcata citizens won the effort by collecting pledges totaling $12,000, seeking approval to use 20 acres of land for agricultural experiments, and securing rooms in local residences to house as many as 100 students. Preston personally donated a twelve-and-a-half-acre site atop a hill now named in his honor.

Expanding to Accommodate Student Interest

Humboldt began its existence not on the hill, but on the flat land at 11th and M streets in Arcata, next to a switching yard of the Arcata and Mad River Railroad. April 6, 1914, was the opening day for 55 students attending Humboldt State Normal School. Nelson B. Van Matre, who had been the superintendent of public schools in Eureka, served as the first president.

Fifteen students were graduated in Humboldt's first commencement in 1916. By then the institution had graduated from its original site and was housed in temporary wooden buildings on a 51-acre parcel on the eastern slope of town.

In 1921, its name was changed to Humboldt State Teachers College. Founders Hall, Humboldt's most historically significant building, was completed the following year.

President Van Matre was succeeded in 1924 by Ralph W. Swetman. In 1930, Arthur S. Gist became president and followed Swetman's lead in expanding the campus.

The construction of Redwood Bowl, the University's forest-rimmed stadium, began as a Works Progress Administration project in 1930 with civil engineering classes providing the field computations. It took 15 years to transform what had been a 38-foot-deep gully (with a pond at its southern end) into a completed stadium. In 1935, the institution's name was changed to Humboldt State College.

Beginning in 1939, the college offered civilian pilot training with the Pierce Flying Service. These courses were discontinued just months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. During World War II, the curriculum was expanded to include "Commando Physical Fitness," "War-time Conversational French," a history course called "The War Today," and radio training for women. For defense, an observation post called "Skywatch,"was built atop the College Commons. Until it was repainted in 1948, Founders Hall was camouflaged to blend in with its forest backdrop.

In 1950, Cornelius H. Siemens, the author of a war-time textbook on aeronautics, became president of the institution. During Siemens' 23-year tenure, the campus was continually under construction to keep pace with a burgeoning student body.

Five buildings were dedicated on October 19, 1957: the Gymnasium, Art and Home Economics Building, Wildlife Building and Facilities, Music Building, and the Home Management Cottage where, according to the Humboldt Standard newspaper of the day, "Students actually live in the cottage for certain weeks and are responsible for budgeting, meal planning and preparation, laundry and all other household duties." Today the cottage, called the Brookins House, serves as offices for some of the engineering faculty.

On a May day in 1960, eight more buildings were dedicated: Administration and Business (now Siemens Hall), Language Arts, the Fieldhouse, the Natatorium, a cafeteria, the Health Center, Redwood Hall Men's Residence and Sunset Hall Women's Residence.

Other campus additions included the Telonicher Marine Laboratory (1966), Jolly Giant Commons (1968), the Canyon Residence Halls named after eight species of trees (1968), Forbes Physical Education Complex (1973), and a new science complex and greenhouse (1982).

The institution changed its name in 1972 to California State University, Humboldt. In 1974, the name was changed again to Humboldt State University.

Alistair W. McCrone, took the presidential mantle of office in 1974. Campus additions during his tenure included the Science Engineering Complex (1982), Natural History Museum (1989) and the Student and Business Services Building (1990).

Rock Solid for the Future

Geologically, Humboldt State University is built upon eons of deposits that have been uplifted by the forces of one continental plate wedging under another: That's how the hill upon which Founders Hall rests got here.

The geologic process mirrors the educational one. At the school on the hill, students learn from the accumulated knowledge of history; and, in the process, they are lifted to greater heights, to vantages revealing more of the world. Like those which build mountains, the forces behind the academic ascent are generally imperceptible as they occur, yet they are stunning in their sum. In their most dramatic instances, the forces of learning can even come as an explosive, seismic shifting of one's consciousness.

Like a forest emerging upon an uplifted ancient seabed, the academic disciplines at Humboldt have grown upon the deposits of forebears. This environment has been nurtured by increasing diversity: liberal arts and humanities, sciences, natural resources, business and technology, social sciences and education. As in the natural world which surrounds it, Humboldt's education is in constant succession: by upgrading their tools, modernizing their methods, and adjusting their foci, faculty members continually rededicate themselves to their discipline and how it can enhance society.

Yet certain bedrocks remain: From its founding in 1913 to the present, Humboldt State has been a progressive institution.

Humboldt State University's sixth president, Rollin C. Richmond, took office on July 1, 2002.

In his initial university address to faculty and staff in August 2002, he credited them for making Humboldt State a fine university with a solid reputation throughout California, the nation and many parts of the world. He promised to work together to make Humboldt State what "we want the university to become."

"The Humboldt State University community will strive to make a better world by helping people get the education they need to live fulfilling lives," President Richmond says. "We will do this by providing quality education, generating new knowledge, and helping to use knowledge for individuals and our community."

President Richmond has outlined a set of values for Humboldt - excellence, fairness, diversity, honesty, trust, and openness. He has refined the bearings for guiding Humboldt to its future, citing these as the university's goals:

Be student-centered.
Promote diversity of people and perspectives.
Practice social and environmental responsibility.
Be a role model for community involvement.
Promote responsible economic development.

For a detailed history of Humboldt State University, read 'A View from the Hill,' by William R. Tanner, available in the HSU Library.