In 1957 orange trees easily outnumbered residents, but there was a vision that a small college could be carved into the groves northeast of downtown Fullerton. In less than 50 years, that vision has been replaced with a reality that would surpass even the expectations of the university’s founders. Today Cal State Fullerton has blossomed into one of the fastest-growing, dynamic universities in the California State University system.

Not only has the physical campus evolved to serve the needs of students and the surrounding communities, but the face of the university community mirrors the rich, multicultural diversity of Southern California.

The university has also branched out beyond the city of Fullerton bringing excellent programs to south Orange County both with the El Toro Campus and the MBA program at the Irvine Spectrum. The campus teamed with the city of Santa Ana to revitalize its downtown area and create a unique educational opportunity for College of the Arts students at the
Grand Central Arts Center.

A number of new projects are underway to further enlarge the campus that once seemed so remote. Opening in January 2006, the new Performing Arts Center is a project that has been over thirty years in the making. The largest of our eight colleges, Business and Economics, is set to break ground for their new home, Mihaylo Hall, in 2006.

As our campus community prepares for a celebration of our 50th anniversary, it is with great pride that we take a look at our past and eagerly anticipate the future. Cal State Fullerton has cultivated a rich tradition of academic excellence, athletic achievement and community involvement. These accomplishments serve as our guideposts as we plan the next 50 years.