Peeking through the trees imagine the year is 1899. San Francisco State University is born. It began as the San Francisco State Normal School. Let’s step back in time and explore its evolution.
Initially the university resided on Powell Street. Can you picture it? It was between Clay and Sacramento Streets. The great 1906 earthquake forced a move. The campus found a temporary home at the Grant School in Oakland.
Ten days later San Francisco State found a new site. It was bound by Laguna Haight Buchanan and Hermann Streets. In 1921 the school became San Francisco State Teachers College. Bachelor’s degrees were now an option. By 1935 another name change occurred. It became San Francisco State College.
Fast forward to 1949. Master’s degrees were authorized. Imagine the expansion. San Francisco State became part of the California State College system in 1960.
Demonstrations marked the late 1960s. The Third World Liberation Front strike was the longest in US history. It spanned from November 1968 to March 1969.
In 1974, the institution was renamed San Francisco State University. But wait there is more.
Lynn Mahoney became the first woman president of San Francisco State in 2019. Isn’t that empowering?
Today San Francisco State University offers diverse programs. There are 126 bachelor’s degrees and 106 master’s degrees. It also has 3 doctoral degree programs.
The main campus spans 144.1 acres. It is located in the southwest part of San Francisco. San Francisco State is classified as a doctoral university with high research activity.
San Francisco State University is a Hispanic-serving institution. It is also an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander serving institution.
The university has a rich history of activism. In 1968 students struck for education reform. This led to the creation of the College of Ethnic Studies.
The campus is also home to unique collections. The Sutro Library houses genealogical records. The Poetry Center has the largest publicly accessible collection of poetry on tape.
The Gator mascot has evolved. It went from real alligators to Alli Gator with purple nails. San Francisco State University has a long legacy. It includes many notable alumni. There are 21 Pulitzer Prize winners and 16 Academy Award winners.
San Francisco State University has a lot to offer. Its history of activism is remarkable. Its commitment to diversity is commendable. The beautiful campus is definitely worth a visit. It’s a place where experience truly teaches.