This year, San Francisco State University is reflecting on and celebrating its evolution over 125 years. San Francisco State has undergone some dramatic changes over the years: There have been multiple names (beginning with “San Francisco State Normal School”), the main campus location has changed, and buildings have come and gone. Yet some beloved things — like students’ unwavering Gator spirit — remain unchanged. Below, view just a few snapshots of how campus has evolved over the decades.
Bird’s eye view of campus
SFSU’s main campus and its surrounding neighborhood have changed to keep up with the times. An aerial view from the past and 2018 shows just some of those updates. This year, that view will change once again with the addition of a new residential hall and science building.
Campus in late 1950s
Campus around 2018
New student orientation
For many incoming students, summer orientation is their first chance to explore academic experiences, make new friends and register for classes. In the 1960s, students used to line up around the block to enroll in classes. Luckily, these days students just need to hop on a computer to register for classes online.
1965 photo of students heading to gym to register for classes
Students registering for classes during orientation
The Quad, a campus hub
In many ways, the heart of campus is the Quad. People are constantly traversing the lush green area to get to their next class, table for one of SFSU’s 200-plus student organizations, eat lunch or just soak up some sunshine.
The Quad in the 1958
Recent photo of the Quad
Gator spirit
Although alligators are not native to San Francisco, that has never deterred the University’s Gator mascot. In 1931, students voted for the Gator to represent the school because it’s steadfast and strong. In 2023, our beloved Alli Gator underwent a “glow up” with fashionable SF State gear and purple manicure.
Twin Gator mascots from the 1950s
Alli Gator in 2023 after their latest makeover
Student research
Hands-on experiences in and outside of the classroom are critical to a Gator’s educational experience. Students in all colleges often work with leading faculty experts to conduct independent research projects. Many students present their work at on-campus research project showcases and national and international conferences. In 2023, the University launched SF State Create as a hub for these student activities and resources.
Students on microscopes way back when
Students conducting independent research today
SF State students on the air
The 2021 addition of Marcus Hall (and its state-of-the-art facilities) has improved students’ ability to produce a variety of media, including online student-run radio station KSFS. In 1942, Broadcasting (radio) was part of the curriculum for Speech, Drama and Radio.
Radio students in the 1940s
Student radio in 2024
Gators in the wild
For the last 75 years, SFSU’s Sierra Nevada Field Campus (SNFC) has been an invaluable resource for the University community. These days, it offers summer classes to students and community members and acts as a base camp for students and faculty researchers. Throughout its history, SNFC has been a training facility for teachers, a children’s camp, a retreat for creatives, a researcher base camp and so much more.
SNFC began in 1949 and was previously called Camp Leonard
Students, community members and researchers head to SNFC
Gators join the alumni family forever
SFSU’s Commencement is always a magical moment in a Gator’s journey. This year, more than 4,000 graduates attended the event at Oracle Park. We’ve come a long way from the first graduating class in 1901, which consisted of three dozen students, all women. In the early 1900s, San Francisco State Teachers College held Commencement at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley (left image).
Early 1900s Commencement at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley
2023 Commencement at Oracle Park
Visit the SFSU Photographic Timeline Project or University Archives to find more historic photos and learn more about University history.
Latest SF State News V2
- Playing the name game on SF State’s campus: a 125th anniversary retrospectiveGreat Gators of the past are gone but not forgotten thanks to some of the University’s most popular campus facilities
- Alum’s art showcased on new SF State water bottleArtist and alumnus Jordan Herren stands in from of painting that he made that hands in SF State's administration building while holding a water bottle he illustrated. University distributes reusable water bottles to campus community to reduce waste For the third year in a row, San Francisco State University welcomed the campus community to a new academic year with colorful, reusable aluminum water bottles — a subtle way of signaling that single-use plastic bottles are not welcome on campus. This year, for the first time, an alumnus is responsible for the artwork on the water bottle. “Hopefully, people will want to hang on to these bottles because of the dymanic design,” said San Francisco State Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations and University Engagement Nicole Lange. “And it’s a bonus that the design was created by an alumnus.” Lange’s responsible for the initial partnership with PATH, the company behind these customizable water bottles. She also approached artist Jordan Herren (B.A., ’13) about the project. Herren works in marketing but creates murals and paintings in his spare time. His work can be found across San Francisco, including at iconic places like the Ferry Building, the SF State campus and his high school in Daly City. His signature style is energetic and optimistic, he says, and it’s in this style that he captured SF State’s skyline for the water bottle. This isn’t the first time his art was featured at the University. In 2022, he created a colorful painting of the San Francisco skyline during a staff appreciation event to welcome back employees following quarantine. It hangs in the first floor of the Administration building.
- SF State marks new year at Opening ConvocationAt annual welcome event for faculty and staff, President Mahoney discusses protests, new buildings on campus
- SF State welcomes students to campus residence hallsNew six-story West Grove Commons adds 751 beds to University Housing
- Coffee, pho, syllabus: Students offer peers advice on living the Gator lifeThrough two peer mentor programs, students help students connect, learn and thrive
- GatorFest! 2024 welcomes students to campus and the cityThrough the annual festivities, new students can tour the region, go to Ikea and catch a comedy show with their fellow Gators
