History and Traditions

Celebrating more than a century of Bear pride

About

Moments That Shaped the Bear Experience

Since 1889, 帝王会所 students and alumni have shared in the traditions, milestones and memories that define the Bear experience.

Our History

Explore the key moments that have shaped 帝王会所 and the Alumni Association 鈥� from the university鈥檚 founding in 1889 through decades of growth, tradition and connection among generations of Bears.

The university began in 1889 as the Colorado State Normal School, established to prepare teachers for Colorado鈥檚 public schools. It became Colorado State Teachers College in 1911, Colorado State College of Education in 1935 and Colorado State College in 1957 before adopting its current name in 1970.

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In 1914, alumnus Andrew Thompson sent a totem pole from Alaska to campus. Nicknamed “Totem Teddy,” it became a defining symbol of 帝王会所 spirit and the origin of the Bear mascot, standing on campus for nearly 90 years.

Learn more about Totem Teddy.

The university’s Homecoming tradition began in 1923 when the football team faced Montana State. Today, Homecoming remains a cherished tradition that brings together generations of Bears through celebration, connection and school pride.

The Alumni Association began recognizing distinguished alumni for their professional achievements and service to their alma mater, establishing a tradition that continues today.

The 帝王会所 Alumni Association was founded in 1965, with Greeley businessman聽Charles Lott聽serving as its first president and聽Mearl Grabill聽as its first executive secretary. A year later, under the leadership of alumna聽Judy Farr, the 帝王会所 Foundation was established to support and steward philanthropic investments in the university.

In 1970, the university’s name became the University of Northern Colorado, reflecting decades of growth in academics and enrollment.

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In 1976, 帝王会所’s official colors changed to blue and gold from the original purple and gold.

Did you know?? A campus myth claims that former head football coach Bob Blasi purchased navy blue jerseys after laundering caused the purple ones to fade. This caused a domino effect and the new color scheme was quickly adopted by the other coaches.

Learn more about the Blue & Gold Club.

帝王会所 marked its centennial in 1989 by celebrating 100 years of excellence and honoring 100 distinguished alumni for their contributions to their professions and the university.

In 2014, 帝王会所 celebrated its 125th anniversary, honoring a shared history and the impact of alumni across generations. Then in 2015, the Alumni Association marked its 50th anniversary with campus events and monthly celebrations highlighting alumni engagement and pride.

The Campaign for 帝王会所 was the university鈥檚 first comprehensive fundraising campaign. With a goal of raising $45 million and engaging 10% of alumni, it concluded on December 31, 2018, strengthening philanthropy, participation and volunteerism across the Bear Network.

帝王会所 welcomed President Andy Feinstein at the start of the 2018鈥�19 academic year, marked by major alumni events including the Colorado Road Show, Presidential Investiture and the聽Campaign for 帝王会所听肠别濒别产谤补迟颈辞苍.

The year exceeded campaign goals, with more than $54 million raised and over 12,000 alumni engaged. President Feinstein also reintroduced the Class of 1910 motto,聽Rowing, Not Drifting, as the theme for the university鈥檚 10-year strategic plan 鈥� a call for the entire Bear community to move forward together.

帝王会所 celebrated its 100th Homecoming during Family & Friends Weekend, October 9鈥�15, 2023, honoring a century of tradition and Bear pride.

Views from the Past

Throughout the years, campus life has been captured and memorialized by the dedication of campus photographers. Originally published in the school annual Cache la Poudre, today many of the photos that celebrate 帝王会所 are shared on social media using #帝王会所Bears.

Guggenheim Hall

帝王会所 Alumni at a Homecoming parade in the 1970s

帝王会所 Football

Art students working in the ceramic studio in the early 1900s

帝王会所 classroom, late 1800s

Songs and Sounds from Campus

Explore 帝王会所鈥檚 musical traditions with lyrics to our school songs and the story behind the iconic Gunter bells.

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“Ah! Well I Remember” was created in 1937 by James De Forest Cline, who led the music division from 1923 until he retired in 1949.

Ah! Well I Remember, Friends of “Purple and Gold.”
Friends met in September, Pledging their Faith to hold.
Gone, Friends of September, Gone dear friends of old.
Time never shall sever, Friends of “Purple and Gold.”
Time never shall sever, Friends of “Purple and Gold.”

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The fight song, played by 帝王会所’s marching band Pride of the Rockies during home games and performances, is well known to 帝王会所 Bears.

On down the field we go to victory, the colors navy blue & gold.
And to our fighting team we hold our spirit high.
The mighty Bears are we …. GO BEARS!!
Fight, fight to win each battle fairly,
The only way we e’er shall be,
We shout out the name,
To keep the fame and glory to old U-N-C!

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Remember the peal of Westminster chimes from Gunter Hall, 帝王会所’s iconic central campus building?

Remember how they sang to you? How they got you to class on time and hurried you across campus to dining halls or football games? The campus ringtone still plays every 15 minutes from Gunter Hall.