CHICO — Originally from Watsonville, Chico State student Lucas Hernandez remembers when he made a tough decision choosing between San Bernardino State and Chico State for college.
“I was drawn to the LA scene, but I heard how welcoming everyone was in Chico,” Hernandez said. “It was an easy transition.”
On Saturday, prospective Chico State students faced with the same big decision headed to the campus for Wildcat Preview, an open house event aimed at attracting new students. The event featured booths of various clubs and departments, music, and speeches by school officials including President Steve Perez. Wildcat Preview is part of Wildcat Weekend, which includes various events the school puts on in partnership with downtown.
Hernandez, a game development major (as in video games), spent the day tabling with the computer graphics club. He and his club mates expressed passion for their major, adding that it is difficult to find a school with game design as an option for a major.
According to Animation Career Review, Cal State East Bay is the only other state school in California that offers the major.
Prospective students
For Abigail Southworth, a 17-year-old Durham High School student, the most important factors in picking a college are “money and scholarships.” She attended the preview with her high school classmates, each holding a glossy Chico State brochure while waiting outside Laxson Auditorium for President Perez’s speech.
“My parents really want me to go to Butte (College) for two years,” Southworth said. “I think it’s a good option.”
After completing two years at Butte she is considering transferring to Chico State.
Wildcat Weekend attendees mill about Chico State during Wildcat Preview in Chico, California on Saturday Oct. 5, 2024. (Molly Myers/Enterprise-Record)
“I think there’s a lot of opportunity here,” Southworth said.
Prospective student Sam Bower, 26, is considering Chico State — despite the fact he already has a degree in bioengineering.
Originally from Half Moon Bay, Bower got his degree from UC Santa Cruz and has been working in the bioengineering field for almost three years. However, he’s come to realize he wants to pursue electrical engineering and is leaning toward a bachelor’s degree in the subject at Chico State. He’s drawn to Chico State for the “intimate class sizes” and the city itself.
“I like the country vibe,” Bower said about Chico. “It’s like Davis but with the foothills of the Sierras.”
Administration
During his speech, President Perez began speaking into the mic, while sitting in the back of Laxson Auditorium with the crowd. Families turned their heads and laughed seeing him unexpectedly not on the stage.
“I thought, well, to figure out exactly what you could expect today, maybe I should actually do it like you’re doing it. So here I am out in the beautiful Laxson auditorium,” Perez said.
Chico State student Callum Standish sets up a display at Wildcat Preview on Saturday Oct. 5, 2024 at Chico State in Chico, California. (Molly Myers/Enterprise-Record)
Perez slowly made his way to the stage, saying hello to individuals and getting names. Perez continued his speech inviting students, and their families, to imagine being student at Chico State as they walked around campus.
“That’s what I want you to be thinking about … Is this the place for you?” he asked. “I think it is. It’s a very special place.”
According to Andrew Staples, Chico State public relations manager, around 2,500 people were at the event by 9:30 a.m., adding that enrollment is up by 3.9%.
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