The Evolution of Identity: A History of the University of California, Riverside's Visual and Cultural Symbols

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) has a rich history that is reflected in its evolving logos, traditions, and symbols. From its humble beginnings as a Citrus Experiment Station to its current status as a comprehensive research university, UCR's identity has been shaped by its unique location, its diverse student body, and its commitment to academic excellence. This article explores the history and significance of UCR's logos, mascot, traditions, and campus landmarks, tracing the development of the university's distinctive character.

From Citrus Roots to Academic Expansion

UCR's story begins in 1907 with the establishment of the UC Citrus Experiment Station (CES). Southern California was famous for growing citrus fruits in the early 1900s. The station was started in Riverside on February 14, 1907, to help this industry. It began on 23 acres (9 ha) of land. The station studied how to fertilize plants, irrigate fields, and improve crops. The original building was erected in 1917 and served as the foundation of the new UC Riverside campus when it opened in 1954.

After World War II, there was a big increase in college students as many soldiers returned home and wanted to go to college. Local leaders and citrus growers wanted a new college in Riverside. Gordon Samuel Watkins became the first leader of the new college in Riverside. He wanted it to be a small college focused on liberal arts, which are subjects like history, literature, and art.

By 1958, UCR had over 1,000 students. The University of California system decided to make Riverside a full university campus in 1959. Herman Theodore Spieth became UCR's first chancellor. He helped the school grow to hold up to 5,000 students. In the 1990s, UCR was chosen for fast growth. The goal was to have 19,900 students by 2010.

The Highlander Identity

In 1954, UCR welcomed its first college students. A key element of UCR's identity is its mascot and the traditions surrounding it.

Choosing the Highlander

When the university opened in February 1954, many students wanted a bear symbol in keeping with the traditional ursine mascots at UC Berkeley and UCLA. When the university opened in February 1954, many students wanted a bear symbol in keeping with the traditional ursine mascots at UC Berkeley and UCLA. The founding editors initially named the student newspaper "The Cub", and out of a total of 67 names entered in a contest to pick the mascot, "Cubs" was the most popular; however, many felt that this name would permanently denigrate the campus as a "little brother" of UCLA and Berkeley. In November 1954, the men's basketball team championed freshman Donna Lewis' suggestion of "Hylanders" as a write-in candidate in a run-off between "Cubs" and "Grizzlies." The corrected name won easily, as Provost Watkins was noted for speaking with a Welsh accent, and the UCR campus was located at the highest elevation among all UC schools. The "Highlanders" nickname was chosen in 1954 by UCR's first class of students. It reflects the campus's high location. Though numerous nominations for a campus mascot "including Rocks, Tigers, and Aphids" were presented to UCR's charter students in 1954, "Hylander" emerged from a spirited write-in campaign. Later changed to "Highlander," the theme acknowledged the campus' elevation relative to the rest of the city. The mascot is a bear named Scotty Highlander.

Scottish Influence

Scottish traditions naturally evolved. The Scottish Highlands include the rugged and mountainous regions of Scotland north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault. The tradition of naming housing buildings after places in Scotland began with the first residence hall, Aberdeen-Inverness, which opened in 1959. Lothian Residence Hall opened in 1963 and was named for the Lothian Borders in the south of Scotland. The Glen Mor campus apartments are located near an arroyo at the northeast corner of campus. The Falkirk apartment complex is named for the location of a famous battle in 1298, when King Edward I defeated William Wallace. Construction is now underway on the Dundee Student Housing and Glasgow Dining Project, which will house 820 students and include an 830-seat dining facility. Dundee is a city in the eastern central Lowlands of Scotland. "We're the Highlanders and we like our Scottish names," Plumley said.

The UCR Pipe Band and Tartan

The UCR Pipe Band is part of the External Relations division of the University of California, Riverside, and serves as an ambassador for the campus. The UCR Pipe Band has been incorporated into the music curriculum, enabling students to get credit for performing and taking lessons on pipes or drums. The UC Riverside tartan was developed with the expert aid of Linda Clifford with contributions by pipe band members Josh Taylor and Robbie Conacher. The tartan has been registered with the proper authorities in Scotland. The graphic representation shown is an approximation of the finished tartan. The blue is a "royal" blue, the gold slightly more brass and less mustard in color. On Wednesdays, Highlanders are encouraged to wear their blue and gold (or tartan, if they have it).

Campus Landmarks and Symbols

UCR's campus is home to several landmarks and symbols that contribute to its unique identity.

The "C" on Box Springs Mountain

The "C" is a hallmark at all UC campuses, but at UCR our "C" continues to be student-inspired. Students campaigned to have a "C" on the side of the Box Springs Mountains that would be bigger than that of any other campus, especially Berkeley. Early in the 1954-55 school year, a group of UCR students assembled on the roof of Weber Hall while another group gathered at the selected spot on the Box Springs Mountains. Using survey equipment and walkie-talkies, and guided by the students on Weber, students laid out the frame for the "C." In 1958, the E.L. Yeager Construction Company finished off the "C" in cement. To date, it is the largest "C" in the UC system. Periodically, and at significant campus events such as Homecoming, the "C" is lit up or painted blue and gold. It has also been used as the target for campus pranks repeatedly since it's inception.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

The Bell Tower

Built in 1965-66 as a gift to the campus by Philip and Dorothy Marmon Boyd, the Bell Tower is 161 feet high, weighs 15 tons with a 78-foot deep underground foundation and a 48-bell carillon. Each of the Bell Tower's 5,162 holes light up at night, creating an airy impression. Bells range from more than 5,000 pounds to just 28 pounds and are housed in a bell chamber at the top of the tower. A carilloneur plays the bells using an instrument much like an organ. During the academic year, live performances occur weekly on Mondays at noon, with few exceptions. At the center of campus near the Bell Tower, you'll find concerts or activities for all students to attend.

The Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens are a living plant museum with more than 3,500 plant species from around the world to be enjoyed and studied. The gardens are a source of plant materials for courses at UCR and other local schools including anthropology, art, biology, botany, ecology, entomology, landscape plants, morphology, ornamental horticulture, plant pathology, photography, and taxonomy. The varied terrain and Riverside's subtropical climate create numerous "microclimates" that allow for a notable diversity of plantings.

The UCR Seal and Mace

The present seal, designed by Tiffany and Company, has been used since 1910. The Chancellor's Medal is worn at ceremonial observances as a part of the chancellor's regalia. At the center is the University of California seal. The UC Riverside Mace was first carried by Ramon J. Rhine, chair of the Academic Senate, on Oct. 6, 1987. Professor Emeritus George Helmkamp designed and constructed the ceremonial mace, with Eugene L. Ethridge of the Chemistry Department contributing metal work. The academic mace represents the immortal dignity of the university. The UC Riverside mace was hand-crafted with inlaid woods, with the head and shaft made out of Hawaiian koa wood. The light inlaid wood is yellow fir from Canada and the dark inlays are desert ironwood, collected by Helmkamp throughout Southern California. The mace has ornaments at the top and on the base. The base is in the shape of a citrus fruit, representing UCR's Citrus Experiment Station. The top ornament is the bear of the State of California. Seals of California and the university are mounted on opposite sides of the mace's head.

Athletics and Visual Identity

UCR's sports teams are called the Highlanders. They play in NCAA Division I, which is the highest level of college sports. The newly-designed UCR Athletics logo, word marks and visual identity system, are the result of a year-long effort that included a creative development process involving coaches, staff, student-athletes and donors in discovery sessions and concept presentations. The updated UCR Athletics marks provide a bold, fresh and updated look which reflect the strength of the rising brand in the Big West Conference and the new logos and marks are a complete and unifying visual identity system that has the flexibility to be applied consistently across all uniforms, facilities, fan gear, digital media and print applications.

"We are quite pleased with our new look and proud of how it reflects the growing strength of our brand," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Tamica Smith Jones. "Our updated UCR Athletics visual identity system reflects a strong and distinctive presentation of our program while also conveying our overall expectation of driving us toward becoming a top-tier Division I program. Impress your friends as you belt out the UC Riverside Alma Mater and Fight Song at a basketball game or alongside other students during a bonfire.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Continued Growth and Evolution

UCR has continued to grow and evolve since its establishment. A medical school and a school of public policy opened in 2012. In 2006, UCR received a large gift of $15.5 million to help build its medical school. UCR offers many different study programs. Students can choose from 81 majors and 52 minors for their bachelor's degrees. There are also 48 master's degree programs and 42 PhD programs. UCR is special because it offers undergraduate degrees in creative writing and public policy.

UCR is recognized for its quality. News & World Report has ranked UCR as the top university in the nation for "social mobility" for several years in a row. Many UCR professors are highly respected. Since 1997, over 110 UCR faculty members have been chosen as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Several faculty members have also won Guggenheim Fellowships.

UCR is known for its diverse student body. In 2006, almost half of the admitted students were the first in their families to go to college. Many students also came from lower-income backgrounds. News ranked UCR as one of the most ethnically and economically diverse universities in the nation.

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