Campus History | Colors and Logo | Mascot | Commencement Traditions
In the Office of Alumni Relations at UCCS, we are working to find out what experiences our alumni share in regard to their alma mater. Was there a favorite place on campus you enjoyed spending time? A fun activity you participated in while living in campus housing? An organization in which you were a member?
As we begin collecting this information to build the UCCS alumni legacy, we want to hear from you. Consider taking a moment to write and tell us not only what you loved about you alma mater but also how the education you received here has impacted your life.
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In 1965, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs moved to a craggy hill with a panoramic view of Pikes Peak. Known as the Cragmor Parcel, this became the UCCS home for a growing following of scholars. Now, more than 40 years later, the university offers a broad range of degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences in addition to professional programs in business, engineering, nursing, education and public affairs to meet the needs of Colorado's second-largest metropolitan area and beyond. |
In 2001, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities recognized the connection between UCCS and its community, naming it along with Arizona State University-West as America's most engaged college campus. But the connection between campus and community dates back many years, as do CU's ties to Colorado Springs.
As early as the 1920s, CU offered courses at numerous city locations including Colorado College and various storefronts. By the mid-1960s, community leaders were pressing for a full-fledged CU presence in the community.
In his negotiations with then-Governor John Love, HP co-founder David Packard stipulated a CU campus in Colorado Springs to support the continued development of company employees. The combination of the state's desire to attract Hewlett-Packard to Colorado Springs and George T. Dwire's sale of the defunct 80-acre Cragmor Sanatorium property for $1 led to birth of UCCS.
UCCS now offers 29 bachelor's, 18 masters and four doctoral degrees and aims to become the premier comprehensive regional research university in the nation with 10,000-12,000 students. In recent years, U.S. News and World Report named UCCS a top Western public university, placing it seventh in its most recent edition. In addition to its academic programs, UCCS fields 14 men's and women's NCAA Division II sports teams and has a full range of student life programming.
From its original 80 acres, UCCS has added 440 additional acres to its holdings along the Austin Bluffs in northeast Colorado Springs. Fully 97 percent of the land was donated as community members recognized the university’s potential.
In 2000, the CU Board of Regents designated UCCS as the CU growth campus. In 2003, the Legislature approved revisions in the university's statutory role and mission to remove geographic and program restrictions. In 2005, the Regents approved a seven-year plan that calls for the university to add to its base of 7,547 students (Fall 2006), 508 faculty and 425 staff.
The 2006-2012 plan calls for growth to 9,100 students with corresponding increases in faculty, staff, programs and campus infrastructure.
Learn more about UCCS' history and view archival photos of the campus.
The official UCCS colors are Black and Gold. UCCS also has a Blue accent. In short, when people see black and gold with a touch of blue, they should immediately think UCCS.
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Whether it's the artistic logo on UCCS shuttles, photos on uccs.edu, the marble statue in the University Center Plaza, or Boomer igniting the crowd at games and campus events, the mountain lion is an integral part of campus life. But how did the mountain lion become part of UCCS' fiber? It all started in 1998 when the Student Government Association established a suggestion box to choose a mascot. The suggestions received were a golden eagle; a prospector; and, overwhelmingly, a mountain lion. |
Student Co-Executive Michelle McWhinney explained, "UCCS students approved the mountain lion in spring, 1998, and a committee worked with graphic designers to make sure the UCCS representation of a mountain lion was unique, and didn't look like any other copyrighted designs.”
Since that time, the mountain lion has been the UCCS symbol. Boomer, the costumed mascot that appears at athletic events, arrived a couple of years later. Minutes of an Oct. 2003 regents meeting refer to the introduction of Boomer and then-UCCS Athletic Director Randy Cubero saying that student government and athletics share the costs and profits related to the mascot. Boomer was officially introduced at Fall Fest Oct. 4, 2003 and is fast approaching its sixth birthday.
The mountain lion, the mountain lion logo, and Boomer are all officially adopted symbols for UCCS and are here to stay.
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On June 9, 1935, President Norlin, an articulate speaker, gave a baccalaureate address that has become the traditional charge to graduates of the University of Colorado. It is now read at each commencement on all four University of Colorado campuses. He said in part: "The university consists of all who come into and go forth from her halls, who are touched by her influence and who carry on her spirit. Wherever you go, the university goes with you." This charge has inspired generations of graduates ever since. |
At the close of each Commencement ceremony, graduates are asked to join in the singing of the Alma Mater. The lyrics of the Alma Mater are as follows:
Hail, all hail our Alma Mater!
Ever will our hearts be true:
You will live with us forever,
Loyal we will be with you.
We will sing forever your praises,
Ever more our love renew,
Pledge our whole devotion to you.
Dear old CU!