CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY’S

PHOTO OF THE YEAR

Reminisce on meaningful moments from the 2023-24 academic year with photos captured by photographers from each of our 23 universities. Each shot encapsulates a part of the CSU spirit. Cast your vote for your favorite at the bottom of the page to help choose the year’s winning submission.

CSU Bakersfield

EJ Medellin, student photographer

CSU Bakersfield celebrated OUTober 2023 with a performance by Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles in front of the student union. This photo captures the excitement, vibrancy and unbridled sense of fun of one of the attendees of the event. Moments like these, in the life of our campus, show how CSUB comes together to celebrate each other and our community.

CSU CHANNEL ISLANDS

Jessica Chiang, '15, Art alumna and campus graphic designer

Thousands of PK-8 kids and their families showed up for CSUCI's March 2024 STEAM Carnival, the new version of its annual Science Carnival, designed to include the “A" for arts in the traditional science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) event. The Science Carnival has been held at various PK-8 schools since it was launched in 2009, but this was the first time the carnival was held on campus. Dozens of students, faculty, staff and community volunteers created more than 72 free hands-on experiments and activities for students and their families, such as a mock archaeological dig, an eyeball dissection and physics lessons through blowing bubbles.

Chico State

Jason Halley, university photographer

Rebecca Graham, a master's student in exercise physiology at Chico State, uses a pipette to transport a measured volume of liquid in the Kinesiology Biochemistry Lab. Chico State's “captivating educational backdrop" is one of its four brand pillars, as the university builds upon the perception that students will learn and work in a beautiful place and have access to state-of-the-art research spaces. It also emphasizes “Catalysts for Change" as faculty and students work together on groundbreaking research to solve the unprecedented challenges of the 21st century. This unique angle showing the focus and dedication of its researchers showcases Chico State's exemplary programs, academic excellence and contributions to science.

CSU Dominguez Hills

Matt Brown, university photographer

CSU Dominguez Hills students go fly fishing at South Lake in Bishop, California, located in the state's Eastern Sierra region. For nearly a decade, George Wing, CSUDH lecturer and director of the intermural program, has been teaching an intermural course in fly fishing. The camping and fishing trip comes after hours spent learning to tie flies to lines and practicing casting in the university's swimming pool. “It's been life-changing for a lot of them," Wing says. “I get texts and photos from former students all the time. Now they're going camping and fishing with their own children."

Cal State East Bay

Garvin Tso, campus photographer/videographer

At Cal State East Bay, improv dancing is an inclusive art form. Dance faculty member Eric Kupers creates spaces for intimate shared experiences, healing and celebration, where staff, students and faculty can all participate.

Fresno State

Cary Edmondson, university photographer

This entry showcases a photo that was taken during Fresno State's home opener football game. Athletics is a major pillar of the university's brand and unites the community unlike anything else in the region. This photo illustrates the power of the university's Red Wave fan base, filling the stadium to cheer on their 'Dogs, while also capturing a beautiful sunset representative of the vibrant Central Valley. This combination of the breathtaking sky and its engaged alumni and friends perfectly illustrates why Fresno State is the Pride of the Valley.

Cal State Fullerton

Matt Gush, university photographer

Featured in Titan magazine, Cal State Fullerton alumna Christina House ('06) won a coveted Pulitzer Prize for feature photography in 2023 for a piece that tells the story of Mckenzie Trahan, a 22-year-old pregnant woman living on Hollywood's streets. House started working on the photography for the project in 2018 and stayed with it until its publication in 2022. During that time, House accompanied Trahan throughout her pregnancy, photographing her life on the streets, her visits to the hospital and the birth of her baby.

Cal Poly Humboldt

Kellie Jo Brown, university photographer

On the rugged coast of Trinidad, California, not far from Cal Poly Humboldt's Telonicher Marine Lab, first year Marine Biology and Oceanography students study calico surfperch they had caught earlier using a seine net. The experience is part of the Rising Tides program, one of 15 Place-Based Learning Communities offered at the university. These PBLCs are designed to help freshmen build a sense of belonging with a community of like-minded peers in similar disciplines. Students find an immersive introduction to the region, exploring the environment and cultures of Humboldt County through hands-on field trips and activities that connect them to their major and interests.

Cal State Long Beach

Sean DuFrene, campus photographer

Pacific Standard Time, directed by Christine Guter, is the top vocal jazz ensemble from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at Cal State Long Beach. The award-winning group has been recognized as one of the best ensembles by the DownBeat Student Music Awards for the past 14 years. It is a highly selective ensemble, requiring refined musicianship and improvisation skills. The men, shown in the photo, represent the tenors and basses of the group.

Cal State LA

Emilio Flores, photo and video manager

Student-athletes from the Cal State LA volleyball team celebrate in the locker room moments after winning their first NCAA DII National Championship. The Golden Eagles defeated the national champions, West Texas A&M, during a hard-fought battle at Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. The team went into the NCAA tournament as the underdogs and were considered by many to be a true "Cinderella Story." They made history by becoming the first in Cal State LA's volleyball program to win a National Championship as well as the school's first women's sports team to win a NCAA National Championship since the NCAA-era that started in 1982.

Cal Maritime

Michael J. Dumont, interim president

The U.S. Training Ship Golden Bear departs the Cal Maritime campus in Vallejo, California, to begin her 12,500 nautical mile journey around the Pacific Rim as part of the 2024 Summer Sea Term. Each summer, first- and third-year cadets set off for a two-month voyage with licensed faculty instructors and watch officers to get hands-on learning experience abroad the ship that will prepare them for careers as mariners.

Cal State Monterey Bay

Brent Dundore-Arias, multimedia strategy lead and university photographer

Elise Vasquez, left, Cal State Monterey Bay environmental science master's student, and Stefanie Kortman ('20, M.S. Environmental Science), CSUMB senior lab technician and alumna, check nitrous oxide readings on a Salinas Valley farm. Their work is part of a study measuring off-gassing from Salinas Valley agricultural fields. Knowing when these gases are most prevalent allows farmers to adjust their fertilizing and watering in order to reduce greenhouse-contributing emissions. The program also allows the large number of student interns involved to apply the practical scientific protocols they have learned to real-world agricultural practices.

CSUN

Ringo Chiu, senior photographer

CSUN staff photographer David J. Hawkins, second from right, captures images of Universal Design Center staff during a photo session as student photographer Sonia Gurrola, right, observes at the University Library. Hawkins's body language and focus demonstrate his commitment to capturing the perfect shot, while Gurrola's presence symbolizes the passing of knowledge from experienced professionals to the next generation of photographers. The photo showcases the talent and dedication of the photography team, the importance of documenting and celebrating the diverse staff members who contribute to the university's mission and the power of visual storytelling to foster connection within the community.

Cal Poly Pomona

Tom Zasadzinski, university photographer

This image depicts Cal Poly Pomona's women's track and field team competing in a lip sync contest with other athletic teams at a welcome back barbeque marking the beginning of the school year. Each team picked a song from a hat and were given just a few minutes to come up with the choreography for their performance. The team put together a performance to “Boyfriend" by Justin Bieber that won them the contest. These same women went on to defend their CCAA conference title for the third straight year in May 2024.

Sacramento State

Bibiana Ortiz, visual communications specialist

Undergraduate student and amateur mixed martial arts athlete Aranjot Kaur maintains sharp focus during a training session. Kaur is an ambassador for Sacramento State's Combat U, the nation's first collegiate combat sports and mixed martial arts program. Students now have an opportunity to receive a quality education and world-class mixed martial arts training. Combat U was created through a partnership with UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, who will serve as the program's executive coach.

Cal State San Bernardino

Rodrigo Pena, digital media production specialist

A Cal State San Bernardino student gains hand-on experience at the university's state-of-the-art glass-making facility. CSUSB alumni have shared their skills in the art form on the Netflix show, “Blown Away," which has featured Cal State San Bernardino art professor and distinguished glass artist Katherine Gray, who served as a resident evaluator.

San Diego State

Erik Good, communications-public affairs specialist and photographer

Chair of Tribal Relations Jacob Alvarado Waipuk and a student from the SDSU Native Resource Center look on during a somber moment on Orange Shirt Day 2023. Established in 2013 and held on September 30 each year, Orange Shirt Day serves as a remembrance of the Native children who were forced to attend and suffered abuse at Saint Joseph's Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, British Columbia, between 1891 to 1981.

San Francisco State

Juan Montes, videographer

In this behind-the-scenes image from an SF State Magazine photoshoot, photojournalism student Corinne Allen adjusts the light on Professor of Dance Ray Tadio. The magazine story explores how Tadio infuses his work as a choreographer and teacher with inspirations from the traditional dances he encountered as a child in the Philippines. Taken in the campus's Garden of Remembrance area, which honors the Japanese American experience of incarceration during World War II, the photo captures a moment when a faculty member and student work together to tell a story that shines new light on the exceptional sharing and teaching that go on at SF State.

San José State

David Schmitz, photographer

San José State Judo Coach and Alumnus Yoshihiro “Yosh" Uchida poses with his long-time assistant Jan Masuda Cougill. Coach Yosh passed away on June 27, 2024, at the age of 104. He earned his bachelor's degree in biological sciences in 1947 and an honorary doctorate in 2004 from SJSU. He became the university's first judo coach in 1940 while enrolled as a student and returned to the role in 1946 after four years in the U.S. Army during World War II. Uchida served as coach for the remainder of his life, celebrating 75 years of service to SJSU in 2023.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Joe Johnston, senior university photographer

Twenty years after Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo developed the university's first mini-satellite, or CubeSat, a student team including Benjamin Kurtz and Gretta Thompson, pictured here, aims to launch its next project in under two years so each student can be part of the endeavor from start to finish. This CubeSat will explore how the radiation in space affects computer data corruption rates, a valuable insight that could impact future space missions.

CSU San Marcos

Kirra Robusto, photography student assistant

Shaun Heard, a CSU San Marcos alumnus and lecturer in the theatre department, brought the play "Detroit '67," a fictional story set against the 1967 Detroit race riots, to campus in October 2023 with the goal of giving students of color an education in American history and professional theater training. “I wanted to bring that heritage in, bring that story and bring that culture to this program," Heard said. The show resonated with students. Student-actor Kiani Brook noted, “I want the audience to not only feel inspired and educated, I want them to also grasp the emotions and the passion people felt."

Sonoma State

Brennan Chin, photographer

This photo appeared across social media and elsewhere as Sonoma State's students thanked everyone who contributed during the university's fourth annual Giving Day, held on April 4, 2024. Thanks to the generosity of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members, the university raised $430,117 to support programs and initiatives. Sonoma State had 321 alumni donors, as well as 326 first-time donors, supporting 157 different funds.

Stanislaus State

Bea Ahbeck Casson, photographer

Captured to highlight the sustainable garden at Stanislaus State, this image features Hector Vera ('17), a master gardener overseeing the project. The garden serves as a living classroom where faculty engage students in hands-on gardening techniques. Produce grown here is both sold to the campus's food service provider and donated to the university's food pantry. This image embodies Stanislaus State's commitment to experiential learning and sustainability. It showcases an alumnus leveraging his Stan State education to impact a new generation of students, reflecting the enduring legacy and influence of the Warrior community.

Submit Your Vote

Cast your vote below for Photo of the Year by Friday, August 16. The winner will be recognized at an upcoming CSU Board of Trustees meeting.

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