San Diego Normal School, 1910

San Diego State was founded in 1897 as the San Diego Normal School. This is the original building, designed by Iriving Gill. The building was demolished in 1955.

San Diego Normal School graduating class of 1901

The San Diego Normal School focused on teacher training. Most of the students during the early years were women. Notice there’s only one male graduate in this photo.

San Diego Normal School Football Team, 1908

Professors had to join the San Diego Normal School football team because there weren't enough male students to form a full team.

San Diego Normal School Library, 1905

The Library has grown quite a bit in the past 115 years! It now houses over 1.3 million print titles, numerous online databases and features instruction rooms, a DH Center, a makerspace, special collections, a computing hub, and so much more!

New College Site, 1929

San Diego State moved to its current location on the mesa in 1931.

Aerial View of San Diego State, 1948

Women in a Microbiology Lab, c. 1950s

San Diego State University, Imperial Valley

SDSU founded the Imperial Valley campus in 1959. Today it boasts 12 bachelor's programs and 5 master's degrees.

Backdoor Mural, 1976

Originally located in the Aztec Center, this mural was painted by Arturo Anselmo Roman and students in his Chicano mural art class. The mural is dedicated to the Aztec god of music.

Women’s Studies Department at a demonstration on campus, 1976

The Women’s Studies program at SDSU was the first in the nation. The Department celebrates their 50th anniversary this year!

MEChA Event, 1987

A mariachi band plays on the Free Speech steps of the old student union during a MEChA event. MEChA played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department on campus in 1969 and remains an important student group on campus today.

Black Repertory Total Theatrical Experience, 1987

Award winning choreographer Danny Scarborough established SDSU’s Black Repertory Total Theatrical Experience in 1977.

Graduates, no date

To all the students graduating in May, congratulations!

Women’s Basketball Team, no date

We’re always talking about the men but the women’s teams have won several conference championships too!

Football game, no date

For all the sports fans!

Hepner Hall, 1994

Hepner Hall was one of the original buildings on campus and serves as backdrop to many a campus photo.

Library Dome, no date

The iconic Library dome opened in 1996.

Bookstacks, no date

For those of you wanting to look especially studious.