The Aggie Spirit: Chronicling Student Life Through the University Archives
The “Aggie Spirit” is a term that emerged in the early days of UC Davis, when it was still the University Farm, to describe the particular character of our school pride and identity. This exhibit celebrates that spirit of warmth, optimism, friendliness, cooperation and charity, and the traditions and quirks that make our campus unique.
Experience UC Davis in a whole new way through this exhibition of historic photographs, yearbooks, artifacts and documents from the University Archives (a part of the library’s Special Collections) which highlight six areas of student life on campus:
- Academics
- Student Traditions and Activities, such as Picnic Day and Pajamarino
- Sports and the Band
- Housing and Campus Life
- Transportation
- Fashion
And, naturally, bikes. Lots of bikes.
Selected Images from the Exhibit
This 1962 publicity photo was intended to show UC Davis as a bicycle-friendly campus. Chancellor Emil Mrak led an initiative to create a network of bike paths around the campus.
A group of female students in the 1960s try on their dinks, the beanie that UC Davis freshmen were required to wear prior to the Frosh-Soph brawl.
This photo, likely from the 1920s, shows University Farm students learning the finer points of cattle judging. UC Davis was known as UC Berkeley’s University Farm during its early decades following its founding in 1908.
Five coeds in front of West Hall demonstrate fashion typical of the post-war 1940s (with the addition of paper bag hats).
Whole Earth Festival poster from 1977.
J.C. Timmons at the basket during the Aggies Division II basketball championship win over Kentucky Wesleyan in 1998.
Two early occupants of the Domes in Baggins End shortly after their construction in 1972.