University chancellors and presidents join with mascots on the steps of California's capitol building. Photo by Kelly Lacefield.

On the Capitol Steps

Orange County Education Leaders and Mascots Meet With Legislators in Sacramento

May 9, 2008

Cal State Fullerton's Tuffy Titan joined with some of his fellow higher education mascots (a bottlenose dolphin, a red-headed hawk, an anteater and a rustler with a ten-gallon hat) in Sacramento on Thursday, May 8.

Their mission? To accompany their chancellors and presidents in an unprecedented gathering at the State Capitol to meet with lawmakers about their colleges and universities' contributions to the state's economy.

In addition to President Milton A. Gordon, other leaders and supporters included Chancellor Michael V. Drake from UCI, Chancellor Edward Hernandez of Rancho Santiago Community College District, Chancellor Raghu Mathur of South Orange County Community College District, Chancellor Ken Yglesias of Coast Community College District and Rudy Hanley, CEO of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.

The goal of the meetings was to stress the collective value of higher education in workforce preparation and the economic well-being of Orange County and the state. Educators argued that all three state higher-education systems provide coursework, academic degrees, workforce training and economic development, all of which drive the economic engine of California.

And in the spirit of cooperation, Tuffy and UCI's mascot, Peter the Anteater, agreed to a truce in their intracounty rivalry, urging state leaders to support higher education.