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Limited Copies Remaining: Here’s Why This Book Is a Must-Have

Legends and Legacies Over 100 years of Fullerton College

They say a picture is worth a thousand words—but when combined with over a century of legacy, perseverance, and pride, those pictures become priceless.

Legends and Legacies: Over 100 Years of Fullerton College isn’t just a book—it’s a living, breathing tribute to the people, places, and moments that transformed a small community college in Orange County into one of the most respected institutions in California.

Here’s Why This Book Belongs on Your Shelf:

📘 A Century of Storytelling in One Volume

From the college’s humble beginnings in 1913 to its modern-day achievements, this 156-page hardcover captures unforgettable milestones, student movements, faculty breakthroughs, and transformative historical events.

🖼️ Stunning Archival Photos

Carefully curated images bring the past to life—featuring early campus buildings, legendary coaches, student protests, performances, and even vintage Kayak Club races down Harbor Boulevard.

🧑‍🎓 Personal Stories, Real Voices

You’ll meet Hornets who survived internment camps, served in world wars, broke social barriers, and shaped California’s cultural and political landscape—all while earning their education at Fullerton College.

💛 A True Collector’s Edition

Printed in limited quantities, this book is as much a keepsake as it is a historical record. It’s perfect for alumni, educators, community members, and anyone who believes in the power of accessible education.

🎓 Proceeds That Make a Difference

Every dollar goes directly to student scholarships and educational field trips—ensuring that today’s students continue writing the next chapters of Fullerton College history.


🚨 As of March 31, 2025, Only 30 Copies Remain!

Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Don’t miss your chance to own a rare and meaningful piece of Fullerton College history.

🛒 Visit FullertonLegends.com to order your copy today

and help support the next generation of Hornets.

Once a Hornet, Always a Hornet.

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10 Historic Moments That Shaped Fullerton College

Legends and Legacies Over 100 years of Fullerton College

Fullerton College, founded in 1913, is more than just California’s oldest community college—it’s a living legacy of transformation, innovation, and resilience. From orange groves to global engagement, here are ten pivotal moments that helped shape this remarkable institution:

1. Founding in 1913: California’s Bold New Experiment

Fullerton Junior College began as an extension of Fullerton Union High School, becoming one of California’s first junior colleges. Visionary leadership saw a need to prepare local students for both academic and vocational futures—a mission that still drives the college today.

2. The Great Depression & WPA Construction

During the 1930s, Fullerton College expanded its campus with support from the Work Projects Administration (WPA), resulting in the iconic Spanish-style buildings that remain a cornerstone of campus identity.

3. Women’s Suffrage Movement & Early Activism

In 1911, California women won the right to vote—thanks in part to activists in Orange County. Fullerton College aligned with these early movements, later becoming a home for civic engagement and social justice initiatives that continue today.

4. WWII & The G.I. Bill Transformation

The college’s role shifted dramatically during and after World War II. With the introduction of the G.I. Bill in 1944, returning veterans flooded the campus, transforming the college into a launching pad for a new American middle class.

5. Japanese American Internment and Honorary Degrees

During WWII, Japanese American students were forced out of school due to Executive Order 9066. In 2010, Fullerton College awarded honorary degrees to students like Stella Asawa Yano and Mitsuko Funakoshi, recognizing their interrupted educational journeys and resilience.

6. The Rise of the Student Press

The Torch and Hornet newspapers have served as platforms for student voice since the 1920s. Under visionary advisors like Richard Borst, Larry Taylor, and Jay Seidel, the campus press evolved into an award-winning and socially engaged institution of its own.

7. The 1938 Flood & Natural Disasters

Five days of heavy rain devastated Orange County, including Fullerton. Students and faculty supported each other through crisis—a theme that has continued through earthquakes, fires, and pandemics.

8. Civil Rights & Campus Cultural Shifts

From anti-war protests in the Vietnam era to modern-day diversity festivals like Worldfest, Fullerton College has always reflected—and responded to—the evolving cultural landscape of Southern California.

9. The Centennial Celebration & Campus Transformation

In 2013, Fullerton College celebrated 100 years with fanfare, reflection, and a wave of new infrastructure projects—from state-of-the-art STEM buildings to performing arts facilities. These developments blended modern needs with historic charm.

10. Once a Hornet, Always a Hornet

Coach Hal Sherbeck’s famous phrase from 1965 became more than a motto—it became a unifying belief for students, alumni, and staff. The enduring spirit of the “Hornet Family” is woven throughout every classroom, hallway, and memory made on campus.


Don’t Miss Your Chance to Own This Legacy

These stories—and so many more—come to life in Legends and Legacies: Over 100 Years of Fullerton College, a beautifully designed 156-page hardcover book that honors the triumphs, trials, and transformative people who made this institution what it is today.

As of March 31, 2025, only 30 copies remain.

Own a piece of history—and support future Hornets—with every purchase.

🛒 Get your copy before they’re gone forever.

All proceeds support student scholarships and educational field trips.

Order now at FullertonLegends.com

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Book Launch Event Tuesday, Nov 12, 2024

We are having a book launch & Fundraiser on Tuesday, November 12, 4:30 pm Cruz Reynoso Hall, Bldg 200, Rm 224 The event is FREE. Pre-order a book at: fullertonlegends.com

Fullerton, CA – Join us for an exciting evening celebrating the launch of Legends and Legacies: Over 100 Years of Fullerton College, co-authored by Emeritus Dean Robert Jensen and Professor Gary Graves. The book captures the vibrant history and milestones of California’s oldest community college, spanning over a century of educational excellence and community impact.

Event Details:

  • Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
  • Time: 4:30 PM
  • Location: Cruz Reynoso Hall, Building 200, Room 224, Fullerton College
  • Admission: FREE

About the Event:

This special book launch and fundraiser event is open to the public. Attendees will have the chance to meet the authors, hear about the college’s storied history, and celebrate the contributions that Fullerton College has made to its students and the wider community.

Pre-order your copy of Legends and Legacies today at fullertonlegends.com. The book is priced at $45 plus taxes, or you can receive a free copy with a $250 donation. All net profits from book sales will be donated to scholarships and student field trips, directly benefiting future generations of Fullerton College students.

Why Attend?

  • Be among the first to get your copy of Legends and Legacies.
  • Support scholarships and student field trips through your donations and book purchases.
  • Pick up pre-ordered books at the event.
  • Celebrate the rich history of Fullerton College alongside alumni, faculty, and community members.

About the Book:

Legends and Legacies: Over 100 Years of Fullerton College is a 156-page, illustrated exploration of the college’s journey from its humble beginnings in 1913 to becoming a pillar of higher education in California. The book is a treasure for anyone with ties to the college or an interest in its historical significance.

Don’t miss this opportunity to support Fullerton College and take home a piece of its legacy!

For more information and to pre-order your book, visit: fullertonlegends.com

Contact:
Gary T. Graves
Professor, Business Division
Fullerton College
ggraves@fullcoll.edu
(714) 264-8778