Commons

How UCR Became the Highlanders

Though numerous nominations for a campus mascot –including Rocks, Tigers, and Aphids – were presented to UCR’s charter students in 1954, “Hylander” emerged from a spirited write-in campaign. Later changed to “Highlander,” the theme acknowledged the campus’ elevation relative to the rest of the city. Scottish traditions naturally evolved.

The Scottish Highlands (A' Ghàidhealtachd in Gaelic) include the rugged and mountainous regions of Scotland north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault. The Highlands are popularly described as one of the most scenic regions of Europe.

Scottish Influence on UCR’s Housing Buildings

The tradition of naming housing buildings after places in Scotland began with the first residence hall, Aberdeen-Inverness, which opened in 1959. It is named for two Scottish port cities.

Lothian Residence Hall opened in 1963 and was named for the Lothian Borders in the south of Scotland. Bannockburn, which was originally an off-campus housing facility before the university purchased it, is named after a famous battle site.

The new campus apartments near an arroyo at the northeast corner of campus will be called Glen Mor. “Glen Mor bisects the Scottish Highlands, so it seemed an appropriate name for an area bisected by an arroyo,” said Andy Plumley, director of housing services for UC Riverside.

Housing services recently purchased an existing 220-unit apartment complex formerly known as Highlander Ridge for $31.4 million. Plumley said the complex will be re-named Falkirk, for the location of a famous battle in 1298, when King Edward I defeated William Wallace.

“We’re the Highlanders and we like our Scottish names,” he said. “We won’t run out of new names any time soon.”

The UCR Pipe Band

The UCR Pipe Band is part of the External Relations division of the University of California, Riverside, and serves as an ambassador for the campus. The band is comprised of a diverse group of musicians performing a wide range of Celtic music played on bagpipes and drums.

The UCR Pipe Band has been incorporated into the music curriculum, enabling students to get credit for performing and taking lessons on pipes or drums. UCR is one of a handful of universities in the world where a student can earn a degree in music playing Scottish pipes or drums.

The UCR Pipe Band won first prize in the Grade 4 Pipe Band Competition in the quick march and timed medleys at the 2007 Highland Games in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Braveheart Bear Statue

Legend has it that UCR's first Provost (at the time that was like the Chancellor) Gordon Watkins was a bear wrestler in his youth. During his first week on campus, a wild bear had prevented the "C" from being constructed on the side of the Box Springs mountains. According to legend, Provost Watkins wrestled the bear into submission, and in remembrance of that fateful day, it was bronzed and memorialized in the Athletics building.

UCR Campus Landmarks

The “C”on the side of the Box Springs Mountains

The “C” is a hallmark at all UC campuses, but at UCR, our “C” continues to be student-inspired. Students campaigned to have a “C” on the side of the Box Springs Mountains that would be bigger than that of any other campus, especially Berkeley. Early in the 1954-55 school year, a group of UCR students assembled on the roof of Weber Hall while another group gathered at the selected spot on the Box Springs Mountains. Using survey equipment and walkie-talkies, and guided by the students on Weber, students laid out the frame for the “C.” In 1958, the E.L. Yeager Construction Company finished off the “C” in cement. To date, it is the largest “C” in the UC system. Periodically, and at significant campus events such as Homecoming, the “C” is lit up or painted blue and gold. It has also been used as the target for campus pranks repeatedly since it’s inception. (For example, a “C -” during finals week.)

Bell Tower

Built in 1965-66 as a gift to the campus by Philip and Dorothy Marmon Boyd, the Bell Tower is 161 feet high, weighs 15 tons with a 78-foot deep underground foundation and a 48-bell carillon. Each of the Bell Tower’s 5,162 holes light up at night, creating an airy impression. Bells range from more than 5,000 pounds to just 28 pounds and are housed in a bell chamber at the top of the tower. A carilloneur plays the bells using an instrument much like an organ. During the academic year, live performances occur weekly on Mondays at noon, with few exceptions. David Christensen, appointed in 1987, is the current University Carillonneur.

Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens are a living plant museum with more than 3,500 plant species from around the world to be enjoyed and studied. The Gardens are a source of plant materials for courses at UCR and other local schools including anthropology, art, biology, botany, ecology, entomology, landscape plants, morphology, ornamental horticulture, plant pathology, photography and taxonomy. The varied terrain and Riverside's subtropical climate create numerous "microclimates" which allow for a notable diversity of plantings. This wealth of vegetation creates a hospitable sanctuary for wildlife, where nearly 200 bird species have been officially observed.

Citrus Experiment Station

Two cottages and a stable on the east side of Mt. Rubidoux comprised the entire station when it opened in 1907 as part of the statewide Agricultural Experiment Station, developed by the University of California. The landmark building was erected in 1917 and served as the foundation of the new UC Riverside campus when it opened in 1954.  The historic structure now houses the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management.

UC Riverside Trademark

This is the official trademark of the University of California Riverside. The Blue and Gold represented herein are the official school colors (see other page above), and the sunburst revealed within the "R" of Riverside, reflects the warmth of the southern california environment.

University of California Seal

The UC Seal The present seal, designed by Tiffany and Company, has been used since 1910. The seal incorporates symbolic icons and phrases that represent the image of the University.

Symbols used include:

* The open book, which symbolized the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge.
* The letter "A", representing the beginning of wisdom.
* The five-pointed star above the book represents the discovery and sharing of knowledge. 
* The University motto, "Fiat Lux", or "Let There be Light", displayed on a scroll, represents the coming of light and knowledge in to the world.

UCR Colors: The Blue and Gold

Every school in the University of California System has some combination of blue and gold as their school colors. The colors were selected for the university by a committee of students at what is now UC Berkeley in June 1873. Blue was considered because of the sky and the landscape, the student cadet uniforms and the number of Yale graduates who were instrumental in the founding and administration of the university. Gold was considered because of California’s designation as the Golden State and the color of many native wildflowers, such as the California Golden Poppy. Unable to decide between the two, the committee asked their female classmates to decide. Student Rebekah Bragg Cummings suggested using both colors, and the committee agreed.

The Tartan

The UC Riverside tartan, was developed with the expert aid of Linda Clifford with contributions by pipe band members Josh Taylor & Robbie Conacher. The tartan has been registered with the proper authorities in Scotland. The graphic representation shown is an approximation of the finished tartan. The blue is a "Royal" blue, the gold slightly more brass and less mustard in color. This tartan has been added to the official UCR logos and other trademark protected properties owned by the University of California.

The Chancellor’s Medal

The Chancellor's Medal The Chancellor's Medal is worn at ceremonial observances as a part of the chancellor's regalia. At the center is the University of California seal. The back of the medal displays the names of the campus' chancellors and year he or she was inaugurated.

The UC Riverside Mace

The UC Riverside Mace was first suggested by Ramon J. Rhine, Chair of the Academic Senate, to represent the dignity and history of the campus. Professor Emeritus George Helmkamp designed and constructed the ceremonial mace, with Eugene L. Ethridge of the Chemistry Department contributing metal work. The mace was first carried on October 6, 1987 at UC's Founder's Day Faculty Procession, by Professor Rhine. The UC Riverside mace was hand crafted with inlaid woods, with the head and shaft made out of Hawaiian Koa wood. The light inlaid wood is Yellow Fir from Canada, and the dark inlays are Desert Ironwood. The base is in the shape of a citrus fruit, representing UCR's Citrus Experiment Station. The top ornament is the bear of the State of California. Seals of California and the University are mounted on opposite sides of the mace's head.