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The week in photos: CMU's 132nd Birthday

| Author: Aaron Mills | Media Contact: Aaron Mills

In honor of Central Michigan University's 132nd birthday, we're looking back at some historic and iconic images from years past.

A black and white photo from 1959 shows six men standing around a table as Michigan's Governor Gerhard Williams signs a paper declaring CMU as a university.
CMU’s fifth President, Dr. Charles L. Anspach, receives a pen from Governor Gerhard Williams. That pen was used to officially declare Central Michigan College’s status as a four-year university (1959).
An undated black and white photo shows three CMU students standing next to the Central Michigan College seal.
Three students stand beside the Central Michigan College Seal. The Seal was designed by Flint sophomore, Pete Keszler, and was approved by the Michigan State Board of Education in the spring of 1954. (unknown)
A low-profile view of the CMU seal in Warriner Mall with the sun peering through a tree with maroon colored leaves.
Today, the Seal stands as a landmark location on campus, a prime destination for professional photos and selfies. Inscribed below the center are the latin words, “sapientia, virtus, amicitia” – wisdom, character and friendship. (2016)
Central State Normal School’s football team poses for a group photo in a sepia tone colored photo from 1908.
Central State Normal School’s football team poses for a group photo in 1905.
The CMU football team runs onto the field in a large group with a sign reading Central Michigan Athletics in the background.
CMU’s football team takes the field in their home opener against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (2024). CMU’s division 1 football program has been home to football greats, including Dan LeFevour, Ray Bentley, Cullen Jenkins and Joe Staley.
An undated black and white photo shows a group of CMU students sitting in the lounge area of the Keeler Union building – known today as the Bovee University Center.
A group of CMU students sit in the lounge area of the Keeler Union building – known today as the Bovee University Center. (unknown)
Members of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe pound a ceremonial drum, commemorating the unveiling of a mural honoring their history in the Bovee University Center.
Members of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe pound a ceremonial drum inside the Bovee University Center commemorating the unveiling of a mural honoring their history (2022). The steel artwork of the state of Michigan can still be seen in the lounge area today.
A black and white photo from 1987 shows rolls of toilet paper streaming down onto a basketball court.
Students and fans participate in the toilet paper toss at a men’s basketball game against rival school Western Michigan University (1987). The tradition began during the 1982-83 season, with fans tossing toilet paper onto the court following CMU’s first basket of the game. The fad usually resulted in a technical foul against CMU, and as a result, the tradition has been halted and brought back several times by the athletic department.
Toilet paper streams down onto a basketball court as President Davies stands on the court during a pre-game ceremony.
CMU’s 15th President, Bob Davies, celebrates with players on the court for the 40th anniversary of the toilet paper toss in McGuirk Arena (2023). Today, the toilet paper toss remains a beloved tradition by CMU students and fans – and is far less disruptive now that it occurs outside of game time.
An undated black and white photo shows Alumni members of CMU’s Marching Chippewas performing a halftime show during homecoming festivities.
Alumni members of CMU’s Marching Chippewas perform a halftime show during homecoming festivities on Alumni Field. (unknown)
As the CMU alumnus stands holding a clarinet alongside members of the CMU marching band while on the turf at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Today, 102 years after their founding, members of the Marching Chips still return to campus to perform alongside their friends at homecoming (2021).

 

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