For the past nine years, the hallways of Sacramento Hall have been decorated with historical photographs that depict the early years of Sacramento State’s students, faculty and campus.

But the black-and-white photos that reminded those who walked the halls of the people and ideas that have transformed the college have become a part of history, for they have been replaced by colorful, updated images.

Both first and second levels of the east wing of Sac Hall are now adorned with photos that feature many of the university’s current top students and athletes and its award winning faculty and staff.

Images of the athletic program and notable campus landmarks are attributed, as well as the annual homecoming swarm photo taken in the Library Quad.

Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez said the new images depict a more accurate assessment of the university.

“We wanted to have more contemporary shots of what the students and the campus are really like,” Gonzalez said in a phone interview.

Gonzalez said the strategic placement of the pictures may also give prospective students a better idea of what to expect from the university.

“When people visit the campus, the first place they’re going to go is the information center on the first floor,” he said, citing the organized visitor tours of campus.

“They’re going to see a lot about what’s happening on campus from the moment they walk into the door,” the campus president said. Gonzalez also commented on the inspirational qualities of the images of students at the Capitol and students engaged in athletics, and images of the updated aquatic center.

Associate Vice President of Public Affairs Frank Whitlatch said the new images will better represent the contemporary campus.

“Our goal was to display the people and promise of the university,” Whitlatch said.

Whitlatch also said many of the images can also be found in several brochures and catalogues that are sent out to promote the university to students and alumni. The images are also featured on the university’s Web site: www.csus.edu.

The frames and printing of the photos cost approximately $14,300, while Facilities Management received $1,100 for taking down the old photos and hanging up the new ones in their place.

But the old photos aren’t gone forever; Gonzalez plans to display them on campus in the near future. The old photos were implemented in Sacramento Hall in 1997, as part of the 50-year celebration of the university.

“We’re going to have our 60th anniversary next year, and we may have a gala event,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez said there is a possibility of hanging the black-and-white images in either the Union or in the ballroom for the event.

For some people the updated images have brought a bright and welcoming change to the building.

“I think they give a more diverse picture of the university,” said Karen Robinson of Accounts Payable, which is on the first floor of the building.

“The photographers did a brilliant job. They really captured the diversity of the campus,” she said.

But not everyone was easily won over by the change.

Sophomore Gina Lombardo, who works in the Business Operation Administration Office, said the new images are missing something.

“It’s not that I dislike the new ones, but I just enjoyed the historical aspect of the black-and-white ones,” she said.

“They just made you realize how the campus came to be what it is today.” But don’t expect all of the approximately 30 new photos to be around for another nine years. In order remain up to date and recognize the campus’ best and brightest students and faculty, many photos will be changed on a regular basis.

“Our plan is to rotate out five to 10 photos every year,” Whitlatch said. “The pictures of the winners of the Dean’s Award and the President’s Award will be continually updated, as well as some others.”

The new pictures were taken by campus photographer Sam Parsons, former Public Affairs photographer Steve McKay and former Public Affairs student assistant Anthony Santos.

Josh Huggett can be reached at [email protected]