The first school colors of the University of Arizona were sage and silver to symbolize the state’s mining industries. After a few short years, students voted to change the colors to cardinal red and navy blue!

John “Button” Salmon coined the phrase “tell them… tell them to bear down” shortly before his death in 1926. Today, the phrase is a rallying cry among Wildcat fans, alumni, and students.

The U.S.S. Arizona is marked around campus. The Memorial Student Union, completed in 2002, replicates features of the U.S.S. Arizona. In memory of the fallen on December 7, 1941, one of the Arizona’s two bells is enshrined in the Student Union tower.

Steward Observatory was officially established in 1916. Steward now operates or partners in telescopes in a number of Arizona locations, and locations in New Mexico and Chile. It has provided numerous instruments for different space and terrestrial telescopes.

The University’s mascot was founded after the first football team who “fought like Wildcats.” Pop McKale introduced the “Wildcats” to Tucson by leading them through the Main Gate at University Blvd.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will welcome approximately 500 incoming freshman this fall.