City Considers Contest to Find a Catchy Motto

A partnership formed in 1995 by the city and Chamber of Commerce to promote Fullerton’s schools, colleges and universities will shift into high gear this year, starting with adoption of a new city motto that captures the spirit of the campaign, officials said.

At a meeting last month, City Council members debated adding the phrase “Fullerton--The Education Community,” proposed by businesswoman Bahia Wilson, to all city stationery but decided that the wording was not compelling.

“I’d like something a little snappier,” Councilwoman Jan M. Flory said.

Wilson, who hosts a cable-TV talk show, said the city “represents the finest in educational institutions.” The motto, she said, “should be something that sticks in your mind.”

To come up with something catchy, the council is now considering a contest in which students from Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton College, Western State University and the city’s elementary, middle and high schools could compete.

City officials said they hope to announce the contest soon. Once the motto is chosen, it will be used on city stationery and promotional materials.

Chamber officials said the purpose of the partnership with the city is to tout Fullerton’s educational institutions and to get the word out that no other Orange County city has such a broad academic community.

The goal is eventually to establish a center where people can get information about all of the city’s educational resources, said Pat Soderquist, chairwoman of the chamber’s education committee. The motto, she said, “is only the beginning.”