Fresno State News Briefs
City to State Pathway
Fresno City College students will soon be able to transfer more easily to Fresno State to continue their higher education journey with the launch of the City-to-State Transfer Program. The presidents of Fresno State and Fresno City College signed a memorandum of understanding, committing to increasing the number of transfer students.
“Fresno City College is a key educational partner in elevating the quality of life in our region; I am very pleased to partner with President Robert Pimentel on this significant collaboration,” says Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. ”This MOU will streamline the transfer process between Fresno City and Fresno State, helping remove barriers to Fresno State – a clear choice for our talented Fresno City College students, as we are a university with unparalleled value, rankings and a supportive community.”
Through this partnership, the two institutions seek to accomplish the following:
- Reduce matriculation barriers.
- Hire a jointly-funded, dedicated Fresno City College transfer counselor who will focus on this pathway.
- Create a summer transfer experience event, including undergraduate research projects, to take place at Fresno State.
- Continue strategic outreach programs.
“In partnership with Fresno City College, we look forward to designing programs that cater to the needs of future transfer students,” says Phong Yang, associate vice president for strategic enrollment management. “The City-To-State pathway increases access for future Fresno State transfer students to advising and support at a convenient location for them. We look forward to creating a more seamless transfer experience to the university.”
On average, about 900 Fresno City College students transfer to Fresno State each academic year. Leaders from both institutions hope to increase that number to more than 1,200.
– Lisa Bell
A Boost to Mobile Health
The College of Health and Human Services at Fresno State unveiled two new, state-of-the-art mobile health units on April 5.
From previously having one mobile unit to now having two, the expansion of the new, larger units mean students and faculty now have the capacity to serve even more Valley patients.
The new mobile health units were made possible by $4 million in state funds secured by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula. The Fresno State mobile health unit is run by Fresno State nursing faculty and students to provide free health care services and screenings to underserved communities in Fresno County.
Over 60 students have volunteered on the new mobile unit this semester. Second-semester nursing student Trevor MacDonald says one of the best parts about the new mobile units is the added space.
“The new mobile units have larger, more functional exam rooms and the capacity for more nursing students to volunteer at once, which means we are able to see even more patients,” MacDonald says. “Providing this patient education is a huge part of nursing and is helping to improve health literacy of our communities.
Since the original mobile health unit rolled out in fall 2015, nearly 18,000 patients have received health care services, with an additional 382 served since the introduction of the new unit.
– Melissa Tav
Fresno State Profs on Netflix
A nine-episode docuseries, “Turning Point: The Bomb and The Cold War,” premiered on March 12 on Netflix, featuring two Fresno State faculty members.
History professor Dr. Lori Clune is featured as a historian and expert on the Cold War.
“As a historian of modern U.S. history, I firmly believe that there are many lessons we can learn from the fascinating and disturbing history of the Cold War. I was proud to be interviewed for this thought-provoking documentary,” Clune says.
Hanayo Oya from Fresno State’s Department of Media, Communications and Journalism worked as a co-producer on the documentary, developing content and structure, researching, securing interviews, coordinating filming schedules and overseeing editing and post-production.
From Luminant Media and director Brian Knappenberger, “Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War” features interviews with over 100 people in seven different countries, interweaving their stories to show the rippling effects of the Cold War.
“Journalism is aligned with my values. It serves as a powerful tool for holding those in positions of power accountable for their actions and shedding light on injustices,” Oya said. “I consider journalism and documentary filmmaking to be two of the most exciting professions on this planet, and I feel so fortunate to be able to pursue both as my career. In the same vein, I feel grateful to help aspiring journalists and storytellers [at Fresno State] find their voices through my teaching.”
– Isabel Dieppa
DONOR IMPACT
$500,000 Gift Supports Transfer Students
Greg Tcherkoyan grew up in Fresno where he attended Roosevelt High School and Fresno City College with hopes of finishing his degree at Fresno State.
But he met his wife, Seta, who was a student at the University of California, Berkeley, and their love story led them to marriage at an early age and the start of their life in Oakland. Largely self-educated, Tcherkoyan earned certificates in real estate and securities law and led a successful career in the industry.
Neither finished their undergraduate degree.
“That is something they both regretted their whole lives,” says Kathleen McShane, the oldest of their three daughters. “They really believed in the power of education to help make a good life, and they were very intentional about wanting a college education for each of their three daughters.”
McShane earned a degree in political science, went on to get a law degree and earned a master’s in divinity. Her sister, Patti Jamgotchian, earned a degree in consumer textiles while youngest sister, Kirsti Tcherkoyan, got her degree in psychology.
Now, Greg and Seta are making sure that dream of getting an education will be in reach for many more students with a $500,000 gift to establish the Tcherkoyan Family Trust Scholarship at Fresno State. The scholarship, which supports transfer students who begin their higher education journey at a community college, honors the lives and commitment of Greg Tcherkoyan, who died in October 2022, and Seta, who died this past October.
This gift is a full circle moment, a completion of what they have wanted their lives to be about, which is helping other people, McShane says. The first scholarship is expected to be awarded during the 2025-26 academic year.
The Tcherkoyans, whose families moved to California in the 1940s, were generous donors to the Armenian Church, to disaster relief funds and to an orphanage in Armenia. Fresno and Fresno State have always been close to the family’s heart because it’s where they grew up, McShane and Jamgotchian say. Many family members still live in Fresno and extended family members graduated from the university.
Jamgotchian says, “Fresno State is very near and dear to our family and our family especially wants to give this gift to enrich the lives of future generations.”
– BoNhia Lee
AROUND THE FOUNTAIN
Research Political Polarization
Fresno State political science professor Dr. Lisa Bryant (right) is one of 28 Andrew Carnegie Fellows who will receive stipends of $200,000 each for research related to political polarization. Bryant’s research seeks to understand how and why society has become so polarized, and how strengthened cohesion can fortify democracy. Bryant’s winning project is titled “Polarizing the Process: Partisan Effects on Election Officials and Trust in Elections.”
New Minor Makes Waves
Fresno State is introducing a new minor, in collaboration with the California Water Institute, focusing on multiple facets of the water industry. This new water minor is designed for students who want to learn more about water systems in California, as well as those interested in water-related careers after graduation. The minor is open to all disciplines at Fresno State and allows students of any study background to learn more about the water management challenges that impact a reliable water supply.
1 million visits
For the first time since the pandemic, the Fresno State Library welcomed more than 1 million patrons during the 2023-24 academic year. In the fall 2023 semester, there were 512,948 visits, surpassing the number of visits for all of the 2021-22 academic year (443,606). Before 2020, the Fresno State Library gate counts were routinely over 1 million for each academic year.
’DOG BYTES
Retired Jerseys and Coaching Honors
Amanda Scott
Four-time All-American pitcher Amanda Scott had her No. 36 jersey retired on March 23 at Margie Wright Diamond. Scott was named the Most Outstanding Player after leading Fresno State to a 1998 national championship at the Women’s College World Series. She was three-time WAC Pitcher of the Year with a career record of 106-18 in the pitching circle from 1997-2000. The Bulldogs were 226-49 with four NCAA tournament berths, three WCWS appearances and three WAC championships in that span.
Donna Pickel
Donna Pickel, the inaugural coach of Fresno State softball who led the program to its first eight NCAA tournament appearances and two Women’s College World Series, was honored with her name displayed alongside the retired jerseys at Margie Wright Diamond on March 24. Pickel led the Bulldogs to a national runner-up finish in 1982 and a record of 306-146-7 in her eight seasons. She earned five conference Coach of the Year honors and also served as the women’s basketball coach.
Rod Higgins
Rod Higgins, the only Fresno State men’s basketball player to twice be recognized as an Associated Press All-American, had his No. 22 jersey retired on Feb. 24 at the Save Mart Center. He led the Bulldogs to back to back NCAA Tournament appearances in 1981and 1982 under coach Boyd Grant, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 1982 when Fresno State ranked No. 11 in the nation. Higgins was selected No. 31 overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1982 NBA Draft and enjoyed a 13-year NBA career with seven franchises, including the Bulls and Golden State Warriors. He has worked as an NBA executive for 20-plus years, most recently as vice president of basketball operations for the Atlanta Hawks.
Mike Batesole
Mike Batesole, who led Fresno State to its first College World Series championship in 2008, had his No. 44 jersey retired in ceremonies on Nov. 18 and 19. Batesole was the third consecutive Bulldogs coach to surpass 600 wins – following Bob Bennett and Pete Beiden – a feat no other college baseball program has ever accomplished. The two-time National Coach of the Year coached 89 Bulldogs who were selected in the MLB Draft in his 20 years, including five first-round picks. His Diamond ’Dogs won seven straight conference titles from 2006-12 and made six NCAA tournament appearances.
Aaron Judge
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge, the 2022 American League MVP who broke the all-time single-season AL home run record with 62, had his No. 29 Fresno State jersey retired in ceremonies on Nov. 18 and 19. Judge, who made the No. 99 famous in pinstripes, starred for the Bulldogs from 2011-13 before being drafted in the first round by the Yankees. He went on to win AL Rookie of the Year and became the first rookie to win the Home Run Derby in 2017. At Fresno State, Judge owned a .345 career batting average with 18 home runs and 109 RBI.
