Fresno State News Briefs
Catch up on the latest news and notes on campus
The Economic Engine That Could
Salvador Solorio-Ruiz grew up in Delano, a small Central Valley town where 22% of residents live in poverty, according to the U.S. Census. The son of immigrants, however, was bound for something different when he became the first in his family to graduate from college — Fresno State. He returned to his hometown, started working and won a seat on the Delano City Council.
“Fresno State not only prepared me for my career as a community engagement coordinator with a nonprofit (California Health Collaborative) but as a city councilmember,” he says. Solorio-Ruiz is one of the thousands of Fresno State graduates now working and contributing to the Valley economy.
A new report from the California State University system underscores the magnitude of the economic impact of Fresno State. For every dollar that California invests in Fresno State, $7.35 in statewide spending is generated. When alumni economic activity is considered, the $1 investment rises to $32.29 in return. In 2018-19, the state’s investment in Fresno State (operating and average capital appropriations) totaled $190.1 million.
In the 2018-19 academic year, Fresno State-related activity supported 11,142 jobs, $438.9 million in labor income and $1.3 billion in industry activity, and contributed $81.2 million in state and local tax revenue, according to the report, “The Impact of the California State University.”
“This report underscores the important connection that Fresno State has with our region,” says University President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “We are pleased to be a major contributor to the economic well-being of the Valley, as we have been for over a century.
“A Fresno State education improves the trajectory of the lives of students and their families, and elevates the quality of life in our region.”
For every $1 California invests in Fresno State, $7.35 in statewide spending is generated.
Fresno State-related activity supported:
- 11,142 jobs
- $438.9 million in labor income
- $1.3 billion in industry activity
- $81.2 million in state and local tax revenue
Bold Gives Back
Food for Thought
Lou and Jane Amendola have empathy for college students experiencing food insecurity.
“All students, I think, face food insecurity from time to time,” says Lou, owner and CEO of Valley Wide Beverage. “It’s nice to have someplace where students can go to grab something or make something, which puts a little less pressure on them, so they can do well in school.”
A generous gift of $1.5 million from the Amendola family will help to alleviate food insecurity for generations of students at Fresno State. Their endowment will ensure the financial sustainability of the Student Cupboard’s operations in perpetuity.
In recognition of their gift, the cupboard will be renamed The Amendola Family Student Cupboard.
“The positive impact of the Amendolas’ transformational gift on our students, the future leaders of our region, is immeasurable,” says University President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “We deeply appreciate Lou and Jane’s generosity in helping to remove barriers to our students’ success in their academic endeavors.”
The student cupboard provides Fresno State students who are experiencing food insecurity with free, fresh and nonperishable food items and personal care products.
When Jane heard about the student cupboard, she says, “I was just genuinely excited. I didn’t even know that kind of service would exist on a campus. To think that any future students, when they learn that the cupboard exists, will think ‘they care about us if we have a down day or a rough time.’ I think it’s a win-win for the students and the University.”
Since the student cupboard opened its doors in November 2014, it has had nearly 250,000 visits, serving 28,000 students. More than 43% of Fresno State students surveyed said they had experienced some level of food insecurity in the past year, according to a 2017 California State University study. During the 2019-20 academic year, 5,991 students visited the cupboard, totaling 40,670 visits.
“Our students can focus more fully on their studies if they aren’t worried about basic needs such as their next meal,” says Dr. Carolyn Coon, dean of students and acting vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Fresno State. “We want to give all of our students every opportunity to succeed. We couldn’t do that without support from University supporters like the Amendola family.”
For more information on how to support the basic needs of students, call 559.278.5052.
—Lisa Boyles Bell
Former Classmates Leave Future Legacy
Alumnus Ron Samuel (pictured above) was born in Los Banos into a large ranching operation and thought that would be his career path. However, the wide variety of opportunities at Fresno State, including the Alpha Gamma Rho agricultural fraternity, opened new doors. That included his first job with a grocery wholesaler, which led to several other related positions.
He later helped start Pacific West Produce, then sold the company more than 20 years ago. Today as an Ameriprise financial adviser, he proudly serves numerous agricultural clients.
“Agriculture is so great because you’re always surrounded by such hard-working, trustworthy people,” Samuel says. “Likewise, the campus farm and the agricultural programs and students have that same feel, and are so vital to the campus and the community.”
That same feeling is shared by John Gorter, Samuel’s classmate and fraternity brother, and his wife Carol Maughn Gorter (pictured right). Both also received agricultural economics degrees after growing up on Sacramento-area farms.
John applied his plant science concentration locally for 45 years as a senior pest control adviser for GAR Bennett and as Reedley College farm manager before he retired in October. Carol serves as a Bank of America senior vice president and is the risk executive for its food and agriculture portfolio in the Western United States.
“From our first visit to Fresno State (as Consumnes River College livestock judging team members), we knew it was the complete package of practical and theoretical learning, just like it is today,” John Gorter says.
They have reconnected to campus through the Ag One Foundation board of directors. Now, those ties have led them to support a new generation of Jordan College students by joining the Heritage Society, which honors alumni and friends who have included Fresno State in their will or made a planned gift.
“One big difference today is the cost of college,” Carol Gorter says. “This is a special opportunity for us to take a little burden off of students. They’re the future leaders of agriculture, which makes this a wise investment.”
For more information on planned giving opportunities, contact Liz Garvin at 559.278.4038 or egarvin@csufresno.edu.
To Top it Off
Fresno State celebrated a significant construction milestone on the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union with a ceremonial “topping off” event. Members of the campus community including students, donors, faculty and staff signed the last beam at the construction site before it was raised into the building’s highest position on March 26.
“We look forward to the completion of the Resnick Student Union next year, and the vibrant energy it will generate to support our talented students,” says University President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval.
The 84,000-square-foot Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union will include dynamic and flexible meeting spaces, dedicated spaces for clubs and organizations and a Town Center that opens directly to the outdoor landscaped spaces surrounding the building.
The Resnick Student Union is located east of the University Center and south of the Kennel Bookstore and will become the welcome center for campus visitors.
A $10 million investment from philanthropists and entrepreneurs Lynda and Stewart Resnick, owners of The Wonderful Company, is helping to support the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the new $60 million building. Students voted in 2018 to approve a fee increase that supports the construction and operation of the new facility.
— Lisa Boyles Bell
A New Way for Former Students to Finish Degrees
Guy Barnes, 30, was one class away from earning his bachelor’s degree in voice performance in 2013 when a dream job opportunity arose: Move to Washington D.C. to play in a military band for heads of state and elected officials around the world. He jumped at the chance.
Edith Magallon, 35, was alone in the U.S., her mother and five younger siblings were in Mexico, where her uncle was helping the family since her father’s death in 2004. In 2017, her uncle died, and she put her education dream on hold to take care of her family.
Barnes and Magallon left Fresno State before finishing their degrees — and have now returned as part of an inaugural cohort of 15 students who will complete a liberal arts degree.
The new program, nicknamed “Reconnect,” launched in August through the Division of Continuing and Global Education to support the development of flexible class offerings to improve student success, engagement and learning in an online modality. The program offers working professionals a second chance to complete their degree, regardless of the major they were originally pursuing.
The liberal arts degree allows students who have completed at least 70 units (at least 12 at Fresno State) and their lower division general education requirements (and left the University in good standing) to take classes in eight-week sessions. Classes will delve into California politics, literature and public health, plus a project or research to address a community problem.
— Michelle Deininger
Student Spotlight
Introducing the New Student-body President
Senior D’Aungillique Jackson, who was recently elected as Associated Students, Inc. president for the 2021-22 school year, earned the 2020 John D. Welty Award for Excellence in Community Service, which includes a $2,500 scholarship. The award is given each year to a student who exemplifies the commitment to service that Welty championed during his 22 years as president at Fresno State.
Inspired by her own initiative and deep investment in dismantling racism, Jackson, who is majoring in sociology and is also president of the campus chapter of the NAACP, has dedicated over 350 hours of service to the community during the past academic year.
“As an organizer, community service has always been a passion of mine,” Jackson says.
“In times of need it’s important that we come together to support one another, and this is something I will continue to practice. I’m so thankful and honored to have received this award.”
— Taylan Parker
Around the Fountain
600 Club
Fresno State became the first college baseball program in NCAA history to have three straight coaches reach 600 wins at the school. Coach Mike Batesole reached his 600th win on April 10, following Bob Bennett and Pete Beiden. The Bulldogs have had just three coaches since 1948.
White House Connection
Fun fact: the Cesar Chavez bust that now sits in the Oval Office was cast from the same model as the statue located in Fresno State’s Peace Garden. It’s one of 25 busts that were made when the Fresno State statue was commissioned.
A Jolly, Good Fellowship
Geography and city and regional planning professor Dr. Mohan Dangi was one of 14 selected nationwide for the Jefferson Science Fellowship. He will spend a year in Washington, D.C., advising government officials on topics of science that have bearing on U.S. foreign policy.
This is “Jeopardy!”
Dr. Frederick Nelson, professor and chair of the Department of Liberal Studies, appeared on two of the late host Alex Trebek’s final “Jeopardy!” airings in December on ABC. Nelson won $20,001 in his first appearance.
Passport Place
Passport services have now reopened on campus, by appointment only, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays in the Kremen Education building (Room 140). Visit fresnopassports.com for more information.
