Imagine the Valley without the Bulldogs
An illustrative look at the extent of the university’s impact in Central California and beyond
By Eddie Hughes (’05)
Illustration by Todd Graves (’03)
Ever thought about what the Valley would look like without Fresno State? Where would the teachers come from? The nurses? The businesspeople? What about law enforcement, elected officials and media? Who would educate and prepare the engineers?
Where would the food come from that you ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner? What would the entertainment scene be like without Fresno State athletics? Would there still be pride in the Valley without the “Pride of the Valley?”
It’s easy to talk about the impressive stats – 80% of Fresno State graduates stay and work in the Valley – but have you ever truly thought about what the region would look like without its flagship university?
In this special issue of Fresno State Magazine, we’ll present a fun, imaginative glimpse into a Valley without Fresno State – and more specifically, a Valley without the talented people, professionals and future leaders the university produces.
Fresno State is here to stay. And that’s why the community’s support is more important than ever as the university prepares to fuel the economy for future generations.
So as you’re flipping from page to page, let your mind wander. Consider the what ifs. Think about the 6,000 or so graduates per year that Fresno State is ushering into the job market, the 24,000-plus students each year who will become the next generation of leaders, the 242,000-plus living alumni and their many contributions locally, statewide and across the globe. Consider the first-generation graduates changing the trajectories of their families and elevating their communities, large and small. It is often said that Fresno State is an economic engine – and this issue highlights the reasons why.
