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Fresno State Magazine - Alumni behind the Downtown Turnaround

Fresno State Magazine – Alumni behind the Downtown Turnaround

The following is based on a true story. It’s about the fall — and rise — of a downtown located Read "Fresno State Magazine – Alumni behind the Downtown Turnaround" [...]

Academics

New software helps students gain real-world skills

August 15th, 2018|0 Comments on "New software helps students gain real-world skills" 0 Comments

Fresno State will begin using PerfectMind software this fall for its Department of Recreation Administration curriculum to help students gain Read "New software helps students gain real-world skills" [...]

Campus & Community

Two faculty members familiar with the yearly California blaze

August 16th, 2018|0 Comments on "Two faculty members familiar with the yearly California blaze" 0 Comments

For Howard and Laurel Hendrix, raging California wildfires are personal. In addition to teaching in the Fresno State English Department, Read "Two faculty members familiar with the yearly California blaze" [...]

A limited number of student applications accepted for spring 2019

July 24th, 2018|0 Comments on "A limited number of student applications accepted for spring 2019" 0 Comments

Fresno State will accept a limited number of student applications for the spring 2019 semester from new, upper-division transfer applicants Read "A limited number of student applications accepted for spring 2019" [...]

Writer William Saroyan’s longtime Fresno home opens as museum

July 20th, 2018|0 Comments on "Writer William Saroyan’s longtime Fresno home opens as museum" 0 Comments

The Fresno house where famed writer William Saroyan spent the last two decades of his life will open as a Read "Writer William Saroyan’s longtime Fresno home opens as museum" [...]

Research

African American leadership academy empowers women to take action

August 9th, 2018|0 Comments on "African American leadership academy empowers women to take action" 0 Comments

Just 20 weeks into her pregnancy, Jessica Smith gave birth to twins — a boy and a girl — but Read "African American leadership academy empowers women to take action" [...]

Alumni

Former Bulldogs football player, coach Darryl Rogers passes away

July 12th, 2018|0 Comments on "Former Bulldogs football player, coach Darryl Rogers passes away" 0 Comments

Former Fresno State student-athlete (1955-56) and head football coach (1966-72) Darryl Rogers passed away Wednesday, July 11, at age 84. As a Read "Former Bulldogs football player, coach Darryl Rogers passes away" [...]

Valley business index falls for July; tariffs having impacts

August 3rd, 2018|0 Comments on "Valley business index falls for July; tariffs having impacts" 0 Comments

The San Joaquin Valley Business Conditions Index fell in July, but remains above growth neutral for the 23nd consecutive month Read "Valley business index falls for July; tariffs having impacts" [...]

Ken Ramos elected Ag One Foundation president

July 3rd, 2018|0 Comments on "Ken Ramos elected Ag One Foundation president" 0 Comments

Ken Ramos, Wells Fargo’s president for Central California business banking, began his one-year term on July 1 as the new Read "Ken Ramos elected Ag One Foundation president" [...]

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20 hours ago

Fight song. Cheer squad. Bulldog Marching Band. 🐶❤️💙

We're excited to welcome our newest students & teach them Bulldog traditions at "New Student Convocation" Monday: bit.ly/fsConvocation18 ... See MoreSee Less

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2 days ago

‪One of only 14 in the nation selected for the USA Youth Olympic Team! 🐶🇺🇸🏉

Fresno State club men’s rugby player Isaia Kruse will represent *Team USA* at the upcoming Youth Olympic Games of 2018 in Argentina. Kruse will attend the elite athlete training center in Chula Vista for preparation before departing. Go ‘Dogs ❤️💙 ... See MoreSee Less

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More than 25,000 students will start class Thursday! And more than 26,000 applied for 5,400 incoming undergrad spots. 🐶❤️💙 ... See MoreSee Less

Fresno State readies for record number of students in fall semester – Fresno State News

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Fresno State readies for record number of students in fall semester

Classes at Fresno State will resume on Thursday, Aug. 23, with a projected enrollment of over 25,200 students — an all-time high — for the University’s 108th academic year.

About 78 percent of the students are from Fresno State’s service area; the top four represented counties are Fresno (57 percent), Tulare (12.9 percent) Madera (4.8 percent) and Kings (3.7 percent). About 71 percent are first-generation college students.

Fresno State received more than 29,000 applications for the fall 2018 semester, including 26,000 applications for about 5,400 new undergraduate spots.

Several events will precede the return to classes.

Dorm move-in day: Almost 1,000 student residents will begin moving into nine halls at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19. They will be greeted by the University Courtyard staff and assisted with move-in by the University’s Baggage Buddies — members of student clubs who volunteer to provide a warm welcome and help incoming students unload suitcases, bed linens, TVs and other college-living essentials.

Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro and other administrators will greet students and parents during the welcome barbecue from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The Bulldog Marching Band will make its 2018 debut at about 5:45 p.m.

Castro will deliver his annual Faculty/Staff Fall Assembly address at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20. He will give an update on new developments and planned initiatives for the 2018-19 year.

The University welcomes 60 new tenure-track faculty who have joined Fresno State, 57 of whom will start this fall.

Later on Monday, Aug. 20, about 1,500 new and transfer students will be welcomed at the New Student Convocation. Doors to the Save Mart Center open at 2:15 p.m., with the convocation starting at 3 p.m. Students enter the arena through an enthusiastic welcome of high-fives and cheers from faculty and staff. Keynote speaker Dr. Matthew Jendian, chair of the Department of Sociology, will discuss “Maximizing your University Education at Fresno State,” and the Bulldog Marching Band and spirit squad will provide entertainment.

The Bulldog Bash after-party follows at 4 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center next to the arena. Castro will be available to the media at 4:30 p.m. in the Save Mart Center Media Room.

Demi Wack, the incoming president of Associated Students, Inc., said improving communications with Fresno State students will be a key focus for the coming year.

“Not only do we want to advertise our services better, but we want to help connect students to the tremendous amount of resources we have on our campus,” said Wack, who is studying psychology and criminology. “We are looking forward to generating new opportunities for student development and civic engagement, along with working to increase campus safety and improve campus climate. I am very eager to kick off the new year and work with other students to create an even better campus.”

Classes resume: Students return to classes on Thursday, Aug. 23. Traffic and parking are often congested the first few days of instruction, so students and employees are reminded to arrive early.

Weeks of Welcome events will continue after the first day of instruction, with several activities planned, including Traditions Day (Aug. 27) and Fresno State Night at Campus Pointe on Aug. 30. For more information about welcome events, contact the Student Involvement Center at 559.278.2741.

Back-to-school news for the 2018-19 academic year includes:

New program for Visalia teacher education
Transportation is one of the largest barriers standing in the way of young adults in the South Valley who might pursue higher education. Now that Fresno State’s Visalia Campus will offer the Integrated Teacher Education Program, students will be able to earn a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential in only four years without having to leave the South Valley. Fresno State is partnering with three community colleges in the South Valley, carefully aligning coursework for a more seamless transfer to Fresno State’s Visalia Campus. The Integrated Teacher Education Program addresses a critical need for well-qualified, highly committed teachers for South Valley schools.

College of Arts and Humanities adds dance, art history majors
Students in the College of Arts and Humanities can pursue two new bachelor’s degrees beginning in fall 2018. The Department of Theatre Arts will offer a bachelor’s in dance. And the Department of Art and Design will offer a bachelor’s in art history. Read more about these two new majors on the Arts and Humanities blog.

Henry Madden Library expansion turns 10
The Henry Madden Library will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its remodel and expansion. Throughout the school year, the campus community will be invited to participate in events and activities to celebrate the success of the library that has become an integral part of campus life. With millions of available titles and electronic resources, along with expert librarians for each college, exhibitions, lectures and activities routinely open to the public, the library offers a place for students and the community at large to learn and grow.

New software will give recreation administration students real-world skills
Fresno State will begin using PerfectMind software for its Department of Recreation Administration curriculum to help students gain an edge when entering the workforce. More than 30 students from the course, “Recreation Administration 60: Technologies in Recreation, Parks and Tourism,” will participate in the new program. The course emphasizes the fundamentals of computer and social media technologies. Students will learn the essentials of entering data and building organized workbooks through Microsoft Excel, budgeting and evaluation of recreation, parks and tourism programs. The PerfectMind platform, which has more than 500,000 users in the U.S. and Canada, connects communities with cities, parks and recreation organizations, as well as academic institutions.

Money Magazine ranks Fresno State among top 50 ‘Best Public Colleges’

MONEY Magazine ranked Fresno State No. 41 out of 50 in its 50 Best Public Colleges rankings for 2018-19. Designed to help families look at the costs and payoffs of any university they consider, the magazine said it drew on the research and advice of dozens of the nation’s top experts on education quality, financing and value to develop a practical analysis of more than 700 of the nation’s best-performing colleges. The MONEY editorial staff makes the final ranking decisions. Fresno State was one of five California State University campuses included in the top 50, along with Long Beach, Dominguez Hills, Los Angeles and Chico.

University Communications news intern Easton Kerby contributed to this report.

Club men’s rugby player selected for USA Youth Olympic team

Fresno State club men’s rugby player Isaia Kruse was one of 14 rugby players in the country chosen to represent Team USA at the upcoming Youth Olympic Games of 2018 in Argentina. Kruse will attend the elite athlete training center in Chula Vista for preparation before departing for Argentina, where the U.S. team will compete for gold against Argentina, France, Japan, South Africa and Samoa. For more information, contact head coach Patrick Quan at patrick@artisanmkt.com or 559.960.0182, or Mike Darling, the rugby club’s executive director, at mailto:mike_darling@csufresno.edu or 559.284.7473.

African American leadership academy empowers women to take action

Just 20 weeks into her pregnancy, Jessica Smith gave birth to twins — a boy and a girl — but due to complications of preterm birth, they did not survive. Smith was 29 years old at the time and the devastating loss shook her to the core.

“Even though that happened in 2015, it still hurts me to this day,” said Smith, a medical assistant from Fresno. “It was so hard, especially because I didn’t feel like I had a proper support system, even from my doctors.”

The heartbreaking story Smith shares is unique, but also similar to challenges other mothers in Fresno County face. In Fresno County, African American women experience the highest preterm birth rates in Fresno County at 16.5 percent — almost twice the rate of white women in the county at 9.4 percent. This disproportionately high rate of preterm birth is the leading cause of African American infant mortality in Fresno County.

The Fresno County Preterm Birth Initiative is working to find solutions through early education and advocacy with the African American Youth Leadership Academy for Women.

Recommended by the Preterm Birth Initiative’s West Fresno African American Advisory Committee, the academy was designed to give mothers and women a strong voice and a chance to empower themselves while gaining leadership development opportunities. Through the extensive 16-week program, participants learn about social justice issues, systemic racism, reproductive and mental health and civic engagement.

The first cohort of the academy wrapped up in May and brought together 18 women, ranging in ages from 18 to 51, from West Fresno and surrounding areas. The Fresno County Preterm Birth Initiative is recruiting community members to participate in its next academy, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Sept. 6 at Legacy Commons (2255 S. Walnut Ave.).

Smith, along with her mother, graduated from the first cohort. She said the experience brought a new perspective to an otherwise painful past.

“If I had been in the academy during my preterm birth experience, I would have been more informed and knew what to expect and how to talk to the doctors,” Smith said. “But more importantly, I would have had the support group to get through it.”

That is precisely the goal of the academy, said Sandra Flores, program director of the Fresno County Preterm Birth Initiative.

“We want to educate young African American mothers and women and help them tap into their power and sisterhood,” Flores said. “We recognize there is some readiness that is required to help communities advocate for their own health. This curriculum gives participants the tools and confidence to talk about the issues that impact them. This is a truly transformative experience.”

For Kolby Lovelace, 27, the academy brought her closer to her community through dialogue of social injustice.

“I learned a lot about the problems we face in the African American community and why we deal with these issues,” Lovelace said. “We are all from the same area and have all the same goals. If we want to make a change in our community, we have to come together. No one else is going to do it for us.”

For more information, contact Olga Nunez at 559.228.2161 or nunezo@csufresno.edu.

Related Links:

Fresno County Preterm Birth Initiative

UCSF Preterm Birth Initiative

Local Preterm Birth Initiative announces 10-year goal

Fresno County Preterm Birth Initiative launches Parent Council for Dads

Fresno County PTBI Facebook: @ptbifresno

Fresno County PTBI Twitter: @PTBiFresno

Boxer Jose Ramirez, Fresno State officials distribute backpacks to children

More than 1,200 students at Huron Elementary and Middle schools received new backpacks stuffed with supplies and a letter of encouragement from Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro for the new school year.

“At Fresno State, we talk about being bold in order to reach new heights in our endeavors,” the letter says. “I hope you will keep that in mind as you continue your education and prepare for your career.”

Fresno State partnered, for the second year, with United Way Fresno and Madera Counties on its “More than a Backpack” distribution Aug. 14 at Huron Middle School in the Coalinga-Huron Unified School District. The University contributed $10,000 to purchase Fresno State backpacks for students in fifth to eighth grades. Chevron, also a partner, provided additional funds to buy backpacks for those in transitional kindergarten through fourth grade.

A total of 1,230 backpacks were distributed along with school and art supplies provided through contributions from other community organizations and businesses.

“Anytime a local University gets involved with local communities, it benefits the students and the families because it starts to build a bridge to higher education before most students even start to think about going to college,” said Lori Villanueva, Coalinga-Huron Unified School District superintendent. “When colleges have a tangible and visible presence at our local schools, it makes the idea of achieving a college education tangible for our students. We appreciate this program and hope it is a gateway for more involvement from Fresno State in our schools.”

The event began with a resource fair and backpack distribution followed by a keynote speech by Castro and special guest Jose Ramirez, the WBC super lightweight world champion boxer. Fresno State’s first lady, Mary Castro, also participated in the giveaway.

“Mary and I firmly believe there’s talent and potential in every household in our region,” Castro said. “By meeting with and giving new backpacks to the children in Huron, we are pleased to help spark that potential in the next generation of future Fresno State Bulldogs and Central Valley leaders.”

The “More than a Backpack” event started last year to give back to smaller communities in Fresno and Madera counties that are in need but often get overlooked. While the backpacks are the focal point, the event also gives a little something extra to students. Thanks to Chevron, 160 Huron students will visit Fresno later this year to explore the city. The trip will include a stop at Fresno State.

At last year’s event in Madera, the United Way announced it would give a full scholarship to one student to attend Fresno State.

We understand that Fresno State has a very powerful reputation in this region for educating our youth in the Valley, giving opportunities for advancement, for careers,” said Mona Cummings, senior director of resource development for the United Way.

“President Castro cares about these smaller communities. He understands that many are first-generation students and this is where they come from.”

Carrie Underwood returns in 2019; tickets on sale Aug. 17

Carrie Underwood will return to the Save Mart Center on May 12 for her Cry Pretty Tour 360, with the stage in the middle of the arena floor allowing fans on all sides of the arena to have a view. The concert will feature an all-female bill, including Maddie and Tae and Runaway Jane. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17. Underwood’s new album, “Cry Pretty,” will be released on Sept. 14.

Kremen School receives 2018 Child-Friendly Business Award

The Kremen School of Education and Human Development at Fresno State was named a recipient of the 2018 Child-Friendly Business Award. Every year, First 5 Fresno County presents this award to five local businesses that go above and beyond in helping their parent employees achieve a healthy work-home balance. The awards ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, during the first portion of the First 5 Fresno County Commission meeting at the Lighthouse for Children (2405 Tulare St.). Visit the Kremen School news blog for more information. INFO: Samantha Ray at samray@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.278.0451.

ASI hosts National Night Out Aug. 7

The eighth annual National Night Out neighborhood block party will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at Wesley United Methodist Church (1343 E. Barstow Avenue). In partnership with Associated Students Inc. at Fresno State, the event celebrates successful revitalization efforts made in the community surrounding Fresno State with a goal of engaging community residents in building connections and identifying local assets for enrichment, communication, and recreation. Featured resource booths include the Marjaree Mason Center, Central Valley American Red Cross and the Lock It Up Project. Fresno State Greek and on-campus organizations will host activities including raffles, a talent show and a watermelon eating contest. The event is free and open to the public. INFO: Carragan Huerta at carraganhuerta@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.278.7703.

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