Daniel K. Whitehurst, whose political experience, business background and community involvement in Fresno date back to the 1970s, has been named the second Kenneth L. Maddy Professor at California State University, Fresno.
Whitehurst, who follows founding Maddy professor Harold Haak, begins a two-year term on Dec. 1 and will teach and direct the Maddy Institute of Public Affairs. Its mission is to elevate citizen participation and government performance at all levels through leadership education for public service.
The institute was funded by a $1 million endowment from the state in 1999 and named to honor Maddy, a Fresno State graduate and respected public servant who represented the Valley in the state Senate for nearly three decades. He died in February 2000.
“We are absolutely delighted that Dan Whitehurst will be joining us,” said Dr. Ellen Gruenbaum, dean of College of Social Sciences, which houses the Maddy Institute. “His commitment to public service follows on the tradition of Ken Maddy.”
Gruenbaum said Whitehurst’s experience and his connections regionally and nationally offer tremendous opportunities for students and the institute.
Whitehurst, president of Farewell Funeral Service, was Fresno’s mayor from 1977-85. In his new position, he said, he wants to foster more interaction between the university, the region and government. He will strive to make the resources of Fresno State accessible to Valley citizens and decision-makers, and will match the university’s students with opportunities to get involved in local and state government.
Whitehurst believes that can be accomplished through the Institute’s internships. The first five interns, named in January, were placed in the Sacramento and Fresno offices of state legislators and the State Senate Agriculture and Water Resources Committee.
“Both formal and informal internships are excellent for students who want to get connected with government. I’d like to create an environment in the Maddy Institute where students can come and tell us what their interests are and we can see what’s out there for them,” he said.
Whitehurst himself was a summer intern in 1968 in the Washington office of Sen. Thomas Kuckel. As Fresno’s mayor, Whitehurst hired interns for his office.
Whitehurst said he also hopes to revive in politics and politicians the approach that endeared Maddy to colleagues in both parties – “a civil, bipartisan, gracious and pragmatic style that makes people proud of politics.”
The Maddy Institute also is working with the Great Valley Center to create a leadership development program for local elected officials in the Central Valley.
The professorship will be Whitehurst’s second stint in academia. He spent a semester at the Institute of Politics at Harvard’s Kennedy School in 1985, teaching a course on California politics.
In addition to administrative duties at Fresno State, Whitehurst will teach a basic American government course during the spring semester.
He will maintain an office in the Social Sciences Building at Fresno State, but among his agenda items is working to secure revenue sources and donors to fund an on-campus home for the institute.
The Maddy Institute operates within the Public Administration program of the Political Science Department in the College of Social Sciences. Dr. Sharron Y. Herrron serves as the Institute’s executive director.
EDITORS: See following resume of Daniel Whitehurst.
To arrange interviews, contact Shirley Armbruster at 278-5292.
DANIEL K. WHITEHURST
Current
President, Farewell Funeral Service (since 1995)
Of Counsel, Dowling, Aaron & Keeler
Board of Directors, California State Automobile Association
Board of Directors, Great Valley Center
Commentator, KJWL Radio
Education
A.B. Government Saint Mary’s College of California (1969)
J.D. Law University of California, Hastings College of the Law (1972)
M.A. Urban Studies Occidental College (1973)
Employment History
President, Southwest Funeral Corporation (1989-95)
President, Whitehurst California (1987-89)
President, Fresno Economic Development Corporation (1985-87)
Mayor, City of Fresno (1977-85)
Vice President, Stephens & Bean, Inc. (1975-87)
Attorney, Baker, Manock & Jensen (1973-75)
Fellowships and Programs
Coro Foundation Fellow in Public Affairs (1972-73)
Fellow, Institute of Politics, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (1985)
British-American Fellow, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University (1985)
Harvard Executive Session on Community Policing (1985-88)
Program Evaluator, Ford Foundation Innovations Program (1986-87)
Professional Affiliations
Board of Directors, National League of Cities (1980-82)
Advisory Council, U.S. Conference of Mayors (1981-85)
President, Mayors and Councilmembers Department, League of California Cities (1983-84)
State Bar of California (1972-present)
Teaching-Related Experience
Led Study Group on California Politics, Harvard University (Spring Semester 1985)
Faculty, Mayors Leadership Institute, “The Mayor and the Humanities” (1979-80)
Faculty, Newly Elected Mayors Orientation, John F Kennedy School of Government (1985)
Honors
Michael A diNunzio Award, U.S. Conference of Mayors and Xerox Corp. for Public Private Partnerships
Outstanding Young Californian, California Jaycees
Outstanding Alumnus of the 1970’s, Coro Foundation
Articles and Commentaries Published
California Journal
Los Angeles Times
Oakland Tribune
Boston Globe
Fresno Bee
KFSN-TV
KMJ Radio
Speaking Engagements and Appearances (partial list)
Texas Municipal League Annual Conference
Missouri Municipal League Annual Conference
City of Shreveport Sesquicentennial Symposium
City of Flagstaff Strategic Planning Session
CBS Morning News
Late Night with David Letterman
Testimony before House Ways and Means Committee (Revenue Sharing, Mortgage Revenue Bonds)
Testimony before State Senate Local Government Committee (Municipal Organization Act)
California State University, Fresno, School of Business Commencement
Fresno City College Commencement
Saint Mary’s College of California Commencement
Japan-American Conference of Mayors and Chamber of Commerce Presidents
Student Honors and Activities
Saint Mary’s College
Student Body President, Ex-Officio Member (non-voting), College Board of Trustees
Editor, Student Newspaper
Hastings College of the Law
Member, Student-Faculty Curriculum Committee
