The fifth anniversary of the Smittcamp Alumni House at California State University, Fresno will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m. with the launching of the new Bulldog Alumni Wine Club.
The Fresno State Alumni Association will present an open house to commemorate the alumni house anniversary and to announce the new wine club.
The anniversary celebration will feature a wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres and tours of the Alumni House as well as appearances by the Fresno State Cheerleaders and Timeout, the official mascot of Fresno State.
Funds to build the two-story, 10,000-square-foot Alumni House were donated by Muriel and Earl Smittcamp and their family in 1997.
Muriel and Earl, 1940 and 1939 graduates of Fresno State, and their children, Bob, Carol, Betsy and Bill, all of whom are Fresno State alumni, have been dedicated supporters of the university for many years, said John Gomes, president of the Fresno State Alumni Association Board of Directors.
The building serves as the university’s official welcome point and visitor information center and houses the offices of the Fresno State Alumni Association which represents nearly 200,000 alumni worldwide, as well as the campus’ Visitor Information Center.
Located on Matoian Way (formerly Keats Avenue) between Maple and Woodrow, west of the Save Mart Center, the house stands near the main entrance to Fresno State and welcomes alumni, students, friends, conference-goers, dignitaries and other visitors to campus.
The $2.2 million building includes meeting and conference rooms, reception and social areas, an alumni library and chapter/volunteer resource room, courtyards, and offices for the staff of the Fresno State Alumni Association.
“Careful planning has ensured the Alumni House’s place as an invaluable resource,” Gomes said. “Our experienced, attentive staff and the thoughtfully designed facility combine to create the perfect site. From the inviting warmth of the marble fireplace to classic architectural features, visitors discover an intriguing balance that entices them to come back time and time again.”
The facility can be rented by the public for private occasions such as weddings.
The Bulldog Alumni Wine Club will offer specially selected high-end Fresno State wines shipped two times per year. Additionally, members receive discounts on wine purchases from the Fresno State Winery.
The costs of Bulldog Alumni Wine Club’s initial offerings are $40.01 per person for Fresno State Alumni Association members and $44.64 per person for non-members. The inaugural shipment includes a bottle of: 2001 Barbera, 2002 Primitivo and San Joaquin Classic Chardonnay.
Partial proceeds will benefit the Alumni Association.
Members of the public at least 21 years of age may pre-order wines online at FresnoStateAlumni.com and then pick-up shipments that evening. Additional orders may be shipped for a small fee.
For more information, call the Fresno State Alumni Association at 278-ALUM
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Copy prepared by University Communications student-intern Jennifer Stapp
