The California State University and California State University, Fresno will confer an honorary doctoral degree – the CSU’s highest commendation – on Fresno businessman and philanthropist Pete P. Peters at Fresno State’s Commencement on May 17.

For his unwavering commitment to bettering the region, Peters will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

“Pete P. Peters is one of the great visionaries of Central California,” said Fresno State President John D. Welty, who nominated Peters. “At Fresno State and elsewhere, Mr. Peters has helped our region in many ways.

“He has provided guidance on a range of issues through active board membership, donations for building programs that have inspired others to give and scholarships in a number of disciplines that have launched our graduates into careers of service in the region and elsewhere,” Welty said.

The youngest son of Armenian immigrants, Peters longed to attend college. Instead, he and his brother, Leon S. Peters, worked hard and gained reputations as honest businessmen who were generous community benefactors.

Pete P. Peters joined Valley Foundry and Machine Works in 1939, shortly after his brother bought the business, which manufactured wine grape crushers. During World War II, however, the business made ship winches and valves for the armed forces. The business returned to winemaking equipment in peacetime.

Valley Foundry was sold to Ametek (NYSE: AME), where Peters continued his career as vice president.

The Peters brothers decided to share the gains of their success with the region through charitable foundations. The Pete P. Peters Foundation is guided by the words of Peters’ father: “Give back to the community.” Leon S. Peters was posthumously awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by the CSU and Fresno State in 1997.

Pete Peters believes quality education and health care are integral components of a great community. The Peters families were major donors to Fresno-based Community Medical Centers and to Fresno State.

Many other organizations have been touched by Peters’ generosity, including the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Valley Public Television, the San Joaquin College of Law and the Boys and Girls Club.

Since the early 1980s, the foundation has provided numerous gifts to Fresno State through the Pete P. Peters Nursing, Business and Viticulture scholarships and the Pete P. Peters Endowment in Armenian Studies.

Peters also supports the President’s Fund, Ag One Foundation, the Henry Madden Library, the Bulldog Foundation, the Leon S. Peters Honors Scholars and the Business Associates Program.

After Leon Peters died, his brother continued the family’s giving legacy. In
1999, the Leon S. Peters and Pete P. Peters foundations provided the first private gift of $1.2 million to the Save Mart Center capital campaign. This gift created the Leon S. and Pete P. Peters Educational Center, a 300-seat classroom auditorium within the Student Recreation Center adjacent to the Save Mart Center.