Nine top undergraduate students have been named Deans’ Medalists for the Class of 2010 at California State University, Fresno. They will be recognized during the 99th Commencement ceremony at 9:30 a.m. May, 22, at the Save Mart Center.

One will be awarded the President’s Medal, the university’s top student recognition.

The medalists are chosen as the outstanding students in each of the university’s eight schools and colleges of academic discipline and in the Division of Student Affairs. The dean of each college/school selects an undergraduate and a graduate medalist based on academic achievement, community involvement and other accomplishments.

The Class of 2010 undergraduate Deans’ Medalists are:

  • Natalie A. Ryan of Bakersfield (Foothill High) – Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
  • Jennifer Ervin of Davis (Davis High) – College of Arts and Humanities
  • Melissa M. Freeman of Fresno (Bullard High) – Craig School of Business
  • Anisha Jamnadas of Ceres (Ceres High) – Kremen School of Education and Human Development
  • Jacob D. Bryan of Madera (Madera High) – Lyles College of Engineering
  • Sarah E. Whittington of Oakhurst (Yosemite High) – College of Health and Human Services
  • Heather E. Upton of Pacific Grove (Pacific Grove High) – College of Science and Mathematics
  • Danielle Root of Modesto (Modesto High) – College of Social Sciences
  • Georgianna Negron of Fresno (Madera High) – Division of Student Affairs

Natalie A. Ryan, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, completed her B.A. in Agricultural Education with a 3.78 GPA. While at Fresno State, she served as a California Future Farmers of America conference trainer and a California Department of Education intern. She was one of 20 students nationwide selected as a National Collegiate Agricultural Ambassador. Ryan was secretary for Jordan College Ambassadors, representing the college to prospective students, alumni and friends, and a participant in the Bill Jones Ag Leadership Program. She also was a Student Court Justice for Associated Students Inc. For the past two years, she has worked as a project coordinator for Kraft Foods. Ryan will enter the Agricultural Education Credential Program with the goal of becoming a teacher.

Jennifer Ervin, College of Arts and Humanities, completed her B.A. in Communications with a 3.84 GPA. After transferring from Fresno City College, she has maintained a 4.0 G.P.A. while working full time. She was elected co-president of the Professional Communication Association and has become involved in philanthropic endeavors such as “Light the Night and is on the board of Straight Advocates for Equality. Ervin was nominated for the 2010 Student Volunteer of the Year. She will pursue her graduate studies in communication at the University of Arizona, where she received a teaching assistant scholarship. Her goal is to complete her doctoral studies and teach at the university level.

Melissa M. Freeman, Craig School of Business, completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-International Business Option and a second major in Linguistics-Interdisciplinary Language Studies. She also achieved a minor in Japanese and certificates in Nonprofit Management Leadership and Special Event Planning – all in 4.5 years and with a 3.98 GPA. A Craig Honors student and a McNair Scholar, she has participated in many volunteer activities in the community and on campus, where she was a Fresno State cheerleader. Freeman is the fundraising director for the American Humanics Student Association, has presented her research at many symposiums and has won scholarships, honors and awards. She plans to earn an MBA and become a college professor.

Anisha Jamnadas, Kremen School of Education and Human Development, completed her B.A. in Liberal Studies and a second major in Child Development with a 3.78 GPA. She was vice president of the Build-a-Teacher Club, an orientation leader for Dog Days, a volunteer tutor for Kids Day and a judge for the Peach Blossom Festival. For three years, Jamnadas tutored at the campus Learning Center. She was a researcher at the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and taught in the Kids Invent! math and science program. She is starting the Dual Credential Program at Fresno State as part of the Sanger Cohort of the Central Valley Partnership for Exemplary Teachers. She plans to teach and obtain a master’s degree in Educational Administration.

Jacob D. Bryan, Lyles College of Engineering, completed his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a second major in Mathematics with a 3.90 GPA. A President’s Scholar in the Smittcamp Family Honors College, he was a member of Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honorary Society) and Etta Kappa Nu (National Electrical/Computer Engineering Honorary Society). He received the Chevron Scholarship. Bryan was an intern at Edwards Air Force Base as part of the Valley Industry Partnership for Cooperative Education and also interned at DPS Telecom and FMC FoodTech. He was an engineering/math tutor, organized drives for the Bulldog Pantry and was an assistant scout master for Boy Scouts. He plans to complete graduate studies in electrical engineering and pursue a career in electronic warfare within the defense industry.

Sarah E. Whittington, Health and Human Services, completed her B.A. in Social Work with a 4.0 GPA while working full time and providing community service to a number of agencies. She completed high school at 16 and earned an A.A. degree from Oakhurst Community College before enrolling at Fresno State. She interned at the Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom and is a member of Peace Fresno. Whittington is a co-founder of the Fresno State student ACLU organization and in 2010 became a member of the campus Golden Key International Honour Society. Her goal is to assist women, children and families in the region and beyond through the Department of Child Welfare. She also hopes to be active in research, grant writing, lobbying and program and policy making for women, children and families.

Heather E. Upton, College of Science and Mathematics, completed a B.S. in Biology – Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology option and a second major in Chemistry with a 3.86 GPA. She received numerous academic and research awards. She presented on her research at local, national and international conferences. At a recent conference, Upton was recognized as outstanding undergraduate in the sciences for the CSU system. She was president of the campus Biology and Chemistry club. She is a science and mathematics founding member of the Consortium for Evolutionary Studies. Upton volunteered at the Discovery Center in Fresno and helped raise funds for AIDS and the United Nations Mine Action Service. She has been accepted into doctoral programs at three prestigious universities.

Danielle Root, College of Social Sciences, completed her B.A. in History with a 4.0 GPA. She received numerous scholarships and was inducted into Golden Key International Honour Society, Phi Kappa Phi (national honor society) and Phi Alpha Theta (national history honor society). Root also was a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda. While at Fresno State, she worked one or two jobs, but volunteered for three years as a Fresno County History Day judge and on clean-up initiatives at Lost Lake and Yosemite National Park. She has been accepted into Fresno State’s Single Subject Teaching Credential Program and hopes to become a high school teacher.

Georgianna Negron, Division of Student Affairs, completed her B.A. in Psychology with a 3.98 GPA. A McNair Scholar, she received several academic scholarships and was recognized as an influential student leader. She was instrumental in shaping the campus Violence Prevention Project, which has offered assistance and education related to domestic violence to hundreds of students. She played a key role in developing the campus alcohol safety program, was coordinator for eight Student Wellness Ambassadors and worked with the Health Promotion and Wellness Services Department. Negron established and become president of the student club SPEAK (Students Providing Empowerment, Advocacy and Knowledge) and had leadership roles for Take Back the Night, Shine the Light and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.