The Great Valley Center has presented its Sequoia, Giant of the Valley Award to Dr. John D. Welty, president of California State University, Fresno for his nearly two decades of leadership in engaging with and promotion of the San Joaquin Valley the university serves.

Welty received the 10th annual award at the Great Valley Center’s conference, “Valley Up: Ideas, Innovation, and Inspiration,” in Modesto on May 7.

The Sequoia Award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to increasing understanding of the Valley, improving the well-being of the region or enhancing Valley residents’ quality of life.

“Through his leadership of Fresno State and his forward-thinking vision for our region, Dr. Welty has fostered solidarity throughout the Valley and created new opportunities for tens of thousands of its residents,” said Great Valley Center President David Hosley.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” Dr. Welty said. “I have always believed Fresno State is a crucial player in the life of Central California and I have made every effort to keep the university engaged with our region as we prepare the next generation of leaders.”

Under Welty’s leadership since 1991, Fresno State has expanded minority enrollment, created the Smittcamp Family Honors College and added new academic programs and facilities, including the $105 million Henry Madden Library, the largest research library in the San Joaquin Valley. Fresno State students, faculty and staff volunteer nearly 1 million hours each year in the region.

In the community, Welty chairs the Fresno Business Council he helped establish. He also is a founder of the Central Valley Business Incubator, which has created over 1,000 jobs and is a partner with the university in the campus Water and Energy Technology Center.

Welty helped create the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium to increasing student participation and success in higher education; the Maddy Institute, to boost citizen participation and elected leadership in government; and the Regional Jobs Initiative, aimed at establishing a stable economy in the Fresno area.

He established the Office of Community and Economic Development at Fresno State, which is the administrative home of the San Joaquin Valley Partnership created by Governor Schwarzenegger.

During Welty’s tenure as president, Fresno State entered the Western Athletic Conference in 1992, expanded intercollegiate athletic opportunities and facilities for women and built the Save Mart Center without state funds.

Previous winners of the Sequoia Award were:

  • 2001, James G. Boswell, The Boswell Co.
  • 2002, James McClatchy, The McClatchy Co.
  • 2003, Gerald Haslam, Valley author
  • 2004, Bob Mathias, Olympic decathlon winner and member of Congress
  • 2005, Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
  • 2006, Earl Smittcamp, Summer Prize Fruit Co.
  • 2007, Mike Chrisman, California secretary for natural resources
  • 2008, Carol Whiteside, founder and president emeritus of the Great Valley Center
  • 2009, Stewart Resnick, chairman and owner of Roll International Corp.

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