University High School, a charter school on the campus of California State University, Fresno, was dedicated Tuesday, Nov. 30, to Fresno State President John D. Welty and the late Luis Costa, former dean of the College of Arts and Humanities.
They were recognized at the dedication ceremony of the new school building as the two people most responsible for the creation of University High School 10 years ago.
Costa was recognized as being instrumental in taking the idea for the charter school from a dream into reality. Wendy Costa was at the ceremony to accept the honor to her husband.
Welty was commended for his support in locating the school at Fresno State.
Head of School James Bushman said it was the leadership and vision of the two honorees that made the school a possibility.
“Without the idea and vision of Dr. Costa and the leadership and support of President Welty, University High School would not be here today,” Bushman said. “We dedicate the school to these two individuals, venerating their courage and foresight that will serve generations.”
The school’s students, teachers and staff, many parents and university officials attended the ceremony. Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin and Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Larry Powell also attended.
Following the dedication, the school’s state-of-the-art fitness center was unveiled. The Governor’s Council on Sports and Physical Fitness named University High School as the 2009 High School of the Year. As a result, the council and sponsor Anthem Blue Cross Foundation supplied new equipment for the center.
University High School originally was chartered through Sierra Unified School District in 2000 and now is chartered with Fresno Unified School District. The accelerated college preparatory, music and arts-enriched charter school has been nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
University High School is home to 479 students. Throughout its history, it has served 1,000 students who have access to Fresno State facilities, attend college courses for credit and receive a small-school, accelerated achievement high school experience with no tuition. Ninety-eight percent of its graduates go to college.
For more information, contact Tricia Bowlby, director of development, at 559.287.2799 or visitwww.csufresno.edu/univhigh.
