The Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala on Oct. 13 honored Dr. Diana Meehan, the educator and documentarian who co-founded the Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles, as the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Fresno State Alumni Association.
The Gala also recognized 13 other former California State University, Fresno, students from the university’s eight schools and colleges the Henry Madden Library, Athletics, Division of Graduate Studies and the Division of Student affairs for their post-graduate accomplishments.
The $100-a-person public event is a fundraiser for Alumni Association scholarships and an opportunity to introduce this year’s Fresno State Alumni Association scholarship recipients to some of those whose generosity helps support them financially.
Meehan, who received an English degree and teaching credential from Fresno State in 1966, was founding director of the Institute for the Study of Men and Women at the University of Southern California, where she earned a doctorate.
After establishing herself as an educator and award-winning documentarian, Meehan helped create the Archer School, which used research on how girls learn to establish a curriculum with a 100 percent success rate in channeling students to college.
Meehan is married to television and movie producer Gary David Goldberg. Their adventures together were the loose basis for the classic TV sitcom “Family Ties.”
The 2011 Outstanding Alumni are:
- Norman P. Engelman (1968 and ’72), Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology), a retired vintner, first director of research in Fresno State’s viticulture department and first vice chairman of the California Raisin Marketing Board.
- Robert Ritter (1972, College of Arts and Humanities), a reporter, editor and newsroom executive who directed Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage for Gannett News Service.
- Yvette Roberts (2006, Department of Athletics), a community resource specialist for Fresno County Social Services and the 1989 Bulldog Female Athlete of the Year.
- Carole Andersen (1978, Craig School of Business), a CPA who is managing director for Deloitte & Touche in Fresno.
- Marcus P. Johnson (1975, Kremen School of Education and Human Development), the Sanger Unified School District superintendent and U.S. Superintendent of the Year.
- Gaylord “Rick” Ransom (1977, Lyles College of Engineering), president of Fresno-based Brooks Ransom Associates engineering and an expert on building types and materials.
- Phil Souza (1977, ’82, Division of Graduate Studies), senior vice president and principal at Grubb & Ellis/Pearson commercial real estate in Fresno.
- Tim B. McCarthy (1978, College of Health and Human Services), owner of McCarthy Physical Therapy and Sports Center in Roseville and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manuel Physical Therapists.
- Don Larson (1960, Henry Madden Library), who taught history for 45 years – 35 at Fresno City College – and donated his acclaimed collection of world fair and exposition memorabilia to the Henry Madden Library.
- Brad and Diane Anderson (1986 and 1976, respectively, College of Science and Mathematics), chemists whose Agriculture & Priority Pollutants Laboratories in Clovis does environmental testing for the U.S. government.
- Armando Rodriguez (1959, College of Social Sciences), a retired Fresno County Superior Court judge and former member of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.
- Manuel Olgin (1974, ’78, Division of Student Affairs), an academic counselor at Fresno State and Fresno City College and an advocate for college students.
The 2011 Arthur Safstrom Service Award recipient was Peter Robertson (1992, ’95 and 2005), director of marketing and engagement for the Fresno State Alumni Association. The award honors alumni who have distinguished records of service to Fresno State and within the off-campus community.
Robertson has worked at the university since 2002 and established the Bulldog Pride Scholarship Fund, which presents scholarships annually to Fresno State students. He also is an active member of the community and a relentless advocate for cultural arts.
