The Fresno State Department of Agricultural Business will honor students and Professor Emeritus Dr. John Hagen at its spring banquet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 30 at Pardini’s Catering and Banquet Halls.

The banquet will recognize the first recipient of the newly created Ag One scholarship — a tribute to Hagen, who retired in 2014 after a 45-year career that began at Fresno State in 1969. Hagen will join faculty, staff, alumni and industry professionals at the event honoring the 91-student agricultural business senior class.

Proceeds from the dinner, silent auction and raffle will go towards the Agricultural Business Club.

The club will also present highlights from the 2014-15 academic year, its study abroad trip in Chile and visits to area businesses.

Agricultural Business Department students can attend for free if they RSVP in advance to Steve Nasse at 559.278.2949 or stephenn@csufresno.edu. Others can purchase tickets for $40 in advance or at the door.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to network with ag business alumni from the past 30 years,” said Kari Ball, Agricultural Business Club president. “Our program is constantly growing thanks to the longtime work of Dr. Hagen, so having him there to present the first Ag One scholarship is a perfect tie-in.”

The Dr. John W. Hagen Endowment Fund is being established through Ag One by a task force of volunteers and alumni. Hagen is one of the department’s founding fathers who mentored thousands of Fresno State students in agricultural business statistics, management and policy courses.

Endowment contributions to the can be made online at the Ag One Foundation website under the giving opportunities tab at www.agonefoundation.org or by calling 559.278.4266.

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