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 The
California State University and California State University, Fresno conferred an honorary doctoral degree - the CSU's highest commendation - on
Fresno businessman and philanthropist Pete P. Peters at Fresno State's
Commencement on May 17.
For his unwavering commitment to bettering the region, Peters received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.
"Pete P. Peters is one of the great visionaries of Central California,"
said Fresno State President John D. Welty, who nominated Peters. "At
Fresno State and elsewhere, Mr. Peters has helped our region in many
ways.
"He has provided guidance on a range of issues through active board
membership, donations for building programs that have inspired others to
give and scholarships in a number of disciplines that have launched our
graduates into careers of service in the region and elsewhere," Welty
said.
 The youngest son of Armenian immigrants, Peters longed to attend
college.
Instead, he and his brother, Leon S. Peters, worked hard and gained
reputations as honest businessmen who were generous community
benefactors.
Pete P. Peters joined Valley Foundry and Machine Works in 1939, shortly
after his brother bought the business, which manufactured wine grape
crushers. During World War II, however, the business made ship winches
and valves for the armed forces. The business returned to winemaking
equipment in peacetime.
Valley Foundry was sold to Ametek (NYSE: AME), where Peters continued
his career as vice president.
The Peters brothers decided to share the gains of their success with the
region through charitable foundations. The Pete P. Peters Foundation is
guided by the words of Peters' father: "Give back to the community."
Leon S.
Peters was posthumously awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane
Letters by the CSU and Fresno State in 1997.
Pete Peters believes quality education and health care are integral
components of a great community. The Peters families were major donors
to Fresno-based Community Medical Centers and to Fresno State.
Many other organizations have been touched by Peters' generosity,
including the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Valley
Public Television, the San Joaquin College of Law and the Boys and Girls
Club.
Since the early 1980s, the foundation has provided numerous gifts to
Fresno State through the Pete P. Peters Nursing, Business and
Viticulture scholarships and the Pete P. Peters Endowment in Armenian
Studies.
Peters also supports the President's Fund, Ag One Foundation, the Henry
Madden Library, the Bulldog Foundation, the Leon S. Peters Honors
Scholars and the Business Associates Program.
After Leon Peters died, his brother continued the family's giving
legacy. In 1999, the Leon S. Peters and Pete P. Peters foundations
provided the first private gift of $1.2 million to the Save Mart Center
capital campaign. This gift created the Leon S. and Pete P. Peters
Educational Center, a 300-seat classroom auditorium within the Student
Recreation Center adjacent to the Save Mart Center.
View a list of the Honorary
Doctorate Recipients (pdf)
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