November 6, 2009

For the second time in three years, the National FFA Organization has selected a California State University, Fresno student to be its top student leader – a rare feat for one university.

Levy Randolph, freshman agriculture business student from Hemet, was elected the 2009-10 national FFA president during the organization’s convention Oct. 21-24 in Indianapolis. Randolph will serve a one-year term as the principal student representative of more than 500,000 FFA members.

Levy follows two other Fresno State students in the presidency.

Beau Williamson, elected national FFA president in 2006, attended Fresno State from 2004 to 2009 before transferring to Purdue.

Jackie Mundt, senior agricultural communications student, was elected in 2004 before she enrolled at Fresno State, which she decided to do while visiting campus during her presidency. Mundt will graduate in December.

During the next year, Randolph is expected to travel more than 100,000 miles; meet with top leaders in business, government and education; visit approximately 40 states; and participate in a tour of Japan. His responsibilities will include providing personal growth and leadership training for students, setting policies of the organization and promoting agricultural understanding.

As a member of FFA, Randolph has raised swine, poultry and beef, and he also managed his school’s garden and worked at the San Diego County Agri-Fair building. He has also won many public speaking contests at the chapter, state and regional levels.

“FFA gives you more than an education,” said Randolph. “It gives you the tools you need to succeed in life, including confidence, communication, ethics and hands-on learning experience that is second to none.”