A Century of Excellence publishes
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May is full of excitement as Fresno State winds up its Centennial celebration which began last April. There will be a gala on May 14 and Fresno State's 100th Commencement on May 21. But one of the most exciting things that commemorates this year is the Centennial book, which is titled A Century of Excellence.
"This book is crammed with information about Fresno State from our very beginning in 1911 all the way through to earlier this year," says Lanny Larson, editor, University Communications, and co-author of the book. "I can tell you, because I have had the privilege of working on it, that it has some things that I certainly did not know about, and I've been around here a long time … and some things I bet you didn't know about, either."
The book contains special sections on the people who have contributed to Fresno State's succes. There's also a chapter that covers campus activities.
"Believe me, over the years that's been a lot," says Larson. "Everything from jalopy races that were ultimately so dangerous that we stopped doing them... [to] the Sierra Summer Camp up at Huntington Lake that went on for many years.
Larson says the camp was a great retreat up in the Sierra about 7,000 feet where students would study, then on weekends go fishing, swimming, or hiking.
"All those good things must have been a very special time," he says.
Larson says A Century of Excellence is packed with special times.
"I have got to tell you — just the connection with all the people, with all the events, with everything that's gone on, with everything that's made Fresno State so incredible and such a vital part of entire Valley — you really get a new appreciation for that in this book," he says.
Interior page
Larson is the co-author with Bill Secrest, a well known local historian.
"I learned a lot," Larson says. "I got to handle original material — stuff that I don't think has really been seen much outside of private collections.... It's been a great really a thrill for me, and I hope that everybody will read the book. I think there's something in there for absolutely everybody."
To get caught up on everything Fresno State Centennial, go to www.fresnostate100.com. The book, which will be out this summer, can be purchased there online. Prepublication orders can be placed through the Kennel Bookstore at Fresno State at www.kennelbookstore.com/MerchDetail.aspx?MerchID=623298.
"There's the possibility that we will have some copies in May," says Larson. "We don't know that at this point, but we’re hopeful, so please enjoy the rest of the Centennial celebration."
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Vol. 14 