After the story, a 'Read for the Record' participant colors her “World Record Setter” certificate.   Jumpstart Fresno State joins in world-record achievement More than 3,000 Head Start children in Fresno County were beneficiaries of Jumpstart Fresno State’s participation in Read for the Record, a national campaign Aug. 24 to raise awareness about the early education crisis. Adults and children attempted to set a record for the largest shared reading experience as 150,000 children listened as adults read to them the classic children’s book, “The Little Engine that Could.” Reading events were held that day at Starbucks cafes in Fresno and Clovis, at three Fresno County Library branches and at area elementary schools.  Every Head Start child in Fresno County was read the story in more than 130 classrooms. Jumpstart trains and supports 75 Fresno State students and 30 Fresno City College students who help more than 340 at-risk preschool children in 17 classrooms improve literacy, language and social skills.

Fair showcases community-service opportunities with nonprofits
Dozens of nonprofit organizations will send representatives to campus Wednesday, Sept. 6, to participate in the 14th annual Community Service Opportunities Fair. The event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Memorial Garden area south of the Kennel Bookstore, is an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to learn about the organizations and their volunteer service needs.  Details: call 278.7079.

Faculty, staff mentoring workshops offered
Training workshops are scheduled Sept. 8 and 15 by the Fresno State Mentoring Institute for faculty and staff who set an example to help students succeed. For more information, call 278.7766 or e-mail lindaha@csufresno.edu

Ag Boosters BBQ will add to $510,000 raised at past events
The 29th annual Ag Boosters BBQ will begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 10 at Coombs Riverbend Ranch in Madera County. The $50-per-person event, which includes music, food, auctions and a drawing, has raised $510,000 over the years for the Ag One Foundation and California Women for Agriculture, which support Fresno State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Click here for details 559.278.4266 or .

Mediator Mentor Program seeks student participants
Dr. Pamela Lane-Garon, an associate professor in the Literacy and Early Education Department of the Kremen School of Education and Human Development, is encouraging faculty and staff to guide students toward participating in the Mediator Mentor Program. Fresno State students in the program get training in conflict management and program development, both skills that will be honed over each student’s lifetime. The Fresno State students work with peer mediators on area elementary and middle school campuses to resolve disputes and prevent conflict. There are $1,000 scholarships for students pointed toward careers in helping professions and willing to volunteer three lunch periods per week helping youngsters. For more information, e-mail Lane-Garon at pamelalg@csufresno.edu or click here for details.

ReadFresno adopts new schedule, seeks more volunteers
ReadFresno, the community program that links volunteers with first- through third-graders in Fresno public schools, has begun a new school year with a new Tuesday-Thursday schedule designed to be a better fit with volunteers. President John D. Welty urged expanded participation by faculty and staff in the program for which several Fresno State staff volunteered in the spring. Release time is available for Fresno State participants. Click here for details or call 443.7323.

Planetary geology institute helps Valley science teachers
The Science and Mathematics Education Center in the College of Science and Mathematics offered a two-week intensive professional development institute in planetary geology for current and future science teachers. The program, funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and school districts, culminated with a visit to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena for a close-up look at Mars Rover and Voyager missions. Details are available from Dr. David M. Andrews, director of the center, e-mail at davidan@csufresno.edu.

Melissa Dittmar wins Service Leadership Award
Melissa Dittmar, a senior from Fresno, won the 2006 Service Leadership Award for her efforts to involve other students in community service. Dittmar was a leader in the Fresno State Kids Day fund raising for Children’s Hospital Central California; hurricane relief efforts on the Gulf Coast; and an effort to make service-learning part of the London Semester program.