Alumni and San Joaquin Valley agricultural leaders Rodger and Margaret Jensen and former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn will receive honorary doctorates at California State University, Fresno’s 2010 Commencement.

California State University trustees will confer on the Jensens, who live in Fresno, the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for their service to California agriculture.

An honorary Doctor of Humane Letters will be awarded to Guinn, a Las Vegas resident, recognizing his contributions to education and business.

The 99th Commencement ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. May 22 in the Save Mart Center.

Rodger and Margaret Jensen met while attending Fresno State and have been married 67 years. Their roots run deep in the community. Margaret Jensen’s parents were pioneers in developing Fresno’s fig industry. Rodger Jensen turned dry farm ground into high-value tree-crop production after returning from World War II, where he served as an Army Air Corps B-29 pilot in the Pacific Theater.

Jensen planted citrus, olive and pistachio trees. He and fellow grower Hans Sumpf were the largest olive growers in California and are credited with developing the pistachio industry in Madera. Jensen’s San Pablo Properties continues to farm oranges and olives.

Rodger Jensen was named 1999 Community Salute honoree by Fresno State’s Ag One organization for his contributions to agriculture and the university ag program.

The Jensens have contributed to Fresno and the area’s historical, cultural and philanthropic life. They enjoy their two children, grandchildren and other family.

Kenny C. Guinn was elected Nevada governor in 1998 and re-elected in 2002. During his tenure, he was voted by Time Magazine one of the Five Best Governors in America.

Born in Arkansas, Guinn moved as a child to Exeter with his parents. He excelled at sports at Exeter High School and received a scholarship to University of Southern California. transferred back home to Fresno City College and then to Fresno State, where he was senior back of the year for the 1958 Bulldog football team.

Guinn earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in physical education from Fresno State and a doctorate in education from Utah State University.

Guinn and his wife Dema began dating in high school and married while he was in college.

After college, Guinn taught high school for four years and then moved to Las Vegas, where he served as Clark County School District Superintendent. He switched his management focus to the banking industry in 1978 and became president of Southwest Gas Corp.in 1988 and chairman of the board in 1993.

When Guinn became interim president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (1994-95), he would accept just $1 and donated the rest of his salary to the university.

The Guinns have two sons.

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