A memorial service will be held on campus June 28 for Dr. Daniel P. Bartell, dean emeritus of Fresno State’s then-School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, who led the university’s ag education programs during a 14-year period of growth academically and within the industry. Under Bartell’s direction, the college developed its viticulture and enology programs, the Fresno State Winery and the Gibson Farm Market.
Dr. Bartell died June 13 in Fresno at age 70. The memorial service will be from 11 a.m.-noon at the Viticulture and Enology Research Center (2360 E. Barstow Ave.) followed by a reception with light refreshments from noon-2 p.m.
Dr. Bartell served as dean from 1992 to 2006, when he stepped down to return to teaching and was succeeded by Dr. Charles Boyer, current dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.
He is credited for directing Fresno State’s agricultural education during a time of dynamic change and contributing to the growth of the world’s premier agricultural region.
Boyer said Dean Bartell was instrumental in the development of numerous initiatives including new degree programs, enhancing opportunities for faculty to do applied research, the growth of the university’s farm market and bringing the California Future Farmers of America’s annual conference to the Fresno State campus.
“Dean Bartell’s involvement in the region, state and nation raised the stature of the college and university,” Boyer said. “This enabled us to expand our programs, including the formation of the Department of Viticulture and Enology. The legacy of this foundation is seen today through the many gifts and other support that helped ensure the success of the university’s recent capital campaign while enhancing the Jordan College and Fresno State.”
Under Dr. Bartell’s stewardship, Fresno State’s viticulture and enology programs were merged in 2000 after nearly 50 years operating independently, making Fresno State the first California State University campus to combine those academic programs with research and industry outreach.
In 1997, the Fresno State Winery was bonded to bottle and sell its student-produced wines commercially, a first for any university campus in the nation. The sale of Fresno State wines has supported scholarships for students and the viticulture and enology programs. The winery has won more than 600 awards in commercial wine competitions.
Dr. Bartell also actively supported the annual Future Farmers of America and the State Leadership Conference that attracts 5,000 student participants to Fresno. He was honored in 2006 by the national FFA with its highest award for distinguished service.
“Dean Bartell provided solid leadership for the school and significantly improved the amount of scholarly activity during his tenure,” said Dr. John D. Welty, president emeritus of Fresno State who Bartell served his deanship under.
While serving as Fresno State’s dean, Dr. Bartell was active in several state and national organizations. He served as chair of the Dean’s Council of the California Ag Leadership Program, president of the American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture and Renewable Resources and as a member of the Policy Board of Directors for the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. He was instrumental in the Agricultural Literacy Program, California Food and Fiber (CF3), the Agricultural Research Initiative, the Farm Bureau and other advisory councils.
“During Dean Bartell’s tenure, reaching out to alumni was made a priority as well as fundraising in support of students and programs,” said alumnus Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau and president of the Ag One Foundation who was also the Dean’s Medalist for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology in 2002.
After retirement, Dr. Bartell was involved in such projects as the development of the Institute of Food and Nutrition Innovation, enhancement of the viticulture and enology program and continued development of the International Center for Water Technology.
He also advocated for agricultural educational issues at the state and federal level spending time in Washington, D.C. consulting with the United States Department of Agriculture on policies regarding education in agriculture.
The dean was a board member for the Fresno Community Food Bank for many years.
Dr. Bartell’s career in education began in 1968 as an instructor of biology at Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia after receiving his bachelor’s degree in education at Eastern Illinois University in 1966, his master’s in entomology from Purdue University in 1968 and his doctorate in entomology from the University of Kentucky in 1973.
His research concentration was in insect pest management, field crop entomology, biological control and insect behavior.
Dr. Bartell is survived by son Tim Bartell and son Paul Bartell and his family, Heather and Riley Bartell, of Fresno; and his siblings Jim and Nadine Bartell of Bartonville, Illinois; Marie and Leon Bluhm of Royal, Illinois; Dick Bartell of Brimfield, Illinois; and Catherine and Richard Hula of East Lansing, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Ag One Foundation in support of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State or to a university of the donor’s choice.
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