How family businesses fuel the economy
Q&A with Olympic Gold Medalist Paul George PAGE 24 Tiny House, Big Responsibility PAGE 28 Alumni Couple Shows Backyard Bulldog Spirit PAGE 36 COMMUNITY + UNIVERSITY = A PROSPEROUS REGION
here is a powerful economic engine to our Top Dog alumni making a global When you support the University, you’re driving prosperity in the Central impact, to our millions of hours of supporting the entire community, and Valley that starts when community volunteer service at organizations like Stone there are lots of different ways you can and University work as one. Soup. You’ll even see an exclusive Q&A show support. Whether you’re mentoring T with our latest alumnus to win an Olympic students, endowing a scholarship or We begin by focusing on student success gold medal, basketball star Paul George. attending an athletic event, you’re — providing affordable opportunities and contributing to all the days ahead when support so the young people in our region The power of community and university these students will create bold wins for can achieve and, in some cases, even change joining together to fuel our region is the our region. the trajectory of their families. So it should theme of the new TV ad campaign featuring be no surprise that Fresno State is getting student-athletes. Every ticket you buy to its due in national rankings (see Page 4) as a Bulldogs game contributes to a legacy of a world-class provider of higher education student success that begins on the playing right alongside the most prestigious field and leaves a lasting impression long Dr. Joseph I. Castro universities in the world. after graduation. President, Fresno State
In this issue of FresnoState Magazine, you’ll Did you know our student-athletes are see multiple stories about the powerful setting record marks for their cumulative impacts of University partnerships within GPA, and that 80 percent of Fresno State the community — from our Institute for graduates stay and work in the Valley? Family Business supporting family firms, CONTENTS FRESNO STATE NEWS 4 FAMILY BUSINESS 10 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 18 SPORTS 20 IN THE KNOW | ACADEMICS 28 ALUMNI NEWS 32
On the cover: Prisca Shiralian Thomas modeled for a conceptual cover, illustrating the passing down of family businesses from generation to generation. Shiralian Thomas owns and operates D&L Flowers in Fresno and serves as director of business operations for her father’s petroleum business, Chase, Inc.
President Joseph I. Castro greets a guest at the Top Dog Gala. (see Page 32)
Photos by Cary Edmondson
Magazine is published by the Office of University Communications at California State University, Fresno. FALL 2016 President Student Assistants Joseph I. Castro Daniel Chanthaphouvong, Claire Takahashi Stay in touch! We’d like your comments about FresnoState Vice President for University Advancement Magazine. Please email them to magazine@ Paula Castadio Vol. XXV, Issue 2, Published Nov. 14, 2016. csufresno.edu. If you receive more than one copy Associate Vice President for University FresnoState Magazine publishes twice annually of FresnoState Magazine, please pass it along to (spring and fall) during the academic year. Opinions a friend of Fresno State. If you would like to support Communications and Integrated Marketing expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect Fresno State, visit www.FresnoState.edu/giving Shirley Melikian Armbruster official University policy. Letters to the editor and to make your contribution. Director of Community Projects and Publications contributions to Class Notes are welcome; they may be edited for clarity and length. Unless otherwise Bruce Whitworth noted, articles may be reprinted as long as credit Online Director of Strategic Communications is given. Copyrighted photos may not be reprinted www.FresnoState.edu/magazine Kathleen Rhodes Schock without express written consent of the photographer https://twitter.com/FresnoState_Mag or the Office of University Communications. Clippings FresnoState Magazine Senior Editor and other editorial contributions are appreciated. Eddie Hughes All inquiries and comments, including requests for Fresno State serves the richly diverse region faculty contact information, should be sent to Editor, of Central California. The U.S. Department of Senior Graphic Designer FresnoState Magazine, 5200 N. Barton Ave., ML49, Todd Graves Fresno, CA 93740-8023. Education designates our University as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian University Communications Editorial Team American and Native American Pacific Islander- Margarita Adona, Joel Beery, Cary Edmondson, Phone: 559.278.2795 • Fax: 559.278.2436 Serving Institution. Randy Haar, Angel Langridge, Adriana www.FresnoState.edu MacDonald, Domenick Satterberg, April www.FresnoStateNews.com Schulthies, Jenny Toste, Tom Uribes © 2016 California State University, Fresno RED LEARNING BY SERVING EYE Photo by Cary Edmondson
Children who participate in programs at Stone Soup Fresno gain early education in areas that prepare them to excel in school. Stone Soup is a community-benefit organization established in 1992 to support health, solace, education, culture and citizenship among Southeast Asian families.
Fresno State student Ia Thao (pictured), who is pursuing her master’s degree in deaf education, interned with Stone Soup last spring and now works full time for its PlayGroup program, a First 5 Fresno County-funded program designed for children ages 0-3 and their parents. The program serves more than 75 children.
Interns at Stone Soup are vital to its programs. Students work at various levels, from volunteering 10 to 20 hours as part of a class assignment to serving as interns for 75 to 150 hours per semester. As many as 300 Fresno State students and several dozen faculty and staff have volunteered or worked at Stone Soup in a single year. Thao’s favorite part of the program is “interacting with the children and providing parents with the educational tools to nurture their children in a multicultural environment.”
For the full story, see Page 18.
2 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com 3 FRESNO STATE In what’s quickly become a tradition at New Student Convocation, Fresno State faculty and staff form a tunnel down the Save Mart Center concourse, greeting incoming students with NEWS high-fives and cheers. by Tom Uribes Cary Edmondson
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 A University on the Rise — and a Ranking 2016 to Prove it Fresno State was selected alongside seven Ivy League institutions, five University of COLLEGE California campuses and Stanford University in a national ranking of the top universities RANKINGS in the United States. What Can College Do For You?
America's BEST Colleges and Universities Washington Monthly, a D.C.-based magazine known for its annual rankings of American BEST colleges for adult learners BEST bang for the buck colleges colleges and universities, announced in August that Fresno State ranked No. 25 on its list EMBARGOED INFORMATION: of the top 30 national universities. No Public Release Before 12:01 AM (EDT) August 29, 2016 © 2016 Washington Monthly Publishing LLC Stanford topped the list followed by Harvard and MIT. Fresno State is the only campus in the California State University system to be included in the top 30 and the only school in the over 400-member American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
Washington Monthly has been ranking colleges and universities for 11 years with what it calls “a different kind of college ranking” focusing on three pillars: social mobility, research and service.
The University was cited as an “instructive example” of schools that enroll many low- income students and help them graduate. Given the high number of undergraduates that are first-generation students and the fact that the majority have incomes low enough to qualify for a federal Pell Grant, Fresno State “has a higher graduation rate than is typical, given those demographics, and a highly affordable net price,” the magazine reported.
“This national recognition is more evidence of Fresno State’s positive academic and athletic trajectory. We are living our new Strategic Plan’s mission to boldly educate and empower our students for success,” University President Joseph I. Castro says. “Our faculty and staff use their extraordinary gifts to develop the next generation of leaders for the Central Valley and beyond.”
4 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com FRESNO STATE NEWS
From the White House to a Flag Pole Near You
For the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Fresno State Bicentennial on July 4, Fresno State Visalia Campus posted an historic American Revolution Bicentennial (1776-1976) flag during a special ceremony.
The 4-by-6-foot flag, which once flew Lookin’ Classy, Downtown (Where over the White House among other places of honor, was gifted to the University by Visalia All the Lights are alumnus Dr. Elvin C. Bell, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and Army National Guard A new Fresno State campus in Visalia Bright) brigadier general who is a former Fresno city will be directed by Dr. Luz Gonzalez, councilman and mayor pro tem. a Fresno State alumna with 30 years of The new Fresno State Downtown Center offers non-credit professional development experience in teaching, student success, The event was held outside the Save Mart courses to the public on topics such as community and regional engagement Center as Fresno State music education career development and entrepreneurial and development. The first offerings major Ryan Vance performed “Reveille” skills, grant writing, digital marketing, this fall will be non-credit professional and the “Star Spangled Banner” on the business writing, water-wise landscaping, development courses. Future plans will trumpet. The flag was posted daily until horticulture and software design. explore degree and certificate programs July 11 and is now preserved in the targeted at working professionals. Henry Madden Library and will be displayed The center is located in the Bitwise South on special occasions. The Fresno State Visalia Campus is Stadium building, which was constructed in 1914 and is now home to several a newly remodeled 10,000-square-foot, Bell was presented the bicentennial flag dozen technology and entrepreneurial four-classroom building at College of in 1978 by the late Carl Albert, who was companies, a UPS store, a gym, a private the Sequoias (COS). Located on the speaker of the House from 1971 to 1977. southeast side of the COS campus at theater, a café and the Geekwise Academy that offers basic computer coding classes. Shady and Meadow streets, the Fresno “I’m pleased that this national treasure, this For more information, visit State Visalia Campus will deliver both one-of-a-kind bicentennial flag, has finally www.FresnoStateDowntown.com. state-funded and self-supported programs. found a welcome home here at Fresno State where students, faculty, parents and the general public will see it wave proudly over the campus,” Bell says. Have you Smith, Fresno State Winery business and tasted it? marketing manager and enology lecturer. “The Fresno State Touriga has smooth One of the Fresno State Winery’s tannins, great structure and concentrated most popular wines, the 2013 dark berry flavors.” Touriga, won several awards this year including a prestigious silver The awards were among 17 honors the medal from Sunset magazine’s Fresno State Winery received this year. 2016 International Wine Competition. Fresno State houses the nation’s first bonded commercial winery to operate “Touriga, commonly known as on a university campus. Touriga Nacional, is considered to be Portugal’s finest red wine Fresno State wine is available at the Gibson varietal and is commonly used Farm Market and other retailers or online to make Port,” said Kevin at http://store.fresnostatewinery.com.
5 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Meet the Medalists Jessica Miguel of Fresno was named the University Graduate Medalist “At Commencement, and Lilliana Toste of Lemoore was named the President’s Medalist — the we celebrate the bold University’s top student honors—at the 105th commencement in May. accomplishments of Miguel earned a master’s in education (multilingual multicultural education) thousands of Fresno with a 4.0 GPA. While in college, she worked for Clovis Unified School State graduates, District with students who have autism. and it’s my privilege She is now a graduate research assistant through the Department of Education to recognize Jessica Jessica Miguel, at UC San Diego, where she will began her Ph.D. program in September. and Lilliana with our University Graduate A graduate of Edison High School in Fresno, she hopes to become a professor Medalist at a four-year university. University’s most distinguished honors. Toste, whose parents are also Fresno State alumni, earned a bachelor’s in They are both hard- communicative disorders and deaf studies (speech-language pathology) with a 4.0 GPA. working, talented students whose She was a President’s Scholar in the Smittcamp Family Honors Program and academic records are was named 2016 University Volunteer of the Year by the Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning. stellar. They make all of us proud to be part Toste has volunteered hundreds of hours with Reading and Beyond, of a university like Exceptional Parents Unlimited, Saint Agnes Medical Center and Lowell Elementary, traveled to Fiji for a service-learning project to develop a Fresno State.” Lilliana Toste, community center and irrigation project and studied abroad in Italy. She President’s Medalist returned to campus this fall to begin work on a master’s degree. PRESIDENT JOSEPH I. CASTRO
AROUND THE FOUNTAIN
Student Documentary Author/Athlete Migliazzo Elected Online Master’s in Airs on PBS Speaks to Ag One President Education Earns Top Rank Recent Grads A documentary titled John Migliazzo (2007), an Fresno State’s Master of Arts, “Fresno to Fiji,” produced Fresno State alumnus attorney for the Michael J.F. Teaching degree was included by media, communications Ramsey Jay Jr., who Smith law office, began a as one of the “Best Online and journalism professor Jes authored the book one-year term July 1 as the Programs for Master’s in Therkelsen and four students “Empowering Dreamers new president of the Ag One Education” of 2016, according to (Mike Demmers, Michael to Become Achievers,” Foundation at Fresno State, a list released by BestColleges. Price, Jordan Nicholson and delivered the keynote a development organization com. The program ranked 14 Yvette Mancilla) who traveled at Fresno State’s 31st for the Jordan College of out of 25 universities that offer to Fiji in 2015, aired on Valley African American Recognition Ceremony that Agricultural Sciences and similar programs across the PBS. The film is now available honored about 150 graduates. Jay, a former Technology. Since 1979, nation. Fresno State was one on demand on the PBS all-conference track and field athlete at Ag One has raised more of three CSU campuses on the website. The film documents Fresno State, is a Wall Street-trained finance than $17 million in endowed list. The program is designed an international service- professional with more than a decade of funds with about 3,500 for distance learners who are learning trip to Fiji during global investment management experience. students receiving more than credentialed teachers, practicing the University’s winter break. EBONY Magazine named him as one of “30 $2.5 million in scholarships professionally in a classroom Through the project, Young Leaders Under 30.” Jay was invited to and grants. Other new Ag setting. The three-semester 20 students aided development make opening remarks at the White House One executive officers are program, coordinated by Dr. in Fiji and engaged with the in February when President Barack Obama Vice President Don Parreira Walter J. Ullrich, focuses on community through village hosted an event honoring Ray Charles. (1980), Treasurer Ken Ramos social justice, multiculturalism, events, sports, games and and Secretary Bill Purewal critical pedagogy and educational opportunities. (1998). practitioner research.
6 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com FRESNO STATE NEWS
Bayer Supports Ag Research
International agricultural leader Bayer established a $200,000 endowment with the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State to support entomology research in the University’s new Jordan Agricultural Research Center. Shrestha receives Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro announced the gift during a ribbon-cutting President Obama’s ceremony in May at the 30,000-square-foot Volunteer Service Award interdisciplinary research center. The contribution will be directed toward In recognition for his community service, Fresno State plant science professor Dr. Anil the research center’s entomology laboratory, Shrestha received President Barack Obama’s Volunteer Service Silver Award, the nation’s which will be named after the company. This premier volunteer award that recognizes Americans making a positive impact. space will allow students, faculty and industry partners to study colonies of insect pests and Shrestha’s service included returning to Nepal to volunteer in his academic specialty for the potentially beneficial insects. The lab will third consecutive summer. He helped scientists, faculty and students in Nepal develop skills also be used to develop critical control and in experimental designs and data analysis. integrated pest management strategies.
“I consider myself very fortunate to be able to share my skills, knowledge and experience “This effort will focus on talent development in a developing part of the world that is fending off a looming crisis of uncertainties in in order to provide internship and job agriculture and food security,” Shrestha says. opportunities for current students, continued research on key pests facing agriculture in the Central Valley and collaboration with students in the agricultural department to address crucial issues in the ag sector,” says University Secures $42M in Grants, Jim Blome, Bayer CropScience LP president Contracts and CEO. Fresno State received a record of more than $42 million in grants and contract awards The Crop Science division of Bayer creates during the 2015-2016 fiscal year. “This seeds, crop protection and non-agricultural milestone is a testament to the hard work of pest control products to help ensure an ample our campus faculty, staff and administration,” supply of high-quality food, feed, fiber and renewable raw materials. said Dr. James Marshall, dean of research Dr. @Cilantroman and graduate studies at Fresno State. “Their collective commitment to the greater good is Juan Felipe Herrera, who is now serving reflected in the outcomes of these grants and his second of two terms as the United Jordan contracts and contributes directly to enhancing States poet laureate and can be found on Agricultural Twitter as @cilantroman, was conferred an student success and improving the quality of Research life in our community and beyond.” Marshall honorary doctorate degree by Fresno State Center said the awards include federally funded President Joseph I. Castro in recognition research activities that engage faculty and of his poetic influence in shaping cultural students in addressing needs in biomedicine, ideals and the human spirit. Herrera, who agriculture and the environment. The funding lives in Fresno, taught at Fresno State also supports projects helping students adjust from 1990 to 2004 and was chairman of to college, research addressing water use and the Chicano and Latin American Studies drought, as well as training for social workers, Department. He also delivered the keynote teachers, administrators and other leaders address at the 40th Chicano/Latino serving the San Joaquin Valley. Commencement Celebration.
7 Why Fresno State is
@Fresno_State is #MyTopCollege For the third year in a row, Forbes asked students and alumni across because we got America to show their school spirit and share on social media what credit for exploring makes their universities special. Over 100 universities were represented the world around in the competition, with Fresno State finishing third nationally among us. #FresnoState large universities. Here is a snapshot of the Twitter chatter. Emily @embosh
@Fresno_State @Fresno_State Received Grade A business #MyTopCollege is #MyTopCollege is #MyTopCollege education @Fresno_State. is @Fresno_State for because of college because Job offers prior to graduating the opportunity to the real world nothing on earth b/c of campus activities, and work with and empower opportunities it matches up to passed CPA exam amazing student provides. Plus we @FresnoStateFB #MyTopCollege athletes on a daily basis have great alumni! on a Saturday @ForbesEDU #GoDogs night Tracey Scharmann Joshua Dowell @TraceyScharmann Jessica Giglio @joshdowell111 Chris Arguello @CoachGiglio @Cnofear14
@Fresno_State #MyTopCollege I love @Fresno_State is #MyTopCollege is @Fresno_State b/c I got to be a part because they because our of the Best band of encourage us to @FSMCJDept the West. Fresno #BeBold daily and students are State Marching Band support us every getting jobs right #MyTopCollege step of the way out of school C for Somebody anna Faith Sidlow @LaCiindyy @_anaavargas @FaithSidlow
8 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com GET SOCIAL
@Fresno_State @FresnoState_Mag
facebook.com/ FresnoState
@fresno_state
fresno_state
@Fresno_State is #MyTopCollege because of the Greek system that gave me the greatest sisters and memories! #godogs
Ashley Elizabeth @peachypie_xoxo
@Fresno_State is #MyTopCollege @Fresno_State because I’m proud to hug graduates is #MyTopCollege during commencement! for all the fun we have putting on Mary G. Castro events for other @MGCastro5 students
USU Productions @USUProductions
@Fresno_State First in the family @Fresno_State is #MyTopCollege @Fresno_State will always be to go to a 4 year because its business program is #MyTopCollege #MyTopCollege! straight from allowed me to create a business because of Couldn’t be more high school. I’m passionate about. @FresnoKremenEdu proud to be a @Fresno_State for giving me the
Bulldog for life #MyTopCollege Jason Whitmire power to educate e #BeBold @JasonWhitmire the next generation! t rry @terrbearr_ Teresa Acosta Mr. Lopez @ac0sta5 @jclopez2135
#MyTopCollege @Fresno_State @Fresno_State is is @Fresno_State is #MyTopCollege #MyTopCollege because our #24 because of the because they’re ranked nursing endless opportunities helping my dreams school allows us to provided to their become a reality. meet health needs students. of the Valley! Reyna Khone @_RpZ95 FS College Saysamongdy of Health @Saysamongdyk @FresnoStateCHHS
9 Ian Williams, a 2016 Fresno State graduate, says the most important thing he can tell people about his family’s business, Fresno Ag Hardware, is the story of his grandfather, John Rosetta, and the American dream.
10 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com FAMILY BUSINESS OPEN
Family businesses are driving the economy while evolving with each generation Story by Eddie Hughes Photos by Cary Edmondson
ohn and James Rosetta’s parents immigrated a 27-year-old, 2016 Fresno State graduate who is to the United States from Italy in the 1920s being groomed to run the business. That transition J in search of a better life for their family. It was period and development of future leaders, from a well executed idea — until tragedy struck. The generation to generation or from one family to the boys’ mother died shortly after the move, leaving next, is critical to keeping business healthy. them with nowhere to go but to foster care. John and James overcame their less-than-ideal circumstances, John died in 2003 and James died in 2015. Today, and both ended up joining the military and fighting Fresno Ag is owned by Rae Rosetta, John’s widow. in World War II — John in the Air Force and James Their daughter, Michelle Williams, is the office in the Army. manager. Ian is next in line. And he’s already helping the business adjust and respond to expectations of Upon returning home from the war, John got a job as a new generation of customers. a janitor at Fresno Agricultural Works and worked his way up. He worked hard. He saved money. He took Family-owned or controlled businesses make up about meticulous mental notes on every aspect of running 90 percent of all United States companies, according the business. And eight years later, in 1956, he bought to a study by Cornell University. it. With his brother as co-owner, it became what’s known today as one of the most iconic mom-and-pop And while every family business has its own, unique businesses in the Valley — Fresno Ag Hardware. start-up story, there is a movement picking up momentum in the Central Valley and across the It’s the American dream — the belief that all people country to ensure these businesses remain viable and are created equal and have the ability to prosper transition smoothly from generation to generation. with upward social mobility. Few things illustrate the American dream as poignantly as a family-run A report by the University of Southern Maine shows business. family businesses generate about half of the country’s Gross National Product, 60 percent of the country’s “Probably the most important thing I can tell people employment and 78 percent of all new job creation. about Fresno Ag is my grandfather John Rosetta’s story Suffice it to say, family businesses are critical to and the American dream,” says Ian Williams, the economy. continued 11 “If you look around the Central Valley, you will find family businesses of all shapes and sizes that keep our economy going, particularly in agriculture but also in manufacturing, light industrial, food production and distribution, retail, dining and more.”
JANE OLVERA QUEBE PRESIDENT, JP MARKETING
Fred Ruiz visits employee Esther Ingle, a Fresno State alumna, in the kitchen of the company’s Dinuba headquarters where recipes are prepared and tested for the nation’s No. 1 selling frozen Mexican food producer.
find family businesses of all shapes and sizes but also many family businesses were unable A Support Network that keep our economy going, particularly in to support or even sustain through 2009 for Family Business agriculture but also in manufacturing, light and 2010, which dramatically impacted the industrial, food production and distribution, financial support and memberships across the Since 1989, the Institute for Family Business retail, dining and more.” state.” at Fresno State has served as a resource providing Central Valley businesses an The institute, housed in the Craig School Fresno State’s institute has about 50 member opportunity to gather and discuss issues, share of Business at Fresno State, is one of few businesses, including family firms and those strategies and learn from those who have remaining in California. Ten years ago, there that support family firms, and is in the midst faced similar challenges. The institute hosts were eight similar institutes associated with of a $1 million endowment campaign to educational gatherings every four to six weeks colleges and universities in the state. Today ensure the future of this community resource. that are free to members. Its mission is to there are only three — at Fresno State, the support, serve and sustain family businesses. University of the Pacific and California State In January, Fred and Mitzie Ruiz of Ruiz University, Fullerton. Foods pledged $125,000 to launch the “Family business is at the heart of our country campaign. Fred Ruiz was a founding member and the backbone of our national economy,” Much of the reason for the decline is related to of the institute and has an American dream says Jane Olvera Quebe, president of JP the recession, Quebe says. “Unfortunately, not story of his own. Marketing and board chair of the institute. “If only did it become difficult for colleges and you look around the Central Valley, you will universities to support these organizations,
12 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com FAMILY BUSINESS
“Much has changed over 52 years for Ruiz with other like-minded family businesses Transitioning to the Foods,” says Ruiz Beck. “With a focus on who are experiencing similar challenges,” Next Generation the past 10 years, the popularity of Mexican Quebe says. food continues to grow, and we’ve opened Ruiz Foods was co-founded in Tulare by two large, additional manufacturing facilities In 2017, the institute will launch a Next Fred Ruiz and his father, Louis, in 1964. using the latest automation technology. Generation Retreat for those who recently They began making enchiladas and burritos We’re competing for share of stomach while took charge of their company or are in using recipes from Fred’s mother. Fred was keeping a close eye on evolving tastes and the succession planning stages. Dr. Robert in charge of production and Louis was in preferences.” Harper, dean of the Craig School of Business, charge of sales and delivery. says it’s critical that family businesses continue The transition to the third generation of to thrive because they’re the biggest economic Today, with manufacturing facilities in family went smoothly for Ruiz Foods, and driver in the region. Central California, Texas and South it helped to have a network of experienced Carolina and more than 3,000 employees, business owners with whom to share ideas. “I have learned something useful at every Ruiz Foods’ El Monterey brand is the No. 1 “We’ve been lucky enough to have very meeting I have attended,” says Roy Oken, selling frozen Mexican food product and is prominent Central Valley families share president of Wonder Valley Ranch Resort sold in 94 percent of all grocery stores in the their generational succession stories with in Sanger. “We were able to avoid making United States. us,” Quebe says, “and you realize that beating mistakes by listening to others who have gone the odds and successfully passing your family through our same obstacles. It is much easier Maybe most important for its future success, business from one generation to the next and less expensive to learn from others than the business successfully transitioned to its is doable.” to make the mistakes yourself.” third generation with Kim Ruiz Beck (Fred’s continued daughter and a 1987 Fresno State graduate) The Institute for Family Business provides serving as chairman and helping the company a forum for exchanging ideas, research adjust to food trends and evolving technology. findings, academic courses and information that is unique to family firms, like succession The company opened a new customer base planning and grooming the next generation with its creation of the Tornados brand, of business leaders. “What members tell us a popular roller grill snack sold in United is of most value is the opportunity to network States convenience stores.
Fred Ruiz, co-founder of Ruiz Foods, pledged $125,000 to launch a $1 million fundraising campaign to support the Institute for Family Business, a support network for family-run firms. Fred’s daughter, Kim Ruiz Beck (center) serves as chairman for the company.
13 Dr. Richard A. Johanson (left) has seen Johanson Transportation Service, now led by his son Larry Johanson (right), transform from a staff of three in 1971 to a staff of 90 headquartered in Fresno and spread over five other offices in four states.
Family businesses are responsible for: % % % of all U.S. of new of the nation’s 90 companies 78 job creation 60 employment
% Fresno State’s Institute of the nation’s Gross for Family Business is 50 National Product 1 of only 3 in California
14 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com FAMILY BUSINESS of doing business with new technology. Keeping the Just over a decade ago, the store was A $1 million fundraising American Dream using hand-written receipts. Now Fresno Ag is scanning QR codes, sending out campaign is underway Alive email blasts and maintaining an active to endow the Institute social media presence. The one constant With the next generation of business has been the store’s focus on providing for Family Business and leaders, comes the next generation of personalized customer service and ensure it as a resource technology. And technology, no matter responding to community feedback. who is asked, seems to be at the forefront It’s what Fresno Ag calls the “amazing that’s here to stay. The fund of the evolution of family business. There experience.” will allow for: are full-time jobs and job duties today that didn’t exist a decade or two ago. That personal touch seems to go hand- in-hand with many successful family At 90 years old, Dr. Richard A. Johanson businesses. “My dad had a vision for • Dedicated director of the has seen his family’s freight brokerage starting a company,” Larry Johanson says, Institute for Family Business firm transform from a staff of three in a “and he wrote out the cornerstones of rented space at a local truck stop in 1971 what we were going to stand for • Online learning hub — experience, integrity, gratitude to about 90 employees headquartered in • National Family Business Fresno and spread over five other offices and respect. How we do business Conference hosted at Fresno State in Sacramento, Oregon, Wisconsin and changes, but how we’re going to operate New Jersey. Six of those employees are fundamentally has never changed.” • Academic and industry research devoted solely to ensuring that Johanson Transportation Service is using leading- For the next generation — and the one • Next Generation Retreat, edge information technology systems. after that — new challenges and issues networking and professional will steadily arise. But as long as the development “In 1971, most transactions took place entrepreneurial spirit is alive in young via telephone with the required paperwork people across the Central Valley and • Scholarships for students involved following,” Richard Johanson says. beyond, and there are resources and tools in family businesses “Today, modern technology has made in place, family businesses can continue the use of paper and pencil obsolete.” to thrive and drive a healthy economy. “Fresno State works Johanson Transportation Service, which “I grew up in the store, and I’ve been won the 2011 California Family Business coming here my whole life. It hasn’t always hard to raise monies to Award presented by the institute, provides been my dream,” says Ian Williams, grow classrooms and freight solutions by truck, ocean, air or who started working in the Fresno Ag rail. The truckload division alone fulfills Hardware warehouse at age 16 but briefly equipment to be able up to 35,000 orders a year. moved out of town to pursue other interests. “When I was living in Tahoe, to assist more students “The whole platform we’ve built our I realized I was giving up an opportunity, and to help those business around is structured around and I’d hate to squander what my IT,” says Larry Johanson, president and grandfather had built. students learn and CEO and son of Richard. “We’ve custom grow. This is a win-win written every piece of it ourselves. We have “Hard work pays off in America. As long a Transportation Management System that as you’re able to work you can achieve for everyone — the allows customers to make a selection based your dreams. It’s not a myth. I’ve seen it on price and manage their freight with first-hand.” community, the students visibility to see where their shipment is and the family-owned at any given time.” — Eddie Hughes is senior editor for FresnoState Magazine. businesses.” Larry Johanson, a 1976 Fresno State graduate, says the family recognized years FRED RUIZ ago they could no longer do business in CO-FOUNDER OF RUIZ FOODS the 21st century the way they did it in the 1980s and 1990s. “With the volume For information on how to get of freight we move now, there would be no way we could do it without that involved, visit technology.” www.FresnoState.edu/craig/ifb
Fresno Ag Hardware, a 2011 finalist for the California Family Business Award, ONLINE EXTRA also has adjusted to a vastly different way FresnoStateMagazine.com to see more photos 15 VALLEY BUSINESS How Fresno State programs and resources are CRAIG SCHOOL fostering bold business ideas OF BUSINESS
The Craig School of Business at Fresno State offers a master’s in business administration and bachelor’s degrees in economics and business administration (accountancy, finance and business law, information systems and decision sciences, management and marketing). One of the top business schools in the state, it was established in 1928 and was named the Craig School in 1992 after a $10 million endowment from alumnus Sid and Jenny Craig.
INSTITUTE FOR FAMILY BUSINESS Promotes the preservation of family businesses by Under the direction providing a forum for of faculty, Fresno State exchanging ideas, research students manage an investment fund in findings, academic courses the University’s stock and information about trading room. issues unique to family firms
16 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com FAMILY BUSINESS
The Craig School of Business offers a master’s in business administration and bachelor’s degrees in economics and business administration.
LYLES CENTER FOR INNOVATION GAZARIAN REAL AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP ESTATE CENTER Assists innovators of all ages in development and execution of their ideas into Provides information on real estate markets businesses. Fosters innovative thinking and entrepreneurial behavior in the to the community, students and faculty, Central Valley through education, networking, training, collaboration and ethics. facilitating curriculum development, outreach, industry research and the study of professional ethics Central Valley Venture Forum Kids Invent! Brings together venture capitalists, Stimulates creativity of children through investment bankers, angel investors and hands-on science challenges of design, leading startups performance and functionality CEO Fresno Network for Teaching UNIVERSITY Promotes entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurship BUSINESS CENTER development of student-run enterprises Helps high school students learn skills to start businesses Provides businesses and professionals Entrepreneur in Residence with services and resources to foster - Nelson Sebra growth, create jobs and develop a Pay it Forward Luncheon prosperous economy Acts as a link between Lyles Center and Series entrepreneurial leaders in the Valley Brings together students and business leaders to network and explore topics Ethicist in Residence - Andrew Fiala Skills for Success Engages students and community in Promotes development and business, professional ethics, stewardship improvement of 21st century skills and citizenship (creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration) Innovate Fresno State Connects innovators to investors and Student Hatchery assists with feasibility studies and business Supports students by providing access plan development to mentoring and office space to work on their businesses while in college Intrapreneur in Residence - Mendy Laval Guides students in developing and implementing entrepreneurial skills in a corporate setting
17 SOUP FOR THOUGHT How one organization is inspiring positive change in a local neighborhood
by Esra Hashem
Children like Faith participate in Stone Soup Fresno programs that support health, solace, education, culture and citizenship among Southeast Asian families. Cary Edmondson
DID YOU KNOW? The Central Valley has More than In the past five years, the nd largest Hmong-American Hmong 1,700 students represented 2 -American students of Southeast nearly 10 percent of population Asian descent attend incoming freshmen in the nation. Fresno State. at Fresno State.
18 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
n 8-year-old boy carrying Stone Soup Fresno, a community-benefit The organization’s focus areas include early a loaded gun approached organization established in 1992 by Garabed, childhood education, cultural preservation Kathy Garabed, looking for supports health, solace, education, culture and education advocacy. help after receiving instructions and citizenship among Southeast Asian fromA a local gang to carry out its next hit. refugee families in Fresno. “I remember almost everyone within the neighborhood attended Stone Soup or knew It was not the first time Garabed, a refugee Since its founding, Stone Soup has someone one who went there,” Galarza says. resettlement worker, was faced with the partnered with Fresno State to carry out “There were so many activities for the youth violence cultivated within Fresno’s El its mission. As many as 300 students of all ages, and my mother of four loved all Dorado Park neighborhood in the 1970s, and several dozen faculty and staff have that Stone Soup provided for us at no cost.” ’80s and ’90s — but it was a moment that volunteered or worked at Stone Soup in inspired a new path for the community. a single year. EePay Yang, a master teacher at Stone Soup who became involved with the organization “Kathy formed Stone Soup Fresno with Tracy Galarza, a Fresno State alumna over 10 years ago, recognized these needs the idea of utilizing resources of the for- who grew up in the El Dorado Park even within her own family. profit, the nonprofit and the educational neighborhood and attended Stone Soup community to work with Southeast Asian as a child, says it was that experience “My parents had no educational refugees in the El Dorado area,” says Chris that influenced her decision to pursue background,” Yang says. “They understand Fiorentino, director of the Jan and Bud a bachelor’s degree in sociology and that education is an important key to Richter Center for Community Engagement a master’s degree in counseling. success and a better life — but they didn’t and Service-Learning at Fresno State. know how to go about it.” “The thought was they could address large “I think growing up in this neighborhood issues faced by people in the area — crime, has given me the opportunity to experience Yang, who earned a bachelor’s degree in education, maintaining refugees’ Southeast what it is like to live in a high-risk crime, child development from Fresno State Asian cultural heritage.” theft and poverty neighborhood,” Galarza in the spring, says her goal is to educate says. “I can relate to the difficulties in these the community about the importance of Fiorentino says Garabed recognized the neighborhoods and what they can lead to in education in transforming children’s futures, need to help refugees transition to life in children’s lives. Being able to overcome these and therefore their families’ futures. the United States. While the government barriers has created a passion for helping provided housing for Hmong, Vietnamese, others in the same situation.” Since she began working with Stone Soup, Thai and Cambodian refugees, programs Yang says she has seen a different side of that eased their psychological transition Because of the organization’s proximity, the El Dorado community than that of were lacking. Fiorentino says Fresno State students who the violence Garabed witnessed. Instead, serve there learn about and support the through education and building rapport, “When some refugees started coming from community where they live and go to school. Yang has seen resilience and care within Southeast Asia, you had cultures that had the community. actually been at war for generations — even “We cannot function without the dedication thousands of years — that were resettled and commitment of interns, work study “I realized that this community is willing in the same areas,” Fiorentino says. “What students and volunteers who arrive each to do anything for their children’s future.” that led to was the development of some day through our doors from Fresno State,” really violent gangs, especially among says Lowell Ens, executive director of Stone — Esra Hashem is a marketing young people.” Stoup Fresno. “Through our efforts over specialist in the Division of University the past 20-plus years, our organization has Advancement at Fresno State. served several thousand Southeast Asian immigrant families.”
Fresno State’s Hmong minor option – which launched in fall 2016 – is a first in the western United States. More than 100 students are enrolled in Hmong minor courses.
19 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com 19 20 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com SPORTS
WITHIN DriVing Range OF HER Dreams Story by Eddie Hughes • Photos by Cary Edmondson
adchen Ly sat at the dinner table in her parents’ Clovis home with a bowl of pho and a plate of pork ribs — just the home cooking she was craving after more than a month on the road. Her mom and dad, brother, aunt and uncle and two young cousins settled around the table for dinner, and the tasty meal quickly became an afterthought as the family visited with Madchen. Her mother got up, walked into the kitchen and brought back a small slice of strawberry-banana pie for Madchen — a splendid dessert, but not quite as desirable as the slice of pie she’s chasing.
Meet Madchen, a 5-foot tall professional golfer with $406 in earnings so far in her rookie year. She graduated from Fresno State in 2015 and now competes on the Symetra Tour, a set of developmental tournaments for Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) hopefuls. Play well enough on the Symetra Tour, and she can go to Qualifying School. Play well in qualifying With family support, tournaments, and she can earn her LPGA Tour card. That’s the slice of pie Madchen Ly is on she’s hungriest for. course to reach And make no mistake, while she may not talk much about the LPGA unless the highest level prodded, everyone close to her knows that’s her goal. “I know she’s always nice and doesn’t say a lot, but she’s ultra-competitive,” of pro golf. says Pheng Ly, Madchen’s father, part-time caddy and biggest fan. “She’s got a lot of my personality. We may not say a lot, but internally, we are competitive people.”
She wants to make a living playing golf and to prove to herself that she belongs at the highest level. She’s close — as in she finished seventh out of 340-plus golfers at Stage I of Qualifying School at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage in late August. Last year, when Madchen tied for 113th at Stage III of Qualifying School, the top 49 golfers earned LPGA status. continued
21 Madchen Ly (left) makes the most of a short trip home after playing on the professional golf circuit, catching up with young cousins Lyla and Ava and her father, Pheng Ly.
One Hmong-American golfer, Megan Khang, has already joined the LPGA Tour. She’s earned more than $255,000 in her first year. Madchen and her father got a chance to meet Khang and her father last year. “I told Megan’s dad, ‘It doesn’t matter if it’s your daughter or my daughter, I just want it to be someone’s daughter,’” Pheng says. “If one of our daughters paves the way for someone else to make it, that’s a great thing.”
Pheng, a Fresno Pacific University alumnus, works as a maintenance and construction supervisor for Pacific Gas and Electric, overseeing about 25 employees. His wife (Madchen’s mother), Pang Vangyi, is a Fresno State alumna who works as a counselor at Fresno Adult School.
“The culture has always been male “I don’t know if the card is as important “A typical day, I wake up, have breakfast, go dominant, push your sons to succeed and to her as people saying, ‘Hey, I’m proud of to the gym, clean up and then I’m headed want your daughter to marry into a good you,’” Pheng says. “It would mean all the straight out to the golf course,” Madchen family, but we didn’t raise Madchen or effort and all the time away from family and says. “I spend six to eight hours a day at her brother like that,” Pheng says. “We’ve friends was worth it.” the golf course — either playing, practicing always given them the opportunity to or doing both. Basically the golf course is explore and to reach out, to do things that Not to mention, at the LPGA level, there home to me, which is fine.” may not be the most commonly done. She is potential for much higher earnings. Right just happened to say, ‘I want to play golf.’” now, on the Symetra Tour and in Qualifying Madchen is used to the busy schedule. School, Madchen is charged between Even before high school, she spent summer In the past four months alone, she’s played $500 and $2,500 just to enter tournaments. weekends traveling all over California to plenty — grinding through competitions in Plus she has to fly all over the country, rent play in tournaments. By her junior year California, Indiana, Michigan and Florida. cars and stay either in hotels or with host at Clovis High School, she gave a verbal families. Her parents help with what they commitment to attend Fresno State over Pheng thinks back to those days he’d pick can, but for now she’s tasked with seeking numerous other universities that were Madchen up on his way home from work sponsorships and private support to fund also offering scholarships. Her senior year, and take her to the driving range, when the the pursuit of her dream. she earned first-team all-Mountain West prize at the end of play was giving her a Conference honors and posted the lowest high-five and taking her out for ice cream. If That dream began when Madchen was 8 scoring average in Bulldogs history. there is an emoji for feeling proud, it could years old. She recalls her father getting off be a photo of his face. work, picking her up and taking her to the While she was setting new records at Fresno local Hank’s Swank driving range. “I would State, she was also paving new ground in “Five years ago, I couldn’t imagine her just start pounding golf balls for hours, the community. Her father believes she is being in the position she’s in,” Pheng says. and then I just fell in love with the game the first Hmong-American female golfer to “Ultimately, I know what her dreams are. right there,” she says. “I was always daddy’s ever play at a Division I college. We want to get on the LPGA Tour. But, for little girl. He’s someone I can always go to us, if she were to tell me in a few months, for help, and he’s definitely been my No. 1 “It’s a part of why she worked so hard,” ‘Hey dad, this is it,’ we would have no supporter. I couldn’t do this without him.” Pheng says. “We want her story and regrets. I’m extremely proud as her father our story to give the Hmong community, and her biggest fan.” She also couldn’t do this without her work all Hmong people throughout the country, habits. Even during her downtime, when a reason to say, ‘Look at the possibilities’ she visits home, she’s rarely at her house. for a Hmong woman who has grown up ONLINE EXTRA somewhat traditional in this country.” FresnoStateMagazine.com to see video and photos of Madchen Ly’s training regimen. 23 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com Paul George hile helping the USA team win all eight of its games over two weeks against the best becomes the 20th W basketball-playing countries in the world, Olympic medalist Paul George closed the book on his recovery from from Fresno State a gruesome broken leg suffered while playing with the national team two years earlier.
by Eddie Hughes Team USA’s 96-66 win over Serbia on Aug. 24 in Rio de Janeiro earned George and his teammates Olympic gold medals with an average margin of victory of 32.1 points per game. George finished fourth on the team in scoring with 11.3 points per game and led the team with 12 steals.
Since leaving Fresno State after his sophomore year to become the 10th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, George has developed into the Indiana Pacers’ best player and a three-time NBA all-star. And he’s the first former Bulldogs basketball player to win Olympic gold.
Overall, Fresno State has been represented in the Olympics 37 times by 26 different athletes and
Photo illustration by Todd Graves Photo illustration by Todd Original photo by Cary Edmondson one coach, earning 14 gold medals.
24 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com SPORTS
Left to right: Paul George, Draymond Green and Carmelo Anthony are awarded their gold Bulldogs Olympics medals at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Medalists All-time Getty Images SOFTBALL
1996 Atlanta George (aka PG13) gave FresnoState Magazine an exclusive Gold: Laura Berg, Kim Maher, Martha interview after a USA exhibition win against China at Oracle Noffsinger-O’Kelley, Julie Smith, Shelly Arena in Oakland on July 27. Stokes, Margie Wright (assistant coach) 2000 Sydney FresnoState Magazine: What does it mean to you to represent your Gold: Laura Berg, Amanda Scott, country in the Olympics? Shelly Stokes Paul George: It means a lot. Coming from a small city and small town 2004 Athens [Palmdale], probably being the only Olympian to compete for a gold from my Gold: Laura Berg, Lovie Jung city, it’s remarkable. I’ve always dreamed of this since I was a kid. 2008 Beijing FS Mag: You overcame the leg injury a couple years back playing with the Silver: Laura Berg, Lovie Jung USA team. What was the toughest part of the rehab? PG: The toughest part is it’s tedious work. You’re doing the same exercise, BASEBALL same workout, day after day, time after time, and you constantly have to find the motivation through it all to want to attack that rehab. You’re going to 1984 Los Angeles deal with pain, you’re going to deal with discomfort. That’s part of it and you Silver: John Hoover understand that. 1988 Seoul Gold: Tom Goodwin FS Mag: The Red Wave remembers you as one of the all-time greats at Fresno State — what one thing did you learn in college that has helped 1996 Atlanta you the most in your NBA career? Bronze: Jeff Weaver PG: I think it’s just patience. My time at Fresno State, I had to just be patient. Being thrown out there as a freshman, I got the chance to play right away and TRACK AND FIELD learn, but I had to be patient. I had to learn how to get better and learn that work ethic. It’s a lot of stuff thrown at you in college, but I think the work ethic 1952 Helsinki and patience is what stuck with me. Gold: Les Laign, Jamaica (4x400 relay)
FS Mag: Describe what it’s like to know you’re not only representing your country in the Olympics, but you’re representing your family, the Pacers, VOLLEYBALL your hometown Palmdale and your University. What’s it feel like to have so many people pulling for you? 1992 Barcelona Bronze: Ruth Lawanson PG: It’s great, man, to have people be able to live through this experience with me, whether it’s people I’ve come in contact with physically or they have that connection because of the cities I’m from, that I represent. It’s great to be the WRESTLING face of that and to represent for them. 2004 Athens Silver: Stephen Abas (55kg/121lb FS Mag: In your two years at Fresno State, the team had some struggles freestyle) on the court. But last year, Fresno State won the Mountain West and returned to the NCAA tourney. How did it feel for you to see your school in the Big Dance? BASKETBALL PG: It’s real good. I think what coach Rodney Terry is doing at Fresno State is unbelievable. And it’s only going to get better the more and more guys he gets 2016 Rio in those jerseys. It makes me proud to be an alumnus, and especially now Gold: Paul George being one of the faces of Fresno State to the extent of where I’ve gotten to. I think kids now look at Fresno State as a real destination and it just makes me feel good. Go ’Dogs! 25 ’DOG BYTES // SPORTS BRIEFS by Eddie Hughes Bulldogs Set Records Bob for Academic All Stars Bennett
A record 155 Fresno State student-athletes were named to the 2015-16 Academic All-Mountain West team — the highest number since the Bulldogs joined the Mountain West in 2012-13.
Eligible selections must have completed at least one academic term at the member institution and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, in addition to being a starter or significant contributor on their athletic team.
The swimming and diving team’s 22 selections were the most for any Bulldogs program. Football added 19 members, and six other teams landed double-digit Keith Kountz honorees: women’s track and field (17), baseball (16), women’s soccer (13), ‘The Pete at The Bob’ softball (12), men’s track and field (11) and volleyball (10). Bob Bennett, the winningest coach in Bobby Jones, who was the 1991 NCAA Fresno State baseball history, was honored Player of the Year before a 10-year career The Bulldogs also set a record with 82 May 7 as the University’s baseball facility with the New York Mets and San Diego Mountain West Scholar-Athletes — was renamed Pete Beiden Field at Bob Padres, spoke to Bennett in front of the requiring a 3.5 cumulative GPA or better. Bennett Stadium. crowd about the lessons Bennett taught his players. Bennett led the Bulldogs to 1,302 wins in his 34 years as coach, including 26 straight winning seasons, 21 NCAA regionals, 17 “You taught us to be conference championships and two College World Series appearances (1988, 1991). community figures, Bennett’s Diamond ‘Dogs led the nation to always remember in attendance in 1988 and 1989. Bennett played for Beiden from 1952 to 1955. where [we] came
“This is a great honor, and I really from, and that is appreciate this,” Bennett says. “It is also a great honor for my players. I wish their something that has names could be on the stadium too. Fresno always stood with State baseball has been a big part of my life, as a player and a coach, and this University me for the rest of has done so much for me, my family and all my players.” my life.” BOBBY JONES More than 100 former players and their families joined Bennett on the field for the Bennett’s young grandson, Wyatt Prieto, pregame dedication ceremony. threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Cary Edmondson the Bulldogs beat San Diego State 1-0 in 10 innings. The Bulldogs went on to win the Mountain West championship. Student-athletes celebrate at 2016 Commencement.
26 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com SPORTS NEW COACHES
H2O Polo Coming Soon Natalie Benson
Fresno State hired former Olympian Natalie Benson on June 16 to lead its new women’s water polo program that will begin competition in spring 2018.
“From her collegiate career to her Olympic experience and now as a college coach, we know we have found the right person with the integrity, the drive and the coaching expertise to put Fresno State on the water polo map,” says Jim Bartko, Fresno State director of athletics.
Regarded as one of the best women’s water polo players of all time, Benson was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2015. She helped the USA Olympic team win medals in 2004 (bronze) and 2008 (silver), and she led UCLA to three national championships. WATER POLO TIMELINE Benson compiled a 56-49 record at Marist over the past three seasons. A two-time Cary Edmondson MAAC coach of the year, her team won the conference championship in 2015. Summer 2016 Recruitment begins November 2016 Early signing period The Bulldogs will compete in the nine-team Golden Coast Conference which August 2017 Student-athletes arrive includes such programs as San Diego State, Fresno Pacific and Santa Clara. Spring 2018 Competition begins
Bulldogs Pin Down There’s no place Wrestling Coach like home (plate) Troy Steiner Linda Garza
New coach Troy Steiner will lead Fresno State wrestling After a high-profile national search, on the mat next fall for the first time since the program homegrown candidate Linda Garza was cut in 2006. Steiner was an assistant at Oregon was selected as Fresno State’s new State for 10 years before being named Bulldogs coach. softball coach. Garza attended Hoover High School and says she grew up watching the “Today is truly a special day nationally for the sport of wrestling and here Bulldogs, dreaming to one day be a part of the program. for the fans in the Valley who deeply love this sport,” said Fresno State director of athletics Jim Bartko on May 10 when he made the announcement. “I think [Bulldog softball] is so incredible to be able to be a part of” Garza says. “The amount of Olympians, the A four-time All-American at Iowa, Steiner was a member of three national amount of All-Americans, every coach that’s ever stepped championship teams and won the 1992 individual national championship foot in this arena has been successful and my job is to at 142 pounds. continue building on that legacy.
As a coach, Steiner helped guide Oregon State to top-10 team finishes in “There are 300 places [softball programs] in the country 2012 and 2013 and seven Pac 12 Championships, including five-straight — and I only wanted to be here.” from 2012 to 2016. In 2013, Garza took over an 11-year-old UC Riverside Wrestling at Fresno State dates to 1962. The program has won 11 team program that had never had a winning season. She led conference championships, had 14 top-25 finishes (including a No. 8 ranking UC Riverside to 39 and 32 wins the past two years. in 1993), 99 individual conference champions, 33 All-Americans and three individuals who combined Garza was a star infielder at UNLV from 1998 to 2001, to win six national earning all-Mountain West honors. championships. WRESTLING TIMELINE She replaces Trisha Ford, who left Fresno State for Arizona Summer 2016 Recruitment begins State after leading the Bulldogs to a return trip to the NCAA November 2016 Early signing period tournament, a second straight Mountain West championship August 2017 Student-athletes arrive and a No. 18 national ranking. Winter 2017-18 Competition begins
— For all the latest news on Fresno State athletics, visit GoBulldogs.com. 27 TINY HOUSE, BIG RESPONSIBILITY Construction management students gain exposure to sustainable practices that benefit the whole region
by Rebecca Wass
t’s Saturday morning and student chair of construction management in Fresno And while tiny house living might not be Thomas Dailey is perched on the State’s Lyles College of Engineering. “It also suitable for everyone, there are plenty of soon-to-be roof of the 190-square- includes advanced wall framing to ensure measures anyone can take to protect the foot tiny home he’s helping to build. better energy efficiency and solar panels to environment and save money. TheI sound of hammer on nail is echoing generate electricity.” “It’s imperative that every person be focused across the quiet Fresno State campus this on sustainability and protecting our natural sun-scorched August morning. Sweat slides The project is part of a competition hosted resources,” says Jake Ward, sustainability down both Dailey’s cheeks as the clock by the Sacramento Metropolitan Utility and special projects manager at Fresno State. strikes noon. He puts the hammer back in District and open to all colleges and “The University is making great efforts to his tool belt and climbs down the ladder — universities in California to promote energy create a sustainable campus. As of year- only to pack up and start again the next day. conservation and efficiency, green building to-date, we have saved about 28 percent and solar technologies. of normal water usage through our It’s hard work and an extra time conservation efforts.” commitment, but it’s also a hands-on “We think we need six bedrooms, a den learning opportunity that provides Dailey and a 12-car garage, but we really don’t,” Campus irrigation is now monitored valuable experience for when he enters the Dailey says. “It’s nice, but we don’t. Living and maintained with new software, low- job market. By offering sustainable research in a small house saves energy, materials, flow sprinkler heads and drip irrigation and learning opportunities such as the Tiny waste and it also forces people to get out systems. The campus has been upgraded House Project, Fresno State helps students and interact with the community and spend with drought-tolerant plants, converted gain an in-depth understanding of social, time outdoors — which is very healthy.” more than 850 exterior lighting fixtures to environmental and economic impacts LED, upgraded its electrical infrastructure, surrounding human activity. Students researched ways to design efficient installed electric vehicle charging stations heating and cooling systems and sought out and implemented zero emission vehicles “This house is net-zero energy rated, eco-friendly lighting, insulation and ways for servicing the grounds. meaning it will generate as much energy as to harvest rainwater for garden and toilet it consumes,” says Brad Hyatt, professor and usage. They used building information “By reducing our demand on the power modeling to create 3-D drawings (left) grid, effectively managing our available and run energy analyses. The exterior of water supply and diverting campus waste the tiny house is made of corrugated metal from landfill,” Ward says, “we are leading and reclaimed redwood salvaged from the way for other universities and businesses a 200-year-old barn. in the region and training students in the way of the future. “ Reusing materials is just one part of the nationwide tiny house movement. The — Rebecca Wass is a communications movement, geared toward living a simple specialist for the Lyles College of and sustainable life while causing little to Engineering at Fresno State. no footprint, is going mainstream.
28 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com IN THE KNOW | ACADEMICS Cary Edmondson
Students, faculty, media and community members gathered for TINY a send-off celebration as the completed tiny house was prepared for its haul to a Sacramento competition. TIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING Student Thomas Dailey and others spent long hours and weekends • Use a clothes rack or clothes line to dry constructing the tiny your clothes house while gaining job- • Wash full loads ready skills and exposure to sustainable practices. • Stop dishwasher in the drying cycle and let air dry • Turn off water when brushing teeth and take short showers • Avoid paper plates, plastic utensils and plastic water bottles • Use reusable bags • Install low-flow toilets • Compost veggies, fruits and eggshells (coffee grounds for fertilizer)
COMMON DAILY RECYCLABLES
• Water bottles • Shampoo bottles • Paper coffee cups • Aluminum foil • Cardboard • Glass jars • Toilet paper rolls • Plastic containers
TAKE THE FOLLOWING TO THE APPROPRIATE RECYCLER
• Electronics • Motor oil • Paint • Medical waste • Batteries • Fluorescent bulbs
29 Takahashi Claire FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com 29 Claire Takahashi Claire
by Geoff Thurner
FresnoState Magazine sat down with Calliope Correia, a Fresno State instructional support technician with 15 years of experience in water-wise gardening, to learn some of her best tips. Planting a drought-tolerant landscape or garden doesn’t mean people only have to plant cactus.
FresnoState Magazine: How can FS Mag: What are other good water- FS Mag: What types of plants do you we be sustainable in our home wise landscaping principles? suggest for landscaping? landscapes? CC: Before you plant, come up with CC: When visiting nurseries, try to Calliope Correia: Healthy soil an overall design that provides choose plants that have been grown grows healthy plants. New diversity in plant appearance, heights locally. Independent local nurseries plants like a mix of native and flowering schedules but with usually have staff who are happy to soil and organic matter like similar water and light requirements. talk about the large variety of plants compost or a soil amendment. It’s similar to prepping a house for that will thrive with reduced water When planting, make sure you break painting. A bulk of the work that you and are attractive like Salvias, Cistus, up the hard pan below to encourage put in before actually starting the Vitex, Ceanothus, Lantana and certain good drainage and healthier roots. project makes it look beautiful in the grasses. You can get ideas from public Blending in organic matter at least end. Installing a good irrigation system demonstration gardens and neighbors’ once or twice a year, especially with is crucial for success. landscapes, especially in different vegetable gardens, grows strong seasons. Take pictures of them with plants that can resist insects and FS Mag: What are tips on conserving you to the nursery. disease and rely less on synthetic water while keeping plants healthy? fertilizers and pesticides. Also, try to — Geoff Thurner is a communications use low-rate, slow-release, naturally- CC: It’s important to have a mulch specialist for the Jordan College of sourced fertilizers. Having a mixture like wood chips or gravel on top Agricultural Sciences and Technology of plants that flower at different times of exposed soil to prevent water at Fresno State. is aesthetically pleasing and provides evaporation. Use a drip irrigation an environment for beneficial wildlife system, especially in vegetable and insects that encourage pollination. gardens, so you’re only watering the Nature has a design to keep the “bad” plant itself. Always aim for planting bugs in check with good bugs, and drought-tolerant species but know a mix of different plants helps keep that it will take a year or so before they disease at bay. establish their root systems and can withstand periods of drought. 30 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com
TOP ALUMNI INSPIRE SUCCESS Fresno State Alumni Association celebrates 2016 Top Dogs
by Kathleen R. Schock
heir diverse life stories touch nearly every corner of the globe, and all share one thing in common T – an education at Fresno State. Whether restoring the gift of sight to people in developing countries, protecting the world’s rainforests, changing the lives of people with disabilities or improving the safety and well-being of agricultural workers, the 2016 Top Dog honorees embody what it means to be a Bulldog. Extraordinary professional success and a passionate commitment to give back are at Distinguished the core of what it takes to be a Top Dog. Alumnus
More than 1,000 people gathered Oct. 15 at the Save Mart James E. Center to celebrate 14 of Fresno State’s most accomplished Brumm (1965) Mitsubishi alumni at the Fresno State Alumni Association’s Top Dog Corporation, Awards Gala, an inspirational night filled with bold stories attorney/adviser of achievement and service.
Lawyer, international businessman and philanthropist James E. Brumm (1965) took home the Distinguished Alumnus award, the highest alumni honor of the night. “I didn’t know if I could cut it in college,” Brumm shared with students during Top Dog Talks, a TED-inspired event held two days Arthur Safstrom Service Award before the gala. But he went on to excel academically, gaining confidence that propelled him to Columbia University in Valerie A. New York, where he earned his law degree. Vuicich (1979) Fresno County Office of Education, A deep curiosity about the world inspired Brumm to achieve administrator at a global level. In 1977 he joined Mitsubishi International Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation. He served as executive vice president and general counsel in the U.S. through 2012. In 1995 he became the first westerner to serve on Mitsubishi Corporation’s board in Japan, a position he held until 2002.
“One thing that always has given me pleasure is helping people and being of some value to somebody,” he says. “It just seems part of what the meaning of life is.”
32 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com ALUMNI NEWS
The Top Brumm’s commitment to human rights and environmental Based on her decades of tireless work on behalf of Fresno Dog Alumni issues has taken him across the globe, working to protect the State and the California State University, it is evident that Awards Gala culture of indigenous peoples and natural habitats. Vuicich believes the University and community together recognized 14 of Fresno are improving the quality of life in the Central Valley. State’s most Each year one alumnus from each of the University’s eight accomplished academic schools and colleges, as well as the Department “Our honorees are at the top in ways that matter: in alumni. of Athletics, the Henry Madden Library, the Division of character, in their families, in service to others, in their See Page 34 for the Student Affairs and the Division of Graduate Studies, is efforts to drive innovation and promote inclusiveness to distinguished chosen to be honored with an Outstanding Alumni Award. solve our toughest problems on every front,” says Fresno honorees. State President Joseph I. Castro. “Every year I am amazed Valerie A. Vuicich (1979) was honored with the Arthur by what our alumni have accomplished and inspired by the Safstrom Service Award, a special distinction to recognize impact they make on the world.” service to the University and community. An administrator of the Career Technical Education/Fresno Regional — Kathleen R. Schock is director of strategic Occupation Program for the Fresno County Office of communications at Fresno State. Education, Vuicich has held a lifelong devotion to giving back. “The way you choose to serve will define the kind of community you want to live in,” Vuicich says. ONLINE EXTRA FresnoStateMagazine.com to see videos about the Top Dogs 33 33 Distinguished Arthur Safstrom Alumnus Service Award James E. Valerie A. Brumm (1965) Vuicich (1979) Mitsubishi Fresno County Corporation, Office of Education, attorney/adviser administrator
One Night. 14 Stories. Endless Inspiration.
Jordan College of Kremen School of Education Henry Madden Library Agricultural Sciences and Human Development and Technology Dr. Lois Huter Dr. Berta Gonzalez Tarkanian (1955, ’64) Earl E. Hall (1964) (1970) former associate Las Vegas City Council Hall Management, founder dean/founder of the Division of Continuing and Global Education
College of Arts and Lyles College of Engineering College of Science Humanities and Mathematics Dr. Janice M. Raj Beasla (1989) Pacific Gas and Electric, senior Dr. Richard (1969, ’73) Emerzian director of service planning Whitten Jr. M.D. State Center Community and design Ophthalmologist/chief College District, director medical officer of Vision for Disabled Students Health International Programs and Services
Department of Athletics Division of Research College of Social Sciences and Graduate Studies Dennis DeLiddo Dante R. Simi (1963) (1969) former Fresno State Anthony J. Rubino Learn4Life, co-founder/CEO wrestling coach (1988, 2010) range squadron director at Edwards Air Force Base
Craig School of Business College of Health and Division of Student Affairs Human Services Dora Celia Paul DeRuosi Westerlund (1996) Debbie Poochigian (1972, ’85) retired director Fresno Area Hispanic (1974) Fresno County Board of development and Foundation, founder/CEO of Supervisors educational advocate
Thank you to our generous 2016 Top Dog sponsors
PLATINUM PREMIER ON-CAMPUS GOLD MEDIA
Thank you to those who have donated to the scholarship endowment! The Fresno State Alumni Association honored the 2016-17 student scholarship recipients at the Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala. This year, the Alumni Association awarded more than $146,000 in scholarships, a leading figure amongst the 23 alumni associations in the California State University system.
34 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com .
STAYIN’ ALIVE
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35 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com ’ DOG HOUSES Justin Johnson
A Bulldog Courtship Richard Marshall, a former Bulldogs football player and nine-year NFL veteran, and wife Do you have that Jasmine (Plummer) Marshall, a former Bulldogs basketball standout, built the perfect spot Bulldog spirit? to compete in the backyard of their new Riverside home. It’s also a fun place to play with their three young sons — Xavier, Isayah and Richard Jr. — who will get plenty of exposure Show us how you to the shiny new Bulldogs logo on the court. keep Fresno State pride alive at your “If it wasn’t for Fresno State, I wouldn’t have met my home or business wonderful wife. Being a Bulldog means the world and you might be featured in a future to me. I grew as a person and a man there. Bulldog issue of FresnoState born, Bulldog bred — that’s going to be a part of my Magazine! family forever.” magazine@listserv. RICHARD MARSHALL csufresno.edu
36 FALL/WINTER 2016 » FresnoStateMagazine.com ALUMNI NEWS CLASS NOTES A
Harold Osborne (1972), a Jennifer Kasparian- 1960s California winemaker, is now Hoekstra (1985), a registered Richard Anderson (1965, running La Fuente Winery in nurse, owns The Bar Method, ’72) authored “Fact Versus Todos Santos, Baja California. a spa-like exercise studio Legend: The Truth About The winery has eight grape known for its low-impact, the 1960 World Series,” varieties and produces about total-body workout. She challenging status quo beliefs 4,000 cases per year. oversees locations in Fresno about several issues related and Clovis. Gary Soto (1974) authored to Major League Baseball. B a new book, “You Kiss by th’ Christopher Morse (1988) Daniel Meredith Geeting Book,” in which each poem was elected to the board of (1966), a music professor begins with a line from governors of the California for 32 years, was awarded Shakespeare and expands State University, Fresno the President’s Award for with Soto’s verses. Foundation. He is the partner Teaching Excellence by Cal in charge of the Fresno office Lutheran University President David St. John (1972), of the accounting firm Moss Cal Kimball. professor and English Adams. Department chair at the University of Southern Todd Leroy Oto (1988, California, is now a fellow of ’99) was appointed The Best Days of Your Life Photography The Best Days of Your 1970s the American Academy of Arts superintendent for Visalia C and Sciences. Unified School District. Shirley Melikian Armbruster (1973), Randy Reed (1986) is now associate vice president for director of production for University Communications 1980s ValleyPBS. at Fresno State, was named Public Relations Society of Chris Bowlby (1985) Russell Jack Richardson America (Central California) manages advertising (1984) is now athletic director Professional of the Year. partnerships for Flipboard in at University of Montana- San Francisco, Silicon Valley Western, where he previously Kathleen Bayless (1978) and the Pacific Northwest. He served as head athletic was appointed to the previously worked in a similar trainer. board of directors and the capacity for The New York audit committee at Veeco Times. Sandra Witte (1980) was Instruments Inc. in Plainview, appointed dean of the New York. Martin Brady (1987) was Jordan College of Agricultural reappointed by Gov. Jerry Sciences and Technology at Barry J. Bedwell (1974) is Brown to the California Fresno State. Laura K. Allen Photography now leading the California Commission on Health, Safety and Worker’s Compensation. Agricultural Leadership A Brian Archer (2005) and Bonnie He has served since 2012. Foundation. 1990s Archer welcomed their second baby girl, Haley, on April 30, 2015. Carol Bennetts (1975) Michael Der Manouel Jr. (1985) was awarded the Order Kara Backman (1997) is now retired from Hanford Joint B Anabela Bettencourt (2005) and of Merit, the highest alumni Denair High School principal. Union High School District husband John Paul Bettencourt honor given by the board of after 40 years in education. welcomed their third baby boy, directors of the Lambda Chi Mark Beringer (1991), Braydyn, on Dec. 16, 2015. Joanne Cable (1977) retired Alpha fraternity. chief winemaker at Beringer Vineyards, was featured in the after 36 years of teaching, C Tom Brandstater (2007, ‘09) married Frank Di Tomaso (1981) is Huffington Post Taste section most recently at Western Haley (Gossett) Brandstater on July 15 CEO and executive chairman as his family celebrates Sierra Charter Schools. in Nashville, Tennessee. of the Bank of Santa Clarita. 140 years in America, after Bruce A. Hamlin (1976) is emigrating from Germany. one of five founding members Phillip Leonard Ehorn of the recently established (1988) has been a horologist, Marcelle Marie Burke Tehachapi Police Foundation. bringing broken clocks and (1994) is owner and CEO for Do you have news watches back to life, for over S.E.A.T.S (Safety Education and Judith Lund-Bell (1972), 20 years at Once Upon a Training Services), a nonprofit to share? a local family law attorney, Tyme in Cambria. organization that educates, served as a Hillary Clinton trains and encourages delegate for the 22nd Bryon Horn (1988) is now caregivers on the use of Submit an alumni class note and chief information officer for car seats and safety in and Congressional District at high-resolution photo to: the Democratic National the City of Fresno. around motor vehicles. Convention. [email protected]
37 D Stephen Lozano (1990), 1990s founder of SL Financial Group, 2000s CONTINUED partnered with New Aspect Financial Services in Napa. His Damien Capalare (2003) Stockton and Oakland offices is now principal at Pat Butler Maj. Jeffrey Michael will be renamed New Aspect Elementary School in Paso Burnett (1999) was Financial Services. Robles. He previously taught promoted to lieutenant fourth grade, was a guidance colonel and will transfer from Kim Maher (1996), a 1996 instructional adviser and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo to Olympic gold medalist, is served as assistant vice Fort Belvoir, Virginia. now head softball coach at principal at Flamson Middle Southwestern Oklahoma State School. Brendan Feder (1991) joined University. Bank of the Sierra as senior Jon-Micah Charles Clanton agricultural loan officer. Samuel “Alex” Michon (2000) is now principal at J.R. (1992) is now executive vice Baker Elementary School in Humberto Garcia (1992) is president at the Lockton Columbia, Tennessee. now vice president and chief insurance brokerage in financial officer at Enphase Sacramento. He will lead Jeffrey D. Clay (2015) is E Energy, Inc., a global energy client services and business now survey crew chief for technology company in development. Wightman and Associates, Inc. Petaluma. in Portage, Michigan. Michelle Minetti-Smith Rebecca Angelina (Charest) (1996), first-grade teacher, Tyler Clutts (2007), a Garcia (1999, 2001) is now was named Teacher of the five-year NFL veteran most a civilian public information Year for Guadalupe Union recently with the Dallas officer in Okinawa, Japan, for School District in Santa Cowboys, now hosts “Inside the U.S. Marine Corps. Barbara County. the Huddle,” a weekly Cowboys television show in Marwan bin Ghalaita Rosemary Ndoh (1993) Texas. His wife, Tiffany, hosts (1994) was elected as the was appointed as warden at “Inside the Huddle the Wives United Arab Emirates Football Avenal State Prison by Gov. Edition.” F Association president. He Jerry Brown. previously served as chairman Maria Sofia Corona (2005) is of Al Nasr Football Club’s Soma Norodom (1993) an immigration attorney in Los board of directors. authored the autobiography Angeles representing children “Royal Rebel.” She is a in removal proceedings. Her Carole S. Goldsmith (1991, newspaper columnist, family was featured in The ’98, 2005) is now president of philanthropist and princess of Fresno Bee for having all five Fresno City College. She was the Cambodian Royal House sisters become doctors and previously president at West of Norodom. lawyers after a childhood of Hills College. farm labor. Liliana Guadalupe Perez Austin Hastings (1997) G (1997) is working with Tish (Ganne) Davis (2000) earned the Distribution Claremont University to and Eddie Davis (2000) Achievement Award at the help provide graduate founded Auspice In Home American Gas Association degree opportunities for Care and Transportation to annual operations undocumented students. help seniors remain safe conference. The award is for at home and educate the individuals who have made an Jane Olvera Quebe (1990, community on available outstanding contribution to ’92), president of JP Marketing, resources. the distribution of natural gas earned the AAF Silver Medal within the past five years. Award from the Fresno Ryan Decker (2006) is Advertising Federation. now winegrower at the Anastasia Hendrix (1991) Healdsburg-based Rodney is now deputy editor for Joe Rosato Jr. (1994) won Strong Wine Estates. features at the Review Journal a Northern California Emmy in Las Vegas. Award for television news Kimberly De Jong (2011), D Janie Corona (2009) and Raymond writing. He is a video and family nurse practitioner, Christopher B. Lake (1996) Robison, along with their daughter news journalist at NBC Bay joined Visalia Medical Clinic. is now manager of Albacela Pemberly, welcomed their twin girls, Area in San Francisco. Winery’s Fault Line Vineyards. Emmeline and Catalina, on Aug. 1. Carrie Pestorich De Young He previously oversaw the Harvey Fred Walker (1990, (2005), is now director of Southern Oregon Wine E Nick Davis (2016) married Allison ’92), dean of the Rochester operations at Facility Designs. Institute for eight years at Zulewski (2016) on Oct. 15 in Madera. Institute of Technology’s Umpqua Community College. College of Applied Science Dustin Dodd (2001), former F Liliana Garcia (2006) and Steven and Technology, was named Clovis police officer and K9 Kerri Marie Lopez (1994) is LuAllen married on May 7 in Fresno. Pennsylvania’s Edinboro handler, authored “Savage now assistant district attorney University’s 18th president. Justice,” a fiction book inspired for Tulare County. She started Sadie Hemsath (2012) and Josh by true events. The book was G as a certified clerk at the Hemsath welcomed baby boy J.D. Chad Brian Wegley (1997) chosen to be featured in the district attorney’s office and Hemsath on July 2. is now assistant general International Thriller Writers then became a prosecutor. manager at Alta Irrigation Association publication. District.
38 FALL/WINTER 2016 ALUMNI NEWS H Chris Estep (2008) is now Logan Mankins, a seven- Nicole Maul (2012), social social media manager at JP time NFL Pro Bowl offensive media manager at JP Marketing. lineman with the New England Marketing, earned a Public Patriots and Tampa Bay Relations Society of America Dan Flores (2007) is now Buccaneers, retired after (Central California) Award of controller for the Betts 11 seasons. Excellence. Co., a leader in spring manufacturing and heavy-duty Art Mota (2006) is now head Johnny Mendez (2012) transportation products. men’s and women’s soccer is now a member services coach at Blue Mountain consultant for the Los Angeles Taryn T. Francis (2006) and Community College in Rams. He oversees season husband Yuriy Yermilov were Pendleton, Oregon. He is also ticket holder accounts. I featured on the TLC show “My student success coach for the First Home” that aired in May. college’s satellite campus in Marvin Mijangos (2014) is Hermiston, Oregon. now a Monterey California Thomas Gaffery (2004, ’09) Highway Patrol officer. is now director of parking and Preston L. Osbourn II (2006) transportation at Cal State is now president of the San Crystal Morales (2012), a San Bernardino. Joaquin Chapter, California former education reporter, is Society of Certified Public now ELA/ELD seventh-grade Jason Glick (2001) is the new Accountants. teacher at Altimira Middle community services director School in Sonoma. for the City of Lemoore. Gerardo and Fabio Serrato (2006), identical twins, are now Melaina Moustakis (2012)
Tim Goetz (2003) is sergeants for the California is now head distiller for Glass Cary Edmondson co-founder and CEO of Highway Patrol in Modesto. Distillery, an artisan vodka J K Aplos Software, an online They graduated college distillery in Seattle. He will lead accounting and donor together, joined the academy new product development management program for on the same date and were and oversee production of all nonprofits. promoted the same day. Glass vodkas.
David Hickok founder of The Greg Willems is owner and Tyler Newberry (2015) is now Little Shop of Boars, has been president of berry grower- a California Highway Patrol hosting pop-up dinners, which shipper G&M Farms. He officer in the Oakland area. are multi-course dinners began to handle his own sales L M held in man-made tunnels, in December and now has Pedro Ramirez (2012) is now rooftops or historic vacant a new brand, Farm to Table director of organizing for the hotels, which is a new trend Berries. Community Water Center, in Fresno. based in Visalia. The former student body president Briana Jessen (2004) is now has been an advocate media buyer for JP Marketing. 2010s for immigrant rights and voting in underrepresented Janetra Johnson (2002) Lauren Billys (2013) communities. authored the eBook “Still represented Puerto Rico at Waiting ...,” a memoir that the 2016 Rio Olympics and Susan Renfro (2011) is now includes documentary placed 35th in the individual development officer for the evidence on the George equestrian competition. Fresno County Public Library. W. Bush military service controversy. Anna Gonzalez (2012), public Andrew Rich (2015) is now relations and content director assistant softball coach H John C. Kane (2002) is now at JP Marketing, earned a at Sonoma State. He was Benjamin Holton (2008) married director of winemaking and Public Relations Society of previously a student assistant Tracy Funk (2000, ’02) in April in Fresno. winery operations for Fetzer America (Central California) at Fresno State. Vineyard in Mendocino Award of Excellence. I Kasandra Martinson (2011, ’13) and Adam County. Jared Silva (2015) is now an Brooks will be married on May 27, 2017. Oliver Greenbarg (2016) is officer at the Modesto Police Kia Michael Karbassi (2009) now graphic designer at JP Department. J Juan Pablo “J.P.” Moncayo (2008) married opened Berlin Street Grill Marketing. Benn Haitsma on May 20 in New York. in Fresno. The restaurant Katie Stevens (2011), specializes in wraps, kabobs Chappelle M. Griffin (2014) who leads state and local K Chris Narez (2011) married Osiris Barajas and salads. authored “Your Child is government relations for (2014) on July 29 in Fresno. Gifted,” a book that reveals eBay’s western region, was a Kaci Lutz (2003) is now a tips for parents who want panelist at the International L Lisa Fazio-Satterberg (2004) and California Highway Patrol to secure acting roles for Women’s Day Celebration Domenick Satterberg welcomed their officer in Oakhurst. children. — Exporting Idea Abroad in second baby girl, Madelynn Rose, on July 2. March in Salt Lake City. M Yohanes Makmur (2003) Alene Istanboulian (2012), Phillip Thomas (2013) and Alison Mattox and Radinal Latuconsina of JP Marketing, was named Mia Villareal (2015), media (2013) welcomed their first baby boy, Aeroh, (2003) have established Public Relations Society of buyer/account assistant at JP on June 4. Molucca Craft Chocolate, a American (Central California) Marketing, was named Rising bean-to-bar enterprise. The Rookie of the Year. Star by the Fresno Advertising business partners, both born Federation. in Indonesia, were highlighted Eric Martinez (2012) is in Central Valley Magazine. principal at Paso Robles High School. 39 IN MEMORIAM ‘For thee, our hopes and memories’
Sondra Lee Applegate, March 15 in Visalia. Gary Jorgensen (1976), July 10 in Fresno. Evelyn Joyce Schmid (1952), May 7 in Stockton.
Lisa Kim Bach (1989), April 20 in Las Vegas. Judith Jean Krabo (1988, ’92), March 3 in Fresno. Doris Carlyn Schwindt (1983), May 23 in Clovis.
Betty M. Bainter (1969), June 24 in Fresno. Ricardo Lechuga-Rodriguez (1973), May 30 JoAnn Skadden (1988), June 8 in Fresno. in Fresno. Henry Barigian (1955), Aug. 5 in Florence, Oregon. William G. Smith (1974), March 16 in Fresno. Richard Patrick Low (1976), Feb. 3 in Lodi. Peggy Jean Barker (1981), May 2 in Tulare. John David Spence (1969), May 28 in Aptos. Lucile K. Mangini (1966), March 10 in Fresno. Wayne C. Bergman (1960), Feb. 21 in Fresno. Vance Stanley (1961), June 21. Edward Marouk (1951), July 9 in Folsom. Carl Bocchini (1964), June 9 in Santa Cruz. Glen Roy Stevens (1954), Lorrie Marie Dismuke Mays (1994), March 7. Feb. 21 in Fresno. Wayne Allan Boman (1974), June 25 in Kingsburg. Dick McCleod (1961), March 24 in Coarsegold. Jeffrey Takeda (1971), June 3 in Fresno. Arnold Brunetti (1957), July 20 in Watsonville. Richard McCoy (1991), Feb. 20 in Kingman, Kenneth “Ken” Tigson, July 17 in Fresno. Dori Beth Bustamante (1990), April 14 in Clovis. Arizona. Charles LaVaughn Vanderford (1961), Aug. 6 David Charles Cosyns (1971), March 5 Bruce S. Meyers, April 30 in Crescent City. in Bakersfield. in Monterey. Susan Vigil (1972), June 20 in Fresno. Ruth Hudson Crabtree (1984), April 30 in Fresno. Arthur T. Miyakawa (1976), July 4. Donald A. Week (1978), April 4 in Santa Maria. Robert ‘Bob’ Creasy (2011), June 17 in Fresno. Ronald Gee Montgomery (1966, ’73), March 18 in Aptos. Carol Madeline De Sandre Weinberg (1973), Barry K. Crow (1965), May 8 in Madera. Aug. 13. George Netto (1960), May 20 in Fresno. Julia Renteria Cuellar (1984, ’89), Aug. 14 Melvyrn Wingett (1954), July 31 in Stockton. in Fresno. Carolyn Nishi (1972, ’74), June 3 in Clovis.
William Darby (1949), Aug. 2 in Fresno. Don T. Norrby (1961), May 12 in Kingsburg. CURRENT/FORMER
Anne Louise (Geoghegan) Davenport (1947), Cynthia Lynn Norton (1992, ’93), Aug. 10 in Visalia. FACULTY/STAFF June 16 in Pomona. Robert Burks, May 28 in Fresno. General Owens Jr. (1968), April 10 in Fresno. Robert J. Elliott (1962), March 2. Priscilla Osgood Collings, March 11 in Fresno. Wesley Perine Jr. (1972), June 25 in Visalia. Pamela Elmlund (1993), April 7 in Visalia. Yolanda DeLeon, April 8 in Fresno. Patricia Louise (Moore) Perry (1973, ’83), June 18 in Tulare. Douglas Earl Emanuel (1972), April 16 Trevor Glenn, March 10. in San Francisco. Harold Porras (1981), Aug. 12 in Visalia. Paula Sarco Guzman, July 20 in Fresno. Ruth Jean Fisher (1947), Aug. 12 in Fresno. Jack M. Putnam (1943), April 7 in Visalia. Robert Merrill, May 1 in Fresno. Karl Franklin Guhm (1974), April 19 in Fresno. Harry B. Rauch (1951), July 27. Charlene Yvonne Wallert, May 23. Robert Eugene Homen (1959), April 17 in Fresno. Bryan Robinson, June 11 in Milwaukee. Daniel Ybanez, June 4 in Fresno. Floyd H. Hyde, July 26 in Silver Springs, Maryland. Leonard Willis Routt Jr. (1974), April 21. Sam Iacobellis (1952, Honorary Doctorate ’06) FRIEND Sept. 3. George N. Scharding (1950), Feb. 16. Kevin Patrick McNeil, July 14 in Fresno. Tekla Maines Jackson (1976), March 19 in Visalia. Robert “Bob” Schlotthauer (1949), Feb. 27 in Fresno.
Dr. Sam Iacobellis, a Fresno State alumnus who While a Bulldog, he signed on with North SAM IACOBELLIS led the team that developed the B1-B bomber, American Aviation when it was on the Fresno ‘FATHER OF B1-B BOMBER’ died Sept. 3. He was 87. State campus recruiting employees. He reported to work in Los Angeles the day after graduation The former Bulldogs football student-athlete to the company that was later bought by earned a degree in mechanical engineering Rockwell International Corp., and eventually The from Fresno State in 1952 and a master’s in Boeing Company. Dr. Iacobellis retired as deputy engineering at UCLA in 1963. In 1982 he was chair of Rockwell after a 43-year career. named Top Dog Outstanding Alumnus, the highest honor awarded by the Fresno State For his lifelong support of Fresno State, he Alumni Association. was conferred an honorary Doctor of Science Degree in 2006. In 2007, Dr. Iacobellis stood on “Sam Iacobellis was a proud alumnus of Fresno the Bulldog Stadium field during a B1-B flyover State who personified what it means to be a at a Fresno State game. The Lyles College of Bulldog for life,” said University President Joseph Engineering’s top student each year is honored I. Castro. “He had a big heart for students – with the Dr. Sam Iacobellis Award. especially those like him who come from humble backgrounds – and he repeatedly returned to Dr. Iacobellis is survived by his wife, Helene; Fresno State to offer his time and expertise to his son, Sam Iacobellis Jr.; daughter, Lee Ann help engineering students succeed. His long and Schantz; and sister, Anna Saladino. very successful engineering career is inspirational to all of us.” at theUniversity. helped showcase provided opportunities the Free Speech Area. The celebration the Joyal Administration Building to in culturalattire andcarried flagsfrom Participants intheparade dressed Celebration Week in September. campus tocelebrateCross Cultural Fresno State studentsmarched across Frank Abude andagroup ofother BEATTO THE MARCHING
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