Top Stories

Battle of the Bulldogs

Four former Fresno State Bulldogs are headed to Super Bowl 46 – Logan Mankins (#70) and Ryan Wendell (#62) with the New England Patriots; and David Carr (#8) and Bear Pascoe (#86) with the New York Giants. The football game is slated for Sun. Feb. 5, 2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. More

Call for Nominations: 2012 Top Dog Alumni Awards - The Fresno State Alumni Association (FSAA) invites your nominations for the Top Dog Alumni Awards. Nominations are welcome from alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of Fresno State. More

Architect Robert Nicol pledges $2 million to advance Deaf Studies - Robert Duncan Nicol did not speak until he was 10 years old, but since Nicol found his voice, he has dedicated his life to proving that deafness, while limiting, would never deter him from achieving his dreams. More

Devon Wylie invited to NFL Combine - Fresno State receiver Wylie has been invited to the NFL combine. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound Wylie is considered the fastest football player in school history. More

Campus Events

National Girls and Women in Sports Day Youth Clinic
February 4th | Hosted by Fresno State Athletics, girls and boys 8th grade and under are invited to attend the FREE sports clinic featuring our Fresno State women's teams. Contact Christina Roybal at (559) 278-1046 or croybal@csufresno.edu.

Heroes’ Night
February 4th | To recognize the heroic efforts of Fresno's finest and bravest, head coach Rodney Terry invites all Central Valley police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, active military and veteran's along with their families and friends, to experience Bulldog hoops when the 'Dogs host Utah State. More

Kenya Safari Preview
February 9th | Ralph Waterhouse will preview his May, 2012 Kenya safari, offered through Continuing & Global Education, at 7 pm. in Room 140 of the Kremen Education Building on campus. For parking code and instructions, call 559.278.0423 or email travelstudy@csufresno.edu More

Fresno State Alumni Reception – New York/Tri-State
February 27th | President John D. Welty invites you to a reception with alumni from all of the 23-campuses of the CSU living in the area. More

Fresno State Alumni Reception – D.C.
February 29th | Alumni are invited to a reception for the California Congressional Delegation with alumni from all of the 23-campuses of the CSU. More

Ag One Community Salute recognizes Stewart Resnick
March 2nd | Stewart A. Resnick, owner of Paramount Citrus and Paramount Farms who is active in a broad range of philanthropy, is the 2012 honoree at the Ag One Community Salute. More

Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies Chapter Conference
March 2nd | Kathy Small, M.A. - Strategies for supporting social communication, interaction and understanding in children with autism spectrum disorder. More

LCOE Ninth Annual Alumni Chapter Golf Tournament
March 4th | All proceeds benefit “The Col. Rick Husband Memorial Alumni Scholarship Fund” More

Kremen School of Education & Human Development Noted Alumni Dinner
March 15th | To honor the Kremen Noted Alumni. More

Book Reading: Sasha Pimentel Chacon
March 22nd | Sasha Pimentel Chacon (2007) returns to her alma mater to read from her book “Insides She Swallowed.” The book of poems on culture, immigration, sexuality, and hunger was the winner of the 2011 American Book Award. Free admission. More

Retirement celebration to honor longtime professor Fugelsang
March 24th | Alumni, friends and supporters of Fresno State’s enology program are invited to gather for a retirement celebration March 24 honoring longtime professor of enology, Ken Fugelsang. Under his guidance, Fresno State students have won more than 350 awards in major wine competitions. More

March of Dimes fundraiser
April 14th | Fresno State and President John D. Welty are teaming with the March of Dimes for the 2012 March for Babies Walk fundraiser.  If you would like to organize a walking team or learn other ways to get involved, please contact Michelle Melikian mmelikian@csufresno.edu More

More events at the FSAA event page

Fresno State News

Coach Margie Wright listed among ‘softball legends’ - Fresno State softball head coach Margie Wright is being singled out as one of the top 19 softball legends in a new a book entitled “Best of the Best – Women’s Fast Pitch Softball.” The 250-page book features legends of women’s fast pitch softball from the 1970s to present. More

Former Fresno State football coach J.R. Boone dies - J.R. Boone -- a longtime Valley football coach who guided the Fresno State Bulldogs for three years -- has died. He was 86. Mr. Boone, who died Jan. 11, coached the Bulldogs from 1972-75. More

Read more campus news at FresnoStateNews

Bulldog Benefits - Member Discounts

Giving Matters

The Campaign for Fresno State enters its final year! - After raising $169.4 million dollars, the university aims to raise an additional $32 million to reach its goal of $200 million. With state funding going below 50 percent for the first time, private contributions like yours are more important now than ever. More

Class Notes

Amy Kohl (1994 & 1998) has an exhibit, “Raw Connections,” at Chris Sorensen Studio in Fresno, Calif. It features graphite drawings, found object assemblages, a bench and mobiles.

Amy Shuklian (1997) was recently named Mayor of Visalia. Elected to the Visalia City Council in 2007, she is Visalia’s first female mayor. She lives with her partner, Mary Randol, and their chocolate Labrador retrievers, Godiva and Molly Brown.

Atticus Wegman (2007) is an associate attorney with Aitken, Aitken & Cohn in Santa Ana, Calif. He specializes in civil litigation with an emphasis in government tort liability, wrongful death, and products liability.

Bev Robinson (1977) is the director of finance with Hinds Hospice located in Fresno, Calif. She’s been employed there for the past 12 years.

Cristal Tiscareno (1998) is the director of dance with Break the Barriers based in Fresno, Calif. She also teaches dance part-time at Fresno City College.

Connie Conway (Alumna) was re-elected to the California State Assembly on Nov. 2, 2010 representing the 34th District, which comprises most of Tulare County, all of Inyo County and parts of Kern and San Bernardino County.

Dail Doucette (1954) serves as the executive director of the Science of Information Institute, based in Washington, D.C. Mr. Doucette's experience includes 27 years with the United States Air Force as a Scientist and Systems Designer.

Daniel Kuniyoshi (1986) is the President of Lance-Kashian & Company, which operates River Park, Village at River Park, Fancher Creek and Campus Pointe. He is a member of the Urban land Institute and International Council of Shopping Centers.

Darius Assemi (1982) has been elected to the board of directors of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. He is the President of Granville Homes and GV Urban.

Denny Viloria (2006) serves as the director of Thrift Store Operations with Hinds Hospice Thrift Stores in five cities – Fresno, Madera, Kerman, Chowchilla and Sanger.

Fran Pavley (1970) serves in the California State Senate representing the people of the 23rd District. A Democrat, she was elected as the first Mayor of Agoura Hills in 1982 and served four terms as Mayor and Councilmember (1982-1997).

George F. Meyer (1959), with his family, has launched Farmer’s Fury Winery based in Stratford, Calif. Its inaugural bottling is a 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Glenn Albertson (2005) has been elected to Fresno Chamber of Commerce’s board of Directors. He is the CFO of Penny Newman Grain Company.

Hal Salwaaser (1969) serves as the Dean of Forestry at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore. Dr. Salwaaser has announced his retirement for May of 2012 after a 12-year career there.

Inga Lukavičiūtė (2005, MA, Mass Communication) serves as the head of chancery for the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania at its U.S. Embassy in Washington D.C. Lukavičiūtė is a member of Kappa Tau Alpha, the honorary journalistic society.

Jane Lindberg (1988, 1990) is the executive director of clinical services with Hinds Hospice in Fresno, Calif.

Jacqui Glasener (2002) appears in an international advertising campaign for Liberty Mutual, an affinity partner of the Fresno State Alumni Association. She serves as executive director of the alumni association and is a life member.

Jean Fuller (1972) represents the 18th District in the California State Senate, the largest district geographically in the State.

Jeremy Reed (1995) was named 2011 Salesperson of the Year by Grubb & Ellis/Pearson Commercial. He specializes in office sales and leasing.

Jim Nielsen (1967) has served in the California State Assembly in the 2nd District since 2008. A former business owner and ranch foreman, he also served in the California State Senate from 1978 to 1990.

John Hernandez (1996), CEO of the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is seeking the newly created 21st Congressional District seat in Central California.

Lee Ann Eager (2002) has been named the new president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County.

Isabel Barreras (2002) has been appointed to the California Community Colleges’ Board of Governors, which makes policy for the state’s 112 community colleges and oversees grants and scholarships.

Matt Garza (Alumnus) a former stand-out pitcher for the Bulldogs, has signed a $9.5 million one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs.

Matthew Jendian (1991), a self-described “public sociologist” who excels in academic scholarship and research, commitment to students and community engagement, is the recipient of the 2012 President’s Award of Excellence at Fresno State. The awards comes with a $10,000 prize.

Paul Caprioglio (1968) has announced his bid for Fresno City Council, District 4. He served on the council from April to April 2009 when current member Larry Westerlund was on military service.

Peter Robertson (BA ’92, MA ’95, MBA ‘05) appears in an online advertising campaign for Liberty Mutual, an affinity partner of the Fresno State Alumni Association. He serves as the director marketing and engagement of the alumni association and is a life member.

Phil Souza (1982) was named 2011 Salesperson of the Year by Grubb & Ellis/Pearson Commercial. He was named the Distinguished Alumnus from the Craig School of Business by the Fresno State Alumni Association at the 2011 Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala.

Rachel Audino (2009) has joined the Office of Community and Economic Development at California State University, Fresno, as its government affairs/work group coordinator.

Roe Garcia (1986) was featured as the Profile in Fresno’s “The Business Journal.” She is the president of Polestar General, Inc., a general contracting company specializing in commercial construction.

Ruth Lang (1988) has been appointed director of administration and operations for the Fresno City and County Historical Society. She is also board-certified genealogist.

Sergio Campos (2009) is the winner of the name the “Battle of the Old Oil Can” contest held between Fresno State and San Diego State alumni associations. He won an Apple iPad 2 in the drawing!

Shannon Wentworth (1993) is the CEO of Sweet Travel, based in San Francisco, Calif. The company delivers fun-filled, eco-friendly, volunteer-oriented and empowering Lesbian travel experiences.

Susan Good (1975) has declared her candidacy for Fresno City Council District 4. Good is an FSAA life member.

SW Parra (Alumnus) has released “Pinot Envy: Sharing some wine, laughs & a smile” which include a collection of his “Caption Challenge” from his online “SCRIBBLES” with www.fresnobee.com, where he is a graphic artist. His wife, Carey Parra (1983), is also a Fresno State graduate.

Tracy Kashian (2004) has been elected to the board of directors of the Fresno County Chamber of Commerce. She is the Senior Vice President of Marketing, Public Relations & Property Manager for River Park, Village at River Park, Fancher Creek and Campus Pointe.

The latest edition of HIS MAGAZINE: THE ICON ISSUE showcases 10 icons living and working in Fresno, Calif., seven of which have Fresno State ties:

Blair Smittcamp (Student) is featured as “The Family.” She served as the student director of Vintage Days last year; while her family has founded the Smittcamp Family Honors College and assisted in building the Smittcamp Alumni House.

Chance James (Alumnus) is highlighted as “The Artist.” He is an artist and photographer based in Fresno, Calif.

Matthew Mazzei (2010 and graduate student) is featured as “The Activist.” As the founder of The Rainbow Delegation, which has distributed more than 100,000 rainbow wristbands worldwide. Online: http://www.rainbowdelegation.org/.

Nicole Giordano Ashjian (Alumna) and her husband, Nicky Ashjian, are highlighted as “The Couple.” They own and operate Buckles Meow! and Plush Events, Co.

Reza Assemi (1998) is featured as “The Visionary.” With Granville Homes and GV Urban, he and his family have been transforming downtown Fresno with the additions of the Pearl Building, Vagabond Lofts and H Street Lofts.

Rob Saroyan (Friend) is highlighted as “The Legacy.” He was a lead fundraiser with the building of the Save Mart Center at Fresno State.

Shannon Ashley DeYoung (2011) is featured as “The Musician.” She works as the social media director of DeYoung Properties and is the lead singer in band Ashes.

Additionally, Chris Pacheco (1985) is HIS MAGAZINE’s managing partner and publisher, while David James Manning (Alumnus) is the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief. View the issue online.

Submit your own Class Note here!