{"id":502275,"date":"2026-10-20T14:23:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T14:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/502275\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T14:23:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T14:23:25","slug":"generosity-in-action-fresno-state-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/502275\/","title":{"rendered":"Generosity in action \u2013 Fresno State Today"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fresno State\u2019s philanthropic campaign, \u201cLead with Pride: The Campaign for Fresno State,\u201d is entering its final year with strong momentum, with more than $271 million donated to date and a growing investment in student success, academics, athletics and research.<\/p>\n

During fiscal year 2025-26, alumni, friends and community partners contributed $44.4 million, marking the second-highest fundraising year in university history<\/a> and an increase from $38.9 million the previous year. The total included $30.6 million for academics and a record $13.8 million for athletics, surpassing the previous athletics record of $10.6 million.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese investments open doors for students, strengthen our faculty and programs, and deepen Fresno State\u2019s impact across the Valley for generations,\u201d said Brady Crook, vice president for University Advancement.<\/p>\n

\"\"Student Faith Bither benefited from the G.A.L. program, which was funded by generous philanthropic support<\/p>\n

The year was led by Fresno State\u2019s first eight-figure commitment since 2019, a $10 million bequest from a person who wishes to remain anonymous.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Additional gifts supported the Ana Tapia Scholarship, which provides full tuition and fees for students and is named after a graduate student who passed in a car accident; a $100,000 endowment for the George F. Gruner Awards, recognizing outstanding journalism across the San Joaquin Valley; and a $25,000 pledge for the Gender and Leadership (G.A.L.) Program in the Craig School of Business to support underrepresented individuals in business.<\/p>\n

One student who benefited from the G.A.L. program, recent graduate Faith Bither, said, \u201cI\u2019ve learned the value of community, and it\u2019s inspired me to be a better community member.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the campaign enters its final stretch toward its June 30, 2027, conclusion, philanthropic support continues to expand opportunities for students and strengthen Fresno State\u2019s impact across the Central Valley.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd1d To join the and movement and help make Fresno State the third best comprehensive campaign in California State University history, visit leadwithpride.fresnostate.edu<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2013 BoNhia Lee<\/p>\n

\"Day<\/p>\n

Fresno State\u2019s ninth annual Day of Giving this past spring raised an all-time high<\/a> of more than $805,000 in just 24 hours \u2014 a 31% increase over the previous record. The annual fundraising campaign brought together alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of the university to support scholarships, internships, research, academic programs and student success initiatives.<\/p>\n

Philanthropic partners from 44 states and 13 countries participated, demonstrating the growing reach and impact of the Bulldog community. Since its launch in 2017, Day of Giving has generated more than $4.7 million in support of Fresno State students and programs.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Save the date: Fresno State\u2019s next Day of Giving will be March 10, 2027.<\/p>\n

\u2013 BoNhia Lee<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Fresno State honors the legacy of two longtime supporters whose generosity and leadership strengthened the university and the Central Valley.<\/p>\n

Dr. Arnold Gazarian<\/a>, a dentist, community leader and philanthropist, championed education, ethical leadership and Fresno State\u2019s connection to the community. He and his wife, Dianne, supported the Smittcamp Alumni House, Fresno State Library, President\u2019s Fund, Arnold and Dianne Gazarian Real Estate Center and Armenian Studies.<\/p>\n

Their support established Fresno State\u2019s first endowed professorship, and the couple received the Arthur Safstrom Service Award and Top Dog Alumni Award in 2008. Gazarian died June 16 at age 95.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dr. Rodger Jensen<\/a>, a Fresno State alumnus, agricultural leader and decorated World War II Army veteran, helped shape California agriculture while creating opportunities for generations of students.<\/p>\n

He helped organize the Ag One Foundation in 1979 and, with his late wife Margaret, established scholarships and endowments supporting agricultural business and plant science students. <\/p>\n

The Jensens also received honorary doctorates from Fresno State in recognition of their service and philanthropy. Jensen died Aug. 5 at age 105.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Jaguar Bennett (\u201992) and Geoff Thurner<\/p>\n

Preparing ag leaders<\/p>\n

Three Fresno State students were selected as the inaugural recipients of the John Harris Fellowship<\/a>, a new program to develop the next generation of agricultural leaders. Established through support from Harris Ranch and the Harris family, the fellowship honors the legacy of the late Dr. John C. Harris, a visionary agricultural leader and longtime supporter of Fresno State. Harris, who passed in 2025<\/a>, was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2019.<\/p>\n

The fellowship provides students with professional development opportunities, mentorship, leadership training and firsthand exposure to agricultural business and management. Fellows also engage with industry leaders and gain insight into the challenges and opportunities shaping California agriculture.<\/p>\n

By investing in students\u2019 growth beyond the classroom, the program continues Harris\u2019 lifelong commitment to advancing agriculture and supporting future leaders in the industry.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Geoff Thurner<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Fresno State\u2019s philanthropic campaign, \u201cLead with Pride: The Campaign for Fresno State,\u201d is entering its final year with…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":502276,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[112,114,113],"class_list":["post-502275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fresno","tag-fresno","tag-fresno-headlines","tag-fresno-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/502275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=502275"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/502275\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/502276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=502275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=502275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=502275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}