Fresno State is Powering the New California
Fresno State is the premiere university in this rapidly changing region. The next decade will see rapid growth in the number of college-age residents with increasing pressure on limited state resources. Enrollment in K-12 schools and community colleges will skyrocket, increasing demands for new teachers and school construction.
More students will use Web-based instruction, and technology will continue to transform how we educate our students. We will compete vigorously to attract the top scholars and teachers to enhance the quality of our university. To have any chance of meeting these challenges, the university must look beyond state support.
State support funds the essential core of the university – our undergraduate and graduate classes, our buildings and operational costs, faculty and staff salaries.
But the demands of the 21st century – resulting from the surprising growth and change of Central California – signals the need for Fresno State to move beyond accepting the “adequate.” We have a responsibility to Central California to live up to our growing status as a nationally acclaimed university.
The difference between adequacy and excellence is private support. A quick look around our campus reveals that most new academic initiatives have been funded through the generosity of private donors. Much of Fresno State’s growing national recognition and academic renown is fueled by the investment of private donors.
The result of that investment has produced incredibly positive outcomes both on the campus and in the development of the New California.
