B U L L D O G    W A L K W A Y

FALL 2004

Bulldog Walkway is a new, permanent, on-campus tribute to Fresno State alumni, graduates and friends. Personalized tiles and bricks leave a lasting impression to those who hold Fresno State near and dear to their hearts. Special thanks to our sponsor Merrill Lynch.

Bulldog Walkway was officially dedicated on October 27, 2004. Originating at the Save Mart Center, future plans for Bulldog Walkway include tributes in front of the Smittcamp Alumni House and throughout the Fresno State campus.

Support students and Fresno State. Make a lasting memory and honor a special loved one. Pay tribute to heroes. Give the perfect gift for graduation and the holidays. Remember Fresno State alumni and friends with lasting recognition.

Proceeds from Bulldog Walkway benefit the Fresno State Alumni Association’s Student Scholarship Endowment Fund. The FSAA is proud to rank No. 1 among all of the 23-campus CSU alumni associations with scholarship giving. In 2004-05, the FSAA awards $80,000 in scholarships.

Show your Bulldog loyalty, pride and spirit! Embrace Bulldog history. Become a part of Bulldog Walkway at Fresno State! Call [559] 278-2761 today!
 

 Bulldog Walkway Supporting Students!

When you purchase a tile for Bulldog Walkway, you are leaving a legacy at Fresno State and assisting current students. All proceeds from Bulldog Walkway support the FSAA student scholarship endowment fund.

Your contribution will enable students like Angela Alejandro and Christopher Rusca to pay for tuition and books, as well as concentrate on their studies. Students appreciate and value the financial support.

“The FSAA scholarship allows me to focus on my studies,” Angela says. “I can study more and work less.”

Angela Alejandro is a sophomore working towards a BA in business administration with an emphasis in accounting.

Christopher Rusca comes from a Fresno State Bulldog family! Chris’ father, Rodney Rusca, Sr.; plus sister, Tracy; and brother, Rodney, Jr., all graduated from Fresno State.

“The FSAA is helping pay for my books this semester,” he said. “Thank you for selecting me for this scholarship.”

Chris is a senior majoring in accounting.

The Fresno State Alumni Association is proud to support these and other students by providing them with financial assistance.

CLICK HERE: Bulldog Walkway order form. Or call [559] 278-2761!
 

Two of our nation’s recent tragedies claimed the lives of three Fresno State Bulldogs. The Fresno State Alumni Association honors these individuals by leaving a lasting memory and tribute in their honor through Bulldog Walkway.

On October 27, 2004, the dedication of Bulldog Walkway included three commemorative tiles in memory of Otis Vincent Tolbert, Jr., Todd Morgan Beamer and Rick Douglas Husband.


Otis Vincent Tolbert [September 29, 1962 – September 11, 2001] grew up in the San Joaquin Valley, in the shadow of Lemoore Naval Air Station, graduating from Lemoore High School. He was a defensive end for the Fresno State Bulldogs football team and graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology.

A U.S. Navy veteran of the Persian Gulf War, Tolbert was awarded the Purple Heart. A Navy Intelligence Officer, he perished when terrorists hijacked Flight 77 and crashed it into the Pentagon.

Lt. Cmdr. Otis Vincent Tolbert is buried in Section 64 of Arlington National Cemetery, in the shadow of the Pentagon.

On September 11, 2002, Fresno State observed the first anniversary of September 11^th with a memorial service attended by students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members. More than 700 red, white and blue ribbons decorated the main campus and Bulldog Stadium that day. And, a young Canary Island pine tree was planted and dedicated “In Memory of Otis Vincent Tolbert” in the Peace Garden near bronze statues of Mahatma Gandi, Martin Luther King, Jr.; and Cesar Chavez.

In September of 2004, he was posthumously honored with the naming of Otis Vincent Tolbert Memorial Highway, a portion of California State Highway 198.

He is survived by his wife, Shari, and their three children, Amanda, Brittany and Anthony.


Todd Beamer [November 24, 1968 – September 11, 2001] attended Christian High School, Wheaton, Illinois; and Los Gatos High School, Los Gatos, California. He attended Fresno State and was on the roster of the 1987 Fresno State Baseball team, but eventually graduated from Wheaton College and DePaul University.

Aboard Flight 93 on September 11^th, Todd used an onboard telephone to call a GTE operator. He and the operator, Lisa Jefferson, together recited “The Lord’s Prayer” and the 23rd Psalm. At the end of a 13-minute conversation, Todd put down the handset, but left the line open. The last words the operator heard were his — “Are you ready guys? Let’s roll!”

It is believed that Todd Beamer and other passengers overtook the terrorists that crashed the plane into a field in Shanksville, Somerest County, Pennsylvania. Beamer was buried at the site.

In February of 2002, President George W. Bush named the Todd Beamer Post Office Building in Cranbury, New Jersey. In September of 2003, Todd Beamer High School opened in Federal Way, Washington. And, in October of 2004, the Todd M. Beamer Student Center at Wheaton College was dedicated.

On September 11, 2002, Fresno State observed the first anniversary of September 11th with an on-campus memorial service. A Canary Island pine tree was planted “In Memory of Todd Beamer” in the Peace Garden.

Todd is survived by his wife, Lisa, and their two sons, David and Drew and a daughter, Morgan Kay, who was born after Todd had passed away. Lisa Beamer co-authored the book, “Let’s Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage,” which was published in 2002.


Rick Douglas Husband [July 12, 1957 – February 1, 2003], a NASA astronaut, graduated from Amarillo High School in Amarillo, Texas in 1975. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University in 1980 and a Master of Science degree from California State University, Fresno in 1990.

In 2002, Rick was named Outstanding Alumnus for the College of Engineering & Computer Science by the Fresno State Alumni Association at the 50^th annual Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala.

Husband, a U.S. Air Force Col., was the Commander of NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia, which disintegrated with her crew upon re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere on February 1, 2003.

On February 5, 2003, the Fresno State campus held a memorial tribute to Col. Husband and the six-member crew of the Space Shuttle, Columbia. The ceremony included a two-ship flyover by the 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard and a 21-gun salute from the U.S. Marine Corps. And, Fresno State’s Joint Air Force and Army R.O.T.C. presented the colors.

He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Freedom, as well as honored with the naming of the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport in January of 2004.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn and their two children, Laura and Matthew. Evelyn Husband co-authored the book, “High Calling: The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband” which was published in 2004.

CLICK HERE: Bulldog Walkway order form. Or call [559] 278-2761!
 

Do you remember Fresno State’s 1983 NIT Championship win over DuPaul at Madison Square Garden? Or when the Bulldogs beat USC in the 1992 Freedom Bowl? Perhaps the Softball Team’s win at the NCAA Championship in 1998? These are proud Fresno State memories that created Bulldog Heroes.

A hero is a champion, one who has reached the pinnacle in their field. Bulldog Walkway at Fresno State honors our heroes— a parent, a teacher, a coach or an athlete.

Laura Berg and Stephen Abas are two of Fresno State’s Athletic Heroes. Both are honored with tiles on Bulldog Walkway.

Former Fresno State softball standout Laura Berg [1998] is a three-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist [Atlanta, 1996; Sydney, 2000; and Athens, 2004]. Berg, a four-time All-American, is also a three-time Pan American Games gold medalist and a three-time ISF World Champion.

Laura Berg was named Outstanding Alumna for the Department of Athletics by the Fresno State Alumni Association at the 51^st annual Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala in 2003.

Former Fresno State grappler Stephen Abas [2005] is a three-time NCAA Champion [1999, 2001 and 2002], a four-time All-American [1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002] and a Pan-American gold medalist [2003]. Stephen earned a silver medal for the U.S. team at the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens [2004].

Abas’ other titles include World Cup Champion [2002] and winner of the Titan Games [2003]. Abas was named Fresno State’s Male Athlete of the Year in both 1999 and 2001.

Stephen Abas was named Outstanding Alumnus for the Department of Athletics by the Fresno State Alumni Association at the 52^nd annual Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala in 2004.

CLICK HERE: Bulldog Walkway order form. Or call [559] 278-2761!
 

Originating at the Save Mart Center, future plans for Bulldog Walkway include commemorative tiles in front of the Smittcamp Alumni House and throughout the campus.

The home to Fresno State alumni, the Smittcamp Alumni House includes offices for the Fresno State Alumni Association, conference rooms and a landscaped courtyard. It also houses the campus’s Visitor Information Center.

The Smittcamp Alumni House is a place to reconnect with old friends, meet classmates and begin your journey on campus.

Leave a legacy at Fresno State. Honor a special loved one. Give the perfect graduation and holiday gift. Remember Fresno State alumni and friends with lasting recognition.

Become a part of Bulldog Walkway at Fresno State! Or call [559] 278-2761!

Special thanks to our sponsor Merrill Lynch.
 

Personalized tiles on Bulldog Walkway are priced at $250, $500 and $1,000 each, with proceeds benefiting the Fresno State Alumni Association’s student scholarship endowment fund.

A limited-edition brick paperweight will be given to donor to display at their home or office. Purchases and donations are tax-deductible.

For additional information, contact the FSAA by calling [559] 278-2761 or visit us online at fresnostatealumni.com.

Show your Bulldog loyalty, pride and spirit! Become a part of Bulldog Walkway at Fresno State, today!

Special thanks to our sponsor Merrill Lynch.