FSAA News

Golden Grad 1958 Luncheon - June 6th
Join the Alumni Association and the class of 1958 to celebrate their 50 year reunion!  [more info]
 

13th annual Sid Craig Golf Tournament-  April 25th
Join in the fun as a golfer, a sponsor, or a spectator at Fig Garden Golf Club! Funds raised benefit the Sid Craig Business Chapter scholarship program.  [more info] 
 

Homecoming & Top Dog Date Set - Homecoming at Fresno State will take place the week of October 5th-11th.  Our Top Dog Alumni Awards program will take place on October 10th.  Make sure you make arrangements to visit campus and reconnect!  GO 'DOGS! 

UCLA Tailgate - September 27th
The 'Dogs are heading down to the Rose Bowl for a super-fun tailgate on Saturday, August 30th.  Keep an eye out, we will start selling tickets soon.

 Top Dog Nominations -
The FSAA invites your nominations for the Top Dog Alumni Awards. Awards are given for the following:  Distinguished Alumni Award, Outstanding Alumni Awards, Arthur Safstrom Service Award.  Visit our Top Dog webpage to find out how to nominate an awesome alumnus! 

Bulldog Pride

FAN-TASTIC!
Pictured is Fan-TASTIC fan, Katie Johnson, with the in-flight crew of a Boeing 737.  She brings her Bulldog spirit everywhere she goes.  Ms. Johnson tells us she's climbing Mt. Whitney this summer and plans to bring her Flat Victor E. with her to the summit.  Look out for that one!  

Hannah Bowers (future Bulldog) is showing her Fresno State Pendant and her spirit.  Young Hannah's mother, Tawanda Hall,  is a Fresno State staffer.  GO DOGS! 

Are you a super fan? Send in pictures of how you, your family, friends, or coworkers show your Bulldog Pride! Whether at the office on Red Fridays, at tailgates, or on vacation, send in your pictures of you displaying your Bulldog Pride.

Submit Your Bulldog Pride Class Note!
For Bulldog Athletics go to gobulldogs.com.

Fresno State News & On Campus Events

Green is the New California - California State University, Fresno and the City of Fresno issued a joint proclamation to work together to establish sustainable solutions for the environmental challenges facing the San Joaquin Valley.  The new partnership is known as the “Univer/City Sustainability Initiative.” [full article]

Fresno State received a Gold and a Silver ADDY Award at the Fresno Advertising Federation’s 29th Annual Central California ADDY Awards. The ADDY Award competition is one of the most challenging advertising competitions in the world. Held annually, these awards recognize all forms of advertising.  Powering the New California ad campaign won a gold award in the category Interactive Media—Online Campaign for the “I am Fresno State!” project. The “Powering the New California” newspaper ad campaign earned a silver award. [full article]

37th Annual Turf Day Golf Classic - May 2nd
Join fellow agricultural industry personnel, Fresno State alumni and friends at this golf tournament.  Everyone is guaranteed a swinging good time!  Entry deadline is April 18th, contact Ag One at (559) 278-4266.  [more info]

Students and faculty members in the Department of Industrial Technology at California State University, Fresno recently were awarded three prizes at the 2008 American Society of Agriculture and Biological Engineers District 4 meeting in Tulare.  Twelve students attended the conference and three of them – Nick Simonian, Diganta Adhikari and Harvinder Singh – spoke about their research conducted at Fresno State. [full article]

The Philip Lorenz Memorial Keyboard Concert Series presents pianist Jonathan Biss in concert at California State University, Fresno at 8 p.m. April 2. [more details]

Commencement set for May 17th - The 97th Commencement at California State University, Fresno will begin at 9:30 a.m. May 17 at the Save Mart Center on campus.  The schedule of 2008 Commencement Week activities, consisting of 20 events, is available at www.csufresno.edu/commencement. [more info]

  Fresno State students study wine overseas- A prominent Swiss university has invited 12 Fresno State viticulture and enology students to participate in a new international grape and wine-related educational program to be held in Europe this summer. [more info]

Be proud - Give Blood on Wednesday April 9th or Thursday April 10th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Student Union.  Join the Tuesday night kick-off at the Residence Dining Hall  from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Contact Chris Fiorentino at 278-7079 for more information. 

Undergraduate Communication Conference - April 18th & 19th
This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Thomas Hollihan from the USC Annenberg School of Communication.  For more information, please contact the Director of the Communication Conference, Dr. Kathy Adams.  [more info]

Senior Art Show - April 17th - 26th
The University Art Galleries, operated by the Exhibition Program in the Department of Art & Design, is proud to present the annual senior art show. The students at Fresno State are educated in a variety of media and encouraged to expand their creative outlet.  The students’ work celebrates their education in sculpture, drawing, painting, foundry, glassblowing, ceramics, photography, design, computer art, and/or printmaking.  The Conley Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.   

Vintage Days  - April 17th - 20th
Vintage Days is a four-day, student-planned celebration which attracts over 50,000 people from Fresno and the surrounding communities to the Fresno State campus. The annual spring event combines numerous social, cultural and recreational activities into a series of coordinated programs over an extended weekend. [more info]
Vintage Days Schedule of Events
Car Show Registration Forms

Save Mart Center Events & Athletics

Rascal Flatts - April 9th Buy Tickets Here 

Women of Faith Conference - April 11th & 12th [more info]

Juanes - April 30th Buy Tickets Here

Falcons Hockey
Check out an action-packed hockey game this month!  Bring the family out for some excitement.
Buy your tickets now!

Free Radio Streaming of Bulldog Baseball and Softball
All fans now have a chance to listen to softball and baseball radio broadcasts throughout the season via live radio streaming on www.gobulldogs.com. There are no subscriptions or costs involved and broadcasts can be easily accessed by clicking on the audio link next to the schedule/calendar on gobulldogs.com. All baseball and softball games will also be archived if you don’t get the chance to catch the broadcast on game day.

Football Spring Scrimmage
The 2008 Fresno State Football Spring Scrimmage will be held on Saturday, April 19 at 2pm in Bulldog Stadium. Admission is FREE to all spectators and the stadium gates will open at 1pm. See your ‘Dogs take the field this spring as they prepare for another successful season in 2008. Season tickets and mini plan packages will be on sale with special incentives to purchase in person on April 19. [more info]

Check out the Schedules for softball, baseball, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's tennis.  

Bulldog Benefits 

Alma Mater Pro Shop - Clubs , Gifts, Accessories
Order Bulldogs' imprinted clubs, gifts and accessories from Alma Mater Pro Shop. [Online]

The Dogs have teamed up with the Travel Shoppe and Pleasant Holidays as our Bulldog Fan Travel Partner. Book your exclusive five day game package including airfare from Fresno, accommodations, game tickets, ground transportation and a game-day tail gate party. For more information visit gobulldogs.com.

FSAA MEMBER DISCOUNTS
Liberty Mutual Auto & Home Policies
Take advantage of Fresno State’s Group Savings Plus. Save on auto and home insurance policies. Call toll-free: (877) 283-4205 or visit the web site. [Online]

MARSH AFFINITY GROUPS
Dental, health and vision insurance polices at specially reduced Fresno State rates. Call toll-free: (888) 560-ALUM or visit the web site. [Online]

Fresno State Alumni…Give yourself some credit!
Now available to Fresno State Alumni is the exclusive FSAA <Visa® / Mastercard®> credit card. Apply online today and grab a piece of the action – also, qualify to receive a $25 statement credit after your first qualifying use(s) of the account. Learn more or apply securely online!

Fugazzis Bistro - All Fresno State Alumni Association members will receive 20% off (excludes alcohol) when you show your card at any of their locations.  Learn more about Fugazzis Bistro.  

Bulldog Entrepreneur Spotlight

Douglas Low (1969) graduated summa cum laude and went on to graduate from Boalt Hall and became a very successful Fresno attorney. In his spare time, he started Doug-Out Cookies in 1997, where he has developed over 25 varieties of cookies, various muffins, scones and rich fudge brownies. His newest creation is a “health bar/cookie” with whole wheat flour, no white sugar and a multitude of beneficial ingredients. (He also sells Fresno State ice cream at his Fresno and Alluvial location in the Northwood Village Shopping Center!)  Visit Doug-Out Cookies and receive a 10% discount when you show your Fresno State Alumni card, or order online at Doug-Out.com and in the ‘special instructions’ section, reference you are an Fresno State alumni.

Jim Plotkin (1983), a two-Time M.V.P. of the Fresno State golf team, is pleased to announce the 40th Anniversary of his company, the Plotkin Group.  The Plotkin Group provides human resources consulting services to a broad range of industries offering employee assessment tools to help employers mitigate labor-related risks.  Based in Carlsbad, CA his consulting firm serves a diverse base of clients that range from small start-ups to Fortune 1000 companies.  Jim's company is recognized as one of the most experienced in the human resources management industry.  Visit www.plotkingroup.com.

Derek Lapsley (2008) remarked, "There’s a saying that goes 'Find something you love to do and you'll never have to work a day in your life.' That “something” for me is photography. I have admired different forms of art ever since I was old enough to appreciate it but it wasn’t until the summer of 2006 that I discovered my passion for photography. Since then, I have not put down a camera and my obsession continues to grow every time I step behind the lens."  Email Derek at lapsleyphoto@aol.com or visit him online. 

ARE YOU A BULLDOG BUSINESS OWNER?  TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY!

Alumni Spotlight

Jannett Jackson (1994) is one of four candidates who have been selected as finalists in the search for president at College of the Redwoods.
Jannett Jackson, Ph.D., has served as the vice president of instruction at the College of Alameda since August 2004.

Darren Schmall (1989) was presented with the annual Pedro Ilic Award at the California Small Farm Conference. Schmall's enterprises include a cornfield maze and pumpkin patch at Cobb Ranch, along with a Pizza Farm, where pizza ingredients from tomatoes to garlic to pork for pepperoni are grown on slices of nearby land. He has franchised the Pizza Farm since 1994, and there are now 15 of them in 10 states, Canada and England.

Ramiro Mata (2000) is featured in The Californian.com and has been teaching math at Alisal for the past six years. Students like his class, but also his Sunday tutorials at McDonald's on Williams Road in east Salinas.

Marisa Vodden (2006) and Christopher Perry are happy to announce their marriage on October 6, 2007 in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marysville. They currently reside in San Jose.

Karri Hammerstrom (1997) has earned a seat on the first-ever EPA Agriculture Advisory Committee.  This committee has the goal of strengthening relations with the EPA and the agricultural community.  Karri is one of 30 citizens nation-wide to serve on a newly-formed Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee.  Ms. Hammerstrom is also a Fresno State Alumni Association board member. 

Kenneth Papi (1969) is featured in an article titled "Strength Beyond Number." The article highlights Papi's accomplishments as the baseball head coach at Fresno High. He has had over 500 wins as head coach at Fresno High!  His son, Jason, is his assistant coach. 

Brandon Molale (1996) is featured in an article titled Hollywood Actor Doesn't Forget His Fresno Ties. This article from the dailyemerald.com discusses Mr. Molale's acting career and how playing football has shaped his career. 

Bette Keltner (1972) and Joseph Jacobs were married on Jan. 26 before 150 guests at St. William’s Chapel at Georgetown.  Bette Keltner is a past Top Dog recipient. The wedding announcement was featured in the New York Times.

Eric Stern (1987) is the winemaker for Landmark Vineyards in Sonoma, CA and was featured in an article in the Western Farm Press. The article features Mr. Stern's recent accomplishments of the company.

Peter Robertson (1992) was featured in Fresno State News for his tremendous accomplishments and magnanimity.  He describes his Fresno State educational experience as a challenging journey. Working two jobs, sometimes three, Peter paid for his tuition, books and parking fees on his own while going to school. [full article]

Robert Medina (2004) and Jessica Watkins (2008) are happy to announcement their engagement. The two met in 2004 working for Dog Days: New Student Orientation at Fresno State. Over the years their friendship grew and in August 2007, Robert proposed. The two will be married on May, 23, 2008 at New Hope in Clovis and have their reception at the Smittcamp Alumni House at Fresno State.
 

Volunteer Opportunities

Take A Student to Eat (TASTE)
FSAA is hosting a new mentoring program! TASTE allows you to take two students to lunch and talk to them about your profession or industry. This is a great way for alumni to give back directly to students. Mentors can help current students learn to network and carry professional conversations. This is a great opportunity for the busy professional wanting to volunteer their time! Click here for an easy application.

Links & Helpful Information

Fresno State Alumni Association • California State University, Fresno
Smittcamp Alumni House • 2625 East Matoian Way SH124 Fresno, CA 93740-800
[559] 278-ALUM • bulldogs@fresnostatealumni.com