UCLA Tailgate - September 27th
The 'Dogs are heading down to the Rose Bowl for a super-fun tailgate on Saturday, September 27th.  Buy a UCLA tailgate ticket now!
We are also selling season tailgate tickets - get 'em all!   

Regional Game Watches & Pre Game Parties 
Toledo, OH - September 20th  - University of Toledo
Dallas/Fort Worth Area -  September 27th  - UCLA
Washington DC - September 27th  - UCLA

The Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala will be held on Friday, October 10th during the week of Homecoming.  Your sponsorship is needed to fund our scholarship program.  Tickets are now on sale.  Don't wait, they'll go fast!    

Back to College Night - Washington D.C.
Join other Bulldogs, as well as other alumni from California State Universities for a night of networking on Sept 24th from 5:30 p.m. EST to 7:30 p.m. EST at the Rayburn Cafeteria on Capitol Hill. The California State Society hosts this annual event, make sure you check it out and show your Bulldog Pride.

Oktoberfest Oct. 2 -  Kremen School of Education Alumni will host this fundraiser for their education scholarship fund.  Come and enjoy great beer, wine and food - stay for the entertainment and the silent auction! Buy your ticket now!

Campus Alumni Picnic Oct. 7th - Bring your favorite sack lunch and enjoy Sno Cones and a great live steel drum band. Microwaves will be provided. Bring a coworker, too!  The entertainment starts at 12:00 at the Smittcamp Alumni House.

Red, White and Wine October 8th  - Join the Alumni & Friends of the Craig School of Business for a night of wine tasting and networking.  This event will be held at the University House from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  All proceeds benefit the Alumni & Friend's scholarship endowment for students studying business.  For more information about sponsorship, please contact Tracy Newel.
[RSVP HERE]

Save the Date
Engineering Chapter Events -
Fresno State vs. Hawai'i Tailgate
Golf Tournament  Oct. 27th @ Riverbend Golf Course


Chicano Alumni Annual Scholarship Banquet Oct. 17th 6:00 p.m. to Midnight @ the Fresno Convention Center - Featuring Grammy Award Nominee Shelly Lares. For sponsorship and ticket information contact francesp@csufresno.edu or by calling 278-5374

Alumni Community Service Event Oct. 18 @ Community Food Bank - Help sort food items that Fresno State students and alumni collected during Homecoming 2008!  Show your Fresno State pride by volunteering for this food sort. Wear something red and blue and remember to please wear closed-toed shoes to protect your paws! If you would like to participate, please RSVP to Teresa Thomas at the Community Food Bank via email or call (559) 237-FOOD.

Bulldog Pride

This just in!  Leading spiritologists confirm that excessive Bulldog Pride will turn your skin and hair bright red and cause abnormal swelling in the left hand.  Fortunately, Tanner Robbins has grown accustomed to his new self and has never been happier.   

Bill Shaughnessy (1987) is a super fan!  He attended the CWS and cheered on the Bulldogs!  Bill was recently promoted to Global Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Services for the Advertiser Publisher Solutions Group at Microsoft.

 

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 Photo Today!

Fresno State News & On Campus Events

Ag One Foundation Barbecue Sept 7th - With the San Joaquin River as the backdrop and the sounds of jazz by student musicians from California State University, Fresno, the annual Ag Boosters Barbecue Sept. 7 will feature student-produced food, including award-winning olive oil, sausage and wine. The event is from 4 to 8 p.m. with a buffet dinner will be served 5:30-6:30. AgOne Website

Presentation - “Behavioral Issues in your Family Business” Oct 1
The Institute for Family Business is a unique cooperative between a great group of concerned community members, the Craig School of Business, and support from the Greater Area Chamber of Commerce. They focus their membership on family businesses but also recommend involvement from organizations that support family businesses, as they need to understand the unique issues families face in business.  The Presentation will be from 4-6pm @ the Smittcamp Alumni.  IFB Website
 
University Lecture Series Oct 2nd - James Randi will speak at the Satellite Student Union at 7:30 p.m.  Mr. Randi has an international reputation as a magician and escape artist, but today he is best known as the world's most tireless investigator and demystifier of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims.  [More info]

University Theatre at California State University, Fresno begins its 2008-09 season Oct. 3 with “Slaughter of the Innocents,” a tribute to the centennial celebration of Fresno author William Saroyan’s birth. [more]

Arts & Humanities Lecture Series - Website
September 4 - The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures and the Classical Studies Program presents "The Romance Between Greece and the East"  by alumnus Tim Whitmarsh  of Corpus Christi College.  7:30 PM – 8:30 PM @ Peters Education Center

September 17 - The Department of Chicano and Latin American Studies, College of Social Sciences presents Where the Ox Does Not Plow  Dr. Manuel Peña, B.A. Music 167, M.A. English 1975, Professor Emeritus of Music, California State University Fresno. 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM @ Alice Peters Auditorium.

The College of Engineering will take a major step forward in educating more students in the Central Valley for careers in engineering and construction management thanks to a major commitment from William Lyles, President and CEO of Lyles Diversified Inc.  Lyles, his family and their companies have committed a $10 million gift and the University agrees to seek an additional $10 million in support for the College of Engineering in the coming years. The total impact over time will be $20 million for the college. [more]

Fresno State's Air Force ROTC Detachment 35 won the High Flight Award for AFROTC's Southwest Region. The award honors the best unit of the year in the region, which extends from Mississippi to Hawaii, including all of California and Texas. [more]

Oct 16th - 18th - “Teaching about the Middle East in the 21st Century” is the theme of a conference Oct. 16-18 at California State University, Fresno that will present research of top international scholars.  Speakers and workshops will share research and teaching about such influences on the contemporary Middle East as art, literature, history, religion, sociology and politics.  The conference, which is aimed at educators and students, is open to the public. It is sponsored by the Middle East Studies Program in the College of Arts and Humanities.  The three-day event begins at 5 p.m. Oct. 16 with a keynote examination of plural beliefs about feminism in Islamic culture by Dr. Haleh Afshar, a professor of politics and women's studies at the University of York in England. [more]

Fresno State friend, alumnus and benefactor Sid Craig died Monday after a long illness.  Mr. Craig and his wife, Jenny, founded weight management empire Jenny Craig International, where he served as president and CEO.  In 1992, the Craigs made a major gift to the Fresno State School of Business, which was then renamed the Sid Craig School of Business in honor of the gift. Since then, the Craig School has distinguished itself as one of the nation’s leading business schools. [more]

 

Bulldog Benefits 

Tackle Your Electricity Bill with Solar and Support the Fresno State Bulldogs!
Purchase a residential solar electric system from REC Solar by October 31, 2008, and receive a special discounted price. For every system sold, REC Solar will make a $100 donation to the Fresno State Alumni Association.

Purchasing a solar electric system from REC Solar will allow you to:
Reduce or even eliminate your monthly electric bills
Increase the value of your property
Invest in clean, renewable energy
Control your cost of electricity

Eligibility
All FSAA Members who live within 75 miles of an REC Solar branch office. For a list of locations, visit http://www.recsolar.com

How to Get Started
Contact Amanda (Holder) Leath to request a FREE site evaluation and financial analysis to see if solar is right for you, 559.320.5927 or aholder@recsolar.com.

Hurry – this offer expires October 31, 2008!
*Offer not valid with any other promotional offers.

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

Brianna Hill (2004) and her husband own Easy Breezing Planning and Breezy Beachwear. Hill and her husband met at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida during a college program internship. A few years ago, they started Easy Breezy Planning: A Disney vacation planning service.

During her senior year of college at Fresno State, she began creating silk flower hair clips to wear for graduation. They became so popular, that Brianna started the website www.breezybeachwear.com to sell them. Since 2004, they have expanded the line to include swimwear, apparel, and more. They are now living and working in sunny Jacksonville, FL and their items have been featured in fashion shows across the nation!  Check them out online! www.easybreezyplanning.com & www.breezybeachwear.com

Allan Metzler (1952) is the owner of PMI Industries, Inc. His company services engineers and scientists of blue chip companies who work in and around the ocean. Specifically, his company specializes in cable systems & hardware for the marine environment. The company is now 38 years old and many of my products and services are for the offshore oil business as well as the Navy and basic research.

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

Alumni Spotlight

Bo Barrett's (1971) father, Jim Barrett, bought the Chateau Montelena Winery in Napa, CA 36 years ago to get away from the hectic grind of his life as a lawyer in Los Angeles. Jim wanted the quiet life of tending vines and making wine. What he and his son, Bo, a Fresno State graduate, found was a place in wine history. Their story is at the heart of the new feature film "Bottle Shock." The movie is slowly opening across the country.

 Summer Burns (2004) and Caton Nunes are happy to announce their engagement. The wedding will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in Fresno, CA.

Valerie Powers (1991) and Christopher Gaggero are engaged to be married on Friday, October 17, 2008, in San Francisco, Ca. After the joyous celebration with family and friends, Val and Chris plan to honeymoon in Jamaica.

Bret Heinemann (1997) has joined the list of City Council candidates for Atascadero, CA.

April Fanning (2007) and David Downs (2005) are happy to announce their engagement. They are to be married on the Degroot Ranch, Hanford, California, in the Fall of 2008, and will reside in Madera, California.

Shani Akkerman (1993) and Paul Lancaster were married June 21, 2008 at Tulare Church of Christ with a reception following at the Lamp Liter in Visalia. The couple honeymooned in Monterey and San Francisco and have established a home in Visalia.

Mary Stegall (1967), Mayor of Redding, CA, recently welcomed President Bush, Senator Feinstein and Governor Schwarzenegger, to Redding. They came to the area to view the devastation caused by lightening fires in Shasta and Trinity Counties.

Mike Briggs (1991) will host a show on www.CentralValleyTalk.com , an Internet based radio/video network. The network will premier with an hour long show called Newsmakers hosted by Briggs, a former Fresno Councilman and State Legislator.

Jasper Land (1964) has been appointed to interim superintendent of Alta Vista Elementary School District.

Ghassan AbulGhanam (1987) is the director of management information systems for His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Royal Hasemite Court in Amman, Jordon.

Kevin Dillon (2001) and Ami Zinken are happy to announce their engagement. The wedding ceremony is planned for fall 2009.

 

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.

CHECK OUT OUR ARTICLE IN THE COLLEGIAN!

Regional Alumni Clubs
In the last two weeks we have received an overwhelming response to alumni hoping to watch and celebrate the big win together. Join inCircle, our online networking site, to meet other alumni living in your region!  To find out how you can help organize a regional alumni club, please contact Katie Johnson at (559) 278-ALUM.

 

Welcome New FSAA Members

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Leblanc, Dr. Robert A. Vartabedian Jr., Mr. Ralph Lopez, Jr., Ms. Tracey Brown, Ms. Nancy Bacigalupi, Ms. Afton Rezac, Mr. Matthew Morrow, Ms. April Fernandez, Dewitt Senter, Karen Dofflemyer, Amanda Junge, Alisia Lopez, Mr. Adonis C. Hoggatt, Sarah and Eddie Becker, Louise Burton, Melanie Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Erickson, Mr. Ben Eichman, Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Hardin, Mr. and Mrs. David G. Edwards, Mrs. Nancy W. Simpson

Join Today

Links & Helpful Information

Fresno State News Upcoming Campus Events Bulldog Athletics Save Mart Center University Theatre

Thank you to the Office of University Communications:  Interim Assistant Vice President Shirley Melikian Armbruster, BA ‘73; & Tom Uribes. Special thanks to Fresno State News & the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band E-Newsletter Archive August 2008 July 2008 June 2008

FSAA Staff Executive Director: Jacquelyn K. Glasener, MA '02 Publisher and Editor: Katie Johnson, BS '03, BA '03 Alumni Research Assistance: Natalie Dennis, Angel Langridge

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