Congrats to the Class of 2009

TASTE, (Take A Student To Eat), was an event held last month to give Mass Communication and Journalism students an opportunity to network with professionals in their field. This was the first time that there has been one specific event just for MCJ students.

With the help of the FSAA, the MCJ Alumni Chapter and MCJ Department put on a very successful event. For only $10 a mentor was able to buy a student lunch at Five Restaurant and talk to them about their specific business.

This gave students an opportunity to get a free lunch and some tips on the industry. For some students, the TASTE event was more like an interview. With several students walking away with job offers and internships, both mentors and students alike were able to benefit from TASTE.

Christina Johnson, a senior Advertising major, was one such lucky student, walking away from the event with an internship. Johnson was paired up with a mentor from JP Marketing. Not only did Johnson get to participate in the lunch, she also got to attend a staff meeting at the company by shadowing her mentor. At the end, Johnson was offered an internship with the company.

According to Johnson, the MCJ TASTE event was very beneficial to students. “It gives students the opportunity to network. We may have not had an opportunity like that unless this event was put together. I am very thankful that I was able to attend. It made a huge impact on my future,” said Johnson.”
Written by FSAA intern, Jessica Collins

I AM FRESNO STATE - View the student made videos on YouTube now.  Below is just one of the twelve entries.  Join us at the "I AM FRESNO STATE!" Awards Party Thurs, May 7 @ 2pm The Bucket @ Fresno State, Free admission.
 

Chicano Alumni Red Fridays - Show your Bulldog Spirit every first Friday of the month from 5PM - 7:30PM @ the Red Wave Inn 2375 E Shaw Fresno, CA. Wear red and meet up with other Chicano alumni.. Networking and fun! 

Career Services - Job Readiness Bootcamp will be on Thurs, May 7th.  The workshops will be from 2:00pm to 6:00pm.  Join us if you need help with your job search and application materials (resume, cover letter, etc.). RSVPs appreciated, but not required. Call 278-2381 to RSVP. [click here for more info]

FriendFeed is a feed aggregator that brings together all FSAA and Fresno State feeds into one place.  Alumni can subscribe to this feed just as they would a blog. Read Fresno State News headlines, the Collegian, and Bulldog athletics headlines all at once - no log-in required! Check it out here 

Save the Date - The Golden Grad Class of 1959 Luncheon will be held on Fri, June 5th. [click here for more info] 
 

Bulldog Pride

Submit Your Bulldog Pride Photo Today!

Need some Fresno State gear for your Bulldog Pride photos?  Shop online at either the Kennel Bookstore or at the Bulldog Shop! 

Fresno State News & On Campus Events

Fresno State receives largest cash gift in its history - The $29 million gift sets the record for single cash gifts within the CSU. The gift was on behalf of the Jordan family: Hanabul “Bud” Jordan, his wife, Dee and his brother, Lowell. [Full Article]

Lyles Center student business plan judging May 2 - The Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State will host its fourth annual student business plan competition Saturday, May 2.  The competition, which is open to the public, will showcase Fresno State’s most promising young entrepreneurs who are ready to show the judges why they have a winning business idea and deserve the money and resources to make it a reality. [Full Article]

First class of former foster youth recognized at Fresno State - The Renaissance Scholars Program at Fresno State recognized two students who completed the program's first year.  [Full Article]

Nine Fresno State students among U.S. Next Generation Leaders - Nine Fresno State students were among the 190 students selected nationwide for the American Humanics Next Generation Leaders Program. [Full Article]

Help students create the World's Largest Recyclable College Mascot filled with crushed aluminum cans. Come out May 9th from 12-2 to the unveiling at the tailgate field near the baseball stadium. Bring aluminum cans and plastic bottles to the event or to the Smittcamp Alumni House prior to the 9th. Donations and support are greatly needed to finish this green project for Fresno State [More information]

Summer programs for children start in June - Summer programs for children will be returning to Fresno State. Academic and athletic programs, camps and clinics will be offered throughout the summer for elementary, middle and high school students. [Full Article]

Grad Studies Symposium features ‘No More Ramen’ author - The Division of Graduate Studies at Fresno State will hold the Graduate Research and Creative Activities Symposium Thursday, May 7, from 1- 8 p.m. in the Henry Madden Library. [Full Article]

Sweeten elected Fresno State ASI president in ‘green’ election [Full Article]

Prof Miguel Pérez wins national health education award - Dr. Miguel A. Pérez, a health science professor at Fresno State, has won the 2009 American Association for Health Education (AAHE) Professional Service to Health Education award. [Full Article]

Don't miss a thing, get the news as it happens - Follow the FSAA on Twitter or FriendFeed OR follow Fresno State News on Twitter. 

Athletics  

Football Season Tickets - Season tickets and amazing deals on family plans are available now for the 2009 football season. You can order online at www.gobulldogs.com or by phone at 278-DOGS. Be sure to secure your seat now for five home games this season and seven home games in 2010. [Football schedule here]

Go to www.gobulldogs.com to view all athletic schedules and news

Bulldog Benefits 

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!
 

Alumni Entrepreneur Spotlight

Climber.com is a tool that allows you to get a better understanding of your career goals and the companies that will help you to reach them. Climber Premier is for people who are actively looking for a new job and want to get the most exposure possible. This site helps you understand yourself and reveal what types of jobs/companies you will best fit. It’s a career advancement tool that helps you throughout your working life and as you develop new interests and skills, your Climber.com profile will change as well, allowing companies to review the most up to date and relevant data about you at any time.

Michael (Mike) O'Brien (1994), CEO of Climber.com was most recently co-founder and CEO of financialaid.com, a pioneer in providing college finance solutions online.  Mike received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing.

Nick Jimenez (1997) is President of Climber.com and directly manages the product development and sales strategy for the Climber.com division.
 

Alumni Spotlight

Have you done something great? 
Tell us by submitting a class note of your own!

Dana Blackburn (1970) has been recognized for her work as a third-grade teacher at Julien Elementary School

Anthony Pokorny (1981) has been named director of business development to assist with the expansion of Berkley Net Underwriters LLC's plans to increase its state footprint and distribution opportunities for its workers' compensation program in the Midwest.

Roger George (1975) is a former Fresno State decathlon standout, and belongs to a small but dedicated cadre of striper enthusiasts who frequent the Delta, San Luis Reservoir and Millerton Lake. Roger helps compile The Fresno Bee Newspaper's fishing report.

Vernon Peterson is founder of Abundant Harvest Organics, a company which provides quality, 100% certified USDA organic produce straight from local farmers at a lesser cost than non-organic produce in supermarkets. Vernon is the fourth generation to farm his land in the Central Valley.

Marlene Duncan (1969) has received the prestigious Marion P. Hammer award as the National Rifle Association 2009 Woman of Distinction.

Sherri Mell (1980) has been teaching Adapted PE in San Antonio, TX for 25 years and has competed in 29 Women's National Finals Rodeos. She has earned over 130 World and National Titles in the horse industry. Sherri is in both the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame (Ft. Worth, TX) and the National Appaloosa Hall of Fame (Moscow, ID). She is a former Captain of the CSUF Rodeo Team.

Casey Mcgehee after five years in the minor leagues -- and a brief stint with the Chicago Cubs last season -- the former Fresno State standout made the Milwaukee Brewers' Opening Day roster for today's game against the Giants.

Stacey Louie (1993) was recently named Chief Information Officer for Interthinx, Inc. Interthinx, an ISO business, is the nation's leading provider of proven risk mitigation and regulatory compliance tools for the financial services industry.

Mark Scott (1972) has been named city manager of Culver City. He is a a former city manager of Beverly Hills, and most recently spent about five years as city manager of Spartanburg, S.C.

Krystal (Martin) Lomanto (1989) is in her second year as principal at San Benito High School.

George Alvarado (1997) of Clovis High School was selected as a 2009 Educator of the Year by the Association of Mexican-American Educators.

Roberto Vaca (2004) of Sanger High School was selected as a 2009 Educator of the Year by the Association of Mexican-American Educators.

Walter Gonzales (2004) is a Certified Personal Trainer from National Academy of Sports Medicine, Certified Personal Trainer from Scirion Institute, Level 1 Track and Field Coach from USATF.

Payton Williams (2000) has accepted a position as assistant director of academic and membership services with the NCAA office in Indianapolis.

Links & Helpful Information

Fresno State News Bulldog Athletics Save Mart Center University Theatre Musical Productions

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 Apr 2009 Mar 2009 Feb 2009

FSAA Staff Executive Director: Jacquelyn K. Glasener, MA '02 Publisher and Editor: Katie Johnson BA '03 Alumni Research Assistance: Sarah Mohr, 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