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Former Senator Jim Costa
Named Kenneth L. Maddy Professor

From left, Dr. Ellen Gruenbaum, dean of the College of Social Sciences;
Don Jackson, chair of the Maddy Institute Advisory Board;
Jim Costa; Dr. John Welty; and Jeanette Ishii, executive director of the Maddy Institute.

By Shirley Melikian Armbruster

California Senator Jim Costa (ret.) of Fresno has returned to his alma mater as the third Kenneth L. Maddy Professor at Fresno State.

Costa, a 1974 graduate, maintained close ties with the university during his 24 years in the California Legislature. He retired from the Senate this last year, at the end of his term.

He will be a spokesperson for the Maddy Institute of Public Affairs, mentor Maddy Scholar Interns and Costa Scholar Interns, provide guest lectures, advise the Institute in the development of its program of work and assist Executive Director Jeanette Ishii in fund raising for the institute. His two-year term started April 1.

"We are absolutely delighted that Jim Costa will be joining us," said Fresno State President John D. Welty. "Jim has been an outstanding public servant and brings a wealth of knowledge about government and service to our students."

The Maddy Institute was established in 1999 with a mission to elevate citizen participation and government performance at all levels through leadership education for public service.

The institute was funded by a $1 million endowment from the state and named to honor Maddy, a Fresno State graduate and respected public servant who represented the Valley in the state Senate for nearly three decades. He died in February 2000.

Previous Maddy professors were Dr. Harold H. Haak and Daniel Whitehurst.

Costa, who earned his bachelor's degree in political science, selected Fresno State as the recipient of his legislative papers and a scholarship endowment for student interns at the Maddy Institute.

In December, Fresno State announced the creation of the "Senator Jim Costa Scholars Program" as part of the Maddy Institute. The program is supported by proceeds of more than $280,000 generated by a testimonial dinner honoring Costa last August.

Costa traces his interest in public service to an internship he served with Congressman Bernie Sisk.

"That 10 weeks in Washington opened my eyes to the importance of public service in our society," Costa said. "We want to open doors and make opportunities a reality for students today at Fresno State with this program. In essence, we want to create a better understanding of the interrelationships between our public institutions of government and the private sector, in determining public policy.

"We have an obligation to encourage and train future leaders from this Valley," Costa said.

Costa is passionate about citizen participation in public policy. He believes the Maddy Institute can serve an important role in training and providing opportunities for future elected officials in the San Joaquin Valley.

He served as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, advocating their role in our country, and he firmly believes in the organization's motto that state legislatures are the country's "Laboratories for Democracy."

He continues to be active as a member of the National Conference Foundation Board.

Costa's 24-year legislative career was noted by significant accomplishments in the public policy arena involving water, transportation and agriculture. His legislative accomplishments were many ­ contributing much to the Valley.

Costa served as an aide to Congressman John Krebs and later served as administrative assistant to Assemblyman Richard Lehman from 1976-78. He was elected to the state Assembly from 1978-94 and represented the 16th Senate District from 1994-2003. He chaired the Senate Agriculture and Water Resources committee and served on three other committees: Finance, Investment and International Trade, Housing and Community Development, and Transportation.

Back to University Journal, 5/03 Issue