August 2018 E-News
Ag Mechanics Laboratory receives second installment of upgrades
Thanks to a generous donation from Dr. Jim Moller and his wife Carol, the ag mechanics
laboratory on campus continues to receive more incredible technology. The second installment
allowed the unit to purchase a new hydraulic iron worker, plate sheer, hydraulic break,
box and pan break, plus two new special-made band saws and a large drill press. Essentially,
they've created a whole new sheet metal/cold metal workshop area in the laboratory.
The gift also allowed the unit to purchase four additional welders. Now, we are able
to serve up to 20 students in the welding sections and offer a variety of MIG, TIG,
and ARC welding classes; from beginner, to the highly-skilled and technically-difficult
methods and processes. The funds provided by this gift have allowed us to reallocate
monies otherwise dedicated to equipment, repairs and maintenance, to hire a new teaching
partner for the ag mechanics lab. Mr. Chris McKenna is a Jordan College alumnus who
graduated in 2008 with his Ag teaching credential. Join us in thanking Dr. Moller
for his continued support! Read more →
Enter for your chance to take a Fantasy Vacation!
Take a chance and maybe win a vacation of a lifetime! By entering the Fantasy Vacation
drawing, your donation will help to provide students a chance to fulfill their educational
endeavors. This year’s Fantasy Vacation raffle offers six exciting destinations to
choose from should you be the lucky winner. Destinations include the American Queen
Steamboat journey down the Mississippi River, Azores Islands adventure, Gems of Britain,
Hawaii paradise, Irish Elegance tour, and Italian Intermezzo. Call Ag One today to
purchase your tickets! Read more →
41st Ag Boosters BBQ nearing sell-out
The 41st Annual Ag Boosters BBQ on Sunday September 9 is close to being sold out!
Join us for an exciting evening including a social hour sponsored by Fermin Campos
Farms featuring Fresno State farm products and cheese and cracker tasting provided
by valley industry partners. Be sure to stop by the Dog House sponsored by Wells Fargo
and enter for your chance to win $500 cash! You won’t want to miss the CWA Country
Store sponsored by Ultra Gro Plant Food, all while enjoying Fresno State wine and
other beverages at the bar sponsored by Rabobank and a delicious barbecue dinner sponsored
by Zenith Agribusiness. Tickets are going quickly so call the Ag One office at 559.278.4266
to reserve yours today. Read more →
Calling all alumni and friends in the Kern County area
Join us for the 39th annual Kern County Alumni and Friends Luncheon at South Valley
Farms in Wasco on Wednesday, Oct. 10! This event is an opportunity to see all that
Kern County has to offer the community, students and agricultural industry. Enjoy
lunch while visiting with Fresno State, Bakersfield College and local high school
students, then stay for a behind-the-scenes look at nut processing at South Valley
Farms. The social begins at 11 a.m. followed by lunch and program at noon and the
facility demonstration at 1 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person, RSVP by Oct. 3. For information
about sponsorships or to purchase a ticket, visit our website. Read more →
In Memory of Ruben "R.E." Pahl
Ag One, the Jordan College and Fresno State lost a dear friend, Mr. Ruben "R.E." Pahl
on August 15, 2018. During the Korean War he enlisted in the US Air Force and was
assigned to Castle Air Force Base where he was a member of a B- 50 Bomber flight crew.
After active duty, Ruben completed his education at Fresno State and received a bachelor's
degree in Plant Science and Viticulture. He was a student of Professor Vincent E.
Petrucci and later a graduate instructor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology
at Fresno State. He was a key volunteer for Ag One's Turf Day Golf Classic for a number
of years. Ruben was a longtime supporter of the college and lifelong friend of Vince
Petrucci, the two continued to attend Fresno State Football Tailgates even in their
80's. His passion for Fresno State was an inspiration to many. The family requests
that in lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the Ag One Foundation for support
of students majoring in the Department of Viticulture and Enology in Ruben's name. Read more →
Fall semester now in full swing
New and returning students are making their way back to campus this week with the
Fall Semester beginning on August 23. Dean Witte welcomed Jordan College faculty and
staff at the fall assembly on August 21, which included celebrations of latest achievements
and introductions for new faculty - Carmen Licon in the Department of Food Science
and Nutrition, Luca Brillante in the Department of Viticulture and Enology and Christopher
McKenna in the Department of Plant Science. President Castro addressed the campus
community on August 20 with exciting highlights, including the university’s projected
enrollment being a record 25,200 students. Other announcements included facility upgrades,
including a lecture hall in the Ag Sciences building, room 109.
Charitable giving increase 22 percent in the 2-17-2018 academic year
Nearly 10,000 people contributed more than $22.4 million to Fresno State during the
2017-2018 academic year — $18.3 million for academics and $4.1 million for athletics.
That’s a 22 percent increase in overall giving from the year before. Individual donor
participation was also up 9 percent and student, faculty and staff support is increasing
each year under President Castro’s leadership. Read more →
We're looking for Jordan College Ambassadors!
The second annual Day of Giving is quickly approaching on November 1, 2018, and the
Jordan College needs your help! Day of Giving is a 24-hour online giving campaign
that rallies students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to come together to give
back and celebrate Fresno State. Since Day of Giving is a web-based event, we’re
looking for supporters who can help us spread the word on that day and encourage colleagues
to join us in support of the Jordan College! If you’re interested in serving as an
ambassador for Day of Giving, please contact Ag One.
Join the Bulldoggers Rodeo Team for a BBQ and meet-and-greet, September 29!
The Bulldoggers Rodeo Team has a group of supporters who are working to enhance the
program and learning opportunities for these students, and they want to meet you!
Join them for a BBQ and an opportunity to meet the team before the football game on
September 29. Rodeo has a long history at Fresno State; it is the University's oldest
club sport, with a rodeo held every year since 1949. Today, the team is comprised
of 44 student athletes who excel in problem solving and animal care. Recently, a generous
family foundation with local ties made a $250,000 gift to establish an endowment for
the Fresno State Bulldoggers Rodeo Team, and committed to match an additional $500,000
if that amount is raised by May 2019. If you are interested in supporting the team,
please visit their support web page. Read more →
Join us in congratulating Dr. Kathie Reid-Bevington on her retirement!
Dr. Kathie Reid-Bevington has retired as Associate Dean after more than 20 years of
service to the Jordan College. She joined the faculty of the Department of Child and
Family Science in 1998. With a background in early childhood education and research
interests in emergent literacy and the development of racial attitudes, Dr. Reid-Bevington
most often taught upper division courses such as Multicultural Perspectives on Children
and Families, Advanced Child Development Theory and Middle Childhood. Her leadership
roles included serving as Vice Chair of the Faculty Academic Senate, Interim Director
of the Joyce M. Huggins Early Education Center, Department Chair and Associate Dean.
We wish her the best in her future endeavors!
Fresno State Dairy receives high rankings from Holstein Association
The Fresno State Dairy has been recognized for the improvements they are making to
the herd. The Hostein Association USA notified Dairy Science professor, Dr. Kyle Thompson,
that one of the cows in the herd has been ranked in the top 10,000 Holstein cows in
the United States with a score of 85. On September 10, the Holstein Association will
be visiting the campus dairy to complete their classification, and Dr. Thompson invites
supporters of the Dairy Science program to join him that day. There will be a short
program at 2 p.m. introducing the Holstein Association representatives and light refreshments
will be served. For more information, contact Ag One at 559.278.4266.
Planting seeds of success...
Important Dates 
September 9, 2018 Ag Boosters BBQ
September 9, 2018 Fantasy Vacation Drawing
September 29, 2018 Rodeo Team BBQ
October 10, 2018 Kern County Alumni and Friends Luncheon
October 20, 2018 Gibson Farm Market Fall Festival
November 9, 2018 West Side Alumni and Friends Luncheon
Become an Ag One Member!
If you’re not already a member, please consider joining Ag One and receive 10% off
selected items like wine and olive oil at the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market! Join
or renew your existing membership today! JOIN NOW
