February 2018 E-News

Congratulations to the 2018 Common Threads Honorees

Ag One, the Jordan College and the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation are pleased to announce the honorees for the 2018 Common Threads Awards Luncheon: Angie Avila, Lemoore; Josephine Giampaoli, Le Grand; Jan Johnson, Madera; Jessie Maggini, Riverdale and Teri Penfold, Kingsburg. Common Threads has annually honored the lives of outstanding Valley women since 1997. These women, whose roots are deep in agriculture, have made a difference in their communities with bountiful giving of their time, talent and treasure. Please join us on March 21, 2018 at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Hall to celebrate our honorees. For more information, visit the Common Threads webpage →

Pictured above is the Fresno State Group with alumnus Chase Schapansky of GUSS (Global Unmanned Spray System)

 Jordan College visits the World Ag Expo

On Feb. 15, Dean Sandra Witte, First Lady Mary Castro and Jordan College faculty and staff enjoyed a day at the World Ag Expo in Tulare. During their visit to the expo, the Fresno State group started the day at the California Ag Leadership Breakfast, then met with several Jordan College alumni and friends who exhibited at the Farm Show. Dr. Witte gave an on-air interview for the Ray Appleton Show on KMJ radio and enjoyed serving Fresno State ice cream with Jordan College Ag Ambassadors in the Ag Careers & Education Center.

Congratulations to Fred Ruiz, President’s Medal of Distinction recipient

Mr. Fred Ruiz, past Ag One Community Salute honoree, was recognized during the State of the University address on February 8 with the President’s Medal of Distinction. The President's Medal of Distinction was established in 1993 and is presented to citizens of the region, state or nation whose contribution in the area of professional achievements or public service represents a contribution of great significance to the University. It is the highest, non-degree award presented by the University. Join us in congratulating Fred and thanking him for his continuous support! Read more about the State of the University address, including the President’s Medal presentation →

Art Bowman and Dave Rumble, 2017 Stanislaus County Honorees

Join us for the Stanislaus County Alumni and Friends Dinner

On March 8, 2018 Ag One will host the 15th annual Ag One - Stanislaus County Alumni and Friends dinner at Durrer’s Barn in Modesto. This year it is our pleasure to honor the late Mr. Nick W. Blom and his family for their involvement and many contributions to education and agriculture in our community. Proceeds from the event will be added to the Ag One – Stanislaus County Alumni and Friends Scholarship endowment fund. Please join us in honoring the Nick W. Blom family! Read more about the Ag One - Stanislaus County Alumni and Friends dinner →

Pictured L-R: Cherisse Villarreal, V.E. Petrucci Library Assistant; Andrea Magdaleno, Department Assistant; Tom Montgomery, Fresno State winemaker; Dean Sandra Witte, Jordan College

Unified Wine & Grape Symposium

Faculty and staff from the Department of Viticulture and Enology represented Fresno State at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium last month in Sacramento. Alumni, friends and industry colleagues had the opportunity to meet with Dean Witte as well as the Fresno State winemaker, Tom Montgomery and students. The department also hosted an alumni and friends reception at the symposium, which included a toast in memory of our dear friend Bryan Anthony.

In memory of Professor Emeritus Dr. John Shields

John Robert Shields, former professor in the Jordan College, passed away peacefully on Feb. 7, after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. John joined the faculty at Fresno State in 1978, where he was a professor of agricultural economics for 31 years. His teaching was enriched by participation in international projects in Botswana and Armenia, and by a three-year staff position with the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development in Washington D.C. He spent his retirement assisting with the Emeriti and Retirees Association at Fresno State and traveling the world with his wife and friends. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, their daughter Lisa Kathryn Fletcher, her husband Brian and four grandchildren, Benito, Jackson, Samuel and Penelope. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial tributes may be made to the Ag One Foundation or to the Study Abroad Program in Continuing and Global Education. A celebration of life will be held at the Smittcamp Alumni House on March 9 from 3 - 5 p.m., please RSVP to elizs@mail.fresnostate.edu. The parking code is 249817.

Kuhtz Family meets scholarship recipient

Jim Kuhtz, Jr., his cousin Lee and his sister Patty visited Ag One to meet the recipient of the Ag One - James C. Kuhtz scholarship award and visit with Dairy Science professor Dr. Kyle Thompson. The family established the endowed scholarship in 2001 to honor the patriarch of their family, Jim Kuhtz, Sr. following his passing earlier that year. Jim, Sr. revolutionized dairy herd management with his herd analysis program, Dairy Mating Service, a tool which is continued today. The James C. Kuhtz scholarship fund provides yearly support to a deserving student with a demonstrated interest in the dairy industry. This year’s recipient is Logan Real who is pursuing a career in dairy science.

BAHCO donates pruning shears for viticulture students

A representative from BAHCO recently visited a viticulture class and measured students for their own pair of pruning shears to use in the vineyard. This allows students to have an accurate size tool while learning the pruning technique during the laboratory portion of their class in the vineyard on campus.

Rodger Jensen visits with scholars and professor

On January 22, Rodger Jensen visited the Jensen Library at the Smittcamp Alumni House to meet the recipients of his scholarship, which covers full tuition and fees for the Jensen Scholar. Rodger also received an update from Dr. Gurreet Brar who holds the Rodger B. Jensen Professorship in Pistachio Physiology and Pomology funded by the California Pistachio Research Board. The Jensen family has a fondness for education and how it has impacted their lives and careers. 

Marvin Meyers donates van for Livestock Judging Team

Marvin Meyers, Jordan College alumnus and generous supporter, purchased a van for the Meyers Livestock Judging Team to use for travel. Marvin has been instrumental in bringing livestock judging back to Fresno State. He was the first of 70 donors to raise more than $2 million for the program starting in 2013. For his efforts and commitment to the livestock judging program, President Castro announced the team’s name as the Meyers Livestock Judging Team in 2016. We are incredibly grateful for Marvin’s continued support!

Red Wave Livestock Show

On February 10 and 11, Fresno State hosted the 25th annual Red Wave Classic Junior Livestock Show at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds Carolee Boele Livestock Pavilion. This event involves over 80 Jordan College students and gives them experience in junior livestock show preparation and management. The event is sanctioned by the California Junior Livestock Association and features junior participants under the age of 21 while showcasing the Jordan College’s animal sciences and agricultural education program to potential students. Read more about the Red Wave Classic Junior Livestock Show →

Planting seeds of Success...

• Congratulations to the ag fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho, who had the highest GPA among Fresno State fraternities in the Fall 2017 semester!
• The Jordan College was recognized throughout the Ag Fest basketball game on Feb. 17, which included special recognition of our 2017 Top Dog Earl Hall and the Fresno State Rodeo Team! View the Jordan College highlight video prepared for Ag Fest.
• Read the Jordan College Winter 2018 newsletter online.

Important Dates 

March 8, 2018           Stanislaus County Alumni and Friends Dinner, Modesto

March 21, 2018         Common Threads Awards Luncheon, Clovis

May 14, 2018            Turf Day Golf Classic, Belmont Country Club

 

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