Ag One launches campaign to create Dr. John Hagen endowment

(April 7, 2015) – Alumni and friends of Fresno State’s Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology are joining together to establish an endowment in honor of professor emeritus Dr. John Hagen.

The fund will support the Agricultural Business Department’s students and programs as a tribute to one of the department’s founding fathers who retired in 2014.

During his 45-year career, Hagen was well known in the Central Valley for his courses in agricultural business statistics, agricultural business management, agricultural cooperative management and agricultural policy.

"Dr. Hagen not only prepared students for their profession, he prepared them for life," said John O'Rourke, co-founder and co-owner of RJO Produce Marketing. “He was a true pioneer in the field, and his connections to agriculture and business helped spur one of the University’s most recognizable departments. We are excited to give back to honor a professor who has given so much.”

Hagen joined the Craig School of Business faculty in 1969, then moved to the Agriculture Economics Department in 1971. The program evolved into the Department of Agricultural Business and was recognized as a national model program by the USDA.

The department is one of the Jordan College’s most popular with 470 undergraduate students this spring – more than double the total of 10 years ago – along with 85 graduate students.

“Dr. Hagen touched thousands of students’ lives and gave them direction and confidence that they could achieve their dreams,” said Dr. Annette Levi, department chair. “There are so many successful CEOs and businesspeople from our program that were inspired by this dedicated and humble man. It’s important that we honor him and carry on those same values.”

Contributions to the Dr. John W. Hagen Endowment Fund can be made online at the Ag One Foundation website under the giving opportunities tab at www.agonefoundation.org or by calling 559.278.4266.

In addition to the fund, Dr. Hagen will be recognized at the Ag Business Club's Annual Spring Banquet at 6 p.m. April 30 at Pardini's in Fresno.

For event information, contact club president, Kari Ball at kariball007@mail.fresnostate.edu or the department at 559.278.2949.