In Memory of: Dr. John Hagen

Dr. John Hagen, faculty emeritus for the Department of Agricultural Business, passed away on July 14 after a life committed to his family, agriculture and serving others. He was 92 years old.

Hagen joined Fresno State as a School of Business faculty member in 1969 before he helped co-found the Agricultural Economics Department in 1971. It was later renamed the Agricultural Business Department and was recognized by the USDA as a national model program in 1984. 

He retired from the department after the spring semester of 2001 after 32 years of teaching at Fresno State. He continued to work with the Jordan College and Ag One Foundation to support its fundraising and outreach efforts to support students and campus agricultural programs. 

His reputation for his interactive ‘Hagen-omics” teaching style, mentorship and career advising is fondly remembered by former students who created an endowment program in his name at: https://bit.ly/FS-ag-one-hagen-endowment

“John had a unique connection with students, not only from his classes, but also as a resource in helping them begin their careers,” said Dr. Carl Pherson, agricultural business professor emeritus. “He had a knack of matching skill sets of graduating students with position openings,  often before the vacancies became public knowledge, thanks to his wide network of agribusiness contacts and Fresno State alumni.”

A native of Reeder, North Dakota, Hagen was born September 10, 1930 and grew up with his three brothers working on the family farm, while his mother was a school teacher. After completing a B.S. degree from North Dakota State, he joined the army as a first lieutenant.

After he was honorably discharged as a company grade infantry officer, he went back home, and earned his master’s degree. After working as a county extension agent and retail food marketing specialist for several years, Hagen returned to school and earned a doctoral degree in agricultural economics at Washington State University. 

He then worked for the USDA for four years in packaging and transportation research before he became a Fresno State faculty member. 

He was married to his wife, Sally, for 69 years. They had a daughter and two sons, whom became his fishing partners.

More information about his legacy is available at this obituary.