Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

Jordan College Commencement

3:15-5pm, Friday, May 17, 2024, Save Mart Center, Fresno, CA

Event video
University-created digital event program
Photo galleries: Post-event graduates with families / Ag One reception with families

Message from the Deans

Dear Graduates:

As we eagerly anticipate this joyous occasion, our faculty, staff, University President, and Provost are excited to join in celebrating the achievements of our students.

Consequently, I wish that every student relishes this significant milestone. We recognize the hard work and persistence demonstrated in 16 or more years of formal education.

On behalf of our faculty and staff, I thank you for choosing to continue your education at Fresno State in the Jordan College. This ceremony recognizes your completion of a university degree that can open so many doors for you. The opportunities ahead will allow you to make a difference in the world.

For those who are family, friends, and well-wishers of our graduates, we recognize you for your support and encouragement.

Thank you for entrusting the education of these graduates to us, and helping us celebrate them as they continue a new journey beyond the university.

Sincerely,

Rolston St. Hilaire
Dean, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

Steven Rocca
Associate Dean, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

Order of Events

National Anthem and Alma Mater Vocalist: Dr. Erin Stafford Dormedy

Mace Bearer: Dr. Dennis Nef, Dean Emeritus

Dean’s Comments: Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire, Dean

ASI President’s Address: Karen Carrillo, Chicano Studies

President’s Address: Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President, California State University, Fresno

Presentation of Jordan College Dean’s Medalists

Presentation of Jordan College’s Outstanding Thesis and Project

Presentation of Graduates by Department Chairs/Coordinators

Dr. Srinivasa Konduru Department of Agricultural Business
Dr. Annette Levi Department of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education
Dr. Erin Stafford Dormedy Department of Food Science and Nutrition
Dr. Arun Nambiar Department of Industrial Technology
Dr. John Bushoven Department of Plant Science
Dr. Sonet Van Zyl Department of Viticulture and Enology

President, Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval and Dean, Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire

Student Honors

Graduate Dean’s Medalist: M. Orlando Tapia, M.S. Plant Science

The 4.0 student has focused his master’s research on agricultural biologicals, an emerging sector that supports productivity, improved input efficiencies, and less impact on natural resources. He has presented this and other research at the American Society of Horticultural Science Conference (ASHS) and received a graduate student presentation award.

Tapia is a full-time employee for Corteva Agriscience, responsible for the design, supervision, and execution of field-level research. He has also joined professional work groups such as the ASHS Temperate Tree Nut Crops special interest group, which focuses on various aspects of research. He would like to pursue an agricultural science doctoral degree and increase his involvement in science communication and outreach activities at community colleges and universities.

The Huron native first learned about plant growth, pest scouting, identification, and more while riding through the fields with his father, a pest control adviser. After he earned a B.S. in biology from the University of Sonora, Mexico, the younger Tapia worked in industry for several years before he returned for his master’s degree to understand how agriculture can be more productive and sustainable.

Undergraduate Dean’s Medalist: Reyna Mero, B.S. Pre-Veterinary Science

The 4.0 pre-veterinary student from Mariposa has been active with the campus Foster Farm Poultry Education and Research Facility as both an employee and researcher. She has worked with faculty Dr. Katy Tarrant on projects studying broiler gastro-intestinal tract microbiomes, disease susceptibility, and laser enrichment technology to enhance bird health and welfare.

She presented her research at the 2024 International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta, where she won the Don Sloan Undergraduate Poster Award for outstanding presentation. She is also active on campus as a supplemental instruction leader for chemistry and microbiology, and as a member of the campus Pre-Veterinary Club and Poultry Science Club.

Mero also participates in endurance equestrian racing, where she has won a number of races, awards, and titles, and shows her Dobermans in AKC events.

She looks ahead to attending Washington State University veterinary school in the fall, and following the career path of her mother, Jeanette, who has taken her on large animal medical visits since a young age.

Outstanding Project Award: Brendan Black, M.S. Agricultural Science

Outstanding Thesis Award: M. Orlando Tapia, M.S. Plant Science

Standard Bearers
Tatyn Silva (Undergraduate), B.S. Agricultural Business

Daniel Olmos (Graduate), M.S. Food and Nutritional Science

Department Outstanding Graduates

Agricultural Business
Tyler Furtado (Undergraduate)

Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education
Kailey Stone (Graduate)
Ivan Trujillo (Undergraduate)

Food Science and Nutrition
Daniel Olmos (Graduate)
Vanneza Kristanto (Undergraduate)

Industrial Technology
Sara Mekideche (Graduate)
Noah Scarbrough (Undergraduate)

Plant Science
Harmanpreet Sharma (Graduate)
Jose Ortiz Pellegrin (Undergraduate)

Viticulture and Enology
Mason Ramsey (Undergraduate)

Jordan College Honors Program

The Jordan College Honors Program provides an opportunity for advanced interdisciplinary study and engagement within a cohort.

Students work closely with a faculty mentor toward the completion of a research or scholarly project. The program consists of a three-semester commitment, beginning with a 3-unit honors seminar taken in the second semester of junior year.

This is followed by a 3-unit independent study with a faculty mentor to work on a research project in the first semester of senior year. Finally, a 3-unit honors colloquium in the second semester of their senior year serves as a culminating experience where they make a public presentation of their research or scholarly project.

We are proud to honor our ninth cohort at today’s convocation. They are listed here with their faculty mentor and the titles of their research projects.

Honors Cohort 9 / Research Projects

Jasmin Joy Andrada (Mentor: Dr. Srinivasa Konduru / Dr. Serhat Asci): An analysis of produce consumption in Fresno County.

Madelyn Fernandes (Mentor: Dr. Sharon Freeman): Evaluation of barriers to student involvement in SAE Projects as identified by high school agricultural teachers.

Ivana Gonzalez-Esparza (Mentor: Dr. Samuel Rodriguez): How self-determination impacts the ability of pre-service and practicing Hispanic females to navigate their agriculture teaching career.

Daniel Hidalgo (Mentor: Dr. Erin Stafford Dormedy): Evaluation of textural properties of high protein ice cream.

Lillian Kier (Mentor: Dr. Todd Lone): Financial feasibility of growing guayule, a salt and drought-tolerant crop that produces natural latex and resin, on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley of California.

Reyna Mero (Mentor: Dr. Katy Tarrant): Assessing activity of broilers in a commercial house using laser enrichmments.

Miguel Perez Esparza (Mentor: Dr. Annette Levi): Perceptions of agricultural field workers and their experiences regarding employers and the workplace.

Alberto Ramirez (Mentor: Dr. Cliff Yu): Investigating the effects of cover crops installation on canopy microclimate in Central Coast winegrape vineyards.

Savannah Salters (Mentor: Dr. Fabio Iared): Factors affecting equine in vitro embryo production in a commercial OPU / ICSI program.

Ivan Trujillo (Mentor: Dr. Sharon Freeman): JCAST student soft skills assessment.

College Mission Statement

In its 101st year of empowering students through agricultural academic programs, Fresno State and the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology continue to shape the future of the Central Valley.

Each year, nearly 2,000 students select between more than 20 undergraduate and master’s degrees from six academic departments.

Three on-campus research programs (Center for Irrigation Technology, Institute for Food and Agriculture, Viticulture and Enology Research Center) connect the College’s faculty, staff, and students to industry and community partners to share their expertise, innovation, and educational programs.

The college’s 1,000-acre University Agricultural Laboratory is one of the nation’s largest on-campus farms and offers hands-on teaching, production, and research efforts year-round. Its 18 units employ over 100 students that create products for our Gibson Farm Market and reflect the commitment to diversity and sustainability by the nation’s leading agricultural area.

As it looks ahead to a new century, the Jordan College is committed to pioneering new technology and methods that also promote global outreach, and help cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders.

List of Jordan College Graduates

Special Academic Honors
***Summa Cum Laude: Red/Blue/Gold Cords, 3.90 - 4.00 GPA
**Magna Cum Laude: Red/Blue/Silver Cords, 3.70 - 3.89 GPA
*Cum Laude: Red/Blue Cords, 3.50 - 3.69 GPA
+ Master’s Degree With Distinction: 3.9-4.0 GPA

AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS

Bachelor of Science

Jesse Anastacio
Isaura Angulo
Dominic Barrios
Nayeli Deniz
Shannon Dibble
Arnulfo Gonzalez
Robert Guzman
Matthew Hoogendoorn
Taylore Johnson-Hetman
Cody Koch
Kassidy Neary
Araceli Ortega Delgadillo
Luis Ortiz Navarro
Alberto Ramirez**
Mason Ramsey**
Javier Romero Corrales
Ulisses Santana
Kaimyn Spencer
John Wilson**

Special thanks to all who made this event possible

Commencement Committee Members
JCAST Commencement Volunteers
Rolston St. Hilaire, Dean
Steven Rocca, Associate Dean
University Marketing and Communications Staff

* Follow the Jordan College ( @fsjordancollege) at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Jordan College Dean Rolston St. Hilaire and Dean's Medalists Reyna Mero and M. Orlando Tapia

Jordan College Commencement

Message from the Deans

Order of Events

Student Honors

Jordan College Honors Program

College Mission Statement

List of Jordan College Graduates

AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS

Bachelor of Science

ANIMAL SCIENCES AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

Master of Science

Bachelor of Science

FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION

Master of Science

Bachelor of Science

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

Master of Science

Bachelor of Science

PLANT SCIENCE

Master of Science

Bachelor of Science

VITICULTURE AND ENOLOGY

Master of Science

Bachelor of Science

Special thanks to all who made this event possible

* Follow the Jordan College ( @fsjordancollege) at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin.

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