Celebrating the Top Dog Alumni Awards recipients
The Top Dog Alumni Awards recognize Fresno State alumni who have made significant contributions to their community, and whose accomplishments, affiliations and careers have enriched the legacy of excellence at Fresno State.
Nicole Linder, a community leader and advocate against domestic violence, is among the 2024 Top Dog Alumni Award honorees.
Linder, CEO of the Marjaree Mason Center, received the Distinguished Alumna Award — the highest honor bestowed by the Fresno State Alumni Association — for her dedicated and unwavering work to empower adults and children affected by domestic violence in Fresno County. The Marjaree Mason Center is one of the largest domestic violence services agencies in California, offering safe housing, counseling, legal services, training and education.
A Fresno native and Fresno State graduate, she earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and journalism in 1998. Throughout her career, Linder has driven philanthropy to support community organizations such as Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation and Fresno Pacific University. She helped enhance the Marjaree Cary Edmondson Mason Center service delivery system, improved resources for clients, participated in statewide policy advocacy to create change for survivors of domestic violence and led a $20 million fundraising campaign to build the organization’s new Community Resource Center.
Each year at Fresno State, individuals can be nominated and considered to receive a Top Dog Outstanding Alumni Award. One honoree is selected from each of the university’s eight academic schools and colleges, plus the Department of Athletics. The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes Fresno State alumni for exceptional achievements in their fields.
“The Top Dog Alumni Awards is an inspiring event that recognizes the achievements of our most accomplished alumni,” said Jacquelyn Glasener, executive director of the Fresno State Alumni Association. “This year’s class of honorees represent what it truly means to be a Bulldog. We are excited to celebrate their achievements and to inspire others through their impactful stories.”
Watch the full awards show and learn more about each honoree’s notable successes.
Written by Eddie Hughes (‘05) and Nicole B. Traverso (‘05); Video by Matt Mealer (‘12), Jeff Phillips (‘11) and Oliver Greenbarg (‘16)
