From the president’s desk:

Dear Friends,

Welcome to this issue of Fresno State Magazine. Through these pages, you will discover the many ways our university is shaped by this remarkable place we call home, and how, in turn, Fresno State helps shape the future of our Valley, our state and the world.

This issue invites us to look toward the mountains, rivers, forests and sacred lands that surround us. Fresno State sits near some of the most extraordinary national and state parks in the world. Yet our story is not simply about proximity. The Central Valley is not a gateway to somewhere else. It is a destination, a landmark and a source of knowledge in its own right.

Still, when we are surrounded by places of such beauty and meaning, we have a responsibility to engage them fully. For our students and faculty, these landscapes become living classrooms, opening doors to learning in science, sustainability, culture, history, education and public service. They also remind us that this land holds stories much older than our university. Through our growing work in tribal relations, Fresno State continues to listen, learn and build relationships rooted in respect.

This issue also highlights a defining moment for our university. This past summer, Fresno State officially joined
the Pac-12, placing our work, our students and our Bulldog spirit on a national stage in a new and powerful way. Through “Lead with Pride,” our campaign for Fresno State, we are investing in the people and programs that will carry that momentum forward.

As you read, I hope you feel the same pride I do: Fresno State is rooted in a remarkable place, and together, we are helping the world see it.

Go ’Dogs!

Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Ph.D.
President, Fresno State