As Fresno State students return to classes on Monday, Aug. 21, one program at Fresno State marks a special milestone. The Smittcamp Family Honors College is turning 25 years old. In the years since it began, close to 1,100 high-achieving students have graduated, many going on to distinguished careers in business, law, education, medicine, engineering and other professional fields.

A $1 million gift from Earl and Murial Smittcamp and family launched the Smittcamp Family Honors College in late 1998, and the first cohort of students enrolled in fall 1999. In a competitive process, 50 top high school graduates from a pool of more than 500 are admitted each year. They take a series of specially designed honors courses, perform community service and interact in educational and social activities.

Serving Valley students

Fresno State anticipates an incoming class of about 6,000 new undergraduate students — 3,500 freshmen and 2,500 transfer students. More than 93% of continuing undergraduate students have registered for the fall semester. Total enrollment for the university’s 113th academic year is projected to be about 23,507. (Enrollment numbers are not final until the campus census is conducted in early fall.)

Fresno State truly serves the Valley — 58% of Fresno State’s students come from Fresno County, while 85% come from the broader six-county region (Fresno, Madera, Kings, Tulare, Merced and Mariposa counties).

“Our Bulldogs make a positive impact on the very neighborhoods they grew up and live in, often serving the Valley’s most marginalized communities, both as students and after graduation,” said Dr. Kent Willis, vice president for the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. “Fresno State also opens opportunities in and out of the classroom for our students to have a broader, global impact. We’re excited to welcome students to campus for the fall semester and see all that they accomplish.”

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