Watch Pres. Castro's State of the University address
Courtesy of Fresno State News; by Lisa Boyles, public information officer, University Communications; photos by Cary Edmondson, University photographer
President Joseph I. Castro addressed supporters and community leaders about the University’s successes during the fifth annual State of the University breakfast at the Save Mart Center on Feb. 11.
About 750 community leaders and alumni attended the event, during which President Castro announced the newest recipients of the President’s Medal of Distinction, shared news of a recent transformative gift and called on supporters to help unleash the talent of Fresno State.
President Castro announced that Virginia Eaton earned this year’s President’s Medal of Distinction, the highest non-degree award presented by the University. Eaton received her medal a week earlier at the Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens, where she lives.
In a surprise, during the State of the University, Eaton’s daughter, Joan, was also awarded with a medal for her time and expertise on the Fresno State Foundation Board of Governors and other community-based boards.
Joan Eaton receives a President's Medal of Distinction.
During his speech, President Castro shared that he received a letter from alumnus and former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Paul O’Neill, who recently made a transformative $1 million gift to the President’s Circle of Excellence.
“He shared with me that his transformative experience as a Fresno State student established the foundation for all of his professional success,” President Castro said.
The event’s theme centered around internships and hands-on experiences that allow students to focus on learning while empowering them to add value on the job from day one.
“Considering that more than 80% of Fresno State graduates remain in the Valley, what paid internships or other hands-on experience can you provide while they are students, so your organization can simultaneously lift up and benefit from these capable students?” President Castro asked those in attendance. “How can you partner with us to prepare students so they will later meet the needs of your organization upon graduation? I ask you to consider this today and in the coming days.”
Visit Fresno State News to read more about the event or watch President Castro’s speech below for his entire message.
Campus News is the official faculty and staff email newsletter at Fresno State. It is published weekly during the academic year and every other week during the summer by University Marketing and Communications. Faculty and staff may submit information to be considered for publication to campusnews@csufresno.edu.
