Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor taught his philosophy class for the last time in the fall of 2022, marking the end of an era. Since Kapoor began working at Fresno State in 1963, he has been a staple in the classroom and the community. His many accomplishments include founding the Peace and Conflict Studies program, spearheading the construction of the Peace Garden on campus and starting the “Stop the Hate and Build the Culture of Peace Week,” just to name a few.

In 1992, then-mayor Karen Humphrey named him to the City of Fresno’s Human Relations Commission, where he served for 12 years, including four years as chair. In 2018, the Fresno County Office of Education honored him for his lifetime of educational contributions, and in 2022 he received the Top Dog Arthur Safstrom Service Award from Fresno State.

As founder and director of the Peace and Conflict Studies program, Kapoor created an area of study that helps students and future civic leaders receive training in conflict resolution and healing. His program recognizes Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar E. Chavez, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Jane Addams — figures who are now memorialized in the Fresno State Peace Garden.

“The Peace Garden is my modest contribution, the legacy that I will be leaving behind,” said Kapoor.

After 56 years on campus, Kapoor said he intends to take a “little break.” However, when looking at his current and future initiatives, it becomes clear that Kapoor will be visible on campus for a long time to come.

Visit the College of Arts and Humanities blog to read more.

Do you have a faculty or staff member in your department retiring soon or recently retired ? If so, Campus News wants to share their accomplishment.

Please send a short paragraph about the employee to campusnews@csufresno.edu with years of service, the department or departments they worked in, any special memories or details about that person and retirement plans along with a photo (horizontal preferred).