Michael Olivarez was strolling on the streets of Estero Beach in Mexico when someone yelled, "Hey, Fresno State guy!"

It was a student who remembered him from campus. Small world, big impact.

A graduate of Sanger High School, Olivarez earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration at Fresno State. In his 31 years working on campus, he has helped numerous students as the "public contact" face for Fresno State — one of the people who provide customer service and administrative assistance at the admissions and records windows in the registration office.

"I love meeting students from all over different cultures," he said. "Plus, our student assistants are the best."

Hired by Anna Perry, the public contact supervisor who became like a second mom to him, Olivarez remembers how things have changed since the campus moved to computer systems.

Back in the days when registration was done by hand, he helped students register for classes. He would put them in their right classes by hand, take them out of the wrong classes by hand, and send them to advisers who would put them on track for graduation.

"In those days, everything was by hand, so there were many documents to process on deadline day," he said.

Times have changed, but the best part of his job has never changed. For Olivarez, the most rewarding aspect of his work is when he sees students graduate. He loves to hear if students landed a job or if they are continuing on with their education. Plus, he loves to see the smiles on their faces.

Besides the joy he finds bolstering student success, Olivarez also delights in the campus itself. He has even tried his hand at taking photos, capturing some of the campus landscaping. (See one of his photos below.)

When not at work, Olivarez enjoys watching local and national news, completing crossword puzzles, riding in his pickup near the Kings River and window shopping.

After fighting severe sciatica this past year, Olivarez has returned to taking walks. He is grateful to be active again.

Olivarez has 17 nephews and nieces that range in age from 30 to 61.

"My mom had me late in life, so I have a niece and nephew older than I am," he said. "Now, I have second and third generations of great nephews and nieces."

As a kid, Olivarez had dogs, but now he's trying his luck at attracting hummingbirds to a feeder.

"They are so graceful, so colorful, just like people!" he said.