We hope you enjoy this new series where we will meet and get to know employees from across campus. Would you like to be featured? Contact us at campusnews@csufresno.edu.

Name: Shannon Fast
Title: Director of development, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology and University Central Development
Academic Degrees: B.A., Liberal Studies, Kremen School of Education and Human Development (2000)

How long you have worked at Fresno State: 8 years

What is your most notable accomplishment in your field, and why was it important?

In 2019, the Ag One Foundation celebrated 40 years of benefiting, supporting and advancing agriculture at Fresno State. The biennial Ag One Community Salute dinner recognizes an individual or family who has helped to transform agriculture. On Nov. 22, 2019 we honored and celebrated the iconic Parnagian Family. Not only are they stewards of the land they farm, they are champions of our community. I was able to contribute to this fundraising effort, which raised over $1 million that evening, and for which we received a Silver Award by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

What are you most passionate about in your field and why?

I love helping donors with a dream they hold in their hearts come to life. No matter the size of the gift, when a person or organization dreams of helping others, providing educational opportunities or advancing an entire industry, I get to help make it happen.

What is a memorable moment you had at your job?

Meeting Dr. Jim Moller in 2016 when he came to campus for a tour. Liz Garvin, our director of planned giving at Fresno State had been communicating with Dr. Moller, who was born and raised in Fresno, but has lived in Minnesota most of his adult life as a pediatric cardiologist. Jim was looking for an opportunity to make a legacy gift in memory of his father, who owned a machine shop in town for many years. Liz and I decided to show him our agricultural mechanics laboratory, where faculty member Ken Heupel and a student were working on a project together at the time. When we walked into the lab, Jim took in all the sights and smells, and said to me ... "this smells like my dad." Soon after, Dr. Moller made a $250,000 gift to renovate the space for students to have state of the art equipment and tools.

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?

I love to build things and have quite the little woodshop in my garage. I also love taking my dog, Drake, (an 80 pound Doberman who thinks he's a lap dog) on walks or watching tv together, with him in my lap!

What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?

I also like to weld. I'm not really any good, but I enjoy metalwork.

Is there something else you would like to share that was not asked?

My mom taught me to do what makes you happy and my dad taught me to change my own oil and fix a flat tire. I taught myself that it's important to be in service to others — and more important to let others be in service to you! It's okay to ask for help.