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: David Hembree
Title: Director of development, Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Academic Degrees: B.A., art, currently pursuing an M.A. in art and design at Fresno State

How long you have worked at Fresno State: Six years.

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

I feel the best about our work in providing basic needs to our hardworking students. With a lot of hard work from an entire team of people, we have managed to create endowments for our Basic Needs programs, the Student Cupboard and Renaissance Scholars. Any progress we make in providing direct support to students is a notable accomplishment.

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

Connecting resources to need, it is rewarding to be a part of the process of engaging supporters with the needs of students — it makes a huge difference in the lives of Fresno State students and their families.

What is a memorable moment you had at your job?

I think being part of a phone call to a family in Fowler when we were able to convey that their student had received a full ride scholarship for four years. It was almost as if we could hear the screams of excitement all the way from Fowler. I get a little misty still when I think about it, the first time it happened was over four years ago.

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

I like to create art at home and at the M Street Studio I have through being a graduate student. I enjoy singing and making music with my wife, and to spend time outdoors. I also like to play golf and guitar poorly, but usually not at the same time.

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

That I am the finest swordsman in all of France, it's a secret so don't tell anyone else.

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

At the beginning of every baseball season, I truly believe that the San Francisco Giants have a shot at winning the World Series.