Emogen Nelson, former Budget and Resource Manager with the College of Health and Human Services, retired from Fresno State after 28 impactful and dedicated years of service.

Helle Petersen, assistant director of the Water, Energy and Technology Center, was a featured guest Nov. 17 on the weekly webinar series, “Webinar Wednesday,” focusing on opportunities available to small business owners in Kern County.

Dr. Marie Gilbert, director of the Central California Center for Excellence in Nursing, earned the international Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator-Advanced (CHSE-A) Credential, demonstrating her advanced performance as an educator in the healthcare simulation field. Gilbert is among nine individuals, from all over the world, to earn the credential this year, which covers educational theory, design and delivery of simulation principles.

Dr. Jacob Wenger, assistant professor of plant science, recently received the ECP Teaching Award from the Entomological Society of America at its annual conference in Denver. He has expanded the campus curriculum with new courses in apiculture and agricultural biotechnology, and mentors student research targeting sustainable management of almond and pistachio pests. As an advisor to the Plant Science Club, he assists students in engaging with the public through outreach events. He is also developing an online international integrated pest management curriculum for the country of Georgia to aid in the nation's efforts toward phytosanitary reform.

Helen G. James, 2020 honorary doctorate recipient and physical therapy professor emerita, was featured on the Nov. 14 episode of "This is Life with Lisa Ling." The episode "Gay Panic," chronicles The Lavender Scare, an effort during the Cold War to purge LGBTQ+ individuals from government and military roles. James, who joined the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and earned the rank of airman second class, gained national acclaim in 2018 when she won a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Air Force seeking to upgrade her once "undesirable" discharge to "honorable." Watch her story on the season eight episode of "Gay Panic," now on go.cnn.com/vod.