Linda Lopez-Atkins has played a vital role overseeing administrative needs for various agricultural areas since starting in 1985. She initially worked as an executive assistant with the California Agricultural Technology Institute and California State University Agricultural Research Institute programs, which were also tied to other state universities and industries for 26 years. Later promoted to the dean's office for the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, she has served as the direct assistant for three different deans since 2011.

Faculty, staff and students will miss the Fresno State alumna's wealth of experience, tireless dedication, helpful attitude and endless smiles after she retires on Friday, Sept. 17. In her retirement, after 35 years of service, the football season ticket holder looks forward to more travel and tailgate fun with husband, Rod, and more time with her granddaughters, Amelia, 4, and Alyssandra, 3.

Learn more about her in a recent Jordan College interview. Campus faculty and staff are invited to a Jordan College retirement event for her from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14 on the lawn next to the Vincent E. Petrucci Viticulture Building, 2360 E. Barstow Ave.).

Teresa Knapp got her start at Fresno State in 1984, in what was supposed to be a temporary assignment in the mailroom of the Joyal Administration building. That one-year assignment would eventually become 37 memorable years!

On Sept. 24, she will officially retire from her role as dean’s assistant in the College of Health and Human Services and from the University. Throughout her career, she spent 22 years in the Admissions and Recruitment Office and an additional 15 years in Academic Affairs, working within the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, the College of Science and Mathematics and finally, the College of Health and Human Services. During this time, Knapp also earned two degrees from Fresno State, including a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2002 at the age of 40 and later, her master’s degree in counseling in 2013 at age 50. Knapp’s infectious spirit and strong bulldog pride will be greatly missed on campus, and we wish her the very best as she enjoys retirement, and continues her quest to visit all 50 states in the United States.

Read more about Knapp in the College of Health and Human Services blog, where you can also leave a comment to wish her well. The campus community is also invited to a College of Health and Human Services open house honoring her at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15 at the Ag East Lawn (located between the Agricultural Sciences building and the Satellite Student Union).

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).