Mai Der Vang, assistant professor of English, won an American Book Award for her documentary poetry collection, “Yellow Rain.” The award, one of 13 presented this year by the nonprofit Before Columbus Foundation, recognizes outstanding contributions to diversity in American literature. Vang’s second book of poetry, published in 2021 by Graywolf Press, was previously named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry and a finalist for the PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry. “Yellow Rain” integrates archival research and declassified government documents to examine the biological warfare that threads through wars involving Hmong people. Vang teaches creative writing in the Master of Fine Arts program.

Dr. Peter Robertson, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, has been named the recipient of the "Patron of the Arts Award" for his service on behalf of the performing arts in the local community. As a volunteer, he established the Bulldog Pride Fund and subsequently launched five endowed scholarships of $50,000 each (totaling $250,000) in the College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State — two with the Department of Music, two with the Department of Theatre and Dance, and one with the Bulldog Marching Band. The 37th Horizon Awards will bestow six awards, and is presented by the Fresno Arts Council.