Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, professor emeritus of social work and peace studies, received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools during its All Staff Day on Aug. 25.

Dr. Veena Howard (left) watches as Fresno State student Shailey Shah presents at the “Ethics and Diplomacy of Food - Wisdom from Mahatma Gandhi & Jain, Jewish, and Sikh Traditions” panel discussion.

Dr. Veena Howard, professor of philosophy, endowed chair in Jain and Hindu Dharma, director of the M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Pease and Sarvodaya, and six Fresno State Students attended the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions from Aug. 14 to 18 in Chicago. Howard presented at a plenary session, two symposiums and four panel discussions, including one panel with two Fresno State students. The Parliament brought together a global audience of over 7,000 people from about 210 religious traditions to contemplate and discuss human rights and freedom.

Dr. Felipe Mercado, assistant professor in the Department of Social Work Education, had his debut book, "A Journey to Compassion: Learning to Stand Firm in the Face of Pain," recognized as the "Most Inspirational Non-fiction Book" at the International Latino Book Awards in the English category. From confronting homelessness and addiction in Sanger to the profound ethos of hip-hop, the book offers insights into adversity and celebrates the healing and transformative power of compassion.

The book, which has also been granted an honorable mention, will be celebrated at the Honorable Mention Webinar at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6 via Zoom.

Bryan Tune, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, was elected to a national, executive level committee for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. He also recently presented at the National Congress for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.