During this week-long series, volunteers will participate in a diverse range of hands-on initiatives that provide both immediate benefits to the community and long-term support for vulnerable populations. Highlights include:

• Firewise Demonstration and Native Pollinator Garden Workday
  Nov. 2, 8 a.m.-noon
  In partnership with the Sierra Resource Conservation District, volunteers will build a Firewise Demonstration Garden to promote wildfire preparedness and plant a pollinator habitat to support monarch butterflies.
• Cleanup at Fresno Discovery Center
  Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-noon
  Volunteers will clean exhibits, pull weeds and tidy the pond area at this educational center, fostering an engaging and clean environment for visitors.
• Terry’s House Service Days
  Nov. 3-8
  Volunteers will assist with housekeeping, patio/balcony upkeep and garden maintenance at Terry’s House, a respite home supporting patients’ families at Community Regional Medical Center in downtown Fresno.
• Poverello House Service Days
  Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Nov. 8, 2-6 p.m.
  Volunteers will organize clothing donations, serve meals and assemble hygiene kits to support the community’s homeless population at the Poverello House.
• Catholic Charities Food Pantry Assistance
  Nov. 6, 10 a.m.-noon and Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-noon
  Volunteers will help distribute food and maintain the Catholic Charities facilities, enhancing the organization’s food security efforts for local families.
• November Blood Drive Preparation Day
  Nov. 7, 2-4 p.m.
  Volunteers will create promotional materials, write thank-you cards, and prepare social media content to encourage blood donations on campus.
• Fall Learning Enrichment Day Camp
  Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Hosted by Boys 2 Men Girls 2 Women, this camp for at-risk youth features motivational workshops, arts and recreational activities, aiming to inspire and connect youth with positive role models.
• Love-An-Alley Day
  Nov. 9, 9-11 a.m.
  Volunteers will beautify alleys in central Fresno by picking up litter and clearing weeds, supporting Beautify Fresno’s ongoing efforts to create cleaner neighborhoods.
• Plant a Winter Garden at Dakota EcoGarden
  Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-noon
  Volunteers will join Dakota EcoGarden residents to plant a winter garden, fostering food security for Fresno’s homeless community.
• Don Romsa Day of Service Food Distribution
  Nov. 9, 8-11:30 a.m.
  In partnership with Bulldog Pantry, volunteers will distribute food, assist families and help carry items to cars, supporting local families in need.
• Stone Soup Youth Engagement
  Nov. 9, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
  Volunteers will facilitate STEAM activities for second to sixth graders at the Stone Soup Center, encouraging interest in science and technology among youth.
• Veterans Home Groundskeeping Day
  Nov. 9, 7:30 a.m.-noon
  Volunteers will assist with maintaining the grounds of the Veterans Home of California, providing a clean, serene space in honor of Veterans Day.

“With a multitude of service opportunities across different sectors, the Bud Richter Week of Service stands as a powerful reminder of Fresno State’s commitment to impactful community engagement. Each event offers Fresno State students and community members a chance to make a tangible difference and carry forward the Richters’ legacy of kindness and service,” said special projects coordinator Kayla Ferreira.

For more details, contact Kayla Ferreira at kferreira@csufresno.edu or 559-278-2339.

(Story by Celeste Jones)

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All of the activities are open to the public over the course of almost five weeks, and many are free.

The Jordan College Open House at O’Neill Park (2611 E. Barstow Ave.) opens the busiest day of the month from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 19, with family-friendly activities, campus farm and winery tours, drone demonstrations, prizes, food samples, research presentations and a visit by Victor E. Bulldog IV.

The Gibson Farm Market (5368 N. Chestnut Ave.) will feature a fall plant sale at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, followed by its Fall Festival from noon to 3 p.m. that features a pumpkin patch, wine tasting, food samples and activities for kids.

The Whole Vine Festival will also happen that weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. The free event on the campus lawn, northeast of the Science II Building (near the southwest corner Woodrow and Barstow avenues) offers food samples, wine tasting, educational displays, food trucks, art, music and kids activities that spotlight the San Joaquin Valley’s role as the national leader in table, raisin and wine grape production.

There will be free, Friday wine tastings hosted by viticulture and enology students for ages 21 and over from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 1 and Nov. 15. A select ‘wine of the month’ will be discounted 20% at each tasting. The market is the only place to buy all 20 varieties of award-winning, student-made wines.

The Ag One Foundation will offer three events for alumni, campus and industry supporters that raise money to support agricultural students and campus programs. 

The 53rd annual Turf Day Golf Classic returns to the Belmont Country Club (8253 E Belmont Ave) on Friday, Oct. 18, followed by the 45th annual Kern County Alumni and Friends Luncheon at Cal West Rain (20935 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield) on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The seventh annual West Side Luncheon will be hosted at the Fresno Equipment Company (21350 S. Lassen Ave, Five Points) on Thursday, Nov. 7.

The Bulldoggers campus rodeo club will host its annual rodeo Friday, Nov. 8, against the West Coast’s top collegiate teams at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds (748 Rodeo Dr.). Tickets can be purchased online.

The campus Viticulture Club will host its 71st annual Fall Harvest barbecue at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at the Kings River Winery (4276. S. Greenwood Ave., Sanger). The event features food, wine and an auction at its biggest fundraiser of the year to support the student club’s professional enhancement activities and industry visits. Regular admission tickets are $75 or $65 for students and veterans.

The Viticulture and Enology Department will host its 16th annual internship and career fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Fresno State Winery. Employers can sign up by Wednesday, Nov. 1, for $250 for a table to promote their internship and full-time opportunities. Registration costs increase to $275 after Nov. 1.

Additional industry and research presentations will be coordinated by the Jordan College’s three research centers: the Center for Irrigation Technology, Institute for Food and Agriculture and Viticulture and Enology Research Center.

The Center for Irrigation Technology will host in-field demonstrations of innovative technology at the University Agricultural Laboratory at its eighth annual Ag Tech Day from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. The free event is aimed at growers and industry members and includes an exposition featuring 30 vendors promoting their agricultural products and services.

Growers and industry members can sign up for a free, Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program  webinar from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, hosted by Center for Irrigation Technology education specialist Anthony Gunlund.

Viticulture and enology faculty will make research presentations at the Grape, Nut and Tree Fruit Expo at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds on Friday, Nov. 8, and the Tree and Vine Expo at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in Turlock. 

The Jordan College will host its 43rd annual Agribusiness Management Conference from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Pardini’s Banquets and Catering (2257 W. Shaw Ave.). Agricultural industry experts will make presentations about Central Valley, national and international economic trends and state policy. Early bird registration is $125 through Nov. 1, and student admission price is $50.

More information on many of these events is available by contacting Luz Mendoza  at luzmendoza@csufresno.edu.

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Former professional football player Robert Golden was this year’s keynote speaker. Born and raised in Fresno, Golden graduated from Edison High School and attended the University of Arizona before playing in the NFL. He spent six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring in 2018. After his retirement, Golden founded Golden Charter Academy, a K-8 charter school in west Fresno focused on environmental education stewardship.

Golden used his keynote address to talk to students about making their dreams a reality. He said, “When I was in elementary [school], I wrote that I was going to go to the NFL. I was going to make millions of dollars. I was going to buy my mom her first house. It happened.

“Fast forward, and I wrote that I wanted to open up a school and build a facility that was going to give our students the best of the best. We opened up our school and secured $24 million to build our state-of-the-art facility in Fresno. I give you all this information not to brag on me, but to show you that if you write your vision down, make your plan, it will happen.”

Following the keynote, students and families were free to attend workshops on a variety of topics, including financial aid and A-G college admission requirements. Attendees could also participate in hands-on activities related to the arts and science. 

Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to participate in an African Drum Interactive and see a performance from the Red Wavettes, the university’s majorette team. There was also a resource fair throughout the day to connect students and families with both on- and off-campus resources. 

With Black and African American students making up less than 3% of the university’s student demographic, Super Saturday plays an integral role in closing equity gaps.

“I’m hoping [students and families] get understanding and clarity on how college is attainable,” said Sade Johnson, program director for the Black Student Success Initiative at Fresno State. “We have to take actionable steps each year, from kindergarten through high school, especially if they’re first-gen students. We hope Super Saturday opens up a conversation about what higher education can be.”

Outside of Super Saturday, the Black Student Success Initiative hosts programming throughout the year to support student success. Visit https://studentaffairs.fresnostate.edu/bssi/ to learn more about the initiative.

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Feria de Educación was implemented at Fresno State and other California State University campuses in partnership with Univision as part of the CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025, aimed at eliminating equity gaps in college readiness and degree completion.

“We are expecting 5,000 people today,“ University President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval said in his opening remarks. “That is 5,000 people that will learn about the power of higher education today.”

An all day event, Feria de Educación offered a resource fair, access to immigration services, campus tours, a kids area and reading garden. Feria included a variety of informative workshops on topics including financial aid and scholarship opportunities, what to expect during the first year of college and developing social-emotional skills.

Feria de Educación also emphasized and celebrated Hispanic/Latinx art and culture, with performances from Mariachi Orgullo Fresno State, Los Danzantes de Aztalan and Osmar Villa Beltran, a ranchero singer and aspiring Bulldog currently attending Fresno City College. Throughout the day, families were also able to tour ‘Wings of the City,’ the newly installed art exhibit in the Maple Mall, featuring five sculptures by world-renowned Mexican artist Jorge Marín.

Martina Granados, senior director of Outreach and Special Programs at Fresno State, explained the significance of the statues’ presence at Feria de Educación.“For some of our familias, this will be their first exposure to art of that kind,” Granados said.

“It’s important for our familias to see themselves represented and envision themselves here; this is their campus and they are welcome here. They belong here. I’m a first-generation student, I graduated from Fresno State, I know the impact events like this can have.”

Among the thousands of this year’s attendees was Alan Araujo, a fifth grader from Parlier. Araujo shared he was so excited to attend Feria de Educación that he woke up that morning at 4 a.m. He looks forward to participating in more outreach programming and later becoming a Bulldog.

As a Hispanic Serving Institution, Fresno State sees tens of thousands of students like Araujo on campus each year. In the 2023-24 academic year, Hispanic students made up 58.5% of the student population, and this fall made up over 60%. And, like Granados, many of those students are first-generation college students.

“Our students and alumni have been and continue to be trailblazers, using the power of higher education to better their lives and that of their communities and future generations,” said Dr. Kent Willis, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

“We offer programming and services to help students be successful in their studies and their lives overall, year-round. And with many of our staff and faculty being Bulldog alumni and over 25% of them with a Hispanic background, they can directly relate to the experiences of our students and offer them the guidance and mentorship needed.”

In addition to specialized outreach programming, Hispanic/Latinx students can participate in a variety of specialized support services once they are fully enrolled at the university, including those offered by the College Assistance Migrant Program and the DREAM Success Center.

With its continued efforts to support Hispanic/Latinx students, Fresno State was recently recertified with the Seal of Excelencia, a prestigious recognition “for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment and more intentionally serve Latino students.”

Visit https://studentaffairs.fresnostate.edu/student-resources.html to learn more about programs and services available through the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

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Themed “The Changing Landscape in California Agriculture,” the conference will bring together experts from business, politics and research to discuss economic policy, land use changes, agrifood industry investments, and evolving regulations impacting the agrifood sector. The event targets faculty, staff, students and professionals interested in the agrifood industry.

“As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, faculty, staff and students must remain adaptable to these shifts,” said Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire, dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State. “The Agribusiness Management Conference offers a valuable opportunity for them to engage directly with industry leaders and producers to gain insights on how they leverage economic forecasts and emerging business trends to effectively navigate these changes.”

The conference will kick off with an opening session led by Dr. Michael Swanson, chief agricultural economist at Wells Fargo. Swanson will deliver an economic outlook on both national and international markets.

With over two decades of experience at the nation’s largest commercial agricultural lender, he specializes in analyzing macroeconomic trends; international agricultural production; the energy sector’s influence, credit and risk strategies; and key crop and livestock markets.

Following Swanson’s presentation, two panels will take place. Each panel will feature business and trade leaders discussing key agricultural economic issues currently at the forefront of national discussions. These panels are:

“Changing Land Use, Investment Inflows and Sustainability Issues in Agriculture”

• Curt Covington, senior director at AgAmerica Lending
• Mike Ming, president of the ASFMRA California Chapter
• Casey Creamer, president of Citrus Mutual
• Dr. Andres Jauregui, Fresno State professor of real estate (moderator)

“Changing Environmental and Regulatory Landscape in the Food and Agricultural Industry”

• John Chandler, Chandler Farms L.P.
• Trudi Hughes, president of California League of Food Producers

The conference will conclude with a keynote address by George Soares, a prominent agriculturist, lawyer and expert in state politics, from noon to 1 p.m.

As a partner at Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, Soares has played a pivotal role in shaping thousands of legislative and regulatory proposals, including California’s agriculture tax relief package. A cattle rancher and grower of nuts, corn and wheat in Hanford, he also serves on the Fresno State Foundation Board of Governors and the California State University Board of Trustees.

Early-bird registration for the conference is $125 through Nov. 1. Late or walk-up registration will be accepted for $150 until the day of the conference. The student price is $50.

Fresno State students and community college faculty should contact event organizer Luz Mendoza at 559.278.7135 or luzmendoza@mail.fresnostate.edu before registering.

Event sponsors include platinum level sponsor Wells Fargo, gold level sponsor Farm Credit, silver level sponsors The Zenith and California Chapter of ASFMRA Western Ag Professionals. Other supporting organizations include American Pistachio Growers, California Food Producers, The Maddy Institute, Steve Moore Farms and the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology and Institute for Food and Agriculture. 

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.

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Fresno State has a variety of events taking place during the month of October, honoring the significant contributions of LGBTQ2+ members of the campus community:

Oct. 7: Banned and Challenged Books Exhibit Walkthrough, presented by the Fresno State Library and Cross Cultural and Gender Center LGBTQ2+ Programs and Services, from 2 to 3:15 p.m., TLC Pride Room (Thomas Building, Room 109B). In recognition of LGBTQ2+ History Month, LGBTQ2+ and allied students are invited to a walkthrough of Fresno State Library’s Banned and Challenged Books Exhibit led by curator Arantes Armendariz. Registration at this link. Contact: Félix Vargas, LGBTQ2+ programs and services coordinator, at felixvargas@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Oct. 11: Queering Mariachi, presented by Cross Cultural and Gender Center LGBTQ2+ Programs and Services and Latina/o Programs and Services, 5 p.m. at Fresno High School (1839 N Echo Ave. in Fresno). Celebrate LGBTQ2+ History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month with a performance from the world’s first all LGBTQ2+ mariachi group, Mariachi Arcoiris De Los Angeles. The event is free to attend. Contact: Félix Vargas , LGBTQ2+ programs and services coordinator, at felixvargas@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Oct. 16: Bisexual and Pansexual History, Dr. Kat Fobear will present at the United Student Pride meeting from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Resnick Student Union (Room 214).

Oct. 18: Queer Talk: “LGBTQ2+ History” with Dr. Kat Fobear, presented by Cross Cultural and Gender Center LGBTQ+ Programs and Services, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Cross Cultural and Gender Center Conference Room, Thomas Building. “LGBTQ2+ History” highlights critical moments, influential figures and transformative movements that have shaped the community. Register at this link. Contact: Félix Vargas, LGBTQ2+ programs and services coordinator, at felixvargas@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Oct. 23: LGBTQ History Month showcase, LGBTQ2+ studies and history students are participating in Fresno Unified School District’s third annual LGBTQ History Month showcase, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Fresno High School. Fresno Unified students will create history booths focusing on LGBTQ2+ history.

Oct. 29: Queer Talk: “Exploring Queer Pláticas,” with Dr. Ángel González, presented by Cross Cultural and Gender Center LGBTQ+ Programs and Services, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Cross Cultural and Gender Center Conference Room, Thomas Building. “Exploring Queer Pláticas” discusses the importance of envisioning queer and trans futures. Attendees will have the opportunity to create a collaborative mural painting. Light refreshments will be provided. Served while supplies last. Registration link: https://bit.ly/queertalkqueerplaticas. Contact: Félix Vargas, LGBTQ2+ programs and services coordinator, at felixvargas@mail.fresnostate.edu.

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“The fact that California State University, Fresno, is exhibiting for the first time an exhibition by a Mexican sculptor and that, in addition, it chooses to place the pieces in an iconic place on campus, shows that the university understands and recognizes that the Mexican and Latino community constitute a significant part of the region’s culture,” artist Jorge Marín said. “It is my hope that students of all disciplines find in my work an open window towards self-knowledge and universal artistic culture, generating knowledge and ways to promote diversity.”

“Wings of the City” by world-renowned Mexican artist Marín was officially introduced to the community at a special event at Fresno State on Sept. 16. 

“We are elated to host the year-long exhibition ‘Wings of the City’ along our Maple Mall, showcasing five stunning bronze sculptures by renowned Mexican artist Jorge Marín. The exhibition provides us with an educational and cultural opportunity to further understand modern Mexico,” said Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “This is a tremendous honor, and I am thankful to the Consul Nuria Zúñiga and the Center for Creativity and the Arts for bringing this unique experience to the Central Valley.”

Hosted by the Center for Creativity and the Arts at Fresno State, “Wings of the City” expands beyond the walls of museums and galleries and becomes embedded into the community. 

“The wonderful Wings of the City installation along the Maple Mall reminds me of what many Greek and Roman cities must have looked like in their heyday, with great public sculptural programs to inspire the people with the myths and legends of their gods and heroes,” said Dr. Honora Chapman, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State. “I find our students’ hope, inspiration, freedom and dreams about to take flight in these gorgeous bronze sculptures.”

The exhibition enables a vital link between student artists and community members, facilitating an environment where visitors can unexpectedly engage with art and reflect on its significance. Through exposure to art and culture on campus, students and the greater community can explore new avenues of creativity that can shape their professional trajectories. 

“The symbolism of wings has a strong association with mythology and spirituality that transcends cultural and religious boundaries,” said Chris Lopez, director of the Center for Creativity and the Arts at Fresno State. “I am looking forward to inviting K-12 groups and other local art organizations to see this exhibit on campus.”

In 2010, Wings of the City was originally exhibited in Marín’s home country of Mexico and since then, has traveled around the world through cities in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and, now, Fresno. 

The exhibit is sponsored by México Consulado en Fresno, Diplomacia Cultural de México and the Instructionally Related Activities program at Fresno State.

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A life-sized bronze statue of anti-apartheid activist, former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela stands just east of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue, facing the Fresno State Library from in front of the Professional Human Services building. This is the first new statue added to the garden in nearly 20 years. 

“Nelson Mandela is a magnificent addition to our Peace Garden, as he believed in the power that education has to forge a socially conscious individual who works for an equitable world,” said Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “With his core belief in the power of the individual, Mandela will inspire our students to reach new levels of excellence, which in turn will enrich all of our diverse communities and world.”

The statue design was initially led by Colorado artist Ed Dwight, a military fighter pilot with the U.S. Air Force and America’s first Black astronaut candidate. When Dwight was unable to continue  with the project, Jose Lopez — a Fresno State graduate art student — carried Dwight’s vision to completion with support from art and design professor Ed Gillum.

The statue features incredible details, from the intricate designs on Mandela’s African-patterned shirt to the laces on his shoes. Mandela’s trademark broad grin lights up his face as he raises his right fist in solidarity with his country men and women in the struggle against oppression. 

The Mandela statue joins those honoring Mahatma Gandhi (installed in 1990), Cesar Chavez (1996), the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1999) and Jane Addams (2006).

Planning for this latest addition to the Peace Garden has been years in the making. The Nelson Mandela Monument committee began meeting in 2016. 

Dr. Siyabulela Mandela, a human rights scholar, delivered a keynote address titled “Reconciliation: Fostering Peace Through a Search for Common Grounds.” He talked about the original first name that Nelson Mandela’s father gave him — Rolihlahla — its meaning and how that played out in Nelson Mandela’s legacy.

“Rolihlahla in our language means the troublemaker. I do not know whether [his father] Chief Gadla had already envisioned the life that Mandela would live beyond the years that he spent with him. I do not know whether Chief Gadla understood the impact that this name would have on Mandela and the impact that this name would have for South Africa, the role that this name on its own would play in the history of South Africa, in the history of the African continent and in the history of the world as a whole.”

Jordyn Smith and Jourdan Williams sang an a capella version of the “Black National Anthem.” The young women’s voices rose powerfully into the evening as a crowd of about 250 gathered — students, employees, friends of the university and community members.

The Fresno State Chambers Singers, led by Dr. Cari Earnhart, performed several musical numbers — ”The Star Spangled Banner” and spirituals “We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace” and “Wade in the Water.” 

During his keynote speech, Dr. Siyabulela Mandela referenced the lyrics from “Wade in the Water,” tying it back to his message about the “trouble” Nelson Mandela caused in his lifetime: 

“As Dr. Cari and her team beautifully passed the message to us, they sang, ‘There’s something in the water. God will come and trouble the water.’ Perhaps it is now time to trouble the water. Perhaps the presence of the Mandela Monument, it is not only a living testimony that there’s power in our unity as members of the human race, but it is also a living testimony and a reminder to say there’s power in our united action as members of the human race.”

Dr. Veena Howard, a philosophy professor, chair of the Department of Philosophy and endowed chair in Jain and Hindu Dharma and the director of the M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya, wrote an op-ed column for The Fresno Bee, explaining the significance of the Mandela Monument at Fresno State. Howard organized the unveiling event and acted as emcee.

“Mandela may have lived thousands of miles away, but his lessons on truth and reconciliation resonate globally and locally, here in the Central Valley,” Howard wrote. “His lifelong commitment to justice, unity and healing transcends geographic boundaries, offering valuable guidance for communities everywhere. Fresno State’s Peace Garden with the new monument to Mandela offers powerful examples to our students and community of how the path of resistance to injustice, reconciliation, open communication and empathy can help bridge divides and foster lasting change, right here at home.”

Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, a professor emeritus at Fresno State who has spearheaded the planning of monuments in the Peace Garden since it was established in 1990, expressed his elation. 

“It is a dream come true to see that Nelson Mandela is now enshrined in the Peace Garden alongside other icons of peace, justice, nonviolence and human rights,” Kapoor said.

As red drape was removed, revealing the monument, the ceremony concluded with a blessing as guests were invited to put garlands of white flowers, symbolizing peace, at the base of the monument.

The Nelson Mandela Monument unveiling was presented by the Fresno State Office of the President and the M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya and supported by the Africana Studies Program.

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The addition of these four distinguished institutions will take effect on July 1, 2026, with competition beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. This expansion unites Fresno State with Oregon State University and Washington State University to drive innovation and growth in both athletics and academics.

Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould and the conference board of directors strategically evaluated each university’s application using five prioritized measures and established criteria, which included academics and athletics performance; media and brand evaluation; commitment to athletics success; geography and logistics; and culture and student-athlete welfare.

This alignment of values and aspirations positions Fresno State to elevate its impact on the national stage. “Fresno State has always been a university of opportunity and grit, and joining the Pac-12 Conference reflects our dynamic vision for the future of our Valley,” said University President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “This historic move both enhances our competitiveness on the field and further amplifies our academic prestige, advancing our mission of empowering students to succeed and lead.”

Visit GoBulldogs.com for the full story and more information.

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“The Best Band in the West” gave a high-energy performance that wowed the spectators and television hosts. The drums kicked off as the band broke ranks and danced into a new formation before breaking into a powerful rendition of “Hey Pachuco.” 

Local station KTLA Rose Parade hosts Leeza Gibbons and Mark Steines caught the vibe.

“I want to get in my car and drive to Fresno right now!” Steines said. “They have a lot of fun up there.”

Now, the Bulldog Marching Band is preparing for a second trip to Pasadena in two years. The Tournament of Roses Association selected the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band as a participant in the 2025 Rose Parade, held on Jan. 1 in Pasadena. The Bulldogs are one of 20 bands that will perform at the 136th Rose Parade. The 2025 parade theme is “Best Day Ever.” 

The Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band invites the public to enjoy two days of field rehearsals, culminating each day in a performance. Rehearsals are from 6-10 p.m. Aug. 30 and 31 at Valley Children’s Stadium and are free and open to the public. Performances will take place between 8:45 and 9:45 p.m. both evenings.

“We are thrilled that the Bulldog Marching Band will be representing Fresno State once again in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day,” said Dr. Honora Chapman, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State. “Millions of people around the world will be able to hear the musical pride of the Valley play, and we hope that many Bulldogs will join us in Pasadena to cheer them on.”

In addition to the Rose Parade, the band will perform in the Tournament of Roses Bandfest field show with other participating marching bands in an opportunity to showcase their musicianship and pageantry.

“We are honored that the Tournament of Roses committee felt that our band gave one of the best performances in recent memory and have invited us back,” said Steve McKeithen, director of the Bulldog Marching Band. “We look forward to the challenge of raising our already high bar for the second rose parade appearance in program history. Go ’Dogs and go Bulldog Marching Band!”

The Bulldog Marching Band represents Fresno State as the largest and winningest college marching band of its kind, having been recognized by the College Band Directors National Association as one of the country’s top eight college marching bands. The Bulldog Marching Band is the largest student organization on campus, and its members come from every major at Fresno State. The band started in 1926 and grew to more than 200 members in the mid-1980s, now at its largest membership with about 270 members. The Bulldog Marching Band is always on a new adventure, whether performing in the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland or ringing in the new year at the Rose Parade for the second time.

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