Valley Voices, p. B11
The Fresno Bee
Saturday, April 22, 2006
At Fresno State, learning’s a giving thing
Since its beginning in 1911, California State University, Fresno has forged strong ties to the
central San Joaquin Valley, serving the growing region’s many needs by collaborating with
individuals, governments, schools and businesses.
But one area of community engagement deserves special attention as we prepare to mark
National Volunteer Week beginning Sunday: the tens of thousands of hours donated by
thousands of Fresno State students, faculty and staff who recognize that the strength and
success of our Valley depends on every one of us taking an active role in the community where
we live.
The university’s volunteer service each school year involves approximately 4,800 students,
whose 192,000 hours make a difference for numerous agencies and provide an estimated $3.3
million economic stimulus to the region.
‘Hands-on learning’
Fresno State faculty and staff will log tens of thousands of volunteer hours this academic year,
doing everything from hurricane relief in Louisiana to supporting ReadFresno’s efforts to improve
the reading skills of struggling first- through third-graders.
Student volunteer work covers a broad range and includes:

Two American Humanics students—Deborah Napoleon and Bryana Ballinger—applyed
lessons learned in a grant-writing class at Fresno State to research, write and submit a
proposal that won a $160,000 grant for Catholic Charities in Fresno.

Dr. Richard Berrett, a professor of Child and Family Studies, worked with Stone Soup
Fresno to arrange for his class to help coordinate and implement a summer program that
gave the students a better understanding of family dynamics.

Teams of marketing service-learning students received hands-on learning by developing
and implementing marketing strategies to collect new and used books for ReadFresno
which are provided to low-income children in local reading improvement programs.

Students, representing a variety of majors, helped United Way ensure that grant-seeking
agencies were effectively and efficiently using funds provided by United Way.

A recreation administration and leisure studies student—Adriana Garcia—fulfilled
internship requirements for her degree by coordinating a recreational after-school
program at a Boys and Girls Club.
Hundreds of stories like those demonstrate the variety of Fresno State’s engagement with the
community for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources. For example,
tomorrow’s teachers spend thousands of hours as interns in classrooms and social work students
at nonprofit and government agencies, learning skills that will help others after graduation and
certification.
The stories coincide with the university’s application for the new Carnegie Foundation
classification of Community Engagement and are underscored by Fresno State’s recognition of
students, faculty and staff, as well as a community partner for exemplary service to the
community.
Fresno State’s commitment to student volunteerism also includes a Community Service
Scholarship program made possible by the Radin Foundation. Students putting in 150 hours of
volunteer service during a semester may apply for a $1,200 scholarship.
The university will honor 114 student volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a
national honor recognizing community service, during a reception Monday hosted by Fresno
State President John D. Welty. He says he and the university are extremely proud to join the
president of the United States in recognizing the volunteers who consistently take the time to
make a difference in the lives of others.
‘A stronger America’
Volunteers strengthen America and inspire others to get involved, Welty says, adding Fresno
State is pleased to honor our student volunteers who are answering the call.
The award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group
created by President Bush to recognize valuable contributions volunteers make to our nation.
Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole
and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the council comprises leaders in government, media,
entertainment, business, education, nonprofits and volunteer service organizations and
community volunteering.
The American Humanics Nonprofit Administration Program serves as Fresno State’s certifying
organization of the award, allowing the university to nominate potential recipients and distribute
the award to those who meet or exceed the award criteria.
Chris Fiorentino, director of the Office of Civic Engagement and Service-Learning at Fresno
State, calls each of the students receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award “a role model
for all of us” and notes that each hour contributed makes a difference in improving the quality of
life for others.
The volunteer work of its students, faculty and staff helps Fresno State live up to its belief that the
strength and success of our Valley depends on every one of us taking an active role in being
engaged with the community where we live.
-- Dr. Matthew A. Jendian is an assistant professor of sociology and director of the American
Humanics Program at Fresno State.