LYNDA AND STEWART RESNICK STUDENT UNION CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO
60% of school administrators across the region are Fresno State alumni. Paving a brighter future As a three-time Fresno State graduate, Lupe Mendoza has always been driven to make a difference in the lives of Valley students. After realizing common gaps in the dual enrollment program she oversees as vice principal at Mendota High School, Lupe went back to school to earn her doctorate degree and focused her dissertation research on culturallylife-long learning. Every Bulldog’s story is a unique journey toward graduation, but one thing is certain. Through unwavering dedication and a tenacious spirit, our graduates reach a milestone fueled by passion, resilience, and graduates, including Lupe, are paving a brighter future for us all. fresnostate.edu
Embracing Student Success, THEN and NOW W elcome to the 2024 Chicano Alumni Club Scholarship Endowment Banquet. We were founded in 1977 and are a founding chapter and affiliate of the Fresno State Alumni Association. Our scholarships have been awarded to deserving Fresno State students since 1979. The theme for this evening is “Embracing Student Success, THEN and NOW.” Tonight, is a special occasion for the Chicano Alumni Club because we mark the return of our scholarship banquet to the Fresno State campus here in the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union. Opened with a ribbon-cutting on Oct.4 2022, Fresno State’s new student Union is constructed on the site of the old University Amphitheater where many historic events were held since its construction in 1962. Back THEN, the amphitheater was at its 7,000 person capacity as it hosted the Vintage Days legendary Air guitar competitions! There were many concerts such as the Tom Petty Band here. Bobby Kennedy stopped by during his campaign for the US presidency, and Cesar Chavez rallied college and community supporters of the United Farm Worker movement. Many of our early Chicano Commencement Celebrations were held here under the blazing sun of May graduations. sisters Hopie Serna and Amparo Yanez, for their gift of $458,000 to the endowment presented at our 2023 scholarship banquet. And, of course, a very special thanks to your Chicano Alumni Board of Directors and banquet planning committee for the relentless dedication they have devoted to this banquet as they do every year as well as to all our activities throughout the year. They carry forth the spirit of el movimiento Chicano that drove us back THEN so that our students can continue to have higher education opportunities NOW. You may recall that there were stairs at the entrance to the amphitheater. Replicas of those steps are just north of the Resnick Student Union as a remembrance of a tradition long passed but not forgotten. NOW, we celebrate the success of scholarships for Bulldog students at the Resnick Student Union. Back THEN, in 1979, Chicano Alumni awarded four $50 scholarships totaling $200. It was Great! NOW tonight, the Chicano Alumni Club will award ten total scholarships. Five will be CAC scholarships, and the Edie Benites Endowment will award its first five scholarships. The ten awards totaling $20,000. The recipient’s future student success will be helped along in part because of your generosity this evening, and your generosity over the past 47 years. Our total scholarship endowment of $600,000+ will continue to grow and award Chicano/Chicana Scholarships in perpetuity. That means forever! We deeply thank you for being part of “Student Success, THEN and NOW.” We especially thank the Edie Benites family, represented tonight by her SA TU R D A Y , NO VEMB ER 16, 2024 So please enjoy the evening of fun entertainment, good company, good food, a nice silent auction, and dancing in celebration of the academic achievements and SUCCESS of our students. #ArribaYAdelante! Thank you all, In Bulldog Spirit, Manuel Olgín jr. MSW President, Chicano Alumni Club Fresno State Alumni Association Life Member, Top Dog 2011 Fresno State Alumni Association Por Vida Lifetime Member 2 0 2 4 C H I C A N O A L U MN I C L U B S C H OL A R S H I P EN D OW M E NT BA NQ U E T 3
5:15 PM Doors Open Silent Auction Begins 6:00 PM Dinner & Entertainment 8:00 PM Dance Music by THE CHELADA BAND 8:45 PM First Silent Auction Ends Mariachi Orgullo de Fresno State Los Niños de Aztlán 7:20 PM Welcome & Presentations 9:00 PM Second Silent Auction Ends Opening Remarks and Board of Directors Introduction Manuel Olgin, President University Welcome President Saul Jimenez Sandoval (video) 9:15 PM Final Silent Auction Ends Scholarship Award Presentations Sponsor Recognition Manuel Olgin Jr. ............................................... President Amy Sepulveda ........................................ Vice President Rocio Solis ....... Secretary & Historical Committee Chair Josie Almedia ................................................... Treasurer Sylvia Aparicio ............... Banquet Committee Co-Chair Claudia Ceja ....................................... Board Promotions Tony Garduque .............. Scholarship Committee Chair Martina Granados ................................ Campus Liaison Juan Hernández ..................... Videographer & Banquet Committee Co-Chair Jose Eduardo Mundo ...... Events Committee Co-Chair Guadalupe Olgín .............. Book Club Committee Chair Frances Peña Olgín ........................................... At Large Maria Peña ........................................................... At Large Josie Rangel ...................................... Community Liaison Elizabeth Tonoco- ............ Events Committee Co-Chair Rodriguez Tom Uribes .......................... Communication/Marketing SA TU R D A Y , NO VEMB ER 16, 2024 2 0 2 4 C H I C A N O A L U MN I C L U B S C H OL A R S H I P EN D OW M E NT BA NQ U E T 5
The Edie Benites Memorial Scholarship provides five $3,000 scholarships to full-time students in STEM majors and majoring in the Social Sciences, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Established through a donation of $458,000 from alumna Edie Benites, this generous monumental bequest provides scholarships to be awarded in perpetuity with preference given to graduates of Parlier High School. We sincerely thank our Edie Benites Memorial Scholarship committee volunteers who devote time and energy to the selection process. They are Hopie Serna, Amparo Yanez, Dorothy Garza, Frances Pena Olgin, and Manuel Olgin Jr. ASHLEY BARRERA K IN E S IO L O G Y: E XE R C IS E SCI ENCE A GU A DA L U P E L O P EZ TRE JO BU SI NESS A DMI NI S TRATION shley Barrera, of Visalia, chose to attend college because, growing up, she saw from her teachers the opportunities available with a higher education. She knew it would open doors her family never got a chance to walk through. A college degree is significant to her because it represents who her family is and their impact on her education. Because of their sacrifices, she was raised to work hard and persevere. G She chose kinesiology (exercise science) for her major because exercise and physical activity have always positively impacted every aspect of her life, and it incorporates biomechanics. Her next educational goal is a master’s degree, which will prepare her for a career as a certified prosthetist/orthotics, which is a healthcare professional who designs and fits medical devices, such as braces and splints, to provide support to a patient’s body part. Her older sister is an alumna of Fresno State currently enrolled in the Physical Therapy doctorate program. Ashley is confident in their ability to serve the Central Valley as practitioners with passion and care for each patient. After graduation, he hopes to pursue employment in information technology, mostly focused on engineering. His support system in high school was mostly his parents and his brother. L IL IE TT B E TA N C O U R T PSYCHOLOGY L iliett Betancourt, of Selma, is the first on both sides of her family to graduate from college. College is very important to her because it provides many opportunities that many without a higher education do not have. She feels academic success can provide a better life with freedom and stability. Most importantly, it allows her to share all these accomplishments and sacrifices with her family. uadalupe Lopez Trejo, of Parlier California who graduated from Parlier High School, is currently a Fresno State student majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in computer information systems. Guadalupe hopes to someday return the kindness that the Chicano Alumni Club, the Fresno State Alumni Association, and the community in general have shown him in his pursuit of higher education. He is especially grateful to the Edie Benites scholarship committee for his selection to receive this award that will help him pursue his academic endeavors. She chose to be a psychology major because her dream is to become a therapist and provide counseling for lower-income families and make a positive impact on their lives. Her mentors are and continue to be her parents. They are the reasons why she continues to push through and the reasons why she wants to excel. After earning her degree, she plans on pursuing a master’s degree in family therapy. If not admitted to the Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s Program next fall, she will attend law school and become a civil litigation attorney. R O C IO R O D R IG U E Z- E S P INO PSYCHOLOGY R ocio Rodriguez-Espino, of Parlier, graduated from Parlier High School. Her personal experiences influenced her decision to attend college: she realized the importance of a college degree after seeing firsthand the struggles her immigrant parents endured due to not having the opportunity of an education. Rocio wants to break the barrier and earn a degree to provide her children with better opportunities and give back to the community. She majored in psychology and initially struggled transitioning from high school to college as a first-generation student. Through hard work and determination, she earned a 3.8 GPA. Rocio plans to use her scholarship money to pay for her continuing educational expenses when she applies to the master’s in counseling option in school counseling at Fresno State. Her career goal is to become a high school counselor serving in an underserved community. She follows her sister at Fresno State, who graduated in Business Administration in 2022. Rocio appreciates the scholarship donors and supporters and hopes to one day pay it forward by contributing to the education of future students. 6 2 024 CHICANO ALUMNI CLUB SCHOL ARSHI P ENDOWM ENT BA N QU ET J O CEL Y N VEL A SQ UE Z BI O L O GY J ocelyn Velasquez, of Hanford, is a firstgeneration student whose parents are her support system and the reason why she is at Fresno State to pursue a higher education and eventually attend a medical school. She believes having a broad knowledge of science and mathematics allows her to further develop new skills. Biology is her chosen major as it helps to complete the pre-med requirement for medical school. She feels it is important to have a strong foundation to build upon especially when going into the medical field. Jocelyn plans to someday specialize in a career in geriatrics and hospice care. S A T U R D A Y , NO V E M BE R 16, 2024
The Chicano Alumni Club Scholarship Committee presents five 2024 “Chicano Alumni Scholars” selected for awards of $1,000 each. For eligibility, candidates must: be a fulltime Fresno State undergraduate student with a minimum GPA of 3.7; reside in Fresno State regional county areas of Madera, Tulare, Kings, and Fresno; participate in extracurricular activities, community service, and/or volunteered in the Chicano /Latino/ community. We extend our gratitude for the great support our endowment fund receives through fundraisers and donors. We sincerely thank our Chicano Alumni Scholarship Committee volunteers who devote time and energy to the selection process. They are: Tony Garduque (chair), Tomás Hill, Sylvia Hill, Frances Garduque, Martina Granados, Juan Hernández, Amy Sepulveda and Regina Uribes, Claudia Ceja, Jose Mundo, Elizabeth Tinoco-Rodriguez, Sylvia Aparicio and Josie Almedia. BRENDA CO RI A MENDOZA P RE-MEDI CA L ( CL AS S OF 2026) B R E N E C O N TR E R A S - M A G ANA S O C IA L W O R K ( C L A S S O F 2026) R ene Contreras-Magana, a native of Ivanhoe (Tulare County), is a social work major with a 4.0 GPA who plans to graduate in 2026. He said he chose Fresno State because of the strong Department of Social Services that offers partnerships with organizations in underserved communities. Rene’s contributions to his community, where he attended grammar school and high school, have included food drives for the homeless and the elderly and disabled: mowed lawns and walked their dogs without a fee. His career objective is to be a licensed clinical social worker “focusing on traumainformed care and mental health services for underprivileged populations” or a therapist. renda’s career goal is to be a registered nurse and plans on graduating in 2026. Currently, she maintains a 4.0 GPA. When she immigrated to the United States at age eight, Brenda persevered the challenges of adjusting to a new culture and learning a new language. She studied diligently and immersed herself in initiatives like the “Yes We Can” immigrant campaign. Her reason for choosing Fresno State was influenced by the extensive campus resources, academic programs, and support services available to students, especially the Trio and CAMP programs. Brenda also looks forward to joining a sorority and involvement in other campus groups. D A M A R I S A N C H E Z- C O N TRERA S P O L ITIC A L S C IE N C E ( C L ASS O F 2026) D amari Sanchez-Contreras grew up and attended schools in Tulare (Tulare County). She is a political science major with plans to graduate in 2026. She plans to attend law school in the future and eventually help undocumented students through the immigration process. Damari said she chose Fresno State because of the ranking of the Political Science Department and the University’s Bulldog Marching Band where she is proficient in playing the flute, piccolo, and vibraphone. She enjoyed the opportunity to play at the Rose Parade in 2023 with the Fresno State band. In her hometown, Damari was an ambassador for the Tulare Chamber of Commerce through which she contributed to helping the homeless and participated in the World Ag Expo. M A N D R E A TE N O R IO - ZU R ITA P H IL O S O P H Y; P R E - L A W ( C L A SS O F 2027) A ndrea Tenorio-Zurita is a pre-law major with a 3.8 GPA and is planning to graduate in 2027. She grew up in Merced where she attended schools and in high school was involved in large animal programs. She attended Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) competitions, competing in animal science where she ranked within the top 10 students in California. Her career plans are to become a lawyer and help workers with work-related injuries navigate the legal system. Andrea initially chose Fresno State because of the strong reputation of its Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Although her career interests have changed, she still loves being involved in ag education activities. SA TU R D A Y , NO VEMB ER 16, 2024 MA RI A NA SA NCH EZ I NTERNA TI O NA L B US INE S S ( CL A SS O F 2027) ariana is an international business major with a 3.7 GPA with plans to graduate in 2027. She was born in the United States and was taken to Mexico by her parents as a baby. While growing up in Mexico, her family experienced many challenges. At 15, Mariana returned to the U.S. alone, finished high school, and embarked on her goal to enroll in college. While attending high school, she helped organize and bring to fruition the first Latinx graduation in the Fresno Unified School District at which she was also a speaker. Mariana chose Fresno State because the college embraces Latino students and their culture. She especially admires the Chicano/ Latino graduation and looks forward to being a participant. Her immediate goal is to become a peer mentor in the EOP program and her career goal is to be a consultant foreign exchange trader. 2 0 2 4 C H I C A N O A L U MN I C L U B S C H OL A R S H I P EN D OW M E NT BA NQ U E T 7
The Rangel-Garcia Familia Our family is honored to support Fresno State in broadening the path of opportunities for students from the Chicanx/Latinx/Indigenous community, to elevate their growth and capacity to pursue higher education, while collectively and mindfully building a compassionate and transformative legacy that allows access to deep connection to ourselves, others in suffering, healing, and communal care. As our world struggles with peace, complicity, love, justice, and liberation, we trust that student optimism, activism, achievement, benevolence, and persistence gives way to uninterrupted hope. Sí Se Puede! Con papeles o sin papeles, sí se puede. www.morenoinstitute.org 8 2 024 CHICANO ALUMNI CLUB SCHOL ARSHI P ENDOWM ENT BA N QU ET S A T U R D A Y , NO V E M BE R 16, 2024
The Edie Benites Memorial Scholarship provides five scholarships to students in STEM majors and majoring in the Social Sciences. Established from a donation of $458,000 from the late Edie Benites, a Bulldog alumna, this generous monumental bequest provides five scholarships to be awarded annually in perpetuity by the Chicano Alumni Club through the Fresno State Alumni Association with preference given to graduates of Parlier High School. Serving on the selection committee are Manuel Olgín, Frances Peña-Olgín, Dorothy Garza, Amparo Yañez and Hope Serna. The Chicano Alumni Scholars Committee The Chicano Alumni Club provides five scholarships to students from all majors who are active in community service and excel academically in their majors. These recipients, the Chicano Alumni Scholars, are students from Fresno State’s four-county service area. The selection committee is made up of (FROM LEFT): Martina Granados, Tony Garduque (chair), Frances Garduque, Claudia Ceja, Sylvia Aparicio, Josie Almedia and Juan Hernández. (INSET): Regina Uribes, Sylvia Hill and Tomás Hill. (NOT PICTURED): Amy Sepulveda, Jose Mundo and Elizabeth Tinoco-Rodriguez SA TU R D A Y , NO VEMB ER 16, 2024 2 0 2 4 C H I C A N O A L U MN I C L U B S C H OL A R S H I P EN D OW M E NT BA NQ U E T 9
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