| California State University, Fresno | |
| Image Upright: | .65 |
| Former Name: | Fresno State Normal School (1911–1949) Fresno State College (1949–1972) |
| Motto: | Lucem Accipe Ut Reddas (Latin) |
| Mottoeng: | "Receive the light that you may give it forth" |
| Type: | Public research university |
| Parent: | California State University |
| Accreditation: | WSCUC |
| Endowment: | $170.8 million (2020)[1] |
| Budget: | $286.5 million (2017)[2] |
| Students: | 25,341 (Fall 2020)[3] |
| Undergrad: | 22,564 (Fall 2020) |
| Postgrad: | 2,777 (Fall 2020) |
| Faculty: | 1,194 |
| President: | Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval |
| City: | Fresno |
| State: | California |
| Country: | United States |
| Campus: | Large city[4] |
| Campus Size: | 388acres and 1011acres University Farm[5] |
| Colors: | Cardinal red and blue[6] |
| Sports Nickname: | Bulldogs |
| Mascot: | Victor E. Bulldog |
| Logo Upright: | 1.0 |
| Free Label: | Other campuses |
| Free: | Visalia |
| Free Label2: | Newspaper |
| Free2: | The Collegian |
California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) is a public university in Fresno, California, United States. It is part of the California State University system.[7] The university had a fall 2020 enrollment of 25,341 students.[3] It offers 60 bachelor's degree program, 45 master's degree programs, 3 doctoral degree programs, 12 certificates of advanced study, and 2 different teaching credentials.[8] [9] The university is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".[10] [11] Fresno is a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)[12] and is eligible to be designated as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander serving institution (AANAPISI).[13]
The university's facilities include an on-campus planetarium, on-campus raisin and wine grape vineyards, and a commercial winery where student-made wines have won over 300 awards since 1997.[14] [15] Members of Fresno State's nationally ranked equestrian team[16] have the option of housing their horses on campus, next to indoor and outdoor arenas. Fresno State has a 50000square feet Student Recreation Center[17] and the third-largest library (by square footage) in the California State University system.[18]
California State University, Fresno was founded as the Fresno State Normal School in 1911 with Charles Lourie McLane as its first president.[19] It was one of about 180 "normal schools" founded by state governments to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools. Some closed but most steadily expanded their role and became state colleges in the early 20th century and state universities in the late 20th century.[20]
The original campus was what is now Fresno City College. In 1956, Fresno State moved its campus to its present location in the northeast part of the city; FCC bought the old campus and moved back in.[21] It became Fresno State College in 1949, when it was authorized to grant bachelor's degrees. It became a charter institution of the State College System of California, forerunner of the California State University System, in 1961. In 1972, the name was officially changed to California State University, Fresno.[19]
Even after changing its official name to "California State University, Fresno", the school has long been called "Fresno State" for short, particularly in athletics. The university now recommends the use of "Fresno State' in most contexts, stating "California State University, Fresno is the official name, but should only be used for specific academic audiences or international audiences."[22]
The greater campus extends from Valley Children's Stadium on the west boundary to Highway 168 on the east side. The University Agricultural Laboratory designates the northern boundary of the campus, while Shaw Avenue designates the southern edge.
See main article: Fresno State Library. The Fresno State Library is a main resource for recorded knowledge and information supporting the teaching, research, and service functions of Fresno State.[23]
The library was opened in 2009. It houses 1,000,000 books in its 327920square feet.[24] The shelves amount to over 20miles in length.[24] It is currently the third largest library in the CSU system (in terms of square footage) and the largest academic building on the Fresno State campus.[24] The five-story building features seating areas for almost 4,000 people, group study rooms, wireless access and a Starbucks.[25]
The Fresno State Library features a number of special collections such as the Arne Nixon Center, a research center for the study of children's and young adult literature, and the Central Valley Political Archive.[26]
Michael Gorman, the former dean of the Library, was the President of the American Library Association in 2005–2006.[27]
| Freshman Applicants | 29,936 | 18,682 | 15,231 | 15,488 | 18,122 | 18,476 | 17,920 | 18,735 | 19,938 | 18,956 | 17,580 | 16,242 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admits | 25,671 | 17,703 | 14,816 | 15,446 | 10,501 | 10,630 | 10,646 | 10,031 | 10,406 | 11,256 | 10,523 | 9,444 | |
| % Admitted | 85 | 95 | 97 | 90 | 58 | 58 | 59.4 | 53.5 | 59.8 | 59.9 | 58.1 | 60.4 | |
| Enrolled | 7,536 | 3,426 | 3,428 | 3,679 | 3,331 | 3,534 | 3,447 | 3,258 | 3,674 | 3,532 | 3,265 | 3,139 | |
| Average GPA | 3.45 | 3.52 | 3.49 | 3.48 | 3.57 | 3.53 | 3.46 | 3.46 | 3.34 | 3.35 | 3.31 | 3.30 | |
| Average SAT Composite | 1001 | 1023 | 1007 | 1007 | 1041 | 1028 | 949 | 915 | 905 | 915 | 928 | 930 |
A joint doctoral program in collaboration with San Jose State University for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is administered through Fresno State.[34]
In May 2019, the university saw the largest graduating class in its history, with over 6,200 graduates.[35]
California State University, Fresno is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. The five engineering programs in the Lyles College of Engineering are each accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Craig School of Business is AACSB accredited. The university is classified by the U.S. Federal government as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI),[36] and a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) because the Hispanic undergraduate full-time-equivalent student enrollment is greater than 25%.[37]
The Smittcamp Family Honors College is a program providing top high school graduates a fully paid President's Scholarship, which includes tuition and housing, as well as other amenities for the duration of their studies. Admission to the Smittcamp Family Honors College is highly competitive. Candidates must have a minimum 3.8 GPA, rank in the top 10% of their high school graduating class, or have a combined SAT score of 1200 or an average ACT English and Mathematics score of 27.[38]
Smittcamp Honors Scholars must also complete rigorous academic and community service requirements. Smittcamp Honors College students receive priority registration for all courses, regular interaction with the university president, and special honors recognition at commencement.[39]
| Forbes: | 170 |
| Usnwr Nu: | 185 |
| Usnwr W: | 907 |
| Wamo Nu: | 36 |
| The Wsj: | 337 |
| 2023-2024 USNWR Best Regional Colleges West Rankings[40] | |
|---|---|
| Top Performers on Social Mobility | 8 |
| Top Public Schools | 101 |
| Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs | 49 (At schools where doctorate not offered) |
| Civil Engineering | 12 (2022-2023 year) |
| Electrical / Electronic / Communications | 12 |
| Best Value Schools | 204 |
| Best Colleges for Veterans | 129 |
| Economics | 254 |
| Nursing | 319 |
| 2023 USNWR Graduate School Rankings[41] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Program | Ranking | |
| Rehabilitation Counseling | 19 | |
| Nursing Master's | 114 (2022-2023 year) | |
| Physical Therapy | 137 | |
| Public health | 140 | |
| Social Work | 142 | |
| Speech–Language Pathology | 159 | |
| Public Affairs | 191 |
| Race and ethnicity[50] | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | |||
| White | |||
| Asian | |||
| Two or more races | |||
| Unknown | |||
| Black | |||
| Foreign national | |||
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | |||
| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income | |||
| Affluent | |||
The Student Involvement Center[51] provides services, programs and co-curricular educational activities.[52] Some key events the Student Involvement Center plan are Convocation, Homecoming Week, and Commencement.
ASI is the recognized student body government at Fresno State.[54] Twenty students are elected each year and serve annual terms.[55] ASI provides funding for student-related projects on campus and grants for graduate and undergraduate student research and projects.
In February 2006, the Student Recreation Center opened. Construction costs were paid for and operating funds are derived from a semester student-use fee. While an Association entity, the Student Recreation Center is under the direction of the Division of Student Affairs. The Student Recreation Center is adjacent to the Save Mart Center arena.[56] The center has four full-size basketball courts, dance and fitness studios.
The original student union was opened in 1968; it was built to accommodate a studenty body of 10,000 students. The building is 52,000 square feet and has three levels.[57]
Fresno State is a member of the NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference. The university's 22 varsity sports teams are known as the Bulldogs, and the school's colors are cardinal red and blue. Fresno State has made several runs at NCAA tournaments in basketball, football, soccer, tennis, baseball, softball, and volleyball.
In 2017, Fresno State resurrected its wrestling program after an 11-year hiatus.[58] joining the Big 12 Conference.[59] The Bulldogs added equestrianism, recognized as a women-only sport in the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, to their Big 12 membership in 2019.[60] Fresno State dropped three sports at the end of the 2020–21 school year—women's lacrosse, men's tennis, and wrestling for a second time.[61] The equestrian program remains in the Big 12.
The Fresno State–San Diego State football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Fresno State Bulldogs football team of Fresno and San Diego State Aztecs football team of San Diego State University. The winner of the game receives the "Old Oil Can" trophy.
FresnoStateNews is an online source of information about current events affecting Fresno State students, faculty and staff.[62]
The FresnoState Magazine is published twice per year from the Office of University Communications. It is both a print and online publication that features current events at Fresno State, Alumni Association events and alumni achievements.[63]
The Collegian is the campus student-run newspaper. It is published during the fall and spring semesters. The online edition features video, podcasts and photo galleries.[64]
KFSR Radio is the campus radio station. KFSR's broadcast license is owned by California State University, Fresno. KFSR is a listener-supported, non-profit, public radio station. It broadcasts at 90.7 FM and streams online at www.kfsr.org. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and plays jazz, blues and a wide range of specialty shows.
Fresno State Focus is the campus student-run, weekly broadcast put on by the Media, Communications, and Journalism department. The news team changes each semester, and has been involved in several projects that extend beyond the campus.[65]
Two branches of the military are represented on campus at Fresno State: Army and Air Force. The Army unit on campus is known as the Bulldog Battalion.[66] The Air Force ROTC Detachment on campus, Detachment 35, is one of the oldest in the nation. Founded in 1948, only one year after the signing of the National Defense Act of 1947 which established the U.S. Air Force as a separate branch of the military, Detachment 35 has won numerous awards.[67] In July 2008, Detachment 35 was awarded the "High Flight" award, naming it the top mid-sized detachment in the entire southwest region of the United States. Just a few months later, Detachment 35 was named best mid-sized detachment in the nation and awarded the "Right of Line" award, the highest honor for a detachment.[68]
See main article: List of California State University, Fresno people. A number of notable Fresno State alumni have served in state and federal positions, become major athletes, or found their mark in business and media, including Paul George, basketball athlete and Joy Covey, the original CFO of Amazon.com.[69]