Fresno State Alumni Association Honors Three Armenians as “Top Dog” Alumni

Staff Report

Three Armenians were honored for accomplishments in their respective fields and commitment to service in the community at the annual Fresno State Alumni Association “Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala.”

Each year, one alumnus from each of the University’s eight academic schools and colleges, as well as the Department of Athletics, the Henry Madden Library, the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Graduate Studies are chosen to be honored with the Outstanding Alumni Award.

College of Arts and Humanities

Dr. Janice M. Emerzian B.A. 1969, ’73 (a lifetime member of the Alumni Association) is the 2016 Outstanding Alumna for the College of Arts and Humanities.

Following the tragic loss of her younger brother as a result of his disability, Dr. Janice Emerzian, a first-generation college student who grew up speaking only Armenian, was inspired to dedicate her career to educating and advocating for people with disabilities.

She currently serves as the State Center Community College District director for Disabled Students Programs and Services, a resource she has grown from serving 300 to more than 5,000 students.

Dr. Emerzian has taught at Fresno State, Fresno Pacific University, and UCLA, received numerous distinctions in her field, consulted various educational groups and served on multiple boards. Her involvement with Fresno State includes work with the Bulldog Foundation and supporting the construction of both Bulldog Stadium and the Save Mart Center.

Dr. Emerzian has been married to farmer and retired school administrator Les Emerzian for 47 years. The couple met on the Fresno State campus and their sons David and Aaron Emerzian are both Fresno State alumni. In her free time, Dr. Emerzian enjoys playing a baby grand piano.

College of Health and
Human Services

Debbie Poochigian (B.A., 1974) is former chairman of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, representing the eastern portion of Fresno County from 2008-2016. She has focused her attention on restoring economic security, strengthening public safety, protecting property rights, monitoring fiscal responsibility, and advocating for government transparency and accountability. Poochigian was born in Fresno and earned her degree in physical education from Fresno State, where she also played three years of collegiate tennis. She was a middle school teacher for many years, and remains a determined volunteer to countless organizations. Poochigian has sat on numerous boards including Saint Agnes Medical Center, Fresno Area Crime Stoppers, Fresno County and City Historical Society, Clovis Chamber of Commerce and California State Capitol Preservation Fund. At Fresno State, she has been active with the Henry Madden Library Leadership Board, Ag One Foundation, Arne Nixon Center, and the Fresno State Alumni Association.

Henry Madden Library

Dr. Lois Huter Tarkanian (class of 1955) who has represented Ward 1 on the Las Vegas City Council since 2005, has a passion for education and spent much of her career as an educator, working as a classroom teacher, speech pathologist, principal, administrator, and professor. Dr. Tarkanian served for 12 years as a member of the Clark County Board of School Trustees, and volunteers her time to many boards and organizations including the Clark County Public Education Foundation, Family and Child Treatment Center for Abused Children, Oralingua School for the Hearing Impaired, and the Nevada Professionals Empowering Parents. She has received numerous accolades for her volunteer and humanitarian work. During her time as a student at Fresno State, she appreciated the value of the library so much, she continued to actively support the Henry Madden Library as an alumna.

She and her husband established the Jerry and Lois Tarkanian Book Fund, assisted in kicking off the “Baskets for Books” program, and has been an advocate for supporting the Arne Nixon Center.