Fresno State Kicks Off Centennial Year Celebration in April

Staff Report

The Armenian Studies Program will be joining the College of Arts and Humanities for the Fresno State’s centennial celebration, slated to begin in April 2010 and culminating with commencement in May 2011.

The history and programs of the College of Arts and Humanities will be highlighted in October 2010. The Henry Madden Library will be at the center of the celebration, with displays and history of the ten departments that comprise the College.

The Armenian Studies Program is planning several important events during the centennial year, culminating with a gala banquet on March 20, 2011.

Fresno State alumni will be asked to join in the celebration. California State University, Fresno launched its Centennial celebration on Friday, April 16, with a proclamation and then with hundreds of students, staff, faculty, alumni and future alumni forgoing lunch to gather in the campus amphitheater for a birthday photo opportunity.

The festivities are an invitation to the community and alumni to return to campus during the 13 months until the 100th Commencement in May 2011 to celebrate at one of numerous events planned for the Centennial.

Fresno State was established in 1911 as the Fresno State Normal School, a teacher’s college. In 1935, by act of the Legislature, the official designation became Fresno State College. Between 1953 and 1958 the college was moved from the old campus site, by then surrounded by the city of Fresno, to a 1,410-acre site six miles to the northeast. In 1972, the state college system became The California State University and Colleges, and in 1982 the system was renamed The California State University.