Fresno State President is 2010 Sequoia Award Recipient

Modesto, CA (May 7, 2010)— For his years of sustained effort to uplift the Valley through education and leadership, Dr. John D. Welty, President of California State University, Fresno, was awarded the 10th annual Sequoia, Giant of the Valley Award today at the Great Valley Center’s annual conference, Valley Up: Ideas, Innovation, and Inspiration, in Modesto.

The award recognizes Dr. Welty’s long-standing role as a pivotal leader actively involved in addressing issues in Central California and engaging himself and California State University, Fresno, with the entire region.

“Compared to 19 years ago, there’s greater commitment of leadership in the Valley today to collaborate and work together,” Dr. Welty said after accepting the award. “While we still face incredible issues, there’s evidence we’re coming together to address those issues.”

The Sequoia Award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to increasing understanding of the Central Valley, improving the well-being of the region, or enhancing Valley residents’ quality of life. It is not designed to focus on a single act; rather it is intended to recognize efforts made over time.

“Through his leadership of Fresno State and his forward-thinking vision for our region, Dr. Welty has fostered solidarity throughout the Valley, and created new opportunities for tens of thousands of its residents,” said Great Valley Center President David Hosley.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” Dr. Welty said. “I have always believed Fresno State is a crucial player in the life of Central California and I have made every effort to keep the university engaged with our region as we prepare the next generation of leaders.”

Under Welty’s leadership since 1991, Fresno State has expanded minority enrollment, created an Honors College, and added new academic programs and facilities, including the new $105 million Henry Madden Library, the largest research library in the San Joaquin Valley. Fresno State’s students, faculty and staff volunteer nearly 1 million hours each year in the region.

In the community, Dr. Welty had a hand in establishing the Fresno Business Council and is its current chair, and the Central Valley Business Incubator, resulting in the creation of over 1,000 jobs. He was key in the creation of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, committed to increasing the number of students who participate and succeed in higher education, the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute, focused on increasing citizen participation and elected leadership in government,
and the Regional Jobs Initiative, aimed at establishing a “built to last” economy in the Fresno region. He established the Office of Community and Economic Development at Fresno State, and it serves as the administrative home of the San Joaquin Valley Partnership created by Governor Schwarzenegger.

Dr. Welty is also recognized for his contributions in athletics. During his tenure, Fresno State entered the Western Athletic Conference in 1992, expanded intercollegiate athletic opportunities and facilities for women and led the effort to build the Save Mart Center.

Fresno State is now famous for putting the letter ‘V’ on their football teams’ helmets, signifying their unity with the whole Valley. The university mascot also proudly wears the emblem on its collar.

About the Sequoia Award
The Sequoia Award has been presented to outstanding individuals in the valley since 2001. Award recipients are selected by members of the Great Valley Center President’s Circle, a group of individuals representing agriculture, business and the environment who grasp the challenges of our region, think creatively and understand the need to provide leadership to ensure a strong future for
many generations to come in the Valley. Their private and visible support of the Great Valley Center shows their commitment to strengthening the process that shapes the region’s future.

Past Sequoia Award recipients include:
2001, James G. Boswell, The Boswell Company
2002, James McClatchy, The McClatchy Company
2003, Gerald Haslam, Central Valley author
2004, Bob Mathias, Olympic Decathlon winner
2005, Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
2006, Earl Smittcamp, Summer Prize Fruit Company
2007, Mike Chrisman, California Secretary for Natural Resources
2008, Carol Whiteside, founder and president emeritus of the Great Valley Center
2009, Stewart Resnick, chairman and owner of Roll International Corp.

About the Great Valley Center
The Great Valley Center is a nonprofit organization working to improve the economic,
social and environmental well-being of California's Central Valley, in partnership with the University of California, Merced. www.greatvalley.org

For more information, contact:
Stacey Shepard
Great Valley Center
Cell: (661) 246-8480