History
Second Saturday
The highly popular Second Saturday series features speakers who
discuss topics of interest to the Chicano Alumni membership. The
atmosphere is informal and participants enjoy a comfortable forum of
interchange over a good brunch, with good friends.
Contact:
info@ChicanoAlumni.comFresno State Alumni Association
The unofficial beginning of the Fresno State Alumni Association dates
back to the first Normal School graduating class of 1912. An informal
group of alumni would meet frequently to discuss how they could serve
their school. Their association was founded upon mutual respect,
motivation toward community service, pride in one's alma mater and
genuine concern for the school's future.
Chicano Alumni at Fresno State
Since its inception, the Chicano Alumni Association at Fresno State,
has played a vital role in representing the interests of Chicano
Alumni of the University. In 1976, the CAA founders sought to create
an organization that would serve as the primary vehicle for Chicano
alumni to stay in touch with their University.
The Chicano Alumni was created as an MSW thesis project of Manuel
Olgin and Tony Garduque.
Accordingly, several areas of activity were developed to include:
* A Chicano Commencement Celebration organized to recognize chicano/a
graduates for their individual academic achievement and celebrate the
support and encouragement family and friends provided.
* Scholarships for students involved in community service.
* Football tailgates that emphasized Chicano alumni unity.
* Cinco de Mayo annual celebrations which emphasized educational
achievement.
* Regular meetings
* The Second Saturday informal gatherings.
* Building the Legacy Initiative-which promotes and recognizes RAZA contributions to the
University and builds for the future.
Chicano Commencement
Chicano Commencement was the first individual recognition commencement
celebration at Fresno State. Our first celebration was in 1976 at the
Fresno Fair Grounds.
Five years later we brought the celebration to campus, bringing many
family members of the graduates to Fresno State for the first time. We
wanted families to cheer for the graduates when their name was called
on stage.
In 1994, after 18 Chicano Commencements, it was time for the
celebration to be institutionalized. We thank Chicano Latino
Studies(CLS), in particular Professor Ernesto Martinez for making a
home for the celebration in the CLS department. It continues today as
the Latino Commencement.
The Chicano Commencement Committees were comprised of students and
alumni and coordinated Chicano Commencement every year.
We thank all past committee members for their hard work in those
years. Que Viva!
Chicano Commencement Graduating Class Information
We have pictures and information about the Chicano Commencement graduating classes of
1976,
1977 1990,
1991 and 1994.
If you were a part of the Chicano Alumni graduation ceremonies from
the years 1976 through 1994 and have information or pictures of that
class, please contact:
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