From the judges: This was a wonderful example of the ways that students can be involved with donor stewardship. The efforts and funding put forth by the Associated Students Inc. will be appreciated by the Resnicks, which will likely lead to additional funding in the future.
Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union Groundbreaking
Category
Student Advancement > Student-led Engagement Initiatives
Description
Award: Bronze
Institution: California State University, Fresno
Title of Entry: Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union Groundbreaking
About this Entry: Fresno State students, leaders and community members celebrated the construction of the new Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union with a ceremonial groundbreaking on February 20, 2020. A $10 million investment from philanthropists and entrepreneurs Lynda and Stewart Resnick, owners of The Wonderful Company, will help to support the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the new building.
The Bulldog Beat scholarship band kicked off the event with a performance. Live mascot Victor E. Bulldog III and Fresno State cheerleaders were also on hand for the festivities and student Lauryn Florez, University Student Union board chair, emceed the event.
An additional major gift was announced during the event. Bank of America is giving $250,000 in support of the Bank of America Welcome Center.
The 84,000-square-foot Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union will include dynamic and flexible meeting spaces, dedicated spaces for clubs and student organizations and a relaxing outdoor terrace. A portion of the Resnicks’ investment will be used to create The Wonderful Scholar Center within the new student union, a dedicated space where the 200-plus Wonderful Scholars scholarship recipients attending Fresno State will receive tutoring and counseling from their college-success specialists.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, students had an opportunity to document their participation in the groundbreaking at a photo station with construction-related props. Attendees also received a commemorative shovel keychain with the building name and date of the groundbreaking.