May 3, 2022

MEN'S RUGBY WINS NATIONAL TITLE 1981 Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

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DaRon Bland gets drafted by Dallas Cowboys.

Melina Kazanjian · The Collegian

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BIG DAYS FOR BULLDOGS

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INSIDE: STUDENTS RESEARCH THOUSANDS OF HENRY MADDEN'S LETTERS

Wyatt Bible · The Collegian

Vintage Days makes its return to the Fresno State campus.

NEWS

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

PAGE 2

Advance Peace gives lecture at Fresno State on gun violence

By Julia Espinoza Multimedia Reporter Two community leaders sparked conversations about how Fresno State students can help change the escalating gun violence in the Fresno community.

Aaron Foster, one of the speakers, shared violence.

He and his family were the victims in two separate incidents that claimed the lives of his son and, a couple of years later, his daughter.

These experiences are what helped motivate him to want to build a better community for everyone living in Fresno, according to Foster.

Last Wednesday, Fresno State professor Sudarshan Kapoor welcomed Foster, the program director of Advance Peace Fresno, and B.T. Lewis, senior pastor of the Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, into his class to discuss the work toward providing a safer community.

According to Kapoor, his class talks about in providing this discussion was “to bring real people who have gone through it so that they understand what it means to go through this kind of pain and what it is that we can do.”

Advance Peace Fresno is a program that aims to transform lives and build a safer com-

Julia Espinoza • The Collegian

Fresno State professor Sudarshan Kapoor held a discussion in his classroom about gun violence on April 27, 2022. munity by putting an end to gun violence.

“The thing is we can talk to them, but we can’t make them engage. All we have to do is be available to them if they ever decide to,” Foster said.

The program connects people who have seeking to better their lives through a fellowship program. According to Foster, one of the want to change and give them permission to dream so that they can change.”

In order for Advance Peace to come to Fresno, Foster said that the city had to approve of “We had to convince the city of Fresno, who has never put intensive care to assist any violent individuals, that this was the right thing to do,” he said.

Now that Advance Peace is working in the Fresno area, Foster said this community needs assistance.

“Unfortunately, in the areas that we serve, especially in southwest Fresno, every single

individual is experiencing some type of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder),” Foster said.

“Everybody that lives in the area has to walk past a place where somebody took their last breath, every single day of their lives.”

Lewis told the class that he works alongside the mayor, who was formerly the chief of police for Fresno. This has allowed Lewis to work alongside the police department with the philosophy to “support collaboration in the community.”

It was halted due to the pandemic. During night walks, a group of people would meet together and walk the streets of the community where they would meet and pray with people and assess their needs.

After the discussion, Kapoor’s class members thanked the two community speakers for insight as to how they can be a part of the change.

“The way that I believe Fresno State students can solve this crisis of violence is to encourage more on-campus events that bring community members and leaders [together] to spark that inspiration,” said Emmanuel Agraz-Torres, a student in Kapoor’s class.

“All of the schools, our education, our institution and colleges, we have to provide a lot of opportunities for the young people so they are fully and creatively engaged,” Kapoor said.

Fresno State alumni receive 2022 Top Dog Awards

By Ashley Flowers

A&E Editor

The Fresno State Alumni Association honsociety, including an international humanitarian and a professor with 55 years of service under his belt, during its 2022 Top Dog Alumni Awards ceremony on Sunday night.

The ceremony awarded recipients during a one-hour televised special on ABC30. It’s an annual awards ceremony that has been recognizing Fresno State alumni since 1953 for their work that has honored Fresno State.

Outstanding alumni from each college were acknowledged, as well as the alums who took the top two prizes.

Steven Were Omamo, whose former organization World Food Programme won a Nobel Prize in 2020 for its dedication to feeding the hungry, took the Top Dog Outstanding Alumni award for exceptional accomplishments in an Omamo, one of 16 siblings in a family who lived in a sugar cane farm in western Kenya,

and was expected to work on the farm after college.

He was recommended to go to Fresno State by a high school counselor, and his father approved of the decision due to the impact of California agriculture.

After arriving in Fresno in the summer of 1982, Omamo ended up majoring in agriculture business and realized he wanted to go to graduate school rather than return to the farm.

His father ended up supported his decision to go.

“Agriculture... It’s not a theory, it’s really something that families are built on; but also something that needs attention and improvement from the public sector,” Omamo said in his honoree bio, calling that the “theme of his career.”

In 2006, Omamo ended up joining the United Nations’ World Food Programme, eventually serving as the representative and country director to Ethiopia, during which time the organization earned the Nobel Peace Prize.

“When we were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, I could understand why — because the

people of the World Food Programme are quite unique in their bravery and commitment to do whatever it takes to get food to people who need it,” Omamo said.

He has since transitioned to the consulting policy, strategy and more to clients with a focus on agrifood and education industries in Africa.

Sudarshan Kapoor, professor emeritus and founder and inaugural director of Fresno received the second major award, the Arthur Safstrom Service Award, for alumni and friends of the university who have made an impact through their time and talent.

Having grown up in Punjab, India, Kapoor said he participated in multiple demonstrations and marches as a college student that “laid the foundation of activism in his life,” according to part of [his] life.”

After obtaining his master’s degree in India, Kapoor left in 1962 for the Netherlands, eventually moving to Florida and then Toronto,

Canada, until his former professors in Florida State took note of his work and invited him to come with them to Fresno State in 1967. He has now been with the university for 55 years.

In that time, he taught social work and community development, founded the Peace and Human Relations Commission, was a founding member of the Fresno Center for Nonviolence and served on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Committee, for which he has led an annual march from Fresno City Hall to the Fresno Memorial Auditorium that attracts thousands each year.

“I belong to Fresno State, and Fresno State belongs to me,” Kapoor said.

Outstanding alumni were also selected by each college and division to honor. the Fresno State Alumni Association, called the awards ceremony an “inspiring” event.

“This year’s class of honorees represent what it truly means to be a Bulldog, and we are excited to celebrate their successes with the university and community,” she said.

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

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TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

PAGE 4

12 undergraduates credited for their contribution

By Edward Lopez

for, but with the guidance from Dr. Kytle and Dr. Roberts it was a really good experience and turned into my favorite class of the semester,”

Senior News Reporter When 12 Fresno State undergraduates enrolled in History 100W, they expected a normal introduction to historical research.

That was until their professor, Ethan J. Kytle, was asked to restructure the class after news broke out that accused Henry Madden of antisemitic views.

Now, these 12 students are receiving college and academic credit for their part in potentially changing the name of the Henry Madden Library.

When the library task force released its report reviewing the name change of the library, Kytle’s class was credited for the work it contributed into the research process.

“Under the supervision of Drs. Ethan Kytle and Blain Roberts, the following students collectively spent 120 hours reading and taking notes on Madden’s correspondence,” the report said.

Kytle said the students “didn’t know what they were walking into” until the beginning of the semester, but knew this was an “extremely

way through thousands and thousands of letters, covering 30 years of Madden’s life, helping us make sure we covered it as thoroughly as possible,” he said.

When the class was told it’d be a part of the library task force, it was shocking for some students.

“Collectively, what they did is make their

felt like for the 12 of us… it’s a lot of pressure.

“I started out kind of skeptical, but then I realized this is not even a once in a generation type thing. This is like once in a lifetime… potentially renaming a library and being a part of that is pretty cool,” Joshua Raminha, another Kytle’s students, said.

The class was split into two groups of six.

One group went into the archives of Madden’s letters under Roberts’ supervision while an-

Adam Ricardo Solis• The Collegian

Fresno State professor Ethan J. Kytle rearranged his History 100W class to be apart of the university library task force and its research process into the Henry Potentially changing something that has been around forever,” Matthew Simpson, a student in Kytle’s class, said.

He wasn’t the only student feeling that way, but once the research process began, Simpson said it was a unique experience no other student is getting.

“Initially, I was worried because I thought it might be a lot more work than I signed up

Kytle. Both groups alternated between the archives and class.

Kytle said the class helped focus on things he and Roberts may have overlooked, and even had input on the sections Kytle authored in the report. He highlighted most of their contributions in pages of the report that discuss Madden’s time at Fresno State.

The class also helped contribute to the reanti-censorship, his later views on race, his later antisemitism and Nazi references, and his “problematic” comments about ethnic studies, Kytle noted.

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

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THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

and research in the Henry Madden Library report “That was a really important element in [the research process] that I know the task force members were very supportive of,” said Michael J. Lukens, chair of the library task force.

Kytle emphasized the scale of what the task force needed to research.

He said Madden’s archives consisted of more than 100,000 documents within 53 large boxes of material that had previously been untouched.

His class was given boxes of letters from the 1950s through the 1980s, and he assigned each student a box that had hundreds to thousands of letters.

Kytle noted how his students learned that one disadvantage of historical research is the amount of time and work it takes. “[Madden] had a lifelong habit of making appear amidst a sea of banal remarks,” Kytle said.

“Even deep-seeded racists aren’t uttering racist comments every moment of the day.” “downfall” of the research process.

But she shared a laugh about it with Simpson and Raminha sitting right beside her, joking about how boring it can be.

Adam Ricardo Solis • The Collegian

Manuel Hernandez • The Collegian

Fresno State undergraduates Matthew Simpson (left), Jovana Gutierrez Camacho (middle) and Joshua Raminha (right) were students in Kytle’s class.

Fresno State student Gabriel Grieco was also in Kytle’s class.

“We kind of all expected some pretty heavracist [letters], but most of it wasn’t. It was just someone’s mail,” Raminha said.

“I think we all [developed] respect for those who actually do that and dedicate their lives to do that because we got a little glimpse, but they

do this for a very long time,” Camacho said.

Camacho, Simpson and Raminha said they put in around 13 hours in the archives.

Despite the tedious work, the students said their passion for their major made it worthwhile.

“In a way, it was like time traveling back to someone’s mind because we got to read [Madden’s] mail, what he was thinking,” Camacho said.

“We got to get the sense of the environment – politically, economically, socially. I thought that was one of the most coolest things I’ve ever done.” go to college.

She was going to go to a school closer to her hometown of Orange Cove, but her mentors guided and pushed her to venture out to Fresno State.

Camacho noted that her experience, not only in the task force, but at the university inspires her to be a role model for her family.

“Being [at Fresno State] all my years, and experiencing the environment and knowing that I was part of something big, made me feel like I could show that to my younger siblings and tell them ‘Hey, go here. Maybe you could be part of something big too,’” she said.

Raminha also wasn’t planning to go to Fresno State, but rather Cal Poly San Luis Obispo since it was close to his home in Paso Robles.

He wasn’t sure what to expect because in his area “the Valley is not seen well at all, and people are really snobby about it.”

After experiencing the area, he grew attached to Fresno, he said.

“There’s something unique here [at Fresno State]. There’s a lot of opportunities here,” Raminha said.

“Fresno State runs in our family. We’ve been coming here for the last 60 years… This is the only college I applied to, so if I didn’t get in here I wasn’t going to go to college,” Simpson said.

His grandma is an alumnus, as well as his dad, who was also a history major.

He said he was “following in his footsteps.”

“I was never expecting this in my college career, and I’m excited that I got to be a part of this kind of history. I get to put it on my resume and bring it with me for the rest of my history career,” Simpson said.

Kytle said he was excited as a teacher to give his students an impactful opportunity and not “just something they were doing for a class.”

“It did seem like a moment where students could make a real contribution to an important historical endeavor and to do it in a meaningful way,” he said.

“

In a way, it was like time traveling back to someone’s mind because we got to read [Madden’s] mail, what he was thinking. We got to get the sense of the environment ... I thought that was one of the most coolest things I’ve ever done.

Fresno State history major

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

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THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

Centennial feature: The beginning of ‘The New Campus’ at Fresno State College

By Edward Lopez

Senior News Reporter For the last installment of the Collegian Centennial feature story series, this article covers the origins of the Fresno State campus better known as “The New Campus.”

The Central Valley’s indigenous past Prior to the arrival of Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in San Diego Bay on Sept.

28, 1542, indigenous Americans were prominent powers in the current state of California, according to California National Park Services.

Within the Central Valley alone, dozens of tribes existed with many of them gathering around the now extinct Tulare Lake, which spanned roughly 33 miles in length.

Some of the tribes included the Tejon Indian Tribe, Chukchansi Indians, Tule River Tribe, Yokuts Tribe and Monache.

California began to decline in the early 1900s in what Santa Rosa Rancheria tribal historian genocide.”

It was perpetrated by the Californian government, he wrote for the Tachi Yokut Tribe website declared the beginning of the extermination of the indigenous peoples of California on Jan. 6, 1851, in a State of the State address before the California Senate and the California Assembly.

“That a war of extermination will continue to be waged between the races until the Indian race becomes extinct must be expected,” Burnett said.

“While we cannot anticipate this result but with painful regret, the inevitable destiny of the race is beyond the power or wisdom of man to avert.”

The state issued a 25 cents bounty per indigenous person killed in 1856.

It then raised the price of the bounty again to $5 in 1856. kut and Tatch population were killed while the

Railroad founded the city of Fresno, according to the Fresno Planning and Development Department.

Two years later, the city became a recogporated in 1885.

Creation of “The New Campus”

Edward Lopez • The Collegian

Top: An artist conception of “The New Campus” on October 1950.

Bottom: An aerial photo of the Fresno State College campus after a couple years of construction.

The Fresno State Normal School was established in 1911 at University and North Van Ness avenues. Many of the school’s buildings still exist today under the banner of Fresno City College.

Normal schools were educational institutions that taught future teachers of California subjects like curriculum and the methods of teaching of academic subjects better known as pedagogy, according to the California State University.

According to the Fresno State website, the heavily emphasized education formally became a teacher’s college by 1921 and eventually of-

fered advanced technical degrees by the late 1940s.

The university campus slowly expanded over the years with three university presidents taking the reins over a 39-year period.

The past Fresno State College presidents were Charles L. McClain (1911-27), Frank W. Thomas (1927-48), and Arnold E. Joyal (194864).

There was a growing need from the population, so the Board of Trustees, the state of California and Joyal decided it was time to expand the university.

It was to anticipate the growing accessibility

of higher education.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Fresno’s population reached 60,685 in the 1940s.

According to Joyal, the site of the new campus totaled 160 acres, and it was acquired in March 1948, with much of the bids for conat the end of December.

Due to an unknown complication, the negotiations of “The New Campus” led to the relocation to a new plot of land located on Shaw and Cedar avenues, where the campus presides to this day.

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

Edward Lopez • The Collegian

Archive photos of the McLane Hall Building (top) under construction and the agricultural and mechanics building (bottom) in the 1950s.

“The parties to the argument state, city, agree, so, to make a long story short, the state decided to relocate the whole project. Now we are in the process of acquiring another site (800 acres), three miles further out of the city,” Joyal said in his 1950 New Year’s letter.

According to The Fresno Bee, the facility’s total cost was approximately $15 million. Today, it would cost over $183.5 million when reau of Labor Statistics.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by dignitaries from the state and local governments as well as notable members of the public, many of whom eventually received their names on future buildings.

The Building Names Currently, 12 buildings on campus bear the names of individuals related in some way to Fresno State.

Three of the former administrative builduniversity presidents which are McLane Hall, the Frank W. Thomas Building and Joyal Administration Building.

Buildings with the names of notable citizens include former Fresno Mayor Frank Andrew Homan (1937-41) and Phebe Conley, the moth-

er of the famous journalist James B. McClatchy.

As of recently, two buildings on campus bear the names of donors, that being Bill Lyles and Lynda and Stewart Resnick, with both parties donating $10 million each to the university.

Assistant professor Leece M. Lee-Oliver, attributed building names as a trend taking place across the country in recognizing politically prominent leaders.

Lee-Oliver noted that in the case of universithose who had access to education at the time, which is in part why we have building names such as the Henry Madden Library.

In light of discussions to potentially rename the Henry Madden Library, Lee-Oliver recommends that the administration view the public sphere as an area of shared experiences through diverse representations if it wants to begin the process of healing old wounds. ures, it is harmful to the spirit of people in myriad ways. We should also retain the knowledge of our collective histories so that we understand, and can study the future, how systems of oppression operate and how social justice responses enable us to reclaim dignity, cultural diversity and our rightful place in the human social world,” Lee-Oliver said.

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A&E

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

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Fresno State graduate Seth Craig credits music with saving his life

By Jesús Cano

and son agree that music saved Seth’s life.

Managing Editor ever did that really [uses] like the 110% of my Tony Craig remembers the night everything changed for his family.

In 2003, Craig, a musician who has been rooted in Fresno for close to 40 years, was wrapping up his performance around 2 a.m. at tender called him over and said there was a call for him.

On the other end was his wife Jill, who frantically informed Craig that his son, Seth, had a seizure.

“I didn’t even really understand what that entailed, but I can just remember being terri-

had epilepsy, I probably would not have played music. I don’t think I would have connected Seth, who graduated from Fresno State in 2019 with a bachelor’s in business, went from playing the bass to also singing and songwriting. ing more after his goal of dropping a record came up short.

He took matters into his own hands as he started performing as a solo artist by the stage name Charlie Steady, which Seth said origi-

When Tony arrived at the hospital, he found out what happened to his son, who was 9 years old at the time.

In his sleep, Seth had a grand mal seizure, which is caused by abnormal electrical activity throughout the brain and consequently creates a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions.

He was diagnosed with epilepsy.

“I remember just waking up and there being an ambulance outside and guys putting me on a

protagonist Charlie Brown for his calm and steady behavior.

Now, that same kid who described himself as shy and introverted, and was at one time isolated for his own safety, is dropping music ple Music, YouTube and BandCamp, while also performing in front of crowds as small as 10 people and as big as 2,000 people.

Tony also used his experience with Seth to Center, where he got the opportunity to work with people who had experienced similar strug-

It changed the course of his life. with his friends during recess. Seth started taking medication and seeing a neurologist, and he said he dreaded spending the night at other people’s homes because of the fear of having a seizure in his sleep.

“I didn’t want my friends to see me ever Seth said.

Despite the medication, the seizures continued to happen yearly. Tony and Jill Craig were

His parents were waiting at Valley Children’s Hospital when the doctor attending Seth pulled them aside and asked Tony if he played music. even irritated him, he said. He wanted answers about his son’s health and felt like the question was irrelevant to the situation.

The doctor calmed him down and let him know that music could help with Seth’s conditions.

“She started to explain to me how music Tony said.

their families.

“I was amazed that people approached me after a month or two of lessons and said that a student has improved in these other areas

Courtesy of Seth Craig

Top: Seth’s depicton of the “Magpie” character in his upcoming second album.

Bottom: Artwork for Seth’s fourth single (left) and a promotional photo (right).

Tony now remembers that moment being the night everything changed for his family, this time for the better.

From the moment Seth was born, music was part of his life. When Tony took Seth to any music store as a baby, Seth was the center of attention.

When Tony’s band rehearsed in the garage, Seth was held by his father while he played guitar. When Tony’s band had a gig, Seth was there to help set up for the performance.

However, Seth said he really didn’t have an interest in pursuing music the way his dad did.

“I didn’t want to play music at all, mainly because that was like what dad did and I want-

changed my mind about the power that it has Seth achieved his goal of dropping a record album about a young, inexperienced person

some of Seth’s friends started a band and asked him to play bass. Seth didn’t know how to play any instruments, so he hesitated.

bought Seth a bass to play in his friends’ new band.

“I brought the bass home and I said, ‘You’re going to have to learn how to read music, and you’re gonna have to learn some theoretical Tony said.

Seth hasn’t had a seizure since. Both father

Recently, he has dropped four singles to which the release date is still yet to be determined.

His next single, “Once Upon a Time I Fell in be released on May 13 via multiple streaming platforms.

“For me, something that started out as a way to help with epilepsy as a kid ended up becoming an integral part of my life, and a way for me to express myself creatively and communicate -

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

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THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

Vintage Days returns in-person with new Blue Shell Gaming Arena Reporter The annual student-run festival, Vintage Days, returned in-person after a two year hiatus

beard into a goatee to look more like Doctor Strange.

“I do a lot of these events because it brings happiness. It brings joy to people and just knowing that I’m making an impact at an event -

& Collectibles is the largest video game and collectible retailer in the Central Valley, and it provided attendees with entertainment ranging from a wide variety of vendors to cosplayers like

be and wanted to encourage students who are

who asked during his three days volunteering at the festival.

students to “keep on studying man and stay

munity, because they love doing it. They’re just lez said. attraction was their variety of video gaming tournaments.

With a variety of consoles and games that stretched across decades of gaming, families something that they enjoyed.

“I know it can be a hard [decision] not being out here having fun, but instead they’re setting

ers to race miniature carts in real time on the

loves it. I mean, [there are people playing who are] anywhere from two years old to 50 playing

the Fresno Fair a few years ago, they’ve been able to improve it into the set up they brought to the festival.

“It’s taken a couple of years to get to where we are today, and we’re looking to expand it tage Days in 2023 and said if they’re invited

characters on their screens.

the crowd was entertained. throughout the weekend, including from Doc-

ny, said that the collaboration between Vintage to what Vintage Days has always done.

festival with a full beard so he could more closely resemble Bruno for the younger children to tures with.

By the end of the last day, he shaved his

give families that came out to visit another opportunity to see something that’s just “a little “These [cosplayers] are literally out here at no charge to the school, no charge to the com-

Wyatt Bible • The Collegian

Top: Attendees played Mario Kart Live at the gaming arena.

Bottom: Attendees were able to take photos with cosplay characters.

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

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THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

Denim Day provides resources to students for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Jesús Cano • The Collegian

Left: Centro La Familia used a pair of jeans with details about the resources it has available, as well as inspirational messages for others, at their table.

Right: The Cross-Cultural and Gender Center encouraged students to write encouraging messages on denim pieces for sexual assault victims.

Project HOPE, Fresno State’s case manage-

students to wear denim at the in-person Sex-

other freebies while promoting its groups currently available to students. ceptance development in other groups such as

sexual violence.

This year, Denim Day returned in-person

healing group for female-identifying students, -

a social media campaign for the last two years due to COVID-19.

The resource fair invited local organizations and campus-based groups to distribute information and free gifts to students during the event.

Denim Day began in 1998 after an Italian Supreme Court ruling overturned a rape con-

More information about these groups can be found at Project HOPE’s website or by contact-

The Fresno State Student Health and Counseling Center (SHCC) and the Cross-Cul-

wearing at the time, which the justices ruled imthe perpetrator remove her jeans, according to “Denim Day is [a] day to bring awareness of sexual assault and the misconception that clothing has anything to do with the cause of Now the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history

write inspirational messages for victims of sexual violence on pieces of denim fabric, which Building.

Local organizations including Marjaree Mason Center, Centro La Familia and Rape Counseling Services (RCS) of Fresno provided information for programs and resources available within the community for victims of sexual More information is available at its websites. position has been posted on the Fresno State

denim to protest the misconception.

Campuses and other organizations around the world participate in Denim Day each year.

round services, so we are open during the sum-

to victims, including medical exams and treatment, emotional support, counseling services, straining orders and more. mkates@mail.fresnostate.edu for more infor-

mation and assistance. has been a victim of sexual violence can contact

Reports can be made anonymously.

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

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THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

Rock musical ‘Rent’ celebrates 25th anniversary at University Theatre new forms of music, allowing younger generasaid.

Josh Plowman, a senior theatre arts major who will be playing the role of Mark, said that

2021-22 season, celebrating the musical’s 25th anniversary.

Best Musical and Pulitzer Prize winner for drama, is widely considered a cultural phenomenon for its impact and innovation, according to director J. Daniel Herring.

It covers a year in the life of a group of young, struggling artists and musicians in New -

relate to, and that the use of rock music speaks to a more modern audience, “more than your typical Rodgers and Hammerstein or Stephen “’Rent’ speaks to anyone who has struggled with addiction, loneliness, loss and disease in an organic and personal way that few Broadway musicals had at the time, and few have matched

The play centers around the lead character lives of his friends. He and the rest of his social

Herring said that this representation, combined with the break from typical musical

Benny, Maureen and Joanne, each struggle with their own personal and emotional issues.

Senior theatre arts major Julia Prieto plays the role of Joanne, a wealthier character who chooses to use her privilege to better serve her community, according to Prieto.

Prieto has been involved in the performing arts since she was 5 years old. Her mother involved her in hopes that Prieto would pick up English, her second language, more easily. Her

has to this day.

Jonathan Larson, who wrote the book, away the night before the preview performance, which was widely publicized within the theater world, according to Herring. Larson was posthumously acclaimed for the grittiness he brought to theater, which Herring credits as inspiring later creatives such as Lin Manuel Mi-

organization.

“Performing helped me learn English much

“There are times where I really think about, if he had survived, what would be the kinds of things he would be doing now? Because he certainly was introducing something that was

friend introduced it to her in middle school. She said the experience opened her eyes to nontraditional theater that “represented more than

Since coming to Fresno State for a university position 15 years ago, Herring said he’s directed around 23 productions for Fresno State

who will be playing Mimi, said she “fell in love

“We were looking for a musical, and it was my time to do a musical at Fresno State, and I

similar reasons. he said.

Herring said he believes that the musical will resonate more strongly with people “com-

seen taking the Broadway stage. Mimi’s fearlessness, fragility and leopard print boots in-

“I really do hope that people will come and celebrate the show, but also all the things that we have been through during this pandemic, and really look at how we treat one another ring said.

of people forced to walk a tightrope for survival

people of color was part of what has made Rent the cultural phenomenon it is considered today. “[‘Rent’ gave] an incredibly raw representation of what it was like to be gay in the ‘80s

Courtesy of Miguel Gastelum

Top: Julia Prieto (left) and Josh Plowman (right) dance together.

Middle: The cast gathers for a rehearsal for the upcoming production.

Bottom: Actors will sing and dance in “Rent.”

on Sunday, May 9 at 2 p.m.

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PAGE 13

OPINION

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TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

Opinion: Don’t litter the campus for your grad photos It’s that time of year again – graduation is only a few short weeks away, and graduates are getting photoshoots to commemorate the occasion.

But this year, it’s time to ditch the confetti once and for all.

Confetti, glitter and other decor might make your pictures look pretty, but they’re not so pretty when they’re left behind to litter the campus.

Everywhere you walk on campus in the month leading up to graduation, particularly around favorite photo spots like the fountain, the Fresno State sign and the library, are covered with debris from photoshoots.

“I’d like my school to have a relatively clean campus. I don’t want to be on my way to the library and see that my route is completely major Sarah Vang.

Joshua Bell, fourth-year music education major and Bulldog Marching Band president, is campus clean while doing grad photoshoots.

Because of the mess it creates, he does not allow confetti in his sessions. frown upon their client popping a confetti cannon, releasing hundreds of little pieces of plasof high schoolers and potential future Bulldogs touring campus all of the time. What message

so proud to celebrate their accomplishment and their time at Fresno State that they’re willing to trash the campus they’re so excited to take photos in front of.

“How can someone be so proud to be a Fresno State graduate, paying professionals to take

Vang said.

Especially concerning is that most confetti, particularly if it’s made out of plastic, metal or metallic paper, isn’t biodegradable. That means all those little pieces of plastic are not breaking down in the environment – they’re just going to sit around on the ground until someone else cleans the mess.

The same materials that make confetti nonbiodegradable could also make it toxic to any animals that make their way onto campus.

“Just think of all the animals on Fresno if these squirrels eat these tiny plastic pieces, If you’re a proud Bulldog about to graduate, Bell suggested using some eco-friendly alternatives to confetti for upcoming photoshoots.

“Use the biodegradable, rice paper confetti that disintegrates when it hits water. Or just have your photographer use an overlay of con-

or hole punching leaves.

But if you insist on using confetti, the least you can do is clean it up when you’re done with your photos.

“Students can use confetti for their grad photos, but they must pick up the mess after mez, who recently highlighted the confetti litter around campus on Facebook.

Leaving behind the mess can make it harder for other students trying to take photos pointed out.

“They must leave the spot clean so that other people can do their photo sessions, too. If they can’t clean up the confetti mess, they shouldn’t So Bulldogs, go ahead and celebrate your accomplishments, and get some photos to prove it. But don’t trash the campus while you do it.

The Collegian is a student-run publication that serves the Fresno State community. Views expressed in The Collegian do not

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Jesús Cano • The Collegian

Top: Confetti left across the grass in front of the Kennel Bookstore.

Bottom: Confetti caught in the drain in the Fresno State fountain.

Jannah Geraldo Jesús Cano Manuel Hernandez Ashley Flowers Estela Anahi Jaramillo Stacy Hurtado Edward Lopez Adam Ricardo Solis Viviana Hinojos Aidan Garaygordobil Tyler Van Dyke Jermaine Abraham Julia Espinoza

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The Collegian carries four different ethnic supplements inserted several times throughout each semester into its print publication. Each supplement is produced by its own staff and advisers and is separate from The Collegian.

The news stories or opinions in the The Collegian.

Each member of the campus community is permitted a copy of The Collegian. Subscriptions are available for $25, on a semester basis. Staff positions at The Collegian are open to students of all majors. All content Copyright © 2022 The Collegian.

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

PAGE 15

THE COLLEGIAN • OPINION

Opinion: Thank you Collegian, I’ll make you proud

Courtesy of Cary Edmondson

Jesús Cano (left) interviews Abraham Montaño (right). Cano is graduating from Fresno State this semester and will continue his job at the Bay Area News Group.

By Jesús Cano

Managing Editor Some kids dreamed about going to UC My dream was to go to Fresno State.

campus at Fresno State. I was 13 and my middle school band was in town to perform at a music festival hosted by the university. It was the furthest I had been away from my hometown of Pittsburg (no H), a suburban community in the East Bay. walked around campus, everything just felt right about being in the Valley. I knew this was the place I wanted to be, and watching the Fres-

football teams – Stanford, Cal and San José State – but none of them had what Fresno State ams balled out on my TV screen, the support of those rowdy fans inside Bulldog Stadium made me realize that the community rallies behind Fresno State. to be around.

Like many other people in my graduating

class, my college experience was unique. I transferred from Los Medanos College (#JuCoProduct) to Fresno State in the Fall of 2020.

When it was announced that most classes were going to be done remotely, I still made the move to Fresno with two of my close friends from back home.

to where I am today.

and being one of the most real people I know.

semester. Thank you to Zaeem Shaikh for pushing me to challenge myself.

Little did I know that The Collegian ended up becoming my home. Here is where not only did I develop as a journalist, but grew as a person. wanted. I was able to cover the college football team I grew up rooting for and travel to placum and the Rose Bowl.

I got to cover athletes like Jake Haener and Ronnie Rivers, who I saw grow during their high school days in the Bay. Those memories are cool, but what I’ll cherish the most is the people I got to work with here, from the reporters, photographers, advertising team and editors.

There was a point in time when I wanted to quit journalism and just settle on what my degree could get me, but I can honestly say that working in a collaborative environment at The Collegian rebirthed my passion and has led me

willing to listen to all the nonsense that comes out of my mouth, Jan Edwards for leading our advertising team and Rich Marshall for having a presence during our production nights.

To everyone else I’ve worked with, thank you for being part of the product and contributing to the team.

I know The Collegian will be in good hands.

I’m extremely proud to see the growth of per. I’m honored to have worked beside her this When she gets the opportunity to write on a big platform, I know she’ll ball out. managing editor role, has shown her worth by being the best writer, most responsible editor and proving that she can be a leader and take

charge of the newsroom. I know her transition will be a smooth one, especially with her passion for the product. I’m more than proud of everything she has achieved and am looking forward to everything she will accomplish in the future.

Leaving The Collegian is bittersweet. I’m sad to depart from the place that has so many great memories, but I’m excited to continue my career at the newspaper that I grew up reading (back then it was the Contra Costa Times) with José Mercury News).

I’ve been working here since January and have been able to grow as a writer under the tutelage of Darren Sabedra. work my way up.

I’ll miss Fresno State, I’ll miss the Valley and I’ll miss The Collegian. Thank you for playing a role in the pursuit of my dream.

I’d be.

When I was 13 years old, I told myself I would attend Fresno State. I did that. I told myself that I would one day become sports editor at The Collegian. I did that and became managing editor too. I told myself I would one day what?

I did that.

SPORTS

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

PAGE 16

EJ Andrews continues pro career in ‘second home’

Courtesy of Aaron Pro Photography

EJ Andrews Jr. spent three years at Fresno State and plays professionally with the Fresno Grizzlies. Jermaine Clark informed Andrews that the Rockies drafted him in the 13th round of the 2021 MLB draft.

By Jesús Cano

Managing Editor

96 games over his career – which included the the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 38th round of the

EJ Andrews Jr. loves Fresno.

But growing up in Long Beach, he really didn’t know much about the city, or the Central Valley, for that matter.

That all changed after Andrews made his limits, he enjoyed the Fresno vibes. Andrews knew it was the place for him.

a spot on the team during his visit.

It was an easy decision for Andrews to make.

Within a couple of hours, he called Batesole to let him know he was all in.

“Fresno really buys into their sports teams,” Andrews said about the Red Wave. “I really wanted to be part of that, and it was truly a blessing.”

Andrews had a successful career at Long Beach Poly.

Andrews was nervous about moving to Fresno, but it quickly became a second home for him and he started to engage in what the city

Grill was his go-to restaurant.

He was thankful he got to go to Yosemite with his friends and take in the sights of El Cap-

his peers as part of the Red Wave.

“I had a really good group of teammates and friends out here that really made it feel like home,” Andrews said. “It didn’t take long to get used to it.”

On the diamond, Andrews made a name for

average, nine home runs and was named second team All-Mountain West.

Toward the middle of his senior season, Batesole pulled Andrews aside and let him know that MLB scouts were coming to Fresno

drews quickly realized that this meant he was going to start his career in the city he loves: Fresno.

After a solid showing in the Colorado Rockies Arizona Complex League team last fall, Andrews made the jump to the next level.

Now, the same fans who saw him play as a Bulldog are watching him start his professional journey for the Fresno Grizzlies, the Rockies’

“That’s when it hit me that the possibility of becoming a professional baseball player was possible,” Andrews said.

When Andrews’ name was announced on -

On his way home from working out at the gym, Andrews got the phone call that changed his life.

Fittingly, it was Jermaine Clark, a former

dream he had been working hard for so long.

Andrews said he couldn’t be happier that it will start in the city he loves.

“I can’t say thank you enough to the Red

Colorado Rockies, on the other end of the call.

Clark informed Andrews that the Rockies draft-

Valley really took me in, and I’m really grateful for it,” Andrews said.

“Having them watch my college career start

“It was a surreal moment,” Andrews said.

As he celebrated accomplishing his dream of becoming a professional baseball player, An-

of my professional career, really means a lot to me.”

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

PAGE 17

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

PAGE 18

Fresno State football showcases talent at Spring Preview

Melina Kazanjian • The Collegian

Left: Jake Haener passes the ball to Raymond Pauwels Jr. during the scrimmage at the 2022 Spring Preview.

Right: Haener signs a poster for a fan at Bulldog Stadium. The Red Wave greeted players on the field for the first time since November 2021.

By Aidan Garaygorobil

“We have guys that are going to do great things mentality and toughness-wise and con-

Reporter

The Bulldogs displayed their players’ pro-

Haener said.

Tedford matched Haener’s excitement as he praised his quarterback’s progression.

“He’s a great student of the game and a great

time in front of the Red Wave since November

-

it’s really nice to have him out there. Just to see him each and every day, he does some things that are pretty amazing, so he’s a really special player,” Tedford said.

“We got great work in, and got to see a lot of people play. We had to improvise a bit bebackup quarterback role. Freshman Jaylen Henderson and sophomore Logan Fife displayed their talents through multiple drives in which is one of the objectives coming out of the last practice,” Tedford said. early, with senior quarterback Jake Haener connecting with Josh Kelly on a deep pass on the second play of the game. athleticism from Haener, who seems to be at his healthiest point since the beginning of last season. Heading into his third consecutive season squad to grow together.

both athletic, and they bring similar attributes to the game but really it’s about putting everyone in a position to be successful,” Tedford said. energy.

“Throughout the spring, we’ve seen a lot of progress with the defense. Guys are doing a lot of good things with [the] fundamentals and but it takes the kids to take the leadership and A defensive standout in terms of leadership was All-Mountain West defensive back Evan Williams. Last season’s Mountain West leading tackler highlighted the team’s mentality as it heads out of the spring season.

“Our major point of emphasis is being a de-

Both quarterbacks participated in the from Henderson to receiver Zane Pope who down pass from Fife.

Fife and Henderson also fought for this spot last season, but the story remains the same with the backup spot still up for grabs.

“I don’t believe there’s a clear-cut No. 2, so it’s going to be a competitive camp. No deci-

Williams said.

Junior defensive back Cam Lockridge was another example of an energetic defense.

The Reedley College transfer let his presence be known early with a booming hit on wide receiver Nikko Remigio. He then followed the hit with an interception against Fife in his very

during the preview.

After losing three positional starters, the heading into this season.

However, led by senior Matt Lawson, the sacks and tipped passes throughout the game.

Even when the line did not get to the quarterback, its pressure forced a multitude of scramble and play-action pass plays.

While the defensive line made plays, Tedford reiterated that it was a battle up from both sides in the trenches.

“Our defense did well sometimes, and offense did well sometimes. That’s what you want, right? If it was one-sided, we’d leave here feeling good about one side, but it was really nice to see some matchups,” Tedford said.

While the event marked the end of the spring season, it also served as the beginning coach.

“It’s been awesome. I’ve enjoyed every sinjob,” he said. “We have an amazing team character-wise. These kids come out here and work every day, and it’s just a treat to be around.”

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

PAGE 19

Four Fresno State Bulldogs make the jump to NFL

By Estela Anahi Jaramillo but was able to improve that time at the Bull-

time school record holder with 52 career touchjoin well-known teams. and Kevin Atkins received the call to further their careers professionally.

Atkins will join former Bulldog teammate round.

-

Courtesy of Fresno State Athletics

Arron Mosby signed a undrafted free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers.

squad after signing as an undrafted free agent -

at cornerback. na Cardinals. giate Bowl.

Bland is the fourth all-time Bulldog to be

also performing the highest vertical jump at 35.5 inches.

After the draft, three Bulldogs signed NFL deals as undrafted free agents.

Running back Rivers signed with the Arizo-

by signed with the Carolina Panthers and desacks and two fumble recoveries as a super seRivers was the only Bulldog invited to the

SPORTS

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

Men’s rugby club wins national title

PAGE 20

Diamond ‘Dogs lose weekend series Reporter

from an early deficit, but was unable to come through and fell in the series opener to the Az-

Estela Anahi Jaramillo • The Collegian

Joshua Jacobson runs the ball down the field in the Pacific Western Conference League Championship game at Fresno State Kinesiology field.

By Estela Anahi Jaramillo

league.

tional Championship title.

Men’s rugby club head coach Patrick Quan said that, while traveling to Arlington, Texas, to take on the Kansas. The team knew Kansas was a type of team it’s never played before.

“It was a total gut check,” he said.

The month of April was a strong one for the

nament, then regionals and nationals — all steps Quan said allowed the team to rise to the top.

“The coaches and players never backed away from the long-term goals, and every team in that process represented an important part of the evolution to a national championship,” he said. interrupted and it wasn’t able to achieve the goals that had been set in place.

Western Conference League Championship Coast Championship title in the middle of the month. and Quan attributed it to the defense for its grit to win the match.

The team lost one of its strongest players, Isaia Kruse, in the beginning of the second half.

Three more players were down at the end of the match due to “enforceable infractions,” but the team was able to hold Kansas on the Bulldogs’ “This is a formula for an understandable defeat, but the goal line stand made by these young men was heroic and emphatically deHe noted that the result of winning the national championship wasn’t just a one-year effort but the results of seven years of hard work.

team still came back with a core of good rugby players, Quan said.

“That mixed with a new crop of athletic and tough young men was the perfect combination for our run this year,” he said. “We did improve all year, and we needed to to reach our shared goals.”

The team received a lot of support this seaguez, who was able to help with a part of the

mean they are all full-time students at Fresno their classes and represent their school,” he said.

“The school’s connection to the program is a bit more unresolved in the sense of interaction and providing resources. Hopefully, a national championship is a great example of what but what does it get in return from the school to maintain and improve this national prominence is the question which I cannot answer.

You will need to ask them.”

With this national championship, the paradigm for club sports is slowly changing as more teams bring home trophies, according to Quan.

“I do not know if it will, but it should,” he

grass lot so the team was able to practice on campus.

“Frankly though, beyond that our connection to the school is from the players’ side. I

part of the Bulldog Block Party, fans were inviting the football spring preview. pitching performance from Ixan Henderson to of the series. Henderson earned his seventh win iting the Aztecs to just two earned runs, on four walks and striking out five. lead, but after Henderson went out in the sevcommitting two errors to the Aztecs’ one. brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom -

Athletics, Quan takes pride in all their successes.

He said that these rugby athletes who attend

start of the season for the Bulldogs, going four innings and giving up two earned runs on three hits while striking out four in the loss.

books and more are, in essence, supporting the

innings, getting three runs in the third and adding on an unearned run in the fourth on a Bulldog throwing error.

as not nearly as important as the sports that do take or rely on funding from the university.

“These students, in my view, are the ultiof their funds from the local rugby community in Fresno.

Trevor Garcia went four innings, allowing six hits, five runs and striking out a pair in his first loss of the season. The Bulldogs attempted to take the lead in the seventh, loading the bases with two outs, but Tommy Hopfe went down swinging.

he said. Quan highlighted his gratitude and pride for the team. He said he was blessed to ents and local community.

“It has been a wonderful journey for me which I will cherish throughout my lifetime,” he said.

finale as they tied their season high with four errors in the loss, and the Aztecs only comcommitted six errors in total compared with the Aztecs’ two.

-