Sid Craig

Fresno State friend, alumnus and benefactor Sid Craig died Monday after a long illness.

Mr. Craig and his wife, Jenny, founded weight management empire Jenny Craig International, where he served as president and CEO.

In 1992, the Craigs made a major gift to the Fresno State School of Business, which was then renamed the Sid Craig School of Business in honor of the gift. Since then, the Craig School has distinguished itself as one of the nation’s leading business schools.

Fresno State president Dr. John D. Welty said, “Sid Craig was a beloved friend of Fresno State, and while we mourn his passing, we celebrate his legacy in our Sid Craig School of Business.

"Sid was an alumnus of Fresno State and loved the university," said Welty. "He was a pioneer in many ways – in the business world with his wife, Jenny, and as a philanthropist whose generous gift to Fresno State gave us our first 'named' school or college. He understood the tremendous impact that a private gift could make, and Sid’s generosity has assisted the Craig School in becoming one of the finest business schools in the country.”

Mr. Craig transferred to Fresno State from Mt. San Antonio College in Pomona in 1952, majoring in business and psychology. He helped pay his way through college by teaching ballroom dancing in the evenings at an Arthur Murray dance studio. He went on to acquire five Arthur Murray franchises.

In 1970, he sold his franchises and bought a half interest in Body Contour Inc. Figure Salons. A bright young lady named of Genevieve "Jenny" Bourcq began working at Body Contour in Louisiana. Over the years their professional relationship changed to a more personal connection, leading to marriage in 1979. Together they built a multimillion dollar company named Jenny Craig International. They sold the majority of their interest in the company in 2002.

In 1993, the California State University conferred an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters on Mr. Craig, recognizing his accomplishments in business, his commitment to others and his generosity in the support of Fresno State and its students.

At the time of his gift to Fresno State, California had only four other named business schools. Fresno State had the first named CSU business school and the system’s first to receive national accreditation.

In making the gift to Fresno State, Mr. Craig made special mention of the strong partnership between the school and the Valley’s professional community. He envisioned a world-class business school in the region.

His gift provided student support, including scholarships, stipends for research and achievement awards; faculty development, such as research, travel to professional meetings and release time for public service and entrepreneurial activities; and equipment funds that provided computer equipment, books and periodicals and met some capital needs. To create a nationally-recognized faculty, a significant amount of the gift was dedicated to faculty development and acquisition of cutting-edge instructional technologies.

Dr. Bob Harper, interim dean of the Craig School of Business, said, “Sid Craig taught us that one man truly can make a difference in the lives of thousands.

"His generosity has touched thousands of students and faculty members in the Sid Craig School of Business in the last 16 years, and because of their scholarship, research and business achievements, Central California is a better place," said Harper. "Sid had a vision to help Fresno State’s business school become one of the top schools in the United States, and that vision became a reality.”

In fact, in a visit by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Fresno State was commended as a "national model for institutions interested in becoming generators of social mobility, economic development and student success."

For more information about Mr. Craig’s legacy at Fresno State, the Craig School of Business, visit www.craig.csufresno.edu.