The Fresno State Alumni Association’s Top Dog Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2014 was presented to William S. Smittcamp, president and CEO of Wawona Frozen Foods in Clovis.

He was honored Friday, Nov. 7 at the annual Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala at the Save Mart Center along with outstanding alumni from each of the University’s academic schools and colleges, the Department of Athletics, the Henry Madden Library, the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Graduate Studies.

Service to the University and community will be recognized with the Arthur Safstrom Service Award presented this year to Brad Fischer, a 1981 graduate who is vice president and operations support manager for Premier Valley Bank.

“The Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala has become Fresno State’s premier event recognizing our incredible alumni,” said Jacquelyn Glasener, executive director of the Alumni Association.

The formal event also recognized student scholars with $140,000 awarded to students based on academic achievement, financial need and service to the community. The Fresno State Alumni Association leads the 23-campus California State University system in student scholarship giving.

Smittcamp, a native of Clovis, graduated from Fresno State in 1975 with a degree in business administration and followed his father, Earl, into business, community and University service. He grew up working on the family farm learning the fruit business.

While studying at Fresno State, Smittcamp joined Sigma Chi Fraternity and met his wife of 37 years, Linda.

They have three children and two grandchildren. Son Blake is a graduate of Fresno State’s Craig School of Business and works for Wawona. Son Bradley graduated from Universal Technical Institute and daughter Blair is a Fresno State alumna who works for the Alumni Association.

Smittcamp became president and CEO of Wawona Frozen Foods in 1985, growing the business from about 15 million pounds of fruit processed per year to more than 125 million pounds. He is deeply involved in Valley service. He serves on the boards of Children’s Hospital Central California, Central Valley Community Bank (director), Garfield Water District, Fresno State Agricultural Food Science, Sigma Chi Foundation and Every Neighborhood Partnership.

The 2014 Top Dog Alumni Award recipients are:

  • Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology: Rob Yraceburu (1984, 1990), executive vice president, National Food and Agribusiness, Wells Fargo Bank
  • College of Arts and Humanities: James Melikian (1969), owner of The Popcorn Man
  • Department of Athletics: Lacy Barnes (1988, 1991), former member of the Bulldogs’ track team, the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team and Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame inductee; instructor at Reedley College, president at State Center Federations of Teachers, and senior vice president for California Federation of Teachers
  • Craig School of Business: Leo Wilson (1957), president and CEO of Wilson Homes
  • Kremen School of Education and Human Development: W. Richard Smith (1977), retired assistant superintendent working nationally as a professional development consultant
  • Lyles College of Engineering: Harry Moore (1979), owner and president of Moore Twining Associates, Inc.
  • Division of Graduate Studies: Yolanda Partida (1976, 1977), retired public administrator and active volunteer
  • College of Health and Human Services: Andrew E. Hoff (1973, 1975, 1978), retired Fresno State professor, dean and interim vice president for academic affairs and provost
  • Henry Madden Library: Kay Provost (1962), active volunteer and supporter of Fresno State, Hinds Hospice and the Madden Library
  • College of Science and Mathematics: Tamsen Nichols Munger (1968), managing general partner of Munger Properties
  • College of Social Sciences: Todd Suntrapak (1992), President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Hospital Central California
  • Division of Student Affairs: Scott Vick (1989, 1991), attorney, social entrepreneur and youth advocate

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Katie Adamo at katieadamo@csufresno.edu or 559.278.5723 for more information.

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