Dr. Carl Pherson

In 1972, Dr. Carl Pherson moved with his family from Minnesota to California to join Fresno State as an assistant professor of Agricultural Economics. What began as a career move turned into thirty-three years of dedication and service to the Jordan College - moving through the ranks to professor, department chair, associate dean and director of agricultural operations. Upon his retirement in 2005, the Juliana and Carl L. Pherson Assistantship Endowment was established using donations from former students, the agricultural industry, and the CSUF Agricultural Foundation that were matched by Dr. Pherson. This unique assistantship provides students with paid opportunities to work directly with the Farm Manager of the University Agricultural Laboratory (UAL) - enhancing their education, developing professional skills, and contributing meaningfully to the farm's operations.

Meeting Jaime De Anda, the 2025 assistantship recipient, at the California Agricultural Teachers Association Summer Conference was a full-circle experience for Dr. Pherson. Separated in age by decades, both shared low-income first-generation college student backgrounds and recognition that education can be a career stepping-stone. Coincidently, they also were members of their respective high school State Champion FFA Agricultural Mechanics teams. The selection of Jaime for the 2025 award was especially meaningful to Dr. Pherson as he recalled his efforts to recruit students from historically underserved minorities, which included two USDA Multicultural Scholarship grants.

Originally from East Side Bakersfield, Jaime is compelled to use his agricultural skills to build success for those from similar circumstances. Jaime expressed it this way:

"I want to inspire students who come from similar backgrounds to believe in themselves and see that there is more to life than the streets. I hope to change the narrative that says your environment defines your potential. I want to prove that your origins do not limit your dignity, morals, or character - and that with hard work and guidance, there is always a way forward."

For his assistantship project, Jaime constructed a truck flatbed to make it more conducive to the truck's use on the campus beef unit. Jaime earned $1000, academic credit, and most importantly, letters of recommendation. Farm Manager Dr. Vince Roos and his Mechanized Agriculture Professor, Dr. John Williams praised his professional-quality planning, design, and workmanship. Jaime's enhanced resume will likely attract many offers from high school superintendents seeking a top-ranked high school Agricultural Mechanics instructor.

Dr. Pherson views the win-win-win results from investing in this assistantship as a gratifying legacy: Beyond earning dollars to pay university fees, students earn credits, gain marketable skills, and build mentor relationships with professors beyond the classroom - something especially beneficial on occasions when the recipient comes from a disadvantaged background. The Farm Manager gains a discretionary resource to address special problems. The academic programs become more closely integrated with the University Agricultural Laboratory.

Dr. Pherson continues to grow his endowment each year through the donation of part of his required minimum distribution (RMD) from his Individual Retirement Account (IRA), a tax-efficient and simple way to give. Investment earnings from a larger endowment could generate multiple assistantships. He claims:

"I find it a bit amusing that whenever I donate a before tax dollar to Fresno State via my RMDs, the United States President and the California State Governor become my co-donors; I contribute $0.69 that I could have spent elsewhere after taxes, the IRS contributes $0.22, and CA FTB contributes $0.09."

If you are 70 ½ or older, you may choose to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to support the Jordan College. At 73, RMDs become mandatory, but like Dr. Pherson, you may donate a portion of or all of your RMD to make a meaningful impact on the Jordan College.

A gift to the Jordan College has the power to change lives - just like Dr. Pherson's has for Jaime and generations of Fresno State students. If you're interested in creating your own legacy and supporting students like Jaime through RMDs or other planned giving methods, connect with us today!