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Rodger and Margaret Jensen establish
$1.5m scholarship endowment
(January 24, 2012) – The Jordan College of
Agricultural Sciences and Technology received a $1.5 million
gift to endow scholarships from longtime orchardists,
philanthropists and Fresno State alumni Rodger and Margaret
Jensen.
The Jensens’ gift will benefit students of the Jordan
College who are majoring in Agricultural Business or Plant
Science. The endowment is expected to cover in-state tuition
for seven recipients each academic year in perpetuity.
Recipients will be known as Jensen Scholars.
Fresno State’s full-time undergraduate in-state tuition is
approximately $6,000 per year.
“The impact of this gift will be nothing short of
extraordinary,” explained Dr. Charles Boyer, dean of the
Jordan College. “This scholarship is life-changing for
students who may not otherwise be able to achieve their
dreams of higher education.”
Rodger and Margaret Jensen’s agricultural
roots run deep in the Central Valley and the couple have a
long history of philanthropy.
Margaret Jensen’s parents were pioneers in the development
of the San Joaquin Valley’s fig industry in what is now the
Fig Garden area of Fresno.
In hopes of helping to preserve the river bottom, the
Jensens donated land to the San Joaquin River Parkway Trust
to restore and connect the area between Woodward Park and
the river. Margaret Jensen was honored with a Common Threads
award from the California Agricultural Leadership
Foundation, Fresno State’s Jordan College and Ag One in
2004.
A decorated Air Force veteran, 1st Lt. Rodger Jensen was a
B-29 pilot during World War II. His aircraft “Horrible
Monster” completed the final combat mission of the war. His
heroism was documented in the book “The Last Mission” by Jim
Smith and Malcolm McConnell, which inspired a History
Channel documentary.
After the war, Rodger Jensen returned to
Fresno, where he purchased low-value dryland farm ground. In
1950 he established
S & J Ranch, a farm management company. During his
presidency, S & J was one of the largest tree crop farmers
in California, largest olive producer and the largest
independent almond and pistachio processor.
Rodger Jensen was the founder and first president of the
Pistachio Association. In addition to managing extensive
citrus groves, S & J Ranch also managed three citrus packing
plants and two nut processing facilities under Jensen’s
leadership.
S & J is now owned by Paramount Citrus. Jensen continues to
farm citrus and pistachios under his company name, Jenco
Farms.
Rodger Jensen has served on the Fresno State Board of
Governors and on boards of the Fresno Historical Society,
California and Fresno Chambers of Commerce, North Fresno
Rotary and Children’s Hospital of Central California. He has
been an industry advisor to the Jordan College and the Craig
School of Business at
Fresno State.
The Jensens’ philanthropy has benefited the
agriculture industry, higher education and the entire San
Joaquin Valley. Founding members of Ag One at Fresno State,
their generosity extends to numerous local organizations
including Children’s Hospital, St. Agnes Medical Center,
Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra, the San Joaquin River Parkway
Trust and more.
The Jensens met while attending Fresno State and celebrated
their 70th wedding anniversary on Dec. 28, 2011. In 2009 the
Jensens were awarded Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
degrees by the California State University trustees, in
recognition of their professional accomplishments and
service to the community. The degrees were awarded during
Fresno State’s 2009 commencement.
For more information, contact Kathleen Schock, the Campaign
communications director, at 559.278.2756 or
kschock@csufresno.edu
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California State University, Fresno is the largest
institution of higher education in Central California and
has a growing reputation as one of the West Coast's premier
universities. Founded in 1911, Fresno State has earned
national acclaim for programs in teacher-preparation, health
care, water technology, winemaking, entrepreneurship and the
Classics. Guided by a distinguished faculty, our 21,000
students receive the academic, practical and leadership
skills to meet the dynamic challenges of today and the
future in the global community.
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